- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 13 December 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how many cases were handled by Aberdeen courts in each of the last five years, broken down by court type.
Answer
This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 December 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, following the publication of the Heat in Buildings: progress report 2024, what action it is taking to strengthen the sources and quality of data on the number of (a) domestic and (b) non-domestic properties operating with zero emissions heating, including heat pumps, heat networks and electric heating.
Answer
Our progress report highlighted gaps in data that made reporting on some areas challenging, particularly heat networks and non-domestic properties.
Future reporting of heat network data will be improved through the introduction of a new GB-wide heat network authorisation and consumer protection regime. Ofgem have recently published Heat networks regulation: authorisation and regulatory oversight consultation which provides details on the registration and monitoring.
On non-domestic properties specifically, we continue to work with the Energy Saving Trust to improve reporting through further development of the Non-Domestic Analytics database. The database aims to provide a comprehensive resource on the non-domestic building stock in Scotland.
The data presented on domestic properties are comprehensive, being based on the Scottish Household Condition Survey (designated as Accredited Official Statistics). We will, however, continue to look for improvements in future reporting where possible.
- Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 December 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-20143 by Mairi McAllan on 15 August 2023, whether it anticipates any further delays to the implementation of fisheries management measures for both offshore and inshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Priority Marine Features.
Answer
Fisheries management measures for offshore MPAs were subject to public consultation, which ran from 19 August to 14 October 2024. The responses are currently being analysed, and final measures will be implemented in 2025.
Ensuring that we develop evidence-based and effective fisheries management measures for the large number of inshore sites is a complex and challenging process. Fisheries management measures for inshore MPAs and Priority Marine Features (PMFs) are currently going through a Sustainability Appraisal, and other statutory impact assessments are being undertaken in preparation for the inshore consultation. The consultation will be undertaken in line with the commitment in the current Programme for Government. Final fisheries management measures will then be implemented as soon as possible once the consultation responses have been analysed and a final decision on the measures taken.
- Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 December 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Allan on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for carrying out the Scottish Climate Survey, which aims to assess public awareness and understanding of the heat transition, and by what date this will be published.
Answer
The Scottish Climate Survey is gathering data on public awareness and understanding of a variety of climate-related topics, including the heat transition. Data collection began in October 2024 and is continuing until January 2025. A report of findings is expected to be published by April 2025.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 December 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to conclude its review of the use of ultra-high frequency electronic identification in livestock.
Answer
Scottish Ministers are currently considering all the available evidence, including on technology use. An announcement will be made once Ministers have reached a final decision.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 December 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) UK Government and (b) EU regarding the implementation of ultra-high frequency electronic identification technology in livestock, in light of EU regulation specifying low frequency.
Answer
The Scottish Government officials are in regular discussions with the other UK administrations on bovine EID. Furthermore, The Scottish Government supported a meeting with NFUS and DG Sante on this matter held earlier this year. No concerns were raised by EU officials on the use of UHF in Scotland.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 December 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of any impact of adopting ultra-high frequency electronic identification technology on the trade of Scottish cattle and beef with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Answer
Scottish Ministers are considering all the available information on bovine EID and technology use across the UK. This includes the ScotEID pilot findings into UHF, the results and analysis of the consultation held on Cattle ID and Traceability earlier this year and ongoing close discussions with the livestock sector. All potential impacts, including those on trade, will be fully considered before a final decision is made.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 16 December 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how many child protection cases have involved fabricated induced illnesses over the last five years.
Answer
National data on fabricated or induced illness in Scotland is not centrally held. The Scottish Government published updated National Child Protection Guidance in 2023 which includes practitioner guidance on fabricated or induced illness.
- Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 December 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish Regional Marine Plans for existing Marine Planning Partnership areas.
Answer
Three Marine Planning Partnerships (MPPs) have been established covering the Shetland, Clyde and Orkney marine regions, and are at various stages of progressing with their Regional Marine Plans.
The draft plans for Shetland and Orkney have concluded their public consultations and are making progress towards being submitted to Scottish Ministers for consideration, approval and adoption. The draft Clyde Regional Marine Plan is currently in the process of a policy update ahead of identifying a suitable period for a public consultation.
Officials will continue to work constructively with each MPP to refine and develop their plans to be suitable for adoption by Scottish Ministers.
- Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 December 2024
-
Current Status:
Answered by Gillian Martin on 19 December 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when Regional Marine Plans will be developed for the remainder of the Scottish Marine Regions.
Answer
The Scottish Government published the formal response to the final report of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (ECCLR) Committee Inquiry into Regional Marine Planning in Scotland in August 2023.
As part of this response, the Scottish Government has provided a clear approach to regional marine planning moving forward, with the position that no further MPPs should be established until after the adoption of the updated National Marine Plan (NMP2). This is with the exception of the Western Isles, where early work on developing an MPP had already commenced.