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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-22174

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many dogs have been destroyed following a court of any type issuing a destruction order, in each year since 2012.

This information is not held centrally and relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body.

The SCTS have provided the following table detailing how many orders of destruction were issued by the courts. However, they don’t hold records of how many dogs were then subsequently “destroyed”. Following an order being issued by the court, appeals and other protocols can occur. Once the order is issued SCTS do not find out the outcome of whether the dog was destroyed or not, the specific information is not held by SCTS.

Destruction orders issued under both the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 at Scottish Courts

Financial Year	Destruction order	Contingent Destruction order
2012-13	8	6
2013-14	12	7
2014-15	11	10
2015-16	11	6
2016-17	13	5
2017-18	6	9
2018-19	11	10
2019-20	9	4
2020-21	4	1
2021-22	8	8
2022-23	11	12
2023-24 YTD	8	5
Total	112	83

Source: SCTS

Data Notes

1. Data is based on all cases disposed in the Sheriff, Justice of the Peace and High Courts from 1st April 2012 until 30th September 2023 where at least one charge falls under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 or the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010.

2. These orders are from the courts disposals that occurred within that period regardless of when the case was registered. This is at case/accused level where at least one order falls under the charges from Acts above. A distinct order is only counted once per person per case.

3. Contingent Destruction Orders are not a final destruction outcome and a breach of this order may not be subsequently recorded as such through the court disposal system. A contingent destruction order is a court order that allows a dog to be spared from being destroyed if the owner complies with the conditions set out in the order.

4. YTD is 1st April 2023 until 30th September 2023.

5. There is a possibility that text disposals may also exist that impose a destruction order. As this is a manual field all text disposals would require manual interrogation.

6. There is an option to proceed through the civil court system to acquire a dog destruction order, however as there is no specific case category, type and subtype which would allow SCTS to identify these cases, they are unable to electronically extract any information in relation to these.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service uses a live operational case management system for the processing of court business. The information held on the system is structured for these operational needs, rather than for statistical reporting or research purposes. The information provided is based on the best information available from the case management system as at 20-10-2023.

Question reference: S6W-22008

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there are any circumstances in which it would be acceptable or appropriate for an electricity distribution network company to retain equipment on land when the landowner has given notice to remove the equipment and a necessary wayleave has not been applied for.

Regulation of electricity networks is reserved to the UK Government. Matters pertaining to the retention of electric lines on land are governed by schedule 4 to the Electricity Act 1989. The schedule sets out the circumstances and the timeframe within which an electricity network distribution licence holder may, following the service of a notice to remove the electric line from the land, not be obliged to comply with the notice and retain the electric line on the land.

Question reference: S6W-22346

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide more information on how the First Minister's commitment to "invest up to £500 million to anchor a new offshore wind supply chain" will be delivered.

Question reference: S6W-22274

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many breaches of discipline have been recorded by the Scottish Prison Service for a prisoner using an authorised mobile phone in a prison setting, since the introduction of this rule to the present date, broken down by financial year.

Question reference: S6W-22249

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place for the early detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza on grouse moors.

In Scotland (and across Great Britain) the GB Dead Wild Bird Surveillance Scheme, administered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on behalf of the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and Defra (England), allows members of the public to report dead wild birds (via a helpline and/or online reporting tool), and for a selection of these birds (based on a triage criteria) to be tested for avian influenza. The purpose of the scheme is to capture information on the general location and strains of avian influenza that might be prevalent in GB. This data then helps government build up a picture of the current risks, and shapes how they then respond in policy terms.

In addition to this, NatureScot have a network of reporters across Scotland who provide early intelligence on unusual mortality levels in wild bird species. It is also recognised by Scottish Government that managers of grouse moors in Scotland may regularly carry out their own health checks of wild grouse across the summer months.

Question reference: S6W-22276

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when authorised mobile phones for prisoners are due to be withdrawn by the Scottish Prison Service.

Question reference: S6W-21970

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the 30 police buildings that Police Scotland plans to dispose of, as detailed in its proposals submitted to the Scottish Police Authority.

The Police Scotland Estate Strategy seeks to deliver modern, fit for purpose police buildings which are co-located with strategic partners, and which meet the needs of 21st century operational policing. To date over 60 co-locations have been delivered.

Overall responsibility for managing the police estate is for the Chief Constable under Scottish Police Authority (SPA) scrutiny. As approved by the SPA it is for Police Scotland to consult on the details of its planned estate changes.

Question reference: S6W-22345

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government with which organisations it has consulted regarding the development of a Green Industrial Strategy, as committed to in its Programme for Government 2023-24.

There will be an extensive programme of consultation as the Green Industrial Strategy is developed in line with our commitments within the New Deal for Business. We have already engaged with a number of organisations including Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC), Confederation of British Industry (CBI Scotland), Scottish Council for Development & Industry (SCDI), Federation of Small Business (FSB), Institute of Directors (IoD) and Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE). We will continue to engage with stakeholders through our New Deal for Business Group and other mechanisms in order to shape the strategy.

Question reference: S6W-22134

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many drones have been detected at HMP & YPI Grampian in each of the last three years, and what measures the Scottish Prison Service is taking to prevent drones from being used to smuggle drugs and weapons onto the prison estate.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

There have been no drones detected at HMP & YOI Grampian in each of the last three years.

The Scottish Prison Service recognises the negative impact of drones being used to introduce illicit items (including drugs and weapons) into the prison estate and are currently considering a technological solution to support the identification of drones within SPS airspace.

Question reference: S6W-22403

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what objectives it set for the funding it provided to Big Hearts Community Trust in 2022.

During Phase 5 of the CashBack for Communities (CashBack) programme (2020 – 2023), funding was awarded to the Scottish Professional Football League Trust (SPFL Trust). Their ‘Off the Bench’ project worked to provide young people in need of support with opportunities to access education, employment and build better futures.

The SPFL Trust provided onward funding to the Big Hearts Community Trust to support 23 young people in 2022. The main objectives set for Phase 5 CashBack projects were to:

• Support people, families and communities most affected by crime

• Support those most at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending into positive destinations

• Support young people most at risk of entering the justice system

• Provide intergenerational support for parents, families and children impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences

All CashBack projects are evaluated against their objectives. The independent evaluation of Phase 5 of the CashBack for Communities programme is due to be published by December 2023.

2020-21	2021-22	2022-23	2023*	TOTAL
2,254	2,050	1,623	609	6,536