Seòmar agus comataidhean

As we set out in our 2022 Programme for Government we will introduce a Wildlife Management (Grouse) Bill which will: ‘ implement the recommendations of the “Werritty Review” and introduce licensing for grouse moor management to ensure that the management of driven grouse moors and related activities is undertaken in an environmentally sustainable manner. The Bill will also include provisions to ban glue traps.’

We have been working with NatureScot to develop proposals for a licensing scheme for grouse moor businesses and launched a public consultation on those proposals on 26 October 2022. The consultation will run until 14 December 2022 and can be found here: Wildlife management: consultation - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner (SBC) Act 2020 establishes the office of the SBC and provides for its functions in relation to the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of biometric data for criminal justice and police purposes. Therefore, biometric data collected from schools or prisons by Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority or the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner for these purposes, would already fall within the oversight of the SBC.

I would also refer the member to the Scottish Government’s letter to the Criminal Justice Committee dated 19 August 2022 which is published at Annex B to the Committee paper CJ/S6/22/26/1 . This outlined the Scottish Government’s position on extending the SBC’s functions to include oversight of biometric data collected in prisons and other sectors such as education. In relation to schools, I would also refer the member to the Scottish Government’s response to question S6W-06534 on 1 March 2022 raised on such matters.

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

The figure quoted in answer S6W-11465 represents the percentage of final post mortem reports received by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). It is not related to a specific target for toxicology or pathology providers, but demonstrates the continued efficacy of the improvement plan put in place to reduce the timescale for completion of toxicological analysis, and thereafter a final post mortem report in each case.

Once received by COPFS, each report then requires to be considered by a Procurator Fiscal (and the nearest relative made aware of any change to the cause of death) before determining whether the death investigation can be closed, or whether further inquiries are necessary. Performance continues to improve in that respect and in this reporting year to date (as at 7 November), in 65% of deaths which require further investigation, the investigation was concluded and the nearest relative advised of the outcome within 12 weeks of the death being reported to COPFS.

Given the nature and content of post mortem reports, nearest relatives do not automatically receive a copy but COPFS will provide one to them or their general practitioner if they wish and will, if relatives find it helpful, facilitate a meeting with the relevant pathologist(s) to discuss the findings and answer any further questions that relatives might have.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12089 on 21 November 2022 which is 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12089 on‎ 21 November 2022 which is 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12089 on‎ 21 November 2022 which is 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12089 on‎ 21 November 2022 which is 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12089 on‎ 21 November 2022 which is 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

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.