The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S6W-32447

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 7 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed what technical solutions could be adopted by bus operators to reduce the risk of collisions with low bridges.

It is deeply concerning that there have been two recent incidents involving buses colliding with low bridges, and I wish to express my best wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured. Both incidents are currently under investigation.

While vehicle safety is a reserved matter that is dealt with by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). There is no legal requirement for bus operators to install technical solutions into their vehicles to reduce the risk of collisions, it is a matter for individual bus operators to determine whether they want to install such systems. However, in recent years some bus companies have been trialling low bridge detection systems to improve the safety of their fleet.

Bus operators and drivers have a duty to take all practical steps to ensure that vehicles avoid colliding with infrastructure through proper route planning, training in risk assessment, and providing correct information to drivers on the vehicles they use, this includes access to height conversion charts and measurement gauges.

Collision of low bridges by commercial vehicles is a serious matter for the Traffic Commissioner and they will consider the liability of both the operator and the driver, which could result in the Commissioner taking action against them both.

Question reference: S6W-32399

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 30 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether there has been any progress on the proposals to establish a Scottish Stock Exchange.

Question reference: S6W-31972

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide more information on its plans to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers as set out in its draft Budget 2025-26, including (a) a clear timeline for developing and fully implementing this policy, (b) clarity on whether free bus travel will be provided for all people seeking asylum across Scotland, and (c) what models are being considered for delivery.

The draft 2025-26 Budget, which is subject to Parliamentary approval, has funding allocated to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers in the 2025-26 financial year. Further information on delivery will be provided in due course.

We are committed to exploring if we can extend free bus travel to all people seeking asylum on a longer term basis before the end of the current parliamentary session, subject to the successful passage of a Scottish Budget containing this issue and an agreed way forward on the policy in terms of practical delivery.

People seeking asylum in Scotland who are currently eligible for free bus travel through the statutory National Concessionary Travel Schemes, including those under 22, aged 60 and over and those with disabilities, will continue to be able to make use of their entitlement.

Question reference: S6W-31990

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much money it has allocated to providing free bus travel for people seeking asylum in its draft Budget 2025-26.

The draft 2025-26 Budget, which is subject to Parliamentary approval, has allocated funding to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers in the 2025-26 financial year. Further information will be provided in due course.

People seeking asylum in Scotland who are currently eligible for free bus travel through the statutory National Concessionary Travel Schemes, including those under 22, aged 60 and over and those with disabilities, will continue to be able to make use of their entitlement.

Question reference: S6O-04157

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress to restore the Mackintosh Building of the Glasgow School of Art.

Question reference: S6W-31960

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the root cause of the structural problem with the M8 Woodside Viaducts was due to movement in the supporting pillars caused by a change in the water table, which was triggered by nearby construction activity at Phoenix Road.

Transport Scotland engineers advise that there is no reason to believe that there has been any structural damage to the Woodside Viaduct as a result of a changing water table due to construction or any other activity at Pheonix Road.

The works are as a result of deterioration of the crosshead half joints, which are supported on top of the piers (pillars). Half joints are a detail susceptible to deterioration due to water ingress and are not utilised in new bridge construction as a result.

Question reference: S6W-31959

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 17 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will engage with the Ministry of Defence on its plan to tender for two new floating docks for submarine maintenance at Faslane, and establish the feasibility for these docks to be constructed in whole or part at Scottish shipyards, such as Ferguson Marine.

The Scottish Government will interact with the UK Government and Ministry of Defence to support the opportunity for any significant contracts with the potential to provide ongoing employment opportunities for shipyards and fabrication businesses in Scotland.

There are several Scottish yards that possess the capabilities and specialist workforce skills needed to deliver this kind of infrastructure project, and we would encourage the MOD to utilise those resources. It is of course a commercial matter for each business to bid for work, however we would support any bid that ensured the work is delivered in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-31973

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 13 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further detail on the regeneration funding for Possilpark as set out in its draft Budget 2025-26, including how much funding will be allocated to this area.

The funding announced in the draft Scottish Budget will develop an underused space at 252 Saracen Street, Possilpark, into a new Social Entrepreneurial Centre providing 379sqm of space for those from disadvantaged communities to meet, innovate and support new local and diverse social business.

The project will be delivered in partnership with Glasgow City Council and North Glasgow Homes supported with approximately £0.6m investment from Scottish Government, subject to the budget being approved by Parliament and final allocations being agreed by Ministers.

Question reference: S6W-31622

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB) on 11 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it prioritises local suppliers when purchasing flowers or floral arrangements for events, in order to support the reportedly growing flower farming industry in Scotland.

Floral arrangements are supplied via our service partner for Catering Services, Sodexo Limited. Their flower supplier is a small business in Edinburgh established for over 25 years providing fresh flowers and arrangements throughout the year for various events and requests. Sodexo use SME businesses on behalf of the Scottish Parliament prioritising whenever possible using local and Scottish produce.

Question reference: S6W-31796

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government which harbour authorities in Scotland currently levy a leisure vessel conservancy fee, and what the annual fee is in each harbour authority that has such a levy.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on fees set by ports.

Statutory Harbour Authorities are independent bodies governed by their own legislation. A Statutory Harbour Authority’s powers, duties and geographic area of jurisdiction are set out in local Acts of Parliament, or a Harbour Order under the Harbours Act 1964.

All ports are obliged to act in accordance with their local legislation and other relevant laws.

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