- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 27 November 2023
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 28 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the finance secretary’s letter to the Finance and Public Administration Committee on 21 November, whether it will provide an update on the delivery of “vessels and piers” projects, including the Small Vessels Replacement Programme and the port works at Ardrossan and Gourock harbours.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 28 November 2023
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 13 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the report of the National Dental Inspection Programme 2023, for what reason only 21.9% of P7 pupils received a “detailed inspection”, and whether any target was in place for the (a) number and (b) percentage of P7 pupils that should receive a “detailed inspection”, between November 2022 and June 2023.
Answer
The National Dental Inspection Programme carries out a basic inspection on all P1 and P7 pupils each year and then a representative sample of around 20% of pupils in either P1 or P7 receive a detailed inspection. A minimum threshold of around 20%, weighted to take account of SIMD, is used to produce a representative sample.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 27 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have (a) died from and (b) attempted suicide in each of the last 10 years, and what information it has on how many were (i) considered at risk of attempting suicide and (ii) receiving treatment for mental health problems, broken down by (A) institution and (B) gender.
Answer
I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:
In relation to part (a) of the question, information regarding Deaths in Prison Custody (including apparent cause of death, location and gender) can be found on the SPS website here: https://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Information/PrisonerDeaths.aspx
In relation to Parts (b) and (ii) of the question, SPS do not record this information.
In relation to part (i) of the question, of those individuals who died by apparent suicide within the last 10 years, 14 were recorded as being on SPS’s Suicide Prevention Strategy at the time of death.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 13 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 22 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide current data on the percentage of P7 children with no obvious tooth decay experience broken down by (a) Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile and (b) NHS board area, in light of the latter breakdown being included in the 2022 report of the National Dental Inspection Programme but not the 2023 report.
Answer
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22430 by Fiona Hyslop on 7 November 2023, in light of it having provided this data in the answer to question S4W-23569 by Derek Mackay on 21 January 2015, for what reason it stated in its answer that it does not hold this data, and whether it will now provide the information requested.
Answer
As noted in the answer to S6W-22430 by Fiona Hyslop on 7 November 2023, we do not hold specific data on the frequency or average duration of road closures for the purpose of crime scene investigation. This is consistent with the answer to S4W-23569, answered by Derek Mackay in 2015, which noted that Transport Scotland does not hold definitive data that indicates when Police Scotland have carried out a crime scene investigation.
The information provided with the answer to S4W-23569 sought to be helpful by providing what information was held by Transport Scotland i.e. the number and duration of closures on specific routes. However the answer clearly advised that the information provided represented where police attendance was reported and which may or may not have involved a crime scene investigation. It also noted that Police Scotland do on occasions close roads for crime scene investigation without notifying Transport Scotland.
We would therefore reiterate that the closure of a road in the aftermath of an accident is a matter for Police Scotland, who liaise with NHS colleagues as appropriate to understand if accident investigation is merited. The decision to reopen a road after an investigation is also a matter for the Police in their operational capacity.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22456 by Fiona Hyslop on 7 November 2023, in light of it having provided this data in the answer to question S4W-04735 by Keith Brown on 12 January 2012, for what reason it stated in its answer that this information is not held centrally, and whether it will now provide the information requested.
Answer
The general policy of the Scottish Government is to advise MSPs to directly approach public bodies and organisations for information held by them which is not held by the Scottish Government, and although acting to collate non-Scottish Government held information may have happened in the past, it is not currently viewed as practicable.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 20 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-22175 by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023, in light of it having provided this data in the answer to question S3W-33114 by Nicola Sturgeon on 5 May 2010, for what reason it stated in its answer that this information is not held centrally, and whether it will now provide the information requested.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. For convenience, the National Records of Scotland have provided the data requested below:
Table 1: Acute gastroenteropathy due to Norovirus (A08.1) was the underlying cause of death, 2015 to 2022.
