- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Richard Lochhead on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has conducted of any impact of spectrum allocation on the development of digital infrastructure (a) across Scotland and (b) in Aberdeen.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33057 on 22 January 2025.
The Scottish Government has not conducted analysis of spectrum allocation on the development of digital infrastructure at any specific geographic level in Scotland.
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
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it collaborates with (a) Police Scotland, (b) the Ministry of Defence and (c) other agencies in responding to reports of unexploded wartime military ordnance.
Answer
Incidents relating to unexploded wartime military ordnance are Police operational matters. Unless unexploded ordnance causes a civil contingencies emergency in Scotland that requires co-ordination on a national level, such incidents are not handled through any Scottish or UK Government mechanisms. In the highly unlikely event of this threshold being met, the Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGORR) would activate to co-ordinate the Scottish Government’s response to the incident, including by liaising closely with Police Scotland, the Ministry of Defence, and other agencies relevant to the response.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures a coordinated multi-agency response to public safety threats, including those involving unexploded ordnance.
Answer
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (the Act) and the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (as amended) (the Regulations) outline the key organisations responsible for responding to, and their duties to prepare for, civil emergencies within Scotland. Responders’ duties include to assess risk, maintain emergency and business continuity plans, communicate with the public, share information and co-operate. A co-ordinated multi-agency response to public safety threats, including those involving unexploded ordnance, is further supported by the ‘Preparing Scotland’ guidance. It is based on Integrated Emergency Management and outlines key activities and principles for effective multi-agency responses.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what action Police Scotland has taken to review historic military training sites for the presence of unexploded ordnance, and what progress has been made in decommissioning such sites.
Answer
It is for the Chief Constable, working with the working with the Scottish Police Authority, to determine how to allocate its budget to meet policing priorities.
You may wish to write directly to Police Scotland on this matter.. Alternatively, as this matter may better sit with the UK Government Ministry of Defence, you may wish to raise the issue directly with the Rt Hon John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on reducing incidents of theft from railway depots over the last five years.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33027 on 22 January 2025. 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
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider adopting a national strategy to address thefts from railways, and, if so, how it would ensure consistency across Scotland.
Answer
Strategies for theft prevention are a matter for Network Rail and railway operators in collaboration with the British Transport Police.
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Dorothy Bain on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how much was spent on (a) foreign travel, (b) foreign accommodation and (c) other expenses associated with official overseas visits for the (i) Lord Advocate and (ii) Solicitor General in the calendar year, 2024.
Answer
All costs associated with overseas visits undertaken by the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General in their roles as heads of the systems of prosecution and deaths investigation are paid by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service budget.
In the calendar year 2024 the costs associated with overseas travel for the Lord Advocate, all of which are associated with ongoing criminal investigations and casework, are as follows:
Flights | Accommodation |
£4,427.40 | £434.67 |
The Lord Advocate did not undertake any overseas trips in her capacity as a Scottish Minister.
The Solicitor General made no overseas trips in the calendar year 2024.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how often the condition of the A90 is assessed for maintenance purposes, and what criteria are used to determine necessary repairs.
Answer
Our Operating Companies are required to carry out a range of inspections and surveys to assess the condition and performance of the trunk road network. For example, safety inspections are completed at 7-day intervals. These are primarily to identify defects that require prompt attention because they present, or could present, an immediate hazard to road users. Severe carriageway defects, such as some potholes, are classified as Category 1 Defects, which are required to be made safe when identified, following which a temporary or permanent repair must be undertaken as soon as possible and no later than 06:00 on the day following identification. Where a temporary repair has been carried out, a permanent repair is required to be carried out within 28 days. In addition to this
Lesser defects and general deterioration which do not necessitate such an immediate safety-led response are then considered with findings from our annual testing of the road network to determine future maintenance schemes. These schemes may include localised patching repairs or larger structural maintenance schemes, which are then programmed and considered against competing priorities across the Trunk Road Network
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 10 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it collaborates with local authorities to manage and maintain the sections of the A90 that pass through their jurisdictions.
Answer
Our Operating Companies hold regular meetings with neighbouring Local Authorities to share knowledge and consult on matters that will affect the operation of each road network. For example, road works, winter maintenance, major events and instance of severe weather require a joined-up response or mutual aid. Our Operating Companies are required to consult a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the impacts of their planned works are properly managed and any negative impacts mitigated. Transport Scotland also maintains regular contact with Local Authority colleagues through a range of professional body engagements.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 22 January 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review or update protocols for (a) Police Scotland and (b) other emergency services in managing unexploded ordnance incidents.
Answer
Decisions on the effectiveness of operational protocols are for Police Scotland and other emergency services to consider and review as required. You may wish to contact them directly on this matter.