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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-11050

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the 1,000 Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) that Scottish Water announced it will be monitoring as part of its Improving Urban Waters Route Map, and where monitoring data from these CSOs will be published.

Scottish Water is currently prioritising the CSOs which it intends to monitor as part of its Improving Urban Waters Route Map. Scottish Water will consider proximity to designated water bodies (for example Bathing Waters), high amenity areas, predicted spill frequency and where environmental problems have already been identified. Scottish Water expects to complete this activity before the end of this year and will publish these locations on its website.

Scottish Water has made commitments in its route map to publishing CSO monitoring data over the next two years. By the end of this year, Scottish Water will look to publish data already reported to SEPA on its website. Additional monitoring data will be made available as new monitors are installed.

Question reference: S6W-10992

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Programme for Government 2021-22 commitment to publish a programme of work and analysis to better understand Scotland’s energy requirements as it transitions to net zero.

In the 2021-22 Programme for Government and as part of the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Green Party, the Scottish Government committed to undertake an in-depth analysis to better understand our energy requirements as we transition to net zero. Work is underway and analysis will include a detailed assessment of oil and gas production in Scotland; a study of energy demand; and assessment of the just transition implications of the energy transition. This work will enhance the evidence base for policy making and is expected to report by the end of 2022.

Question reference: S6W-10993

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with its consideration on joining the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance.

In line with the Scottish Government’s evidence based approach to policy development, we have committed to undertaking a programme of work and analysis to better understand Scotland’s energy requirements as we transition to net zero and how this aligns with our climate change targets. We continue to engage with BOGA and as part of a wider programme of analysis and engagement with a range of organisations and stakeholders.

Question reference: S6W-10718

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when spill data for monitored combined sewer overflows controlled by Scottish Water will be published.

Scottish Water’s Improving Urban Waters Route Map published in December 2021 sets out clear timescales for the publication of spill data from monitored combined sewer overflows. The route map is published on Scottish Water’s website at https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/About-Us/News-and-Views/2021/12/211221-Urban-Waters-Routemap

Specific commitments in terms of increasing reporting of spill data from monitored CSOs are:

by December 2022, for monitored CSOs where data is already currently reported to SEPA, publish spill data annually, identifying the main reason for the spills where possible (e.g. heavy rain, blockages or a flow issue at the treatment works). [153 monitoring locations]
by December 2023, publish spill data annually for all other monitored CSOs. [circa 200 additional monitoring locations but will increase in line with new monitors delivered through a commitment made in this same route map]
by December 2024, publish near real-time spill data for all monitored CSOs.

Question reference: S6W-10617

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 26 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what incentives exist to encourage solar farm developers to offer forms of community financial benefit.

Community benefits from renewable energy developments can help generate lasting social and economic benefit for communities across Scotland.

Our longstanding Good Practice Principles for Community Benefit from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments (2019) set national standards, which we encourage all renewable energy developers and communities to utilise, regardless of technology type.

We are keen to see the number of solar installations offering community benefit increase and, as we work with the solar sector towards solutions for its future in our forthcoming draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Strategy, will continue to encourage the sector to consider what packages of community benefit it can offer.

Question reference: S6W-10670

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 23 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the introduction of noise cameras on certain roads.

Transport Scotland is aware of the DfT Roadside Vehicle Noise Measurement trials and will continue to monitor their progress and effectiveness. There is an established Transport Scotland remote sensing programme for vehicle emissions and how these relate to air quality. My officials are preparing to include noise monitoring in the next round of this programme later this year.

Setting of legal limits for noise levels from new vehicles is reserved to UK Government via the Construction and Use Regulations and enforced by Police Scotland. Any noise monitoring and enforcement trials tackling excessively noisy car exhausts within Scottish towns or cities would be the collective responsibility of Police Scotland and the relevant road authority, which we would be happy to support as appropriate.

Question reference: S6O-01387

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to consult further on electoral reform in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-10309

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 15 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 21 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many release sites for beaver translocations have (a) been identified and (b) had licence applications submitted for that purpose, by (i) NatureScot (ii) Forestry and Land Scotland (iii) Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (iv) Cairngorms National Park and (v) other public bodies.

The Scottish Government does not hold specific information of how many release sites for beaver translocations have been identified.

Following the Scottish Government’s announcement to actively support the expansion of the beaver population in November 2021 much work has been undertaken by NatureScot to support the policy. While there have been no licence applications made by public bodies to date, NatureScot have logged a number of expressions of interest and are liaising with RSPB Scotland and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority in relation to the consultation for beaver translocations in progress for Loch Lomond, and with Forestry and Land Scotland for the consultation in progress for Glen Affric.

Question reference: S6T-00873

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 September 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is regarding the impact in Scotland of the reported plans of the UK Government to grant up to 130 new oil and gas exploration licences.

Question reference: S6W-10500

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 20 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to changing the start of the woodcock shooting season in order to improve populations.

Scottish Government has asked NatureScot to review the contents of Schedule 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Schedule 2 lists the species of birds which are protected during the close season but which may be killed or taken outside this period. Consideration of, and proposals for any changes to the shooting season for woodcock will be undertaken within this review, and in the context of other scheduled species.

We expect the review to be completed early next year.