- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 April 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 May 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what items of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being procured by the Scottish Prison Service in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, broken down by (a) quantity and (b) deadline, and, in light of reports that the agency already has sufficient stock, for what reason it is carrying out this exercise.
Answer
I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:
Table 1 provides a breakdown of all PPE items and quantities ordered by SPS, by date.
Table 2 provides a breakdown of all PPE items and quantities received by SPS, by date.
Table 1:
Date PPE Orders placed (Week Commencing) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Antibacterial wipes (packs of 1,500) | | | | | | | |
Antibacterial wipes (packs of 130) | | | | | | | |
Hand Sanitiser various sizes | | | | | | | |
Table 2:
Date PPE Orders Received (Week Commencing) | 02-Mar-20 | 09-Mar-20 | 16-Mar-20 | 23-Mar-20 | 30-Mar-20 | 06-Apr-20 | Total |
PPE Item | | | | | | | |
Reusable Mask FFP3 | 1,600 | | | | | | 1,600 |
Disposable Mask FFP2 | | | 2,000 | | 80,000 | | 82,000 |
Disposable Apron | 9,000 | | | | 70,000 | 35,000 | 114,000 |
Disposable Gloves | 50,000 | 100,000 | | | | | 150,000 |
Goggles | 2,389 | 2,218 | | 203 | | | 4,810 |
Antibacterial wipes (packs of 1,500) | | | 1,000 | 1,000 | | | 2,000 |
Antibacterial wipes (packs of 130) | | | 4,950 | | | | 4,950 |
Hand Sanitiser various sizes | | | | | 4,008 | 4,008 | 8,016 |
SPS do not place deadlines on PPE orders, delivery timescales are determined by the respective suppliers.
All establishments are required to record and report their PPE usage on a weekly basis. Stock levels are centrally monitored on an ongoing basis in order to ensure that adequate levels are maintained.
SPS currently has sufficient stock levels of PPE however these levels will deplete with use during this uncertain time. SPS continues to work with suppliers to ensure that sufficient quantities of PPE are maintained and available in line with the latest government and public health advice.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 April 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 May 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what items of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being procured by Police Scotland in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, broken down by (a) quantity and (b) deadline.
Answer
Police Scotland advises that officers can risk assess whether or not to use a surgical mask for routine policing activities where there are no symptoms or other indications of Covid-19 but where it may be difficult to apply social distancing measures. If there is a requirement for police support at an incident of suspected or confirmed COVID-19, wherever possible trained officers in full PPE kit will be deployed to attend. This kit comprises of:
- FFP3 Face Masks
- Disposable Suit EN14126 Standard
- Full Knee Length Boot Covers
- Indirect Vent Goggles
- Long cuff Nitrile Gloves
- Surgical masks
Procurement and distribution of PPE is an operational matter for the Chief Constable; however, Police Scotland has advised that 6,470 officers have been trained and face fitted in the use of PPE at 20 April 2020. All officers have to be 'face fitted' in the FFP3 to ensure manufacture compliance and health and safety principles.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 20 April 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 4 May 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether wills are still being processed by the court system during the COVID-19 outbreak, and whether there are any barriers to this work being carried out remotely.
Answer
This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 09 April 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 4 May 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding whether churches and religious bodies in Scotland will be eligible to apply for support from the funding package for charities that has been announced by the UK Government in light of the COVID-19 outbreak,
Answer
The Third Sector Resilience Fund (TSRF) is a £20 million emergency fund for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations working in Scotland. The fund will support organisations that already deliver services and products but find themselves in financial difficulties directly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The primary intention of the fund is to help third sector organisations to stabilise and manage cash flows over this difficult period.
The Fund is being delivered by Firstport, Social Investment Scotland and the Corra Foundation and will provide grants between £5,000-£100,000. In addition there will be up to a further £5 million available in fully flexible, 0% interest loans starting at £50,000. The fund will be complemented by specialist business advice from Just Enterprise to help grant recipients maximise the impact of the financial support.
More information about Covid-19 related support available to third sector organisations, including the Third Sector Resilience Fund is available at: https://scvo.org.uk/support/coronavirus .
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 April 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 April 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the (a) minimum and (b) maximum number of prisoners that are eligible for release under the provisions in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill.
Answer
The Scottish Parliament agreed that emergency prison release powers in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 Act were necessary, and would reflect the powers of emergency release already available in England and Wales – and which the UK government have decided to apply. Since the passing of the Act, the SG has worked closely with the SPS to evaluate whether and how whether these powers should be used. As I advised the Parliament on 20 April, we have now agreed with the Chief Executive of the SPS that it will be necessary to release a limited number of prisoners to ensure the SPS can continue to manage the current situation effectively.
Prisoners will only be considered if they are sentenced to 18 months or less – and within 3 months of their scheduled release date. The new legislation rules out early release for certain groups of prisoners – including life sentence prisoners, those on supervision orders and those convicted of sexual offending or terrorism offences. The proposed regulations will further exclude prisoners sentenced for domestic abuse offences or aggravations, harassment offences, or certain Covid-related offences. The Act also enables Prison Governors to veto the release of any prisoner where such release would present a clear risk to a specific individual.
Under these measures, around 450 prisoners will be assessed for possible early release. The number who are eligible will depend on the actual prison population on the day the process begins, and the final number released will depend how many individuals will be subject the Governor veto. The scale of release was specifically agreed with the SPS Chief Executive, as a measured and proportionate action to provide sufficient capacity and flexibility to maintain safe and effective operating conditions.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 March 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Jeane Freeman on 25 March 2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Unit project at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Answer
NHS Grampian are working with Health Facilities Scotland on a final design assurance review before moving towards financial close. The design review will provide assurance that the management and design of the project has taken cognisance of patient safety and construction standards; act as a pathfinder project for projects currently at design stage and influence the reviews of the next phase of new build and major refurbishment projects. The projected start date for construction is May, but NHS Grampian are meeting with contractors later this week to discuss what the impact of the current situation regarding COVID-19 may have and what mitigation action could be taken if required.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 21 February 2020
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Current Status:
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 March 2020
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the criminal proceedings statistical bulletin for 2018-19 is not due to be published until April 2020.
Answer
Statisticians decided that additional time was required for the completion of all quality assurance checks on this information prior to publication of these statistics.
This was to maintain our commitment to produce National Statistics that are of high value for users.
We will complete work to quality assure this information, and will announce a revised publication date as soon as possible.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 12 March 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for more investment in safety improvements for the A90, and whether these will include additional funding to improve the effectiveness of the average speed cameras.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 12 March 2020
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 4 March 2020
To ask the Scottish Government how it helps older people maintain their independence.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 4 March 2020
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2020
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2020
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding surveillance of drug supply routes.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2020
