Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-08203

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) information it has on or (b) estimate it has made of the number of digital devices distributed to children and young people that have had to be repaired, broken down by local authority area.

Question reference: S6W-08216

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ash Regan on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to encourage members of the Pursuers Panel in Scotland to take on more cases funded by legal aid.

Question reference: S6W-08215

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ash Regan on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is offering to people who want to file a legal complaint against a solicitor but cannot afford to, in light of reports that none of the members on the Pursuers Panel in Scotland are taking on cases funded by legal aid.

The Pursuer Panel is a group of lawyers with expertise in dealing with professional negligence claims, and in particular claims against solicitors. About half of the firms represented are registered to carry out civil legal aid, but whether or not the lawyers take on legal aid cases is a matter for them. The Scottish Government cannot compel solicitors to provide advice. Funding is available under the civil advice and assistance scheme for applicants to consult solicitors to get advice on professional negligence. Civil legal aid fees have risen by 10.25% in the last 12 months. There is also funding available for any necessary reports to be obtained to allow the solicitor to confirm whether or not the test for professional negligence is met. Where there is evidence of negligence civil legal aid is available for professional negligence cases, including actions against solicitors. There are other solicitors who may take on this work outside the Pursuer Panel.

Question reference: S6W-08218

Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its Rare Disease Action Plan.

As part of our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, we are reassessing all our priorities to take a systematic, person-centred approach to planning and delivering health and social care services for the people of Scotland.

As we go through a process of realignment, we are taking time to ensure all our strategies are designed around the people using and delivering health and social care services and working together to improve health outcomes. This is even more pertinent for those living with a rare disease.While we expected to publish our Action Plan in the spring, the Rare Disease Action Plan will now be published once this work is complete to ensure maximum impact for the people who need it. This will result in a stronger, interlinked action plan that has a real impact for people with a rare disease.

We will continue to work with Scotland’s Rare Disease Implementation Board and other key partners to progress work that will improve the lives of people in Scotland living with rare diseases.

Question reference: S6W-08075

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that foster carers in Glasgow have not received a pay increase since 2009; what its position is on whether this can be considered fair pay, and, if it considers this is not the case, what steps it can take to address the matter.

Responsibility for providing financial support to foster carers registered with Glasgow City Council is a matter for Glasgow City Council. Any concerns about levels of foster carer fees or foster care allowances should be addressed directly to them.

The Scottish Government is working with COSLA to find a way forward on the introduction of the Scottish Recommended Allowance for both foster and kinship carers across Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-08094

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that over 400 cases of drink spiking were reported to Police Scotland between October 2021 and February 2022.

The act of drink spiking is utterly abhorrent and the Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to continue working with partners to tackle this unacceptable behaviour. Police Scotland have recorded over 492 crimes of ‘Drugging’ and ‘Administering a substance for sexual purposes’, since October 2021, and continue to work closely with Scottish Government to monitor the situation. These can be broken down as follows:

	Oct 2021	Nov 2021	Dec 2021	Jan 2022	Feb 2022	Mar 2022
Drugging	119	170	72	32	36	46
Administering a substance for sexual purposes	3	2	2	1	3	6

Source: Recorded Crime in Scotland Monthly Official Statistics

On 4 November and 8 December 2021, I chaired urgent roundtables on spiking to discuss to discuss the prevalence of spiking crimes and to agree what action should be taken. It was agreed that the key immediate and ongoing activity should focus on ensuring consistent messaging and prevention activity, including training for night time industry staff, to both raise awareness and help keep people safe. The roundtable will be reconvened in June, and again in September, to ensure readiness of partners ahead of the new academic year.

Police Scotland have reported a downward trend in recorded spiking incidents since November last year, however we continue to monitor the situation closely and to ask for the public to remain vigilant.

Question reference: S6W-08069

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the SNP manifesto commitment to create a brand marque for Scotland, including when it anticipates that this will be introduced.

