Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Government has not made specific representations to Ofcom in relation to the changes to spectrum allocations due to be discussed at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023, or the impacts of those changes on particular groups. We understand that the UK Government, who lead on decision-making around broadcasting as it is a reserved issue, have directed Ofcom to represent the UK at WRC-23, and have expressed that their preference is for no change to international spectrum allocations. The Scottish Government understands that, if a different spectrum allocation is agreed at WRC-23, the UK would still have considerable freedom over how to use the spectrum going forward.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

The Member may wish to contact British Transport Police, who might be able to provide this information.

The Scottish Government is aware of the health and wellbeing impacts of access to broadcast services on particular demographics from our assessment of research conducted by Ofcom, such as their annual Media Nations reports, and through our engagement with stakeholders, including audiences in Scotland.

Their Media Nations 2023 report showed that almost a third of Scottish households only used television services delivered via aerial. [1] Research conducted by Ipsos Mori for Arqiva shows that these services are of particular importance to older people, people living in rural areas, and households from lower socio-economic backgrounds. [2] Due to Scotland’s demographics in terms of an ageing population, and numbers living in rural or island locations, this issue is therefore especially important in Scotland.

Ofcom’s report also shows the continued importance of broadcast services to Scottish audiences, who watch the most broadcast TV of all the UK nations. The report also notes that nearly nine in ten people in Scotland listen to the radio weekly, for an average of almost 19 hours.

[1] Media Nations: Scotland 2023 (ofcom.org.uk)

[2] The Future of Broadcast TV & Radio (arqiva.com)

The antenatal booking appointment is usually the first contact point between the primary or named midwife and pregnant women. We expect all women to have an initial assessment of their health, obstetric and social needs completed, and be offered appropriate screening referrals and other care options by the 12th full week of pregnancy.

The Scottish Government Local Delivery Plan standard for early access to antenatal care states that at least 80% of pregnant women in each Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile will have booked for antenatal care by the 12th week of gestation. This standard has been met or exceeded consistently since 2013-14. Public Health Scotland published its latest annual statistical report on antenatal booking, Antenatal Booking in Scotland , in March 2023, which shows that 92.8% of pregnancies were booked by 12 weeks in the year ending 31 December 2022.

There are no obligations on District Salmon Fishery Boards to report or publish wild salmon catch statistics.

The Scottish Government requires proprietors or occupiers of salmon fisheries to provide it with information each year relating to the fishery. Refusal to comply with the request for information or providing false information is an offence.

Official Statistics on the Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery are published annually. Statistics for the 2022 season are available at - Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. The member may wish to contact the British Transport Police.

The Scottish Government is supportive of the view, set out in the Broadcast 2040+ Campaign, that audiences should continue to have access to the high-quality broadcast TV and radio services they rely on. In response to a letter from members of the Campaign, I wrote to arrange a meeting to hear more about the valuable work of the Campaign and will meet with them on 6 December. When that meeting takes place, I will ensure that the positive health and wellbeing impacts of access to broadcast television and radio are discussed.

We have not commissioned any reviews into the effects of second-hand cannabis smoke, so we have no outcomes to report. We are aware of studies which have been conducted in North America including What are the effects of secondhand exposure to marijuana smoke? | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (nih.gov)

The Scottish Government is not considering steps to reduce recreational fishing for salmon or trout in Scotland. 

Recreational fisheries for salmon and trout are regulated by a body of legislation that determines where and when fishing can take place, by what method and whether any fish caught can be retained or must be returned to the water. 

The Conservation of Salmon (Scotland) Regulations 2016 prohibit the retention of salmon caught in coastal waters and specified inland waters. The regulations are amended annually to take account of the latest assessment of the conservation status of salmon.

As a result of statutory and voluntary measures, the practice of catch and release has increased in recent years. In 2022, catch and release accounted for 97% of the total rod catch of salmon and 91% of the total rod catch of sea trout.

Funding allocated to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) is for both alcohol and drug treatment services. In 2022-23, £106.8 million was made available to ADPs, increasing to £112.9 million in 2023-24. This funding is used to ensure that local services meet the needs of people who experience alcohol and drugs harms.

On 7 September 2023 I supported a Member’s Debate Motion calling for investment in alcohol services - outlining the Government’s plan to reduce harm from alcohol misuse. The plan includes measures to improve access to treatment and support, including through stabilisation and crisis management, expansion in local assertive outreach services and increasing the availability of residential rehabilitation placements. The plan also includes working with partners and stakeholders to implement alcohol treatment standards – building on the forthcoming UK-wide Clinical Alcohol Treatment Guidelines which are currently out for public consultation until 8 December 2023.