Year | NHS Board area | All deaths | Pre-existing conditions | No pre-existing conditions |
2015 | Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2015 | Highland | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2015 | Lothian | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2015 | Tayside | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2016 | Ayrshire and Arran | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2016 | Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2016 | Grampian | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2016 | Highland | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2016 | Lanarkshire | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2016 | Lothian | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2016 | Tayside | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2017 | Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2017 | Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2017 | Lothian | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2018 | Ayrshire and Arran | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2018 | Grampian | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2018 | Lanarkshire | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2018 | Lothian | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2018 | Tayside | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2019 | Forth Valley | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2019 | Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2019 | Highland | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2019 | Lothian | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2019 | Tayside | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2020 | Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2020 | Highland | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2020 | Lothian | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2021 | Grampian | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2022 | Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2022 | Grampian | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2022 | Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2022 | Lanarkshire | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2022 | Lothian | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2022 | Tayside | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Table 2: Acute gastroenteropathy due to Norovirus (A08.1) was mentioned on the death certificate, 2015 to 2022.
Year | NHS Board area | All deaths | Pre-existing conditions | No pre-existing conditions |
2015 | Borders | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2015 | Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2015 | Highland | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2015 | Lanarkshire | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2015 | Lothian | 4 | 4 | 0 |
2015 | Tayside | 4 | 4 | 0 |
2016 | Ayrshire and Arran | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2016 | Fife | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2016 | Grampian | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2016 | Highland | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2016 | Lanarkshire | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2016 | Lothian | 6 | 6 | 0 |
2016 | Tayside | 4 | 4 | 0 |
2017 | Ayrshire and Arran | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2017 | Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2017 | Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 6 | 5 | 1 |
2017 | Lothian | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2017 | Tayside | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2018 | Ayrshire and Arran | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2018 | Fife | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2018 | Grampian | 4 | 4 | 0 |
2018 | Highland | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2018 | Lanarkshire | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2018 | Lothian | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2018 | Tayside | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2019 | Borders | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2019 | Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2019 | Forth Valley | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2019 | Grampian | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2019 | Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2019 | Highland | 3 | 2 | 1 |
2019 | Lothian | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2019 | Tayside | 4 | 4 | 0 |
2020 | Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2020 | Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2020 | Highland | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2020 | Lothian | 4 | 4 | 0 |
2021 | Ayrshire and Arran | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2021 | Grampian | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2021 | Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2021 | Tayside | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2022 | Borders | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2022 | Fife | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2022 | Grampian | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2022 | Greater Glasgow and Clyde | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2022 | Lanarkshire | 3 | 3 | 0 |
2022 | Lothian | 8 | 8 | 0 |
2022 | Tayside | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Source: National Records of Scotland
The International Classification for Disease (10th edition) is used to code deaths. The code used is Acute gastroenteropathy due to Norovirus (A08.1).
Figures include non-residents. Deaths are allocated to area based on the usual residence of the deceased. If the deceased was not a Scottish resident, the death is allocated to the area where the death occurred.
The figures by underlying cause (Table 1) are a subset of those which have mentions of A08.1 on the death certificate (Table 2). Therefore, the deaths in Table 2 will include all of the deaths in Table 1.
The year is based on date of registration. In Scotland deaths must be registered within 8 days although in practice, the average time between death and registration is around 3 days.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 November 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 15 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what 10 breeds, or types, of dog have most often been the subject of Dog Control Notices in each year since 2018.
Answer
he system of Dog Control Notices is operated by local authorities. Information requested on what breeds, or types, of dog have most often been the subject of Dog Control Notices in each year since 2018 is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government funded the creation of the Scottish Dog Control Notice Database. This national database went live in February 2022 and brings together the records of all local authorities into a centralised database, that is accessible by local authorities and Police Scotland.
The national database was created and is managed by the Improvement Service. The following table provided by the Improvement Service shows the requested Dog Control Notice information for 2022 and 2023.
