Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has not undertaken any assessment into the potential usage of floating or submerged inshore data centres. We are however aware that in 2018 Microsoft’s Project Natick deployed the Northern Isles data centre at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, where it was tested and monitored for performance and reliability over a two year period.

The Scottish Government is not currently aware of any further propositions, but is always interested in exploring innovative practices in this industry that respect the offshore environment. Should any marine data centre proposition come forward, these would be considered on a case by case basis. As with all marine developments, rights to use the seabed may be required from Crown Estate Scotland and a marine licence from Scottish Minister.

The Thistle Safer Drug Consumption Facility operates from 9:00am to 9:00pm and plays an important role in supporting people to access a range of health, treatment and support services, including referral pathways to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).

The impact of the service will be considered through an independent evaluation led by the University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian University, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The evaluation will assess the facility's impact on health and social outcomes, including the use of drug treatment services.

There are currently no plans to extend the facility's operating hours or introduce a 24-hour model. Any future changes would need to be informed by evidence and considered alongside workforce, operational and resource implications.

The Scottish Government continues to work with Skills Development Scotland, Historic Scotland and other partners to explore solutions to increase traditional skills provision in Scotland, attract future talent, increase capacity in the sector, train people in traditional skills and provide a sustainable model for traditional skills development.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) employ modern apprentices who are undertaking training in traditional skills including glazing, architectural joinery, and stonemasonry. In addition, HES are currently piloting a ‘host’ model for craft apprenticeships, with apprentices employed by HES and placed to work within micro businesses.

I am grateful to the Scottish Law Commission for its detailed report and recommendations. The Scottish Government recognises the important of ensuring that tenement buildings are properly maintained, and that owners are supported to plan for and fund repairs.

Policy officials are currently undertaking further scoping work, including reviewing the SLC report, giving sufficient time to explore issues as well as engaging with key stakeholders in order to develop proposals.

As you will be aware, tenement maintenance was a manifesto commitment during the 2026 Parliamentary Election and we have committed to reform the Tenement (Scotland) Act 2004.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Cost of Living Crisis resulted in the planned actions from the Tenement Condition: Workplan for 2021 not being completed.

However, we have since progressed recommendations of the Scottish Parliament Working Group on tenement maintenance by instructing the Scottish Law Commission (SLC) to undertake a law reform project on mandatory owners associations for tenement properties.

Officials are now undertaking further scoping work following receipt of the SLC report and recommendations and other relevant information on the current arrangements to common repairs in tenements in Scotland.

The Scottish Government published the herbal smoking products, heated tobacco devices, vaping and nicotine products - display restrictions: partial business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA). This sets out our initial assessment of the business and regulatory impact of proposals to regulate the display of herbal smoking products, vaping products, nicotine products, and heated tobacco devices. The partial BRIA relates to the display element of the 4-nations consultation "Tobacco and Vapes: packaging, appearance and display", which includes questions and information on herbal smoking products. The UK Government published consultation stage impact assessments alongside this consultation which relate to herbal smoking products.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that tenement buildings are properly maintained. The five-yearly building inspections survey was one of the recommendations of the Scottish Parliament’s Working Group on tenement maintenance.

The Scottish Government has committed to reform the Tenement (Scotland) Act 2004 to better meet the needs of relevant owners and tenants to enable repairs, maintenance and enhancement of such properties.

My officials are currently undertaking further scoping work. I will be happy to update on progress once this work has concluded.

The Scottish Parliament’s Working Group on tenement maintenance made recommendations for the creation of compulsory Owners' Associations, Building Reserve Funds and 5-yearly Building Surveys.

Views expressed by Under One Roof and The MCS Foundation that all Working Group recommendations need to be implemented are being considered by my officials in the work they are undertaking to fully consider options available in reforming the Tenement (Scotland) Act 2004. I will be happy to provide an update when the current scoping work has been completed.

The Scottish Government is committed to taking action to deliver the changes needed to support owners and ensure common property is protected and preserved for the benefit of future generations.

Owners of tenement properties have a shared responsibility to maintain the tenement. However, we know that tenement properties with multiple owners often struggle to organise and finance shared repairs, maintenance and enhancement works.

The Scottish Government welcomes the report by Under One Roof and The MCS Foundation. We know there are challenges involved in setting up such a scheme, a range of additional measures would be required to encourage coordinating and paying for repairs.

Policy officials are currently undertaking scoping work, which includes looking at this issue, giving sufficient time to explore many other issues, engage with key stakeholders and develop proposals.

Following review of processes to maintain competitiveness within vessel projects CMAL, as Procuring Authority, have chosen not to disclose the list of yards or locations of those bidding for the MV Lord of The Isles replacement or for any future vessel tenders.

An update will be provided at the appropriate time, when the required procurement processes are complete.