Chamber and committees

Scottish Ministers determine applications made under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 for major electricity transmission infrastructure. The Energy Consents Unit administer these applications on their behalf and there are currently 14 officials directly undertaking this work.

The Scottish Government committed to implement 20mph speed limits on those roads where it is appropriate to do so across Scotland. Assessment criteria were prepared in conjunction with the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), Police Scotland, Transport Scotland and various local authorities to identify which roads can be considered as ‘appropriate’

A total of 104 locations were assessed by Transport Scotland for introduction of 20mph speed limits in line with the assessment criteria. Of the 104 locations, 75 were identified as being suitable for a 20mph speed limit. It has been agreed that implementation of one of the two sections of 20mph speed limit on the A78 in Greenock will be delayed until completion of major roadworks in the area.

Of the remaining 74 locations, all are currently operating with a 20mph speed limit in place.

Information about the responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice is publicly available online and can be found on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/cabinet-secretary-for-justice/.

The research design and approach will only be finalised if approval from the Lord Justice General is provided.

Ensuring the research is undertaken in an ethically appropriate manner will of course be a key priority. Juror confidentiality, complainer anonymity, accused persons’ rights, data protection, appeals and the integrity of criminal proceedings in relation to the research have all been considered extensively during the drafting of the research specification, the evaluation of the bids received and, most recently, by the project’s Ethics Panel. Specific safeguards will be finalised when the research design is confirmed.

The Scottish Government has submitted a research access request to the Lord Justice General and awaits a decision.

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00115 on 28 May 2026. 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.

Section 67 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 amended the Contempt of Court Act 1981 to allow for more detailed research into jury deliberations, where research has been approved by the Lord Justice General. During Stage 3, the former Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs committed to commission research into jury deliberations as a priority, highlighting the need to better understand the impact of rape myths on jurors’ decision making. The 2025 Act introduced landmark changes to the justice system and there are no current plans to introduce anything further.

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS understand the risk that drones present to security and stability of our prisons and that is why we have implemented security measures such as window grilles and targeted interventions to lessen their impact.

Drone recoveries include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, SIM cards, weapons, various drugs and miscellaneous articles such as USB memory sticks and tweezers.

SPS recognise the continued threat presented by drones and are actively engaging with Police Scotland and both UK and European Prison Services, to share best practice and explore common solutions.

SPS record confirmed data on drone sightings and recoveries. The latest full year figures are presented in the following table:

Should approval be received from the Lord Justice General, Scottish Ministers will publish a report on the findings as soon as reasonably practicable after the research is carried out, as required by section 68(2) of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025.

This would include details of the methodology used as well as reflection on the limitations of the research.

Storage requirements for offshore wind are project-specific and vary depending on a wide-range of factors such as: the type of foundations, whether floating or fixed; project location; infrastructure availability; and deployment timelines. Each offshore wind developer will determine specific construction and storage solutions specific to their project.