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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-17578

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether Circularity Scotland provided it with a (a) copy of the detailed schedule to collect scheme packing from return point operators and pay them deposits and handling fees by 21 October 2021 or (b) notification that such a schedule could not be provided by the date, and, if so, when any such notification was made.

The detailed schedules to collect scheme products, and pay deposits and handling fees are a matter for Circularity Scotland, the not-for profit scheme administrator, their logistics partner and return point operators.

Working with partners we have refreshed the system-wide governance for the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland (DRS) for the implementation stage of the programme. This now includes a Ministerial Strategic Assurance Group which will meet for the first time during May 2023 and sectoral groups representing producers, retailers, hospitality and the public sector, most of which have already had their first meeting.

Question reference: S6W-17649

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-16905 by Lorna Slater on 25 April 2023, what the current status is of the (a) Construction Advice and Support Service and (b) Green Islands funding.

Question reference: S6W-17525

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what updates it has received from Circularity Scotland regarding whether a standardised invoicing system or multiple invoice systems are being developed for the Deposit Return Scheme.

Circularity Scotland is developing and constructing its administration system that will support the effective operation of the scheme when it launches on 1 March 2024. As Circularity Scotland is a private company, operational matters are a matter for them and it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to intervene in such commercial arrangements. We continue to work closely with all relevant partners and with businesses to help support a successful launch of the scheme.

Question reference: S6W-17491

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 16 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether the measures announced by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity on 20 April 2023 will be the final set of changes to the scope of the Deposit Return Scheme.

Question reference: S6W-17488

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 16 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it conducted an analysis of the potential financial impact on (a) registered producers and (b) return point operators before deciding to delay the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme until 1 March 2024.

A) I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17389 on 10 May 2023. 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

B) One of the factors taken into account when considering the timing of launch of the Deposit Return Scheme was feedback from stakeholders. Many large retailers, who are the main return point operators, had publicly stated that they wanted a delay to allow time for preparations for launch and have been supportive of the new launch date since it was announced.

Once the Deposit Return Scheme is launched on 1 March 2024 retailers acting as a manual return point will benefit from retail handling fees in Scotland which are significantly higher than those anywhere else in Europe. While the delay means that there will now be an additional six months until those fees can be charged, this will be offset by many costs not being incurred. In addition, to simplify the scheme for hospitality retailers, provision will be made to remove the duty to act as a return point for retailers where they sell the vast majority of their scheme articles for consumption on their premises.

Question reference: S6W-17494

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 16 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it consulted Circularity Scotland on options for delaying the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme beyond 16 August 2023.

Question reference: S6W-16914

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 16 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether waste collection companies should be investing in electric vehicles, in light of reports that a competitor, Biffa, has procured 198 petrol and diesel vehicles to provide collection services for the Deposit Return Scheme.

The Scottish Government has provided significant investment to accelerate the shift to zero emission transport and continues to provide a range of support to help businesses and individuals make the switch to electric vehicles. However, Biffa is a private company, and investment decisions in vehicles is a matter for them. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to intervene in such commercial arrangements or provide them with financial advice on its procurement of operating vehicles.

Question reference: S6W-17486

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 15 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on paying compensation to any businesses affected by the most recent delay to the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme.

Question reference: S6W-17650

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many air quality monitors are installed at schools in each local authority area.

Question reference: S6W-16931

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 15 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the quantity of textile material fit for reuse, that is instead recycled in Scotland.