- Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 January 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what recent communication it has had with McGill's Buses regarding the number 52 bus route in Barrhead.
Answer
Transport Scotland officials recently contacted McGill's Buses to understand the reasons behind the application to withdraw the 52 service made to the Traffic Commissioner. McGill's Buses have advised that a decision on the 52 service has been delayed to allow further consultation with the local community.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 January 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Angela Constance on 6 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) eBay, (b) Amazon, (c) other retailers and (d) the UK Government regarding the marketing and sale of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes.
Answer
At this time Nitrous Oxide is not covered under the Misuse of Drugs Act, rather it is currently an offence under the reserved Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 to supply nitrous oxide if a person knows, or is reckless as to whether, it will be used for its psychoactive effect. Given the reserved nature of this legislation, the Scottish Government has not had any discussions with eBay, Amazon or any other retailer about the marketing or sale of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes. However, we have engaged heavily with the National Crime Agency and UK Government about the need for tackling the ease through which certain products can be bought online and used for criminal activity and will be responding to their current consultation about developing a new criminal offence around the supply or possession of articles used for serious crime, particularly pill presses. We would plan to engage with retailers about the impact of any new legislation.
The UK Government have requested that the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs conduct an updated assessment of the health and social harms of nitrous oxide and, following that assessment, provide advice on whether nitrous oxide should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Scottish Government officials are engaging with the ACMD around this review and have provided information to them in relation to it. The ACMD will explore, amongst other elements of Nitrous Oxide use, whether current regulations are having the desired effect of preventing the marketing and sale of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes and whether or not such an effect might be achieved by listing it under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 January 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government which railway lines will not be included in its six-month pilot of suspending peak fares, as announced in its Budget statement on 15 December 2022.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14172 on 31 January 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
- Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 January 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of its analysis of the impact of the Network Support Grant scheme on the bus network across Scotland.
Answer
The purpose of the Network Support Grant is to help to keep both commercial and subsidised services more extensive and fares more affordable than they would otherwise have been. The Network Support Grant continues to provide the same support that the Bus Service Operator Grant (BSOG) provided for many years. As such, it is difficult to separate the impact of the Network Support Grant from the Bus Service Operator Grant on the bus network.
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 January 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 6 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action, on 1 February 2023, on the work of the National Galleries of Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government discussed with the National Galleries of Scotland the effect of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023. The National Galleries made the decision to close each of their galleries, shops and restaurants. All support colleagues were asked to work from home.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 January 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Kevin Stewart on 6 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to produce an equivalent for adults aged over 25 to its document, National Neurodevelopmental Specification for Children and Young People: Principles and Standards of Care, published in 2021, which sets out the standards and availability of services that people aged up to 25 can expect.
Answer
The Scottish Government has been working with the National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) regarding diagnosis and support, providing funding of £650,000 for adult neurodevelopmental pathway pilots with four Health Boards - Fife, Borders, Lanarkshire and Highland.
The pilots ran for 12 months, starting in January 2022. The formal aspect of the pilots has now concluded but the work locally continues. The results of this work, including a final report, will be available early this year.
The Scottish Government will consider the report and explore what steps are required to ensure that everyone with a Neurodevelopmental difference, including ADHD, can access the diagnosis and support they require.
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 January 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 6 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the total cost will be of closing any facilities managed by the National Museums of Scotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023.
Answer
The cost of closing facilities managed by National Museums of Scotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023 is not currently estimated. This estimation would be carried out by National Museums of Scotland themselves rather than by Scottish Government.
- Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 January 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Maree Todd on 6 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce legislation that would prohibit smoking in school grounds and public playgrounds, as well as outdoor day care and childminding settings.
Answer
The Scottish Government's refreshed Tobacco Action Plan will be published in Autumn this year and we are considering, among other initiatives, a Scotland wide prohibition on smoking in these areas.
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 January 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 6 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action, on 1 February 2023, on the work of Historic Environment Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government discussed with Historic Environment Scotland the effect of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action.
Although four Historic Environment Scotland sites could not open due to the industrial action, the vast majority of Historic Environment Scotland’s visitor attractions, including the most popular sites - Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle, remained open to the public on 1 February 2023.
- Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 27 January 2023
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 6 February 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the total cost will be of closing any facilities managed by the National Galleries of Scotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023.
Answer
The cost of closing facilities managed by National Galleries of Scotland as a result of the Public and Commercial Services Union industrial action on 1 February 2023 is not currently estimated. This estimation would be carried out by National Galleries of Scotland themselves rather than by Scottish Government.