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Scottish Government does not have an art collection and SG records show there have been no purchase of original artwork by SG since 2007.

The Deposit Return Scheme is an industry-led scheme, delivered by industry, led by the scheme administrator, Circularity Scotland Ltd. Decisions use of materials retained following recycling will be for Circularity Scotland Ltd and industry to take forward.

The Scottish Government is, however, keen to see investment in Scotland and we are therefore making one of the biggest investments in a generation to modernise recycling and support the circular economy. We have launched the £70 million Recycling Improvement Fund which will deliver modernised services for residents, and a step change in Scotland’s recycling performance at both national and local levels.

So far over £44m has now been awarded to 17 local authorities to increase the quantity and quality of recycling across Scotland and this investment has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by over 39,000 tonnes each year – the equivalent of taking over 21,000 cars off the road.

Where a person has been convicted of any offence, including murder, they can appeal against the decision of the independent court. Even where the normal appeals route is exhausted, if the person considers they have suffered a miscarriage of justice, they can apply to the independent Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) to have their case reviewed. The SCCRC have a power to refer a case back to the High Court for a fresh appeal if they believe there may have been a miscarriage of justice, and it is in the interests of justice to do so. If an applicant is dissatisfied with how the SCCRC have considered their application, it is open to the applicant to seek judicial review of the SCCRC's decision not to refer their case to the High Court.

Under the Inquiries Act 2005, the Scottish Ministers are empowered to establish a public inquiry where particular events have caused, or are capable of causing, public concern, or where there is public concern that particular events have occurred. In view of the fact that Mr Mitchell's conviction for murder remains in place following appeals and consideration by the SCCRC, the Scottish Ministers are not currently giving consideration to a public inquiry in respect of Mr Mitchell's conviction.

Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will make a significant contribution to Scotland’s efforts to reduce climate emissions, tackle litter and increasing recycling. As it is a producer responsibility scheme, in line with similar schemes across the world, it inevitably means significant change for all producers in Scotland.

Drinks producers must register their products in order to continue to sell them in Scotland once DRS has launched. Registration is free for producers with an annual turnover of £85,000 or lower. As an industry-led scheme, it will be for individual businesses to decide what products they wish to sell in Scotland once DRS launches. Any producer with questions or concerns about registration should contact Circularity Scotland for advice and guidance.

Vapes and e-cigarettes are subject to the provisions of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013 (the WEEE regulations). As such, anybody who sells a vape or e-cigarette to a consumer has obligations including to accept the return of WEEE from private households subject to certain conditions.

Guidance for retailers subject to these obligations, including on how to join a scheme which will discharge this obligation on a retailer’s behalf, is available here: https://www.gov.uk/electricalwaste-producer-supplier-responsibilities

I have commissioned an urgent review of the environmental impacts and management of single-use vapes. Zero Waste Scotland will lead on the review, which will examine available evidence and consider potential options to tackle the issue.

The review will consider of a range of approaches and implementation considerations, including the role of local authorities and others in helping to ensure responsible recycling and disposal, as well as enforcement issues.

We will consider the evidence and expert advice and bring forward policy options in due course.

We recognise the need for a whole-government approach if we are to drive forward progress in reducing health inequalities.

The government is already involved in proactive, cross-portfolio discussions on what a ‘whole of government’ preventative approach might look like. Our Care and Wellbeing Portfolio is the principle strategic reform vehicle in Health and Social Care, which is being designed to promote a ‘health in all policies’ approach. The portfolio will shape and strengthen cross-government collaboration on key and critical issues that contribute to the goal of reducing health inequalities. As part of this, we have begun working with other programmes across the government including those relating to Child Poverty, the Promise, Economic Transformation, Climate Change and Net Zero.

The Scottish Government remains committed to the removal of fees associated with instrumental music tuition so income is not a barrier to children and young people taking up an instrument. Access to instrumental music tuition is for local authorities to determine depending on local circumstances and priorities.

Councils are autonomous and it is their responsibility to agree their annual budgets taking into account their statutory duties and national and local priorities.

The information in the format requested is not held centrally. The Scottish Diabetes Survey records the number of people who have attended structured diabetes education at any time and can be found at: https://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/publications/#survey-docs.

As part of the Scottish Diabetes Group, a Short Life Working Group (SLWG) has been established to develop recommendations for a ‘Once for Scotland’ approach to Type 1 diabetes education. For people newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, there is an urgent need for their diabetes specialist team to introduce self-management techniques in order to ensure early optimisation of glycaemic control. The SLWG has input from health professionals from every NHS Board in Scotland, and they are working in partnership with people living with Type 1 diabetes to design the pathways.