- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21543 by Jenni Minto on 3 October 2023, what was discussed in its meeting with the Gambling Commission regarding the UK Government White Paper on Gambling on 21 September.
Answer
The meeting on the 21 September was an introductory meeting with the Gambling Commission. It discussed the role of the Gambling Commission and the consultations that they were leading on as part of the White Paper.
The meeting also discussed the role of evidence and the developments by the Gambling Commission to improve the evidence base across the UK. There was a commitment to build links between officials to support the development of gambling policy in Scotland.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of a Green Industrial Strategy, as committed to in its Programme for Government 2023-24.
Answer
Yes. We will update Parliament, when appropriate, in relation to the Green Industrial Strategy.
- Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21540 by Jenni Minto on 3 October 2023, when the "whole systems approach" being piloted by Public Health Scotland in Glasgow to mitigate the impact of gambling harm will (a) begin and (b) report back on its findings to the Scottish (i) Government and (ii) Parliament.
Answer
The whole systems approach in Glasgow to mitigate the impact of gambling harm is led by a Multi-Agency Group chaired by Glasgow City Council. It reports into the Glasgow City Council Wellbeing, Equalities, Communities, Culture and Engagement City Policy Committee (WECCE).
A report on progress was taken to the WECCE in August 2023. It is available from Committee Information - View Committee Document (glasgow.gov.uk) .
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve biosecurity, for (a) grouse, (b) other wildlife, (c) dogs and (d) the shooting community, in light of the discovery of a highly pathogenic avian influenza in a red grouse in the Scottish Borders.
Answer
A Scottish Avian Influenza in wild bird Task Force was established in 2022, which brought together colleagues from Scottish Government, NatureScot, the RSPB, the British Trust for Ornithology, Public Health Scotland, and Local Authorities to coordinate a joint response to the outbreak in wild birds. On 11 August Ministers launched the Scottish Wild Bird Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Response Plan that sets out how the Scottish Government and its partners will respond to any further outbreaks of HPAI in wild birds in Scotland. The NatureScot Avian Influenza sub-committee recently highlighted the limited options that are available to authorities in dealing with HPAI in wild birds.
The Scottish Government has published guidance on gov.scot for pet dogs and working dogs. Scottish Government has also worked with the game industry to develop standing guidance on avian influenza and game birds, whilst Scotland’s HPAI Task Force has provided guidance to land managers.
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many gamebirds, broken down by species, have been destroyed at rearing and release facilities due to highly pathogenic avian influenza infection in 2023.
Answer
In the previous avian influenza outbreak season (October 2022 to September 2023) 31,570 gamebirds have either succumbed to avian influenza or have been humanely culled for animal welfare and disease control reasons, due to being present at an infected premises. 19,570 of these birds were pheasants, and 12,000 were partridges. There have been no instances of gamebirds infected with HPAI in the current AI outbreak season which began on 01 October 2023.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how often the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board meets, and, on average, how long each meeting lasts.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22110 on 30 October 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
- Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its Diet and healthy weight: monitoring report 2023 update.
Answer
The Diet and Healthy Weight Monitoring report was not published in 2022 and, as set out at the time, we have engaged with users to decide on the future of this publication. An announcement will be made shortly informed by the outcome of user engagement. Most of the data previously included in the Diet and Healthy Weight Monitoring report is now presented in the Scottish Health Survey with the remaining few indicators available in other publications. Results from the 2022 Scottish Health Survey will be published on 5 December 2023. Data for the indicators on sales of soft drinks with added sugar, confectionery, biscuits, cakes and pastries are available on the Food Standards Scotland website and type 2 diabetes prevalence is available in the Scottish Diabetes Survey report.
- Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 October 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the findings of the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland, which was published on 25 August 2023, and whether it will establish a national implementation group, to implement the recommendations of the review, that has embedded within it lived patient experience and experience of staff who deliver audiology services.
Answer
The Scottish Government is currently considering all the recommendations made, including the recommendation to establish a national implementation group.
Given the broad scope of the recommendations, and the seriousness of the issues raised, it is important that sufficient time is taken to fully plan how any actions will be taken forward.
We will update Parliament at the earliest opportunity.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it plans to publish the guidelines for farmers to adopt ahead of the proposed implementation of provisions in the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to S6W-22110 on 30 October 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 09 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) North Lanarkshire Council, (b) South Lanarkshire Council and (c) Falkirk Council regarding police station closures, since 1 April 2023.
Answer
Responsibility for managing the police estate is for the Chief Constable under Scottish Police Authority (SPA) scrutiny. It is for Police Scotland to consult on the details of its planned estate changes, as approved by the SPA.
The Scottish Government has had no discussions with (a) North Lanarkshire Council, (b) South Lanarkshire Council and (c) Falkirk Council regarding police station closures, since 1 April 2023.