- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it expects to publish the draft National Planning Framework 4, and on the timeframes for (a) consultation on and (b) adoption of the framework.
Answer
The Scottish Government intends to lay the draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) in the Scottish Parliament later in autumn this year for a scrutiny period of up to 120 days. Public consultation on the NPF4 will run alongside the Parliamentary process, and the Scottish Government is keen to hear the views of as wide a range of people as possible.
The final adoption date will depend on the approval of NPF4 by the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government is currently aiming to lay a finalised version for approval by summer 2022.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 08 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the developments regarding Aberdeenshire Council’s reported objection to the A90/A937 Laurencekirk Junction Improvement Scheme, what the updated timeline is to (a) start and (b) complete the work.
Answer
I can confirm that Aberdeenshire Council’s reported objection to the A90/A937 Laurencekirk Junction Improvement Scheme remains extant and would refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02821 on 23 September 2021. 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: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 25 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed to ensuring that all of the loans it has made to Glasgow Prestwick Airport are repaid in full by the new owner, should the airport be sold.
Answer
The full value of loan and its accrued interest remain repayable.
With the process to return Prestwick Airport to the private sector continuing, it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment further at this time.
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what outcomes have been achieved by the Clyde 2020 initiative since its inception in 2014, including in relation to the commitment by ministers to a process to identify a programme of measures, and to test and implement practical actions, to contribute to the renewal of the Clyde marine ecosystem.
Answer
The Clyde 2020 initiative has brought together both scientific research and practical measures to improve the marine ecosystem of the Clyde. It has achieved a range of outputs and outcomes since 2014, for example to improve the public and stakeholder understanding of current scientific evidence in the form of a Layman’s Guide, analysed scientific outputs from assessments and their impacts, and operated as a sub-group of the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership to provide scientific advice and input to the process of developing a regional marine plan for the Clyde marine region.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 07 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what loan support it offers homeowners for the purpose of installing a fire and smoke alarm system that is compliant with the new standard.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not provide loans to home owners for the purpose of installing fire alarms that are compliant with the new standard. Local authorities have broad discretionary powers to provide assistance to home owners, in connection with work on private homes, including assistance by way of loans. Local authorities are best placed to determine what types of assistance are provided in their area, subject to local resources and priorities.
We recognise that some owners will have more difficulty, particularly with the option to fit alarms themselves, and we have provided £0.5 million additional funding for Care and Repair Scotland to provide help installing alarms for older and disabled home owners. We have also provided £1 million to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to provide alarms for owners who are considered most vulnerable to the risk of fire.
- Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 07 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to protecting schools, colleges, charities and other amateur sports groups that may attempt to exercise their rights under section 195 of the Equality Act 2010 in reference to persons who make a self-declaration under the proposed provisions in its draft Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Answer
Section 195 of the Equality Act 2010 sets out exceptions from the requirements of that Act in relation to sport. The 2010 Act is generally reserved to the UK Parliament, including section 195, so the exceptions in the section would continue unaffected by the proposed provisions in the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. The Scottish Government continues to support the rights and protections that women currently have under the Equality Act 2010, and the proposed reforms in the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill do not affect this.
There is an explanatory note for section 195 that can be found here Equality Act 2010 - Explanatory Notes (legislation.gov.uk)
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 25 October 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Kate Forbes on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a bid in place for the purchase of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, and if so, whether it is lower in value than previous bids made.
Answer
The process to return Glasgow Prestwick Airport to the private sector continues and decisions have still to be taken in relation to the prospective sale of the business.
We have committed to updating Parliament on the sale process at the appropriate stage and to protect the integrity of the process we will not be making any further comment at this time.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 15 October 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Ivan McKee on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02134 by Ivan McKee on 7 September 2021, whether it will provide an update on its review of the UK Government’s Subsidy Control Bill and its impact on public contracts for (a) rail and (b) ferry services in Scotland, and which external organisations it has consulted as part of that review.
Answer
The process of reviewing the UK Government’s Subsidy Control Bill is ongoing. This is at a relatively high level while we await sight of proposed supporting subordinate legislation and guidance which may impact on specific sectors, such as rail and ferries.
I gave evidence on 26 October to the House of Commons Committee considering the Bill, making clear Scottish Government concerns that the Bill as drafted impinges on the Devolution Settlement. I continue to press UK Minister Paul Scully on our concerns about the Bill and its progress.
External organisations have not yet been approached at this stage but this will likely form part of the process moving forward.
In the meantime, compliance with applicable Subsidy Control rules is an important part of our considerations on rail contracts and will form part of any consideration around new options that may be available for procurement of ferry services and/or impact on ferry fares policy.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 October 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to raising the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Scheme (HEEPS: ABS) price cap for householders, and what the outcome was of any such consideration.
Answer
The Scottish Government provides funding to local councils through our Area Based Schemes to deliver energy efficiency improvements to households living in or at risk of fuel poverty. The guidance for the scheme specifies an average amount per property for the intensity of grant-in-aid that can usually be provided for fabric improvements.
This maxima was increased by £500 for all categories of property from 1 April 2020. This reflected feedback about increased costs of providing insulation received from all 32 councils and managing agents involved in delivery of the programme in
2019-20. Local councils can provide a higher intensity of grant-in-aid for households in extreme fuel poverty or other relevant factors, for example where there are additional costs due to non-standard construction type.
- Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 October 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 4 November 2021
To ask the Scottish Government on which dates since 2015 the maximum level of funding that can be used to invest in owners’ homes for the Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Scheme (HEEPS: ABS) was increased, and by how much.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-03712 on
4 November 2021. 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