- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 31 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how Food Standards Scotland makes sure food sold at public events meets safety and hygiene standards.
Answer
Food Safety is regulated through various pieces of legislation including the Food Safety Act 1990 and assimilated Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 on general food law, which create the regulatory framework in this respect.
In relation to public events, the Food Standards Scotland website provides specific advice on Food Safety at Community Events where those providing foods on an occasional basis may not be registered food businesses.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that patients requiring hearing aids or follow-up treatment through community audiology services experience minimal delays, particularly in rural areas.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34203 on 27 February 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, 30 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what investment it is making in community audiology services to improve capacity and reduce waiting times (a) in NHS Grampian and (b) nationally.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34203 on 27 February 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, 30 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of community audiology services is delivered by private companies, broken down by NHS board.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested centrally.
We remain committed to the provision of a community hearing service, however, there is no community hearing service at this time; a rephasing of funding has meant that not all the challenges we are facing will be addressed in a single budget. A new model of care suitable for the Scottish context, would address pressing issues faced by all health boards.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what the current staffing levels are for community audiology services in (a) NHS Grampian and (b) Aberdeen, and how these compare with the recommended levels.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34203 on 27 February 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: Wednesday, 29 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 27 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for approving and authorising legal costs for current or former ministers, and how this is monitored to ensure value for money.
Answer
As with all decisions on the use of public funding the authorisation to meet costs would be cleared at the appropriate level within the organisation.
Accountable Officers are in place to ensure that public money is used efficiently and effectively in line with guidance published in the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM). The SPFM provides guidance on the proper handling and reporting of public funds.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 26 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33090 by Ivan McKee on 16 January 2025, what procurement process was followed to buy each bicycle, and whether it will confirm each bicycle's (a) make, (b) model, (c) cost and (d) country of origin.
Answer
The bicycles were not purchased by the Scottish Government, but by the Energy Saving Trust. Details of the two bicycles are:
Bicycle 1: a) Make: Urban Arrow b) Model: Flatbed XL Cargo Line 500Wh with Flight Case c) Cost: No cost to Scottish Government, as it was gifted. d) Country of origin: the Netherlands.
Bicycle 2: a) Make: Butcher and Bicycles b) Model: Mk1 Vario c) Cost: No cost to Scottish Government, as it was gifted d) Country of origin: Denmark.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 26 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33090 by Ivan McKee on 16 January 2025, what other equipment has been purchased in each of the last five years for use in net zero messaging, including non-conventional means of transport such as scooters and skateboards.
Answer
The only other equipment that has been purchased in the last five years for use in net zero messaging has been a refurbished iPad, which was purchased in financial year 2023-24 at a cost of £500.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 30 January 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used to determine whether private companies can be contracted to deliver audiology services, and whether it has assessed the impact of such arrangements on (a) service quality and (b) patient outcomes.
Answer
For audiology services provided in hospital settings, information on provision of delivery is held within Boards and not by the Scottish Government.
While the Scottish Government remains committed to its vision for an integrated and community-based hearing service in Scotland, re-phasing of funding has meant that not all the challenges we are facing will be addressed in a single budget.
- Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 February 2025
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Fairlie on 26 February 2025
To ask the Scottish Government how many deer have been culled on land that it owns in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) species and (b) location.
Answer
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is the executive agency which manages Scotland’s national forests and land. The majority of deer management on land owned by the Scottish Government is undertaken by FLS. Alongside land owned by the Scottish Government, public bodies also manage deer on public land they are responsible for. This includes NatureScot and Scottish Water. Further detail on the deer management activities of these organisations is set as follows.
