Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-23509

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 12 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that all children's home and school care accommodation have working and efficient automatic fire suppression systems in place.

Under the existing legislation it is for the dutyholder(s) of such buildings to ensure they have adequate fire safety measures in place, which may include fire suppression systems where deemed appropriate. This should be informed by fire safety risk assessments in order to determine what level of fire safety measures are necessary to comply with existing fire safety legislation. The dutyholder is responsible for ensuring all fire safety measures are properly serviced, maintained and in efficient working order.

If the Care Inspectorate receives or identifies any concerns about a care service in relation to fire safety, these are passed to SFRS, who are responsible for enforcement.

Question reference: S5W-23507

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 7 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the planned timescale is to amend the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 to provide for automatic fire suppression systems in housing.

On 6 December 2018, The Ministerial Working Group announced a commitment for the mandatory installation of sprinklers in all flatted accommodation and in larger multi-occupancy dwellings and those which provide care. The detail of this proposal is still being considered by officials. Building Regulations should be amended in 2020 and come into force in 2021 before the end of the current Parliamentary session in line with our commitment in June 2018.

Question reference: S5W-23508

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 7 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to require fitting of automatic fire suppression systems in HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) accommodation.

On 6 December 2018, The Ministerial Working Group announced a commitment for the mandatory installation of sprinklers in all flatted accommodation and in larger multi-occupancy dwellings and those which provide care. The detail of this proposal is still being considered by officials. Building Regulations should be amended in 2020 and come into force in 2021 before the end of the current Parliamentary session in line with our commitment in June 2018.

Question reference: S5W-23513

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 7 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish Water regarding water capacity projections in 2021, following the requirement to provide sprinklers in new-build housing.

Discussions with Scottish Water on water capacity projections will form part of the development of proposals, over the next year, to extend provision of sprinklers to new flatted and social housing. As is the case with current voluntary installations, for each development, the assurance of supply for each new connection will influence the type of systems installed. Scottish Water is committed to support new development and will always work with developers to deliver appropriate water supply.

Question reference: S5W-23512

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 7 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association report, Callow Mount Safer High Rise Living, into the retrofitting of sprinklers in domestic properties.

Automatic fire suppression systems (including retro-fitting) and other measures were discussed in detail at the fourth meeting of the Ministerial Working Group on 9 August 2017. The retrofitting of sprinklers in high-rise domestic properties, assessed in the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association report, Callow Mount Safer High Rise Living, has been taken into account as part of wider considerations on sprinklers.

Question reference: S5W-23514

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 7 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to bring in transition provisions and guidance for housebuilders in the public and private sectors in connection with the requirement to provide sprinklers in new-build housing.

Question reference: S5W-23510

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 7 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the insurance industry about the costs of insurance for domestic and commercial premises following the installation of sprinkler automatic fire suppression systems.

Officials met with representatives of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in January 2019. Automatic fire suppression systems in all new social housing and all new flats were discussed.

New build insurance is competitive and it is a matter for individual insurance companies as to what premiums they offer clients. Despite their concerns over water leakage there is no evidence that residential sprinkler installation results in increased insurance premiums. The commercial sprinkler market is long established and insurance premiums can benefit from significant discounts.

Question reference: S5W-23511

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 7 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) local authorities and (b) registered social landlords regarding the funding of sprinkler automatic fire suppression system installations post-2021.

Question reference: S5O-03224

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take in light of the Scottish Affairs Committee's evidence session on seasonal agricultural workers.

Question reference: S5F-03284

Asked by: David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 29 April 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 May 2019

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made regarding the level of opiate addiction.

Chamber and committees