Seòmar agus comataidhean

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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 3507 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S5W-19579

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when it will (a) publish and (b) respond to the results of the consultation on enhanced oversight of biometric data for justice and community safety purposes.

The Scottish Government has already published the responses to its consultation on enhanced oversight of biometric data for justice and community safety purposes, which can be viewed at https://consult.gov.scot/safer-communities/use-of-biometric-data/ . The Scottish Government will publish an Analysis Report of the responses and its Consultation Report in the coming weeks.

The Scottish Government announced its intention to introduce a Biometric Data Bill in its Programme for Government 2018. The key findings from the consultative response will inform the content of that Bill.

Question reference: S5W-19639

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 26 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 2 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Parliament agreeing motion S5M-13876, as amended, on 13 September 2018, which called for a Good Food Bill to be introduced "within the next 12 months", whether it will confirm (a) what plans it has to consult on such a bill and (b) when this bill will be introduced.

Question reference: S5O-02481

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how the views of local communities are taken into account by ministers during consideration of a planning appeal.

Question reference: S5W-19144

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 01 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 23 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what type of vehicles are included in its proposed Road Equivalent Tariff scheme for ferry routes serving Orkney and Shetland.

Question reference: S5W-19143

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 01 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 23 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it expects to introduce a Road Equivalent Tariff scheme on ferry routes serving Orkney.

As the member is aware, through our precise discussions, an official complaint has been made to the European Commission. The Commission has requested further information to which we have responded to and we are fully engaging with them to establish the next steps in the process.

The Scottish Government remains committed to pursuing all avenues to deliver Road Equivalent Tariff for Orkney and Shetland.

I will update Parliament in due course once there is more clarity on the way forward.

Question reference: S5W-19012

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 23 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00012 by Michael Matheson on 14 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 10), on what date the police (a) began and (b) ceased operations through the Scottish Recording Centre (SRC), which used surveillance data acquired through the Milkwhite scheme; what advice it sought regarding the legality of holding and processing this data; what aspects of the SRC’s work were subject to ministerial approval, and, in light of the recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, whether it will provide an update on the operation of the SRC across Scotland and its involvement with Milkwhite.

The management of police units and related information sharing agreements are an operational matter for the Police Service of Scotland.

The role of the Scottish Ministers is provided in the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. Prior to this, Scottish Ministers’ role was provided in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 2) Order 2000.

All matters pertaining to the interception of communications are independently overseen by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO). From September 2017, the Police Service of Scotland has been subject to oversight and inspection by the IPCO; prior to this, the role was carried out by the Interception of Communications Commissioner's Office.

Question reference: S5W-19145

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 01 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-18904 by Humza Yousaf on 27 September 2018, how many of the not (a) proven and (b) guilty verdicts in each year can be attributed to cases of (i) murder and (ii) rape.

The available information is provided in the following tables by financial year, which have been produced from the Scottish Government’s criminal proceedings database .

Number of people proceeded against in Scottish Solemn Courts with result 'not proven' for 'Murder' or 'Rape'¹, 2014-15 to 2016-17.

	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17
Murder	2	4	4
Rape (offences prior to 1 Dec 2010)	12	7	8
Rape	34	36	30

1 - where main crime

Source: Criminal Proceedings database

Number of people proceeded against in Scottish Solemn Courts with result 'not guilty' for 'Murder' or 'Rape'¹, 2014-15 to 2016-17.

	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17
Murder	6	5	7
Rape (offences prior to 1 Dec 2010)	15	7	21
Rape	66	45	78

1 - where main crime

Source: Criminal Proceedings database

Question reference: S5W-18700

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 15 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Orkney regarding proposals to offer shift patterns to medical staff that involve two weeks on, two weeks off, and what assessment it has made of the potential impact of such an approach.

All NHS Scotland health boards have fully delegated powers in relation to employment issues including staff rostering. The Scottish Government expects NHS Boards to plan their facilities and workforce to meet patient needs and maintain high standards of care with services delivered by the right professionals, at the right time.

We understand that recent changes to rostering arrangements for some locum hospital staff are being trialled to promote service continuity, including a more settled rostering pattern. The board has advised that these changes reflect rostering patterns that were introduced for primary care staff some time ago.

In line with our existing national policy approach and position, where any mandatory changes are made to local rostering arrangements, we would expect the relevant board to consult with affected staff groups and undertake appropriate impact assessment to ensure that staff are not adversely affected.

Question reference: S5W-18452

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 15 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) appeals and (b) complaints have been made in relation to applications to the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme in each of the last five years, and how many of these have been upheld.

Question reference: S5W-18904

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 27 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in solemn trial cases, how many (a) not proven and (b) not guilty verdicts were returned in (i) 2015, (ii) 2016 and (iii) 2017.

The available information is provided in the following tables by financial year, which have been produced from the Scottish Government’s criminal proceedings database . The Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2017-18 will be published in late January 2019.

Number of people proceeded against in Scottish solemn courts with result 'not proven', 2014-15 to 2016-17.

	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17
All crimes and offences	341	342	359

Source: Criminal Proceedings database

Number of people proceeded against in Scottish solemn courts with result 'not guilty', 2014-15 to 2016-17 .

	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17
All crimes and offences	785	878	818

Source: Criminal Proceedings database

	Complaints		Appeals
Year	Received	Upheld	Received	Upheld
2015	0	0	1	0
2016	1	0	0	0
2017	0	0	2	1
2018	1	0	1	0