Chamber and committees

I am in regular contact with Creative Scotland on this matter and have been crystal clear that the former Centre for Contemporary Arts building should re-open as an important asset for Glasgow and Scotland’s culture and creative sector as soon as possible. I am assured by Creative Scotland that the ongoing cultural value of the building is the key consideration in it’s process of seeking expressions of interest to see the empty building back open and operating.

The Scottish Government has not agreed to the sale of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) building on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. An Expression of Interest process has been undertaken by Creative Scotland.

The Scottish Government has already taken steps to acknowledge, measure and address the impact of the court backlog in Scotland, including the impact on victims of crime.

Our Improving victims’ experiences of the justice system consultation, in 2022, sought views on balancing a trauma informed approach to court scheduling with the need for continued action to address the court backlog, and the impact that can have on victims. Responses to the consultation helped to shape the provisions in the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025, including those in Part 2 requiring the Lord President to take trauma-informed practice into account in scheduling court business.

The Audit Scotland Criminal courts backlog report in May 2023 highlighted the impact that the backlog has had on victims. In its follow up report of May this year, Audit Scotland recognised the significant progress that had been made in reducing the court backlog, reflecting targeted investment from the Scottish Government and positive collaboration across justice partners.

The Victims Taskforce, co-chaired by the Lord Advocate and I, has heard directly from victims and support organisations regarding the impact of the backlog. The work of the Taskforce is informed by lived experience via the Victim Survivor Advisory Board. There is also regular engagement at both ministerial and official level with support organisations to facilitate feedback and knowledge exchange on the issues affecting victims in the justice system.

There are no current plans to commission further research given the existing evidence. We will continue to focus on improving efficiency, reducing delays and freeing up court capacity for the most serious cases and on implementing measures in the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025.

In May 2025, UK Government officials made the Scottish Government aware that the UK Government intended to publish a consultation relating to licensing of the sale of knives. This was subsequently published in December 2025 with the consultation finishing in February 2026. As yet, the Scottish Government is not aware of specific proposals from the UK Government to introduce such a scheme following the consultation and will be happy to discuss with the UK Government as any such proposals are developed in terms of any impact for Scotland. In particular, the need to consider the operation of any licensing scheme in respect of the importation of knives will be required by the UK Government for Scotland as this area of law is likely reserved under the Scotland Act 1998.

There is long-standing knife dealer licensing in Scotland operated by local authorities that applies to all retailers including online retailers who sell weapons covered by the licensing scheme. This is unlike the situation in England and Wales.

A remote sale is any sale where the seller or a person acting on the seller's behalf is not in the presence of the buyer at the point of sale. Section 33 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 (2026 Act) makes changes to the current requirements falling on remote sellers of bladed products found within the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Section 35 of the 2026 Act makes changes to the current requirements arising for the delivery of bladed products purchased remotely found within the Offensive Weapons Act 2019.

Royal Assent for the 2026 Act was received in late April 2026 and the relevant changes in sections 33 and 35, most of which also apply across the UK, will be commenced in due course further to engagement with UK Government and justice agencies.

Knife dealer licensing is a licensing scheme which allows for the sale of relevant weapons whilst helping minimise risks to public safety. It is a criminal offence for a person to sell the types of weapons covered by the licensing scheme without a licence.

Knife dealer licensing applies to any retailer including any online retailer based in Scotland. The licensing scheme requires a licence to sell certain weapons. These weapons are:

• All knives other than folding pocket knives whose blades do not exceed 3.5 inches (8.91 centimetres) in length and knives designed for domestic use;
• All daggers other than kirpans or skean dhus whose blades do not exceed 3.5 inches (8.91 centimetres) in length;
• All knife blades other than those designed for domestic use;
• All swords
• Any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed and which is made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person.

Knife dealer licensing is operated by local authorities in Scotland. The issuing of a licence includes background checks on the person seeking the licence. Conditions will attach to a licence including keeping written records of transactions for three years, records kept can be at any reasonable time looked at by the police on request and – for physical retail locations - no display of articles visible from the street or public entrance and signage indicating age laws that apply. These requirements apply in addition to other more general offensive weapon laws that apply such as restrictions on the age of purchasers.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who reply in writing within 20 days.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The data held by Scottish Government (SG) on individuals held on remand is taken from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) Prisoner Records System. SG do publish information on the number of departures from the remand population and the number of transitions from the remand population into the sentenced population in each financial year here: Supporting documents - Scottish Prison Population Statistics 2024-25 - gov.scot. However, this indicates prisoner movement rather than the outcome of the case/s individuals are involved in. Prisoner records do not contain information on the outcomes of court cases.

As set out in the answer to question S6W-42445, the Terms of Reference for the Emma Caldwell Inquiry were developed following consultation with the Chair and discussions with relevant parties. The Terms of Reference remain firmly focused on the original investigation into Emma’s death, while being framed with sufficient breadth to enable the Inquiry Chair to consider any wider matters he considers pertinent to the Inquiry. From its setting up date on 9 December 2025, this statutory Public Inquiry is now independent of Ministers and the Chair is responsible for directing the Inquiry to deliver the Terms of Reference.

An e-scooter, or an e-bike that does not meet the requirements for an electrically assisted pedal cycle, are treated as motor vehicles, and in relation to these Police Scotland can issue a fixed penalty notice for using the vehicle without insurance or without a licence, seize and remove the vehicle under road traffic law, and charge the rider with careless or dangerous driving. An e-bike that meets those requirements is treated as a pedal cycle, and the police can act against careless or dangerous cycling and against riding on a footway. Also, police can issue a warning to the driver if the vehicle is used in a manner causing alarm, distress, or annoyance. If caught repeating the antisocial behaviour within 12 months, officers can immediately seize the vehicle.