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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: S5W-26810

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 8 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of road closures and diversions through the town's high street as a result of the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme, what road orders it proposes to ensure a clear and safe route, and what impact increased usage will have on local businesses, amenity for residents and the cost to the local authority of maintaining the road.

The draft road Orders as published on 19 December 2019 are those necessary to deliver the Scheme. There are no permanent road closures or diversions planned that will affect the town’s High Street as a result of the new grade-separated junction. Detailed traffic modelling undertaken as part of the development and assessment of the preferred option indicates no significant increase in traffic on the High Street as a direct result of the grade-separated junction and no detrimental effect to local businesses is expected as a result of the new grade-separated junction. Amenity for local residents will be improved in terms of provision for non-motorised users (NMUs) and opportunity for active travel as part of the Scheme. As the proposed realigned A937 replaces sections of the existing A937 there is not a significant increase in infrastructure for the local authority to maintain and all local roads under Aberdeenshire Council’s authority will continue to be considered as part of the Scottish Government’s Grant Aided Expenditure allocation processes.

Question reference: S5W-26813

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 8 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme and diversions through Laurencekirk high street, what journey time increase it projects for users of the A90.

There are no permanent road closures or diversions planned that will affect the town’s High Street as a result of the new grade-separated junction. Minimising disruption during construction is a key consideration throughout the preparation and delivery phases of all major trunk road improvement schemes. Should any temporary road closures and diversions be proposed by the appointed contractor during the construction period these will be subject to approval by Police Scotland, Transport Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council as relevant Roads Authority. Detailed traffic modelling undertaken as part of the development and assessment of the preferred option indicates that removal of the 50mph speed restrictions on the A90 following construction of the new grade-separated junction will result in journey time savings for traffic using the A90.

Question reference: S5W-26808

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 8 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of road closures and diversions through the town's high street as a result of the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme, what impact and risk assessments have been carried out in relation to increased traffic volume in the immediate proximity of Mearns Academy.

There are no permanent road closures or diversions that will affect the town’s High Street planned as a result of the new grade-separated junction and detailed traffic modelling undertaken as part of the development and assessment of the preferred option indicates no significant increase in traffic volume is anticipated in the immediate proximity of Mearns Academy as a direct result of the Scheme. Any temporary traffic management arrangements, including any temporary road closures and diversions, proposed by the appointed contractor during the construction period will be subject to consultation and approval by Police Scotland, Transport Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council as relevant Roads Authority.

Question reference: S5W-26816

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 8 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, with regard to the Laurencekirk Junction A90/A937 Improvement Scheme and diversions through Laurencekirk high street, how it will monitor noise levels, and what steps it will take to (a) mitigate any significant increase in such levels and (b) ensure there is no diminution of the ability of residents to cross the road.

There are no permanent diversions that will affect the town’s High Street planned as a result of the new grade-separated junction. Detailed traffic modelling undertaken as part of the development and assessment of the preferred option indicates no significant increase in traffic on the High Street is anticipated as a direct result of the Scheme. There is therefore no anticipated requirement to monitor noise levels on the High Street as a result of the new grade-separated junction and the ability of residents to cross the road is not expected to be affected compared to the existing situation. Any temporary traffic management arrangements, including any temporary road closures and diversions, proposed by the appointed contractor during the construction period will be subject to consultation and approval by Police Scotland, Transport Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council as relevant Roads Authority.

Question reference: S5W-26576

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 3 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, what its position is on whether the allegations of chaotic and potentially criminal activity within the special operations unit (SOU) at the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) should be considered a legacy matter that does not merit further investigation, in light of a number of staff who held senior positions at the agency going on to hold senior positions within Police Scotland.

Question reference: S5O-03968

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on track to meet net zero emissions by 2045.

Question reference: S5W-26580

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the executive summary, whether it will publish the full report on the Metropolitan Police's review of the Police Scotland investigation, Operation Towering, into the disposal of files by the special operations unit (SOU) at the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA).

Question reference: S5W-26578

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by James Wolffe QC on 17 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government on what date the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) was aware of allegations that the special operations unit (SOU) at the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) had destroyed paperwork, and when COPFS made the decision that there was no criminality involved in this activity.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) was supplied with material in relation to the conduct of aspects of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency on 12 July 2011. On 20 July 2011, COPFS intimated to SCDEA that there was no evidence of criminality. The documentation retained by COPFS makes no reference to the burning of paperwork by the SCDEA. Senior officials from COPFS have asked Police Scotland for further information in relation to that specific matter.

Question reference: S5W-26577

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of burning of official documents by members of the special operations unit (SOU) at the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) in 2011, which senior officer(s) (a) had responsibility for the SOU's finances, including telephone and banking accounts, and (b) ordered the burning of paperwork, and for what reason.

Question reference: S5W-26579

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the executive summary of the Metropolitan Police's review of the Police Scotland investigation, Operation Towering, into the disposal of files by the special operations unit (SOU) at the former Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), what its position is on whether there are any unanswered questions regarding this matter.