In line with the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government commitment to ‘create a new brand marque, and build on existing campaign activity, to enhance Scotland’s international reputation’, the new single nation brand marque for Scotland was introduced as part of the Brand Scotland ‘Scotland is Open’ international marketing campaign and in support of Scotland’s domestic and international presence at COP26 in Glasgow, capitalising on this key international moment.

Question reference: S6W-08093

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make access to early medical abortion via telemedicine permanent and, if so, within what timescale.

Question reference: S6W-07991

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of landfill sites by (a) area covered and (b) active status.

The following table provides a full breakdown of landfill sites with a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit with their locations and current operational status.

It is not possible to specify the area covered by each landfill given it is a commercial decision for landfill operators where they accept waste from. The local authority that each site is located in is provided in the following table, but it is possible that waste will travel between local authority areas prior to being landfilled.

Site Name	Status/Phase	Site location
A & M Smith, Bankhead, Portlethen	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Crows Nest L/F,Raemoir Rd,Banchory,Aberdeen	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Brandon Howe L/F Site, Inverboyndie, Banff	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Park Quarry, Kincluny Farm, Durris	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Easter Hatton Environment, Balmedie, Aberdeen	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Loch Hills Quarry, Parkhill, Dyce, Aberdeen	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Savoch Quarry Landfill Site, Peterhead	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Howe of Byth, Cowbog, New Pitsligo	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Stoneyhill Environ Pk, Peterhead, Aberdeen	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Hill of Tramaud Landfill, Harehill, Aberdeen	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Wester Hatton L/F Site, Balmedie, Aberdeen	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Restenneth Landfill Site, Montrose Rd, Forfar	Operational	Angus Council
D Geddes Ltd, Border Quarry LF, Friockheim	Operational	Angus Council
D Geddes Ltd, Ardownie Landfill, Monifieth	Operational	Angus Council
D Geddes (Con) Ltd, Prettycur Landfill,Forfar	Operational	Angus Council
Hatton Mill Landfill site	Operational	Angus Council
Tayside Contrcts,Bolshan Quarry LF,Friockheim	Operational	Angus, Dundee & Perth & Kinross Councils
Gott Bay LFS, Isle of Tiree, Argyll	Operational	Argyll & Bute Council
Glengorm Landfill Site, Glengorm Rd, Tobermor	Operational	Argyll & Bute Council
Gartbreck Landfill Site, Bowmore, Islay	Operational	Argyll & Bute Council
Dalinlongart L/F & Compost, Sandbank, Dunoon	Operational	Argyll & Bute Council
Lingerton Landfill Site	Operational	Argyll & Bute Council
Bennadrove L/F Site, Marybank, Isle of Lewis	Operational	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Auchenlosh Landfill Site	Closure	Dumfries and Galloway Council
Galdenoch Waste Disp Site, Leswalt, Stranraer	Closure	Dumfries and Galloway Council
Aucheniness Waste Disposal Site, Dalbeatie	Closure	Dumfries and Galloway Council
Barr Environ, Garlaff L/F, Skares Rd, Cumnock	Operational	East Ayrshire
Cockenzie Ash Lagoons, Musselburgh	Closure	East Lothian
Viridor Waste,Dunbar L/F,Oxwell Mains,Dunbar	Operational	East Lothian
JM Murdoch, East Capellie Farm L/F, Neilston	Closure	East Renfrewshire Council
