- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what specific measures are in place to prevent theft from railway depots located in rural areas.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33028 on 22 January 2025. 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: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with British Transport Police regarding improving enforcement measures to reduce theft from railway (a) stations, (b) depots and (c) lines in Scotland.
Answer
Enforcement measures are an operational matter for the British Transport Scotland police. British Transport Police regularly attend rail project meetings and provide expert advice as necessary.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider adopting a national strategy to address thefts from railways, and, if so, how it would ensure consistency across Scotland.
Answer
Strategies for theft prevention are a matter for Network Rail and railway operators in collaboration with the British Transport Police.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, on average, what percentage of surgeries currently performed at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary involve patients from rural areas.
Answer
The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government the member may wish to contact NHS Grampian directly for information.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 17 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many patients in rural areas have been transferred to hospitals in urban areas for treatment in each of the last five years.
Answer
The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government the member may wish to contact NHS Boards directly for information.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that there is an adequate number of justices of the peace to meet demand.
Answer
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 reply in writing within 20 days.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what improvements have been made to lay-bys and rest areas on the A90 in the last five years.
Answer
The following improvements have been made to laybys adjacent to the A90 carriageway to improve the trunk road network in the last five years:
2020-21
A90 Glamis SB Layby 0309 – Concrete Plinth for HGVS
A90 South Tarbrax SB Layby 0309 Concrete Plinth for HGVs
A90 Layby improvement scheme which included resurfacing and vehicle deterrent on entry and exit tapers at -
Northbound | Southbound |
Kinfauns | Longforgan |
Glencarse | Prior to Inchture |
Glendoick | Inchmartine Farm |
North Lodge West | Glencarse |
Inchmartine | Glendoick |
Inchture | Prior to Friarton |
Bullionfield | Longforgan |
2021-22
A90 Spurryhillock Layby Embankment / Drainage – Drainage to stabilise the embankment and prevent slippage
A90 Dundee to Aberdeen Litter fences
Northbound | Southbound |
All - New litter fences | All - New litter fences |
Prior to Forfar | After Stoneheaven Rail Overpass |
After Finavon | Prior to Fordoun |
After Nether Carestone | Bogardo Exit |
Castle of Fiddes | Oathlaw |
Carron Water | Longforgan |
2022-23
A90 Bogindollo Layby SB – 0309- New Litter Fence
2023-24
New Litter fences –
- North of Kirriemuir Jct Layby NB
- North of Kirriemuir Jct Layby SB
- Fiddes Services Layby SB
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how often the condition of the A90 is assessed for maintenance purposes, and what criteria are used to determine necessary repairs.
Answer
Our Operating Companies are required to carry out a range of inspections and surveys to assess the condition and performance of the trunk road network. For example, safety inspections are completed at 7-day intervals. These are primarily to identify defects that require prompt attention because they present, or could present, an immediate hazard to road users. Severe carriageway defects, such as some potholes, are classified as Category 1 Defects, which are required to be made safe when identified, following which a temporary or permanent repair must be undertaken as soon as possible and no later than 06:00 on the day following identification. Where a temporary repair has been carried out, a permanent repair is required to be carried out within 28 days. In addition to this
Lesser defects and general deterioration which do not necessitate such an immediate safety-led response are then considered with findings from our annual testing of the road network to determine future maintenance schemes. These schemes may include localised patching repairs or larger structural maintenance schemes, which are then programmed and considered against competing priorities across the Trunk Road Network
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what action Police Scotland has taken to review historic military training sites for the presence of unexploded ordnance, and what progress has been made in decommissioning such sites.
Answer
It is for the Chief Constable, working with the working with the Scottish Police Authority, to determine how to allocate its budget to meet policing priorities.
You may wish to write directly to Police Scotland on this matter.. Alternatively, as this matter may better sit with the UK Government Ministry of Defence, you may wish to raise the issue directly with the Rt Hon John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures a coordinated multi-agency response to public safety threats, including those involving unexploded ordnance.
Answer
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (the Act) and the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (as amended) (the Regulations) outline the key organisations responsible for responding to, and their duties to prepare for, civil emergencies within Scotland. Responders’ duties include to assess risk, maintain emergency and business continuity plans, communicate with the public, share information and co-operate. A co-ordinated multi-agency response to public safety threats, including those involving unexploded ordnance, is further supported by the ‘Preparing Scotland’ guidance. It is based on Integrated Emergency Management and outlines key activities and principles for effective multi-agency responses.