Chamber and committees

COPFS recorded an increase of more than 40% in the number of deaths reported compared to pre-pandemic figures.

However, I am not aware of any significant impact on the availability or scheduling of post mortem examinations in Aberdeen.

There were 576 Crown-instructed post mortem examinations performed at the Aberdeen City Mortuary in Aberdeen during 2023-24:

There are no forensic pathologists currently based in Aberdeen.

Two members of administration staff support the pathology service in Aberdeen.

Statutory consultees are key stakeholders in the consenting process.

The ‘Verity House Agreement’ and the ‘New Deal for Business’ have set out how the Scottish Government intends to work collaboratively with local authorities and others to deliver a just transition to net zero.

The reform process launched by this consultation creates an opportunity to re-set the expectations on the bodies providing essential support to the application process, taking account of their views, suggestions and their specific circumstances.

As I stated in my previous answer to S6W-29868 on 24 September 2024, I wrote to the new Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP, on 12 August 2024 seeking his in-principle agreement to proceed with this section 104 Order. I have still not received a reply.

My officials have asked officials in the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland when I can expect to receive a reply.

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

There are no plans to expand the eligibility criteria for our No One Left Behind approach as it already delivers an all-age, place-based employability support system that tackles inequalities in Scotland’s labour market.

No One Left Behind is the approach to devolved employability support between Scottish and Local Government. It builds on the values established at the outset of devolution, and the principles that underpin our policy and delivery:

• provides flexible and person-centred support;

• is more straightforward for people to navigate;

• is better integrated and aligned with other services;

• provides pathways into sustainable and fair work;

• is driven by evidence, including data and the experience of participants; and

• supports more people – particularly those facing multiple barriers – to move into the right job, at the right time.

Given the range of barriers individuals may experience, and that these barriers are often intersectional, the eligibility criteria for individuals to receive employability support in relation to training for employment from No One Left Behind is purposefully broad to ensure local areas have the flexibility they need to respond to local demand.

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

As of Friday 22 November, the prison population was 8278, broken down by establishment as shown in the following table:

The consultation proposes new standardised processes for both onshore and offshore developers to engage with local communities and stakeholders before applying to the Scottish Government for new energy infrastructure.

At present, the Electricity Act has no provisions that compel developers to notify or consult communities or stakeholders before an application is submitted to Scottish Ministers.

This means the public and communities could remain unaware of proposed projects until an application is submitted.

Many developers do consult communities, but the approach is variable – which undermines public confidence and makes the applications more complex.

The consultation suggests a duty to consult communities and other statutory bodies – such as the planning authority – before an application is made.

It also proposes that a “statement of community consultation” is submitted with an application. This would set out how the public will be able to submit views on the development and how those will be considered in the final application.

The consultation also proposes the submission of a final consultation report setting out the steps taken to engage the public and how those views have been considered.

As head of the system of prosecutions in Scotland, I have primary responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences in Scotland.

I have, along with Procurators Fiscal, who hold commissions on my behalf, legal authority to instruct the police in their investigation and reporting of crime and all suspicious, sudden and unexplained deaths.

Instruction of the police can take the form of Lord Advocate Guidelines to the Chief Constable to inform of approaches to be taken by the police in specified circumstances. Equally, instruction and direction may be issued in relation to specific matters in the context of ongoing liaison between the police and Procurators Fiscal who can instruct the police during the course of investigations and when further investigation is required in a case. Instruction of the police is a continuous process in the discharge of the Lord Advocate’s duties as regards the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences in Scotland.

The assessment of any impacts of a proposal, relating to the construction and/or operation of a generating station which may require section 36 consent, must be considered on a case-by-case basis in line with legislation, which includes the Electricity Act 1989, and in some cases, the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

Ministers must not prejudice the conclusion of any Environmental Impact Assessment or the outcome of any application.