Forestry and Land Scotland
The number of deer culled on Scotland’s National Forests and Land (SNFL) 640,000 hectares in each of the last five complete culling seasons is as follows:-
Cull Season | Roe | Red | Sika | Fallow | Total | Location |
2019-20 | 16550 | 12640 | 3200 | 460 | 32850 | SNFL |
2020-21* | 15000 | 11410 | 3180 | 410 | 30000 | SNFL |
2021-22 | 18980 | 13280 | 3730 | 480 | 36460 | SNFL |
2022-23 | 20100 | 13110 | 3830 | 450 | 37490 | SNFL |
2023-24 | 21960 | 15110 | 4000 | 460 | 41540 | SNFL |
Percent | 52% | 37% | 10% | 1% | | |
2024-25** | 22320 | 15800 | 4330 | 550 | 43000 | SNFL |
*(reduced culling activity due to Covid-19)
**(cull forecast, to be delivered by 31/03/2025)
NatureScot
2019-20 | Species | Total |
Location | Red | Roe | Sika | Fallow | |
Ariundle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Beinn Eighe | 98 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 115 |
Ben Lui | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ben Wyvis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Claish Moss | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Corrie Fee | 48 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 58 |
Craigellachie | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Creag Meagaidh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Dell Woods | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Flanders Moss | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
Glasdrum Wood | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Glen Roy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Invereshie & Inshriach | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Moine Mhor | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rum | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Taynish | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
Loch Lomond | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 177 | 62 | 12 | 0 | 251 |
2020-21 | Species | Total |
Location | Red | Roe | Sika | Fallow | |
Ariundle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Beinn Eighe | 172 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 180 |
Ben Lui | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
Ben Wyvis | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
Claish Moss | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Corrie Fee | 51 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 63 |
Craigellachie | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Creag Meagaidh | 283 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 283 |
Dell Woods | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
Flanders Moss | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
Glasdrum Wood | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Glen Roy | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Invereshie & Inshriach | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Moine Mhor | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Rum | 150 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 150 |
Taynish | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Loch Lomond | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
Total | 789 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 821 |
2021-22 | Species | Total |
Location | Red | Roe | Sika | Fallow | |
Ariundle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Beinn Eighe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ben Lui | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
Ben Wyvis | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
Claish Moss | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
Corrie Fee | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Craigellachie | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
Creag Meagaidh | 165 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 165 |
Dell Woods | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
Flanders Moss | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Glasdrum Wood | 10 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Glen Roy | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Invereshie & Inshriach | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
Moine Mhor | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Rum | 152 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 152 |
Taynish | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
Loch Lomond | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Total | 464 | 53 | 0 | 3 | 520 |
2022-23 | Species | Total |
Location | Red | Roe | Sika | Fallow | |
Ariundle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Beinn Eighe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ben Lui | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
Ben Wyvis | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Claish Moss | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Corrie Fee | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Craigellachie | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Creag Meagaidh | 185 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 185 |
Dell Woods | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Flanders Moss | 9 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Glasdrum Wood | 9 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Glen Roy | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
Invereshie & Inshriach | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Moine Mhor | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Rum | 286 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 286 |
Taynish | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
Loch Lomond | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Total | 617 | 52 | 0 | 1 | 670 |
2023-24 | Species | Total |
Location | Red | Roe | Sika | Fallow | |
Ariundle | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Beinn Eighe | 144 | 4 | 22 | 0 | 170 |
Ben Lui | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
Ben Wyvis | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
Claish Moss | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Corrie Fee | 51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 |
Craigellachie | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Creag Meagaidh | 250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 250 |
Dell Woods | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
Flanders Moss | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Glasdrum Wood | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
Glen Roy | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
Invereshie & Inshriach | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
Moine Mhor | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
Rum | 312 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 312 |
Taynish | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
Loch Lomond | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
Total | 955 | 32 | 22 | 6 | 1015 |
Scottish Water
Scottish Water does not monitor or keep records of deer numbers on their operational property so the data below and relates only to their rural catchment estate in East Grampian. This is broken down further by deer cull rate in specific locations over the last 2 years below:
2022-23 | Habitat | Total |
Species | Agriculture | Open Range | Woodland | |
Red Deer | 0 | 64 | 228 | 292 |
Roe Deer | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
2023-24 | Habitat | Total |
Species | Agriculture | Open Range | Woodland | |
Red Deer | 90 | 144 | 0 | 234 |
Roe Deer | | 3 | | 0 |