Seòmar agus comataidhean

As the First Minister acknowledged in Parliament on 27 October, the allegations of the existence of such establishments are concerning and she made clear any foreign country that operates in Scotland must abide by Scottish law.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12089 on‎ 21 November 2022 which is 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12089 on‎ 21 November 2022 which is 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12089 on‎ 21 November 2022 which is 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

Last August we launched the Pig Producers Hardship Support Scheme. This scheme initially provided £715,000 of funding to producers and was specifically aimed to support those affected by the temporary closure of the Quality Pig Processors plant at Brechin and the loss of the plant’s export licence to China. We extended the scheme twice for producers who supplied QPP Brechin, with the total support delivered via the scheme now amounting to approximately £1.8 million. We were also aware of the issues in the sector with regard to the shortage of butchers and introduced a private storage aid scheme in Scotland to support processing.

Scottish pig producers have also been impacted by the UK Government decision to avoid implementing import controls earlier this year. That decision has left our domestic producers at disadvantage.

We are also consulting, alongside the UK Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland DAERA on contractual practices in the UK pig sector with the aim of supporting a competitive and resilient sector that delivers benefits for producers.

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

SPS does not record this information.

As outlined in response to question S6W-11944 on 21 November 2022 , NatureScot, as the licensing body, will be responsible for the issuing and monitoring of licences. They will work closely with Police Scotland and other key stakeholders to address any suspected breach of licensing conditions.

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

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

SPS do not record information on the number of staff who may have been hospitalised as a result of assaults by prisoners.

The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner (SBC) Act 2020 establishes the office of the SBC and provides for its functions in relation to the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of biometric data for criminal justice and police purposes. Therefore, biometric data collected from schools or prisons by Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority or the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner for these purposes, would already fall within the oversight of the SBC.

I would also refer the member to the Scottish Government’s letter to the Criminal Justice Committee dated 19 August 2022 which is published at Annex B to the Committee paper CJ/S6/22/26/1 . This outlined the Scottish Government’s position on extending the SBC’s functions to include oversight of biometric data collected in prisons and other sectors such as education. In relation to schools, I would also refer the member to the Scottish Government’s response to question S6W-06534 on 1 March 2022 raised on such matters.

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

The figure quoted in answer S6W-11465 represents the percentage of final post mortem reports received by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). It is not related to a specific target for toxicology or pathology providers, but demonstrates the continued efficacy of the improvement plan put in place to reduce the timescale for completion of toxicological analysis, and thereafter a final post mortem report in each case.

Once received by COPFS, each report then requires to be considered by a Procurator Fiscal (and the nearest relative made aware of any change to the cause of death) before determining whether the death investigation can be closed, or whether further inquiries are necessary. Performance continues to improve in that respect and in this reporting year to date (as at 7 November), in 65% of deaths which require further investigation, the investigation was concluded and the nearest relative advised of the outcome within 12 weeks of the death being reported to COPFS.

Given the nature and content of post mortem reports, nearest relatives do not automatically receive a copy but COPFS will provide one to them or their general practitioner if they wish and will, if relatives find it helpful, facilitate a meeting with the relevant pathologist(s) to discuss the findings and answer any further questions that relatives might have.