West Fortune Transfer Station & Landfill	Closure	Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders
Avondale Non-Hazardous Landfill, Polmont	Operational	Falkirk Council
Avondale Environmental, Polmont, Falkirk (Haz)	Operational	Falkirk Council
West Carron Landfill, Stenhouse Rd, Falkirk	Operational	Falkirk Council
Scottish Water, Broadside Landfill, Denny	Closure	Falkirk Council
Fife Council, Lochhead L/F, By Wellwood, Fife	Operational	Fife Council
Fife Council, Lower Melville Woods, Fife	Operational	Fife Council
Scottish Power, Valleyfield Ash Lagoons	Closure	Fife Council
Greenoakhill L/F Site, Hamilton Rd, Glasgow	Operational	Glasgow City Council
Skitten Quarry, Skitten, Wick	Operational	Highland Council
Duisky Landfill Site, Fort William (Site 5)	Operational	Highland Council
Oatslie Sandpit L/F, Cleugh Rd, Midlothian	Closure	Midlothian Council
Drummond Moor (No2) L/F, Rosewell, Midlothian	Operational	Midlothian Council
Middleton Quarry, Middleton, Gorebridge	Operational	Midlothian Council
Nether Dallachy Landfill Site, Spey Bay	Operational	Moray Council
Shewalton Landfill Area 2 & 4/5, Irvine	Closure	North Ayrshire Council
Auchinlea L/F Site, Bellside, Cleland, M/well	Closure	North Ayrshire Council
Knowes Farm IV Landfill Site, Beith	Operational	North Ayrshire Council
Loanhead Quarry, Boydstone Road, Beith	Operational	North Ayrshire Council
Greengairs L/F, Meikle Drumgray Rd, Airdrie	Operational	North Lanarkshire Council
Levenseat Waste Management Site, Lanarkshire	Operational	North Lanarkshire Council
Mossband Farm High Street Newhouse Motherwell	Closure	North Lanarkshire Council
Kingsdale LFS, Firth, Orkney	Closure	Orkney Islands Council
OIC Bossack Landfill, Bossack, Orkney	Operational	Orkney Islands Council
Aberfeldy Groundworks Ltd, Mains of Taymouth	Closure	Perth & Kinross Council
SITA, Binn Landfill, Binn Farm, Glenfarg	Closure	Perth & Kinross Council
Bishopton Landfill, Royal Ordnance Site	Operational	Renfrewshire Council
Kilbarchan Landfill, Branscroft, Kilbarchan	Operational	Renfrewshire Council
WH Malcolm Ltd, Reilly Quarry, Houston	Closure	Renfrewshire Council
James Fairbairn, Lamberton Inert Waste L/F	Closure	Scottish Borders Council
Easter Langlee Landfill Site, Galashiels	Closure	Scottish Borders Council
Gremista Landfill, Lerwick, Shetland	Operational	Shetland Islands Council
Shetland Gas Plant Peat Store, Sullom Voe	Closure	Shetland Islands Council
Straid Farm Landfill Site, Lendalfoot, Girvan	Operational	South Ayrshire Council
Tarbolton Moss Landfill Site, South Ayrshire	Closure	South Ayrshire Council
GCC, Cathkin L/F, Cairnmuir Rd, East Kilbride	Closure	South Lanarkshire Council
Carscallan Farm Landfill, Quarter, Hamilton	Operational	South Lanarkshire Council
Rigmuir Landfill Site, East Kilbride	Closure	South Lanarkshire Council
W Hamilton & Sons, Dovesdale Farm LF,Stonehse	Operational	South Lanarkshire Council
Muirhouse LF, Muirhouse Quarry, Strathblane	Closure	Stirling Council
Highland Coun,Granish L/F,Aviemore,Inverness	Operational	The Highland Council
Highland Council,Seater L/F,Bower,Caithness	Operational	The Highland Council
Barr Environ, Auchencarroch L/F, Jamestown	Operational	West Dumbartonshire Council
Rigangower L/F, Off A82, Milton, Dumbarton	Operational	West Dumbartonshire Council
Torphin Quarry, Harburn, West Calder	Operational	West Lothian Council

Question reference: S6W-08226

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Ferguson Marine should adhere to the Scottish Government publication, Guidance on due diligence: human rights, before engaging in any investment relationship involving the construction of sea vessels, and, if it considers that Ferguson Marine should adhere to the publication, which investment relationships might not require this guidance to be followed.

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