- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 May 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 19 June 2018
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13174 by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 December 2017, which stakeholders it has met in the last six months to discuss proposals for national fixed pricing on electricity distribution networks; when the meetings took place, and whether it will publish details of the discussions.
Answer
We meet regularly with Scotland’s grid operators and other stakeholders and partners (such as Citizens Advice Scotland, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise) to discuss network issues, including distribution network charging. This engagement also includes matters such as Ofgem's Targeted Charging Review of Residual Charges, which will have an influence on the distribution of network costs across Great Britain.
As detailed in my answer to question S5W-13174, the Scottish Government works to promote a fair network charging regime for all Scottish energy consumers. We recognise that national network pricing would redistribute costs between Scottish consumers rather than reduce them. The Scottish Government is working to deliver measures to reduce overall energy costs for all Scottish consumers by improving energy efficiency, for example, and we encourage consumers to switch supplier when they would make savings from doing so. A Scottish Government Energy Summit held in January challenged the major energy suppliers to do more to help people who are struggling to pay their energy bills and we are working with energy suppliers to identify measures to support vulnerable customers and tackle the wider issue of fuel poverty.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 May 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 12 June 2018
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13173 by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 December 2017, for what reason the UK Energy Minister was not able to attend the last Convention of the Highlands and Islands, and whether it will publish all related correspondence on this issue.
Answer
The Deputy First Minister invited the UK Energy Minister at the time, Richard Harrington MP, to attend the most recent meeting of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, in March 2018, but Mr Harrington was unable to attend. I shall be happy to provide the member with a copy of the letter of invitation, issued by the Deputy First Minister on 23 January 2018.
This of course, follows on from a previous invitation to the previous UK Energy Minister, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, who was invited by the Deputy First Minister, on 23rd November 2016 to attend a meeting of the convention of the Highlands and Islands, which the Baroness was also unable to attend.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 May 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 June 2018
To ask the Scottish Government whether each of the recommendations set out in the report, Scotland's Choice - report of the Scottish Prisons Commission, which was published in July 2008, have been fully implemented and, if not, which remain outstanding, broken down by (a) the reason for the delay and (b) by what date the implementation will be completed.
Answer
Scotland’s Choice made 23 separate recommendations, almost all of which have been incorporated into current Government policy. The Scottish Government’s Justice Vision and Priorities reflects the principles of Scotland’s Choice that the use of prison should be reserved for those whose offences are so serious that no other punishment will do and that our prisons should promote rehabilitation and reintegration. Our wider Community Justice policy priorities are also informed by this report, in particular around the increased use of diversion and community sentences as a way to support reductions in reoffending.
In terms of recommendations which have not been taken forward:
- The Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007 was not implemented and therefore the recommendation relating to that legislation is no longer relevant.
- The Scottish Government has retained the practice of Home Detention Curfew (HDC) as an established mechanism for preparing individuals for release. There are no plans to revoke HDC.
- The Scottish Government has not set a specific target for the prison population nor do we intend to. Nevertheless, we are committed to reducing the use of imprisonment and there are a wide range of actions we are taking that will do this including the increased use of diversion, bail, and community sentences.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 17 May 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 5 June 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent figures, which suggest that the mortality rate in the NHS Orkney area is 5.4%, compared with the national average of 3.3%; what discussions it has had or plans with NHS Orkney regarding this, and what action can be taken to address the underlying causes.
Answer
NHS Orkney’s crude mortality rate for this most recent quarter, October to December 2017, is higher than previous quarters. This latest data reflects winter months where due to an increased prevalence of conditions such as winter viruses and related conditions, it is recognised that mortality is higher, particularly in the elderly population.
The Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR) takes into account the likelihood of mortality given the health and age of the patient population. It is therefore a better reflection of whether deaths are higher than expected. Since January to March 2014, NHS Orkney’s HSMR trend has shown a reduction of 22.3% compared to the Scotland average of 9.9%.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) will continue to monitor HSMR data for all NHS Boards including NHS Orkney. Should the HSMR and other sources of data and intelligence raise any concerns about the quality of care at NHS Orkney, then HIS will follow this up with the Board.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 May 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent finding by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland that "a detailed and authoritative business case" setting out the benefits and risks associated with the merger between British Transport Police in Scotland with Police Scotland has not been produced.
Answer
The HMICS report published in August 2017 reflects the position of the BTP integration programme in February/March 2017. Significant progress has been made since then. As you are aware a re-planning of the integration programme is currently under way and part of this work will be considering cost benefit analysis on particular aspects of the programme. The Scottish Government has agreed to report regularly to the Parliament on progress on the integration programme, the next update is due in October.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 May 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on banning the (a) third-party sale of dogs and (b) sale of dogs under eight weeks-old.
Answer
The Scottish Government has no current plans to ban the third-party sale of dogs. The Pet Animals Act 1951 requires that those selling animals as pets in most circumstances, including from a private dwelling, operate under a license issued by a local authority. We are committed, by the Programme for Government 2017-18, to improving the licensing for dog, cat and rabbit breeding, dealing and selling.
The commercial third-party sale of dogs aged 8-12 weeks without a licence and the sale of dogs under 8 weeks of age is effectively prohibited by the restrictions in the Licensing of Animal Dealers (Young Cats and Young Dogs) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 and the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1991 which both require that an animal is kept with its mother until at least 8 weeks of age.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 May 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing licences to cover the sale of pets.
Answer
Licences are already required for the commercial selling of animals from pet shops, which can include private dwellings. However the Scottish Government accepts that the Pet Animals Act 1951 needs updating. The Scottish Government committed, in the Programme for Government 2017-18, to improvements to the licensing for dog, cat and rabbit breeding, dealing and selling. A consultation on this will be issued in the near future.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Annabelle Ewing on 23 May 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what its position on reforming the law with regard to defamation.
Answer
The Scottish Law Commission published its Report on Defamation, including a draft Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill in December 2017 as part of the Commission’s Ninth Programme of Law Reform. The report makes 49 separate recommendations. The Scottish Government is currently considering the Report and its recommendations and expects to be in a position shortly to indicate how it intends to proceed.
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 21 May 2018
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2018
To ask the Scottish Government whether its new drugs strategy will seek to support, rather than penalise, people in possession and intending to personally use small amounts of drugs.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2018
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 04 May 2018
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 May 2018
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) legislation and (b) rules apply to Police Scotland's use of cyber kiosks, and what guidance is given to officers and staff using them.
Answer
The deployment of cyber kiosks is a matter for Police Scotland. Police Scotland work to a series of standard operating procedures including those supporting Data Protection. Prior to the intended deployment of cyber kiosks and in adherence to the Data Protection Act and General Data Protection Regulation 2018, Police Scotland is completing an Equality and Human Rights Assessment and Data Protection Impact Assessment which will inform the final policy, practice and procedure to support operational deployment.
