Chamber and committees

As outlined in response to question S6W-08944 on 21 June 2022, the Scottish Government is currently seeking to commission research which will provide evidence on the impact protest and vigils outside of abortion clinics have on people accessing healthcare. This research has been commissioned by the working group on buffer zones which is led by myself.

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

The Resource Spending Review is not a budget and Level 4 information will be published as part of the annual budget process. The Resource Spending Review sets out the high-level parameters for resource spend within future Scottish Budgets up to 2026-27. The financial information is therefore published at Level 2 to provide partners with as much certainty as is possible, and to frame the engagement with delivery partners that is now being taken forward.

The figures set out in the Resource Spending