Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not currently have any plans for specific public health awareness raising relating to the risks associated with choking during consensual sexual activity. Through our existing channels we will explore opportunities to discuss these matters and to identify possible areas for this to be highlighted, including the new sexual health website for Scotland, which is currently being developed.

The Scottish Government is taking significant steps to imbed the principles of a Circular Economy, enabling the increased recovery of sustainable materials, including those limiting emissions along entire material and product lifecycles. Within our draft Circular Economy Route Map the Scottish Government has also committed to creating a Product Stewardship Strategy, with the aim of minimising the health, safety, environmental and social impacts of products. We will focus on policies and activities which have the greatest environmental and economic impact while continuing to encourage best practice by all businesses and consumers, with the aim to produce, consume and manage resources as effectively as possible. We are engaging with research from ZWS, SEPA and other partners, along with looking at best practice internationally to ensure the policy interventions in this area are not only effective but as impactful as possible.

Alongside this, the 2023 Programme for Government outlined that we would continue to work on how we will help businesses and investors to realise the enormous economic opportunities of the global transition to net zero and create good, well-paid jobs across Scotland. Work is already happening at pace in various areas including how best to use and support research with the aim of capturing economic benefit from the transition to net zero.

I refer the member to the answer to S6W-27838 on 7 June 2024. 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 .

The Scottish Government is also working on a joint 4-nations consultation on digital waste tracking which notes our intention to track waste through to end of waste products or materials that are produced from waste. The digital waste tracking will improve the quality of waste data and make it easier to identify opportunities to keep materials in use for as long as possible and ensure nothing is wasted, including material streams within electrical and electronic equipment.

Since taking up post last year, I have met regularly with Councillor Jane Meagher, the City of Edinburgh Council Housing Convener, with our last meeting taking place on 18 April. The housing emergency has been raised in my discussions with other Housing Convenors and housing and homelessness partners as follows:

• Members of the Cross-Party Group on Housing on 27 February
• Councillor Allan Casey and Councillor Kenny McLean, Glasgow City Council on 13 March
• Jenni Minto MSP, Argyll and Bute Council officials and Argyll and Bute registered social landlords and community trusts on 4 April
• Alison Watson, Shelter Scotland on 16 April
• Members of the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group on 16 April
• Strategic Homeless Action Partnership in Edinburgh on 1 May
• Sally Thomas and Carolyn Lochhead, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations on 15 May
• Councillor Davie McLachlan, South Lanarkshire Council on 16 May
• Councillor Maureen Chalmers, COSLA on 21 May
• Councillor Judy Hamilton, Fife Council on 5 June

There have also been discussions at official level over recent months with other partners, including the Scottish Housing Regulator, ALACHO, COSLA and Homes for Scotland.

These meetings are used to discuss the homelessness pressures and housing supply matters in Edinburgh and other areas across Scotland, including the decisions by councils to declare a housing emergency. Within these discussions, a range of issues are covered, which have their basis in the proposals developed by local authorities in response to the pressures they are facing. Various financial and planning issues and potential regulatory changes have been discussed at these meetings in the context of reducing the use of temporary accommodation and improving housing outcomes for residents.

Hydrogen fuel cell buses in Aberdeen supported by grant funding from the Scottish Government were not manufactured in Scotland. State aid and subsequent subsidy control rules mean that grant conditions could not specify which vehicle supplier the bus operator should use.

COPFS has commenced work in relation to the areas identified in the His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland (HMIPS) report and is identifying the necessary work that will require to be undertaken and the resource requirements needed to implement the recommendations.

COPFS has agreed to provide HMIPS with regular updates on the work undertaken in implementing the recommendations contained within the report and anticipate that an update on progress could be provided in 6 months.

COPFS has commenced work in relation to the areas identified in the His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland (HMIPS) report and is identifying the necessary work that will require to be undertaken and the resource requirements needed to implement the recommendations.

COPFS has agreed to provide HMIPS with regular updates on the work undertaken in implementing the recommendations contained within the report and anticipate that an update on progress could be provided in 6 months.

Seabed leasing for offshore wind is administered by Crown Estate Scotland (CES), which sets the terms of lease. CES keeps the terms of lease under regular review to reflect any legislative updates or changes to CES or Scottish government policy. Leasing terms will therefore vary between leasing rounds to ensure that such agreements remain fit for purpose and reflect the latest statutory requirements and policy positions, as demonstrated by changes between the ScotWind and INTOG leasing terms.

CES appraise lease applications as part of a rigorous internal assessment and due diligence process to confirm developer suitability, and only make awards to organisations that satisfy this assessment process. As part of this process companies provide a written statement to CES to confirm they have not been convicted of unlawful activity in relation to a range of requirements, including corruption, bribery, fraud, and human trafficking and exploitation, within the last five years. Only companies providing such assurances could proceed with bids. Five years was chosen by CES as a practical timeframe that balanced the need for the required statement to be robust, pragmatic and timely.

The criteria underpinning this assessment process is published for the purposes of transparency and accountability. CES also considers the impact of developments with regards to social and environmental wellbeing in Scotland.

In both the Scotwind and INTOG leasing rounds, CES required a statement of commitment from each applicant and any project partners confirming that they were not in contravention of a range of legislation. This requirement safeguarded against the successful participation of companies convicted of unlawful conduct either within the UK or internationally, including unlawful conduct in relation to ecologically damaging developments.

CES also have responsibilities under the Scottish Government’s Slavery and Human trafficking statement and follow guidance on due diligence in relation to human rights.

CES are committed to taking all appropriate action to prevent the Scottish seabed from being used by any company that does not meet its terms of lease.

CES reserves the right to void any application in relation to ScotWind, INTOG or other developments which is found to have provided false information.

In addition, all offshore wind developments in Scotland are subject to strict environmental assessment processes for the purposes of preserving our natural environment and mitigating any damage.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27757 on‎ 7 June 2024. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27760 on‎ 7 June 2024. 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 .