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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: S6F-00059

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 June 2021

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to a recent survey stating that 29% of police officers are experiencing moderate burnout, and a further 16% are enduring high levels.

Question reference: S6W-00086

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 1 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to reducing social distancing requirements to one metre in places of worship.

We acknowledge how challenging this past year has been for everyone in our society, including places of worship. We are grateful to all of Scotland’s faith and belief communities for all they have done to keep their congregations safe and to support our communities during this unprecedented time.

From 26 April, we moved towards greater easing of the health protection restrictions, with the removal of the 50 person limit in places of worship; instead the numbers of people who can attend are limited according to the building capacity and physical distancing of two metres, along with other measures informed by a risk assessment.

The Scottish Government is reviewing physical distancing including its impact on places of worship and an announcement of the outcome of this review is due ahead of the planned move to Level 1 on 7 June. Sectoral guidance will be further updated at that time to reflect the outcome of the review, including proposals for as clear a route as possible to the reduction/removal of physical distancing to enable people and organisations to plan effectively for a full reopening. Physical distancing has been an important tool for controlling the virus, but as with all restrictions, we will only have this in place as long as is necessary

The Scottish Government has to balance the harms from the virus which are potentially fatal, with the impact on faith and belief communities of the restrictions on places of worship. However, please be reassured that the Scottish Government understands the important role of congregational worship in supporting spiritual, mental and social wellbeing and will continue to engage with faith and belief communities regarding the scope for further easing.

Question reference: S6W-00011

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to introduce Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) on Northern Isles routes.

The Scottish Government remains committed to reducing fares on Northern Isles ferry routes.

Following engagement with European Commission officials in 2019, Transport Scotland officials were developing proposals to introduce RET. This work was rightly paused in early 2020, while resources were pivoted to deal with the Covid outbreak, however work has recently resumed.

Engagement between Transport Scotland officials and ferry operators has taken place and will continue as the work progresses. I will keep the member updated on progress.

As the member is aware, fare reductions for passengers, cars and cabins have been introduced on Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick routes, in addition to the existing 30% discount for islanders.

Question reference: S6W-00009

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to publish the Island Communities Impact Assessment for its new young person’s free bus travel scheme, and whether it will provide an update on its consideration of including ferry fares within this policy.

We are committed to carrying out an Islands Communities Impact Assessment for the new free bus travel scheme for young people prior to it coming into operation.

Following a consultation on free bus travel for young people late last year, officials are now consulting further with island communities. We expect to publish the Islands Communities Impact Assessment later this summer.

Ferry fares policy options are being considered through the ongoing review of concessionary travel arrangements across all modes for under 26 year olds and through the Islands Connectivity Plan.

Question reference: S6F-00031

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 24 May 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 May 2021

To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to reform the roles of the Lord Advocate and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, in light of the resignations of the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General.

Question reference: S6W-00008

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the (a) survey and remodelling work in the R100 North of Scotland lot area and (b) estimated timetable for the roll-out of superfast broadband in this area.

The Scottish Government provided Openreach with a finalised speed and coverage template (or SCT) for the R100 North lot contract at the end of March 2021 as outlined in response to S5W-36133 on 23 March 2021. The remodelling exercise to finalise their coverage footprint is ongoing and will be subject to rigorous review through Scottish Government governance and assurance structures, and those of Building Digital UK (BDUK). The full picture across the R100 North lot contract area is expected to be available by Summer 2021.

Survey vessels have begun detailed survey work in preparation for the deployment of 16 new subsea cables.

The roll-out of R100 build in the North lot – and the associated survey work – will be completed in phases, and build plans will be reflected in our online checker at scotlandsuperfast.com.

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

Question reference: S6W-00012

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consult with island communities ahead of the introduction of the proposed "Island Bond", and when it anticipates this will take place.

