Chamber and committees

It is difficult to make accurate estimates of the proportion of palm oil imported into Scotland that is from sustainable sources. There is no reason to believe that the proportion is significantly different from that for the UK as a whole. The most recent Annual Progress Report from the UK Roundtable on Sourcing Sustainable Palm Oil states that "since 2010, the proportion of UK imports of palm and palm kernel oil that can be reported as certified sustainable has increased from 16% to 72% in 2021, with the vast majority of remaining imports likely to be sourced through a form of assurance." The UK Government has consulted about regulations to introduce due diligence on forest risk commodities, which are planned to place new obligations on businesses that import large volumes of commodities that can be grown on newly cleared forest land. Businesses will be required to demonstrate that production of these commodities has respected local laws.

Identity theft is a form of fraud and prosecuted under the general offence of fraud. As such, specific information is not routinely collected on identity theft. However, in 2018-19, a one-off detailed analysis of crimes of dishonesty was carried out by the Scottish Government and this revealed that identity theft type cases accounted for about 6% of total fraud, with most cases of identity theft being cyber-enabled.

6. Tables - Recorded crime in Scotland: 2018-2019 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

In addition, the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey found 1.1% of adults experienced identity theft in 2019/20. These are the most recently published statistics as the survey was suspended due to COVID, and resumed in November 2021 with next results due to be published later this year.

Identity theft can be a traumatic experience for those who experience it. It should be reported to Police Scotland as well as the relevant financial institutions that have been affected.

Police Scotland raise awareness of the importance of trying to reduce incidents of identity theft through comprehensive advice on their website. In particular, the website includes information about common ways in which criminals seek to acquire personal information about a person with a view to using this information fraudulently. This advice also includes signs to look for in case a person's identity has been stolen to be used for fraudulent purposes and what to do if a person considers they have been a victim of identity theft. We support the steps being taken by Police Scotland in helping advise people how best to protect themselves from identity theft.

Identity theft - Police Scotland

Financial institutions also provide helpful information to customers about how best to avoid falling foul of being a victim of identity theft with advice focused on what steps to take to help protect personal information as if criminals find it more difficult to access personal information, then this reduces the chances of identity theft taking place.

The Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested. The most recent Cancer Waiting Times Data from 1 January – 31 March 2023, published on the Public Health Scotland website, can be found at the following link - Cancer waiting times - 1 January to 31 March 2023 - Cancer waiting times - Publications - Public Health Scotland . Here you will find information on the median waiting times from referral to first treatment or from decision to treat to first treatment, split up by Health Board and Cancer Type.

The Scottish Government continues to improve provision of maternity and neonatal services through implementation of The Best Start: A Five Year forward plan for Maternity and Neonatal care in Scotland.

We receive regular reporting from Health Boards showing they are on track to be delivered by the revised end date of mid 2024 for the majority of the recommendations and for continuity of carer to be implemented within the lifetime of this Parliament.

NHS Boards are responsible for planning and providing services based on the needs of their local population, this includes women who receive maternity aftercare following birth in hospitals, midwife-led birthing units and community settings.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. It is statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage and maintain their school estate.

The operation and maintenance of these water towers is a matter for Scottish Water and, as such, I have asked them to contact you directly. One of the water towers, Cranhill, is no longer in use for water supply purposes and Scottish Water has advised that they intend to engage locally, as well as with relevant stakeholders, to identify potential future options for this water tower.

The legal obligation to provide public library services within Scotland lies with the local authorities, who have a statutory duty to secure the provision of adequate library facilities for all people resident in their area, taking into account local needs.

The Scottish Government supports the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), who provides leadership and advice to Scottish Ministers, local authorities, and the wider libraries sector, with annual funding of £665,000. This includes £450,000 for the Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) and is on top of the Scottish Government’s general revenue funding to local authorities.

Examples of PLIF support in rural communities includes Digi Bytes and Takeaways in Moray, which is enabling Moray Libraries to support families during the current cost-of-living crisis and encouraging children and parents to engage with STEM in the early years; and Sensory Exploration in Orkney, in which a mobile interactive floor projector allows for sensory sessions to take place with a variety of age-groups. The project aims to enhance the library’s digital offering and widen access to a technology designed to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of those interacting with it.

Our latest figures show that a total of 3,047 vouchers have been paid out at an average cost of £1,858.99 per voucher. This consists of 1,079 interim vouchers at an average of £389.24 per voucher, and 1,968 main vouchers at an average of £2,884.81 per voucher.

This is an operational matter for ScotRail and Stena Line. ScotRail advises that it regularly meets with Stena Line to review potential service changes and ensure tickets are available on rail retail systems and Stena Line expands the service if demand dictates. Details of these tickets can be found via Rail & Sail to Ireland | Stena Line , which also provides contact details for Stena Line for further information.