Active Dog Control Notices on 31 December 2022
Dog Breed | Dog Control Notice Count |
Other | 298 |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 195 |
German Shepherd | 105 |
Border Collie | 45 |
Rottweiler | 42 |
American Bulldog | 37 |
Staffy Cross | 31 |
Siberian Husky | 27 |
Akita | 25 |
Lurcher | 18 |
Active Dog Control Notices as at 8 November 2023
Dog Breed | Dog Control Notice Count |
Other | 346 |
Staffordshire Bull Terrier | 213 |
German Shepherd | 136 |
Border Collie | 55 |
American Bulldog | 52 |
Rottweiler | 51 |
Staffy Cross | 47 |
Siberian Husky | 31 |
Akita | 27 |
Lurcher | 22 |
Where the dog breed is not known or it is a mongrel/cross breed, local authority dog wardens who issue the Dog Control Notice will select ‘other’ as the breed of dog.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 30 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 13 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to each local authority for Gaelic-medium education in each year since 2012.
Answer
In the most challenging budget settlement since devolution we are providing nearly £13.5bn in the Local Government Settlement 2023-24. We are increasing the resources available to Local Government by over £793m, which represents a real terms increase of £376m or 3%.
The Scottish Government’s policy towards local authorities’ spending is, however, to allow local authorities the financial freedom to operate independently. As such, the vast majority of funding is provided by means of a block grant. It is then the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including on Education, on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.
Local Government Financial Statistics for 2021-22 showed that local authorities spent around £6.9bn on education in Scotland, and that 2021-22 was the seventh year in a row education gross revenue expenditure saw a real terms increase.
The Scottish Government provides additional revenue funding to local authorities to support Gaelic medium education through the Gaelic Specific Grant Scheme. Information on funding from 2012 has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre under Bib. No 64655.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 October 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Natalie Don on 10 November 2023
To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been (a) placed in (i) foster and (ii) kinship care and (b) classed as homeless as a result of parental imprisonment, in each of the last 10 years.
Answer
Children’s Social Work Statistics data provides an annual breakdown of the number of children and young people being looked after in community and residential placement types. However, data is not currently collected on reasons for homelessness or the linkage with parental outcomes including parental imprisonment.
Table 1 shows the number of children looked after on 31 July in kinship care and foster care placement types between 2013 and 2022. Publication tables in the Children’s Social Work Statistics publication show that on 31 July 2022 a total of 12,596 children were looked after compared to 16,032 on 31 July 2013. 4,249 (34%) young people were looked after by kinship carers with a further 4,155 (33%) young people in foster care.
Of all children looked after, the proportion of children placed with kinship carers has increased from 26% in 2013 to 34% in 2022. Of all the children looked after, the proportion of children placed with foster carers has stayed the same between 2013 and 2022 (33%).
Table 1: Number of children looked after in kinship care and foster care placement, on 31 July | | | |
Placement type | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
Kinship Carers: friends/relatives | 4,183 | 4,217 | 4,158 | 4,279 | 4,138 | 4,073 | 4,175 | 4,456 | 4,410 | 4,249 |
Foster Carers provided by LA | 3,906 | 4,002 | 3,889 | 3,826 | 3,509 | 3,453 | 3,335 | 3,315 | 3,151 | 2,871 |
Foster Carers purchased by LA | 1,427 | 1,520 | 1,587 | 1,566 | 1,743 | 1,491 | 1,463 | 1,429 | 1,295 | 1,284 |
Total Foster Care | 5,333 | 5,522 | 5,476 | 5,392 | 5,252 | 4,944 | 4,798 | 4,744 | 4,446 | 4,155 |
Total (Foster +Kinship) | 9,516 | 9,739 | 9,634 | 9,671 | 9,390 | 9,017 | 8,973 | 9,200 | 8,856 | 8,404 |
Source: | Children's Social Work Statistics Scotland: 2021 to 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) | |
This information is publicly available in published tables released alongside the Children’s Social Work Statistics Scotland 2021-22 publication.