The Scottish Government has committed to developing a £5 million ‘Islands Bond’ offering 100 bonds of up to £50,000 to young people and families to stay in or to move to islands currently threatened by depopulation. In line with the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 and the introduction of Island Community Impact Assessments, we know the importance of consulting with Island Communities and speaking to the people who are likely to be affected by any new policy, strategy or service before they are implemented. The Islands Bond is still in development and at this stage we do not have exact dates for when the consultation around this will be carried out. However, an Islands Community Impact Assessment will be completed in respect of this new policy and as part of that process, consultation will be undertaken with island communities, local authorities and key stakeholders.

Question reference: S5W-35938

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 5 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when free lateral flow antigen test kits will be available to all businesses, including those with fewer than 50 employees.

Testing for people who do not have COVID-19 symptoms was made available to everyone in Scotland on 26 April. Everyone can now access free lateral flow devices (LFD), for testing at home twice a week.

To get a LFD test you can: order a test kit online at GOV.UK for home delivery collect a test kit from your nearest COVID-19 test site. The site finder shows where you can collect test kits from. You can find further information on how to order and take a LFD test on NHS inform. In addition to this, many groups already have access to routine asymptomatic testing through their education setting or workplace. The purpose of these established testing routes is to support clinical care, to protect the vulnerable, and to support the operation of essential services. Our most recent Testing Strategy sets out the groups we intend to test in this way. Those with COVID-19 symptoms should not use a lateral flow device (LFD) test, and instead must self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test through NHS inform.

Question reference: S5W-36128

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has (a) received or (b) requested an update from Police Scotland or the Scottish Police Authority on the launch of the service-wide staff survey; whether the results will be comparable to the 2015 survey either (i) in part or (ii) in full, and on what date the results will be published.

The National Wellbeing and Engagement Survey launched on 2 March 2021 and is in 2 parts. Part A is open for four weeks and closes on 30 March. Part B launches on 6 April for a further 3 weeks and then closes on 27 April.

Results are expected to be available on a national level by the end of June, followed by further detail by the end of July.

We understand that results will not be directly comparable to the 2015 survey, but will allow for some comparison across themes and with other forces. The survey is being delivered in partnership with Durham Business School who lead on Collaborative Research in Policing. In the past seven years their research has grown and now involves thirty eight forces across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the BTP and MDP. This is recognised as the most relevant comparator available.

Question reference: S5W-36075

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the average number of hours per week that prisoners were engaged in purposeful activity has been in each of the last 12 months, broken down by institution.

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

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, SPS introduced a number of significant restrictions on prison regimes to protect the health and well-being of all those who live and work in our prisons. These restrictions have impacted on the number of Purposeful Activity (PA) hours that each establishment has been able to deliver.

The table below details the average number of PA hours that individuals in custody engaged in each public sector establishment, between March 2020 and January 2021. Data for February 2021 has not yet been verified.

Establishment	Mar 20	Apr 20	May 20	Jun 20	Jul 20	Aug 20	Sep 20	Oct 20	Nov 20	Dec 20	Jan 21
Barlinnie	10	8	9	10	10	11	10	10	9	10	10
Castle Huntly	17	16	15	17	16	16	24	27	23	21	19
Cornton Vale	17	11	11	12	13	14	26	26	25	24	22
Dumfries	12	7	7	9	10	10	11	11	8	9	6
Edinburgh	10	6	5	6	7	5	11	10	11	11	10
Glenochil	13	8	9	10	11	12	13	12	12	12	9
Grampian	20	18	18	18	18	16	21	23	24	22	19
Greenock	20	15	15	18	17	18	21	21	21	21	17
Inverness	17	17	24	29	28	27	26	29	27	25	22
Low Moss	19	14	14	16	16	16	17	17	17	16	15
Perth	11	7	8	6	5	4	7	9	12	12	14
Polmont	14	3	5	15	18	20	21	16	17	16	13
Shotts	18	9	5	10	6	6	7	9	12	15	10

HMP Addiewell and Kilmarnock are privately operated prisons and are not required to provide PA hours on a monthly basis. The delivery of PA hours within these 2 establishments is monitored through contractual arrangements with SPS Controllers and Contract Managers to ensure compliance.