- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Friday, 10 November 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is, regarding any potential implications for the competitive position of the steel plants at Clydebridge in Cambuslang and Dalzell in Motherwell, to the reported proposal by British Steel to invest £1.25 billion, with the support of the UK Government, in two electric arc furnaces at its headquarters in Scunthorpe and its manufacturing site in Teesside.
Answer
I refer to recent answers regarding Liberty Steel in Scotland, in particular my answers to written questions S6W-17169 on 4 May 2023 , S6W-17708 on 16 May 2023 and S6W-21489 on 26 September 2023.
Scottish Government maintain an open dialogue with Liberty Steel and have a number of regular meetings with them.
The question of whether or not to install additional equipment at the Dalzell is an operational matter for Liberty Steel. I understand from the business that there are currently no plans to install an Electric Arc Furnace at Dalzell.
The Clydebridge site is not currently operational and no staff are currently employed at the site. The future of the site is an operational matter for Liberty Steel.
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: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 November 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21911 by Angela Constance on 24 October 2023, what action it is taking in response to the finding by the University of Edinburgh's Child Safety, Justice and Recovery Research Group in its North Strathclyde Bairns Hoose Evaluation: Phase One Report, published in March 2023, that the use of joint investigative interviews (JIIs) has had “little impact” on children and that child witnesses are still required to attend court “in almost all cases”.
Answer
The Scottish Government is continuing the phased implementation of the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019. A presumption in favour of pre-recording the evidence of child witnesses in cases which involve specified offences is already in place in the High Court, unless specific exceptions apply. We remain committed to extending this presumption to children giving evidence in relevant cases in the sheriff courts and will publish a revised Implementation Plan by the end of March.
We continue to support national rollout of the new Scottish Child Interview Model for Joint Investigative Interviews with over £2 million funding and have committed further support through the Bairns’ Hoose Pathfinder Phase. The model aims to secure a child’s best evidence at the earliest opportunity, while minimising retraumatisation. We have commissioned an independent evaluation of the model and its expected outcomes. It is anticipated that the model will be available across Scotland by the end of 2024.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 November 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22430 by Fiona Hyslop on 7 November 2023, in light of it having provided this data in the answer to question S4W-23569 by Derek Mackay on 21 January 2015, for what reason it stated in its answer that it does not hold this data, and whether it will now provide the information requested.
Answer
As noted in the answer to S6W-22430 by Fiona Hyslop on 7 November 2023, we do not hold specific data on the frequency or average duration of road closures for the purpose of crime scene investigation. This is consistent with the answer to S4W-23569, answered by Derek Mackay in 2015, which noted that Transport Scotland does not hold definitive data that indicates when Police Scotland have carried out a crime scene investigation.
The information provided with the answer to S4W-23569 sought to be helpful by providing what information was held by Transport Scotland i.e. the number and duration of closures on specific routes. However the answer clearly advised that the information provided represented where police attendance was reported and which may or may not have involved a crime scene investigation. It also noted that Police Scotland do on occasions close roads for crime scene investigation without notifying Transport Scotland.
We would therefore reiterate that the closure of a road in the aftermath of an accident is a matter for Police Scotland, who liaise with NHS colleagues as appropriate to understand if accident investigation is merited. The decision to reopen a road after an investigation is also a matter for the Police in their operational capacity.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Monday, 13 November 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19399 by Jenni Minto on 11 July 2023, whether it will provide details of how the National Service Division’s National Specialist Services Committee is engaging with clinicians in Dundee and colleagues in NHS Scotland to determine how magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment might be made more widely available.
Answer
Officials are engaging with NHS National Services Division (NSD) regularly on the national commissioning of this treatment.
An outline application for the commissioning of a national MRI guided Focussed Ultrasound Service was received from NHS Tayside in March 2023. Subsequent correspondence with NHS Tayside indicated the board was supportive in principle in moving forward with the more detailed planning required to develop a formal specification and proposal.
NHS NSD have encouraged the MRgFUS team in NHS Tayside to submit a formal application for national designation of the MRgFUS service in Dundee, supported by the health board’s Executive Leadership Team, for consideration and scrutiny. NSD hopes to receive such an application from NHS Tayside for 2024-25.
- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 13 November 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it plans to undertake a full review of the Young Patients Family Fund, including its eligibility criteria, to assess its impact to date.
Answer
We continue to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Young Patients Family Fund (YPFF) and keep this under review.
- Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote (a) continental ferry links and (b) maritime employment for Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government wishes to see Scotland’s sea connections to Europe enhanced, and are happy to consider any approach for support. A new commercially viable and sustainable service would be of benefit to: those parts of industry where existing supply chains are not optimal; local economies; the selected Scottish port; and would provide some resilience for Scotland from any disruption at other UK ports.
Subsidy control rules limit possible funding for new international ferry services to start-up costs, so any attempt to enhance or add to existing international trading routes would require a commercial foundation. The Scottish Government offers a range of approved grants to encourage transport operators to move freight off road to other more sustainable forms of transport, including by sea.
The Scottish Government recognises the key role that the Scottish maritime sector plays in supporting the economic and social development of our Nation. The Scottish Government has committed to investing at least £580 million from 2021-2026 in lifeline vessels and ports, as part of its Infrastructure Investment Plan. This substantial funding will improve Scotland’s lifeline ferry services by delivering greater resilience to the network, supporting maritime employment across our islands and remote mainland communities.
- Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many arrests were made in (a) October and (b) November 2023 to date, in connection with fireworks-related disorder, and how these figures compare to the same period in 2022.
Answer
There were 16* detected firework related crimes in Scotland in October 2023. As of 15 November there has been 22* detected firework related crimes for November 2023. This figure is expected to rise as Police Scotland continue their investigations.
This compares with 6* detected firework related crimes in October 2022. And 33* from November 2022.
*Please note that this figure includes both arrested or charged individuals.
- Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21903 by Fiona Hyslop on 11 October 2023, whether its officials raised the issue of employment opportunities for Scotland-domiciled seafarers during its recent visit to the port of Dunkirk to discuss proposals for Ro-Pax ferry connections between Rosyth and Dunkirk, and whether it will provide a list of the officials who participated in the visit to Dunkirk.
Answer
The visit to the Port of Dunkirk was led by Forth Ports, DFDS and Ptarmigan Shipping, with Douglas Chapman MP also in attendance. The Scottish delegation was supported by Scottish Development International’s office in Paris. Whilst detail on seafarer employment issues was not discussed, the Scottish Government is keen to see maximum benefit derive to Scotland and its citizens from new ferry services to the Continent.
The Scottish Government want to see stronger direct shipping links between Scotland and the EU. A new freight and passenger service would provide increased resilience for exporters, as well as opportunities for inbound tourism and increased employment. However, the operation of a commercial ferry service, including crewing arrangements, is the responsibility of the commercial operator whilst ensuring compliance with the relevant employment legislation and standards.
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm the costs associated with the (a) production and (b) publication of the paper, Migration to Scotland after independence.
Answer
The external costs associated with the production and publication of the Building a New Scotland paper, ‘Migration to Scotland after independence’, are set out in the following table:
Costs | | | |
Task | VAT % | VAT | Net Price |
Formatting and Online Publication | 20 | 807.93 | 4,039.67 |
Summary Document | 20 | 84.67 | 423.36 |
Summary Document – Easy Read Version | 20 | 197.64 | 988.18 |
Summary Document – Language Translations | 20 | 1,124.10 | 5,620.48 |
Summary Document – BSL Translation | 20 | 247.60 | 1,238.00 |
Summary Document – Audio Translation | 20 | 34.16 | 170.81 |
Printed Copies | 0 | 0 | 1,188.46 |
| | | | |
Total | | £2496.10 | £13668.96 |
| | | | |
Total (including VAT) | | | £16165.06 |
Papers in the Building a New Scotland prospectus series are available at the following link: www.gov.scot/newscotland .
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 20 November 2023
-
Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the chief executive of Ferguson Marine is still entitled to a bonus despite the First Minister saying that he thought the practice should end.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2023
