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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-12761

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Bute House Agreement, whether it plans to update inshore spatial management for Scotland's inshore fisheries prior to the agreement of regional marine plans or the next National Marine Plan, and outwith the marine planning process.

The Scottish Government deploys a range of spatial and technical measures to manage Scotland’s fisheries. In addition, we have delivered a number of projects over the past four years to improve spatial management of inshore fisheries. These have included the Mull Crab Box and the Outer Hebrides Inshore Fisheries Pilot, which have been delivered as part of a co-management approach with our Regional Inshore Fisheries Groups. Fisheries management measures are not a regional marine planning matter.

Under the Bute House Agreement we will also soon consult on measures that will improve spatial management of our inshore waters, namely proposals to cap (to current levels) fishing activity within the three nautical mile area. The Agreement outlines further protections for our marine environment by introducing Highly Protected Marine Areas covering at least 10% of our waters by 2026, and delivering management measures for existing Marine Protected Areas where these are not already in place, as well as for Priority Marine Features at risk from bottom towed fishing gear out with these sites by 2024.

Question reference: S6W-12758

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it anticipates a cap on fishing activity in inshore waters, up to three nautical miles, limiting activity to current levels, as per the Bute House Agreement, to impact the level of discards, in light of the relevant proposals in the Future Catching Policy.

The Scottish Government anticipates that the proposed cap on fishing activity (up to three nautical miles) will contribute to our efforts to deliver a step change in marine protection. We will consult on our proposals to apply an activity cap in due course.

Earlier this year the Scottish Government published a draft future catching policy for consultation. The policy is intended to address long-running operational issues with the landing obligation, which bans the discarding of fish. The policy seeks to improve upon current rules, whilst staying true to the principles of the landing obligation, to support fishers to reduce waste and delivering sustainable and responsible fisheries management. We received 244 responses to the consultation, covering the full range of policy proposals, and are now undertaking analysis and evaluation.

Question reference: S6O-01684

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will incorporate the costed package of tax increases recommended in the Scottish Trades Union Congress-commissioned report, Options for increasing taxes in Scotland to fund investment in public services, into its 2023-24 budget.

Question reference: S6W-11195

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 29 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what its position is regarding the impact in Scotland of reports that the Scottish Assessors Association is considering the valuation of ATM sites and that it is likely that such sites will be deleted from the valuation roll, and, in the case of any such sites being removed from the valuation roll, what its position is on whether any rates paid would be backdated to when they were originally added to the valuation roll.

The valuation of all non-domestic property, including the sites of ATMs, is a matter for the Scottish Assessors who are independent of local and Scottish Government.

We are aware that Assessors were considering the valuation of ATM sites and they concluded that in most retail premises it is likely that such sites will be deleted from the Valuation Roll. Assessors are in the process of carrying out this exercise.

Where a property is removed from the Valuation Roll, the ratepayer will be entitled to a refund of any overpaid rates back to the effective date of deletion.

Question reference: S6W-12045

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 24 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the report of the Short Life Working Group on Facilitating Peaceful Assemblies, what steps it is taking to ensure that the proposed human rights-based approach to peaceful assemblies does not lead to financial charges being placed on the organisers of such assemblies for logistical reasons, including road closures.

The right to peaceful assembly and protest is a right that we all have and the Scottish Government wants to encourage the exercise of that right wherever possible. While it is not an absolute right - and conditions and prohibitions can be imposed where required and in the interests of a democratic society - the Scottish Government is clear that it should not be dependent on the ability to pay.

For each march or parade, local authorities and their partners, including Police Scotland and Transport Scotland (where the event is to take place on a trunk road), will consider traffic management issues and the various powers available to the agencies involved to regulate traffic, including Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs).

In their report, published on 2 November 2022, the Independent Short-Life Working Group on Facilitating Peaceful Assembly in Scotland has made a range of recommendations including on traffic management issues as they relate to assembly. The Scottish Government will work with partners to consider these recommendations, including those on costs, in due course.

Question reference: S6W-12025

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards the establishment of a Peace Institute by the end of 2022, as set out in the Programme for Government 2021-22.

The Scottish Government is committed to Scotland being an active and responsible global citizen and we are actively considering the options received in the report commissioned earlier to advise on a Scottish Peace Institute. Our priority is to ensure our offer is appropriate, responsible and complimentary to existing activity both in Scotland and internationally. I look forward to updating Parliament with our plans in due course.

Question reference: S6W-12024

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when the report of the independent review group regarding the establishment of a Peace Institute will be published, and, if it is already published, when it will respond to its findings.

Question reference: S6O-01603

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address high private sector rents.

Question reference: S6W-11279

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 30 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 21 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Orkney Islands Council regarding the future (a) budget and (b) procurement process for replacing the large and small ferry fleet at Orkney Ferries.

Scottish Ministers continue to engage with Orkney Islands Council on a regular basis with regard to ferries, including my visit to Orkney in August to meet with the council on these matters.

We have made an offer to all 4 ferry operating local authorities to share learning and explore efficiencies from CMAL’s Small Vessel Replacement Programme.

We have provided more than £56m to Orkney Islands Council for internal ferry services over the last 5 years.

Question reference: S6W-11280

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 30 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 21 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the delivery of ferry services for island communities in Scotland.