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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-19283

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 29 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to fully dual the A1 between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

The Scottish Government have no plans to fully dual the A1 between Edinburgh and Berwick-Upon-Tweed.

A range of potential improvements to the trunk road and motorway network, including the A1, were appraised in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review. However, full dualling of the A1, or any other route, was not included in the final 45 recommendations. The evidence and rationale for that is provided within the publications for STPR2; the member may wish to refer to Sections 6 and 7 in the final technical report for more detail.

In line with the sustainable travel and investment hierarchies, the transport appraisal reflected that, rather than measures that increase capacity, the priorities for investment in Scotland’s trunk road network are on improving road safety, reliability and resilience, as well as adapting the network to deal with the challenges of climate change.

Question reference: S6W-19264

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 28 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many reports of illegal fishing have been substantiated by Marine Scotland in each year since 2017.

Marine Scotland does not record whether a report of illegal fishing is substantiated. Any reports are fully investigated and where there is sufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution the Enforcement team can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice up to £10k or make a report to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service. Around 2500 intelligence reports are received each year from a variety of sources. These are used in a risk-based system to influence tasking of Marine, Aerial and Coastal assets. Enforcement statistics are published on the Scottish Government website Marine and fisheries compliance: list of fixed penalty notices - 26 May 2020 to 30 June 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Question reference: S6W-18937

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 23 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide emergency approval for the use of asulam for bracken control, in light of reported concerns by farmers that Lyme disease will spread in Scottish hillsides if it is not approved.

Scottish Ministers have agreed to HSE refusing the 2023 emergency authorisation application for the use of Asulox, to control bracken, because of the risks it poses to the environment and human health.

This follows existing precedent for decisions over pesticide approvals being exercised on behalf of Scottish Ministers by HSE. Independent advice from the Chief Scientific Adviser for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture and the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides supported the Health and Safety Executive’s recommendation to not give Asulox an emergency authorisation.

The Scottish Government is acutely aware of the risks associated with uncontrolled bracken and did not take this decision lightly. The Scottish Government is committed to science based decision making, and follows well established and evidence based process in relation to the authorisation of chemicals.

As highlighted by the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Asulox has been used on 2,000-3,000 ha of land in Scotland each year, around 2% of the total bracken area. Thus Asulox is not currently, nor can likely ever be, a tool for a national bracken control programme.

The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with stakeholders and NatureScot to consider options for sustainable bracken management.

Question reference: S6W-18978

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 22 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity has met with its adviser on tick-borne diseases, Prof Roy Brown, to discuss the control of bracken with the use of Asulox.

Whilst I have not met with Professor Roy Brown, I have considered, and values, the information provided by him in relation to the role of bracken in tick population dynamics and human and animal disease.

I have accepted an invitation from the Bracken Control Group, which Professor Roy Brown is a representative on, to visit a location with established bracken, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss impacts and control options.

Question reference: S6W-18853

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 22 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in the R100 programme to date.

The R100 programme is one of the most ambitious public investment programmes anywhere in the UK – with the Scottish Government investing over £600 million targeted at homes and businesses with the slowest broadband speeds.

As of 8 June 2023, £122.4 million has been paid to Openreach for delivery of the R100 contracts. Payments are made in arrears upon completion of build.

A further £5.4 million has been paid to a range of suppliers in the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme.

Question reference: S6W-18852

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 22 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many homes in Scotland do not have access to superfast broadband.

Based on Ofcom’s latest figures up to the end of January 2023, 5% of all residences in Scotland do not currently have access to a superfast broadband connection of 30 Mbps (megabits per second) or more.

Through the R100 programme, all premises without access to superfast broadband are being supported to obtain an improved broadband connection - either through inclusion in the R100 contract build plans, or via eligibility for the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme.

Some people choose not to upgrade to faster broadband speeds, even when they are available to them, with Ofcom estimating that only 71% of premises in Scotland take up superfast broadband service when it is available.

Question reference: S6W-18854

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 22 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it expects that the R100 programme will be completed.

Question reference: S6W-18851

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 21 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on track to meet its R100 programme targets.

The R100 programme remains on track to meet its current contractual completion dates. The R100 contracts are currently delivering full fibre, gigabit capable connections at pace across the length and breadth of Scotland.

For any properties beyond the reach of the R100 contract build or commercial coverage plans, the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme – offering vouchers worth up to £5,000 – remains available to help secure a superfast broadband connection.

Our address checker at https://www.scotlandsuperfast.com shows the most recent plans and timescales for residential and commercial properties across Scotland, allowing access to the most up-to-date information.

Question reference: S6O-02411

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it plans to resume the Super Sponsor Scheme for Ukrainian refugees.

Question reference: S6W-18544

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 02 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 7 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether any of its ministers or civil servants received an invitation to the Food Summit at 10 Downing Street, hosted by the Prime Minister and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in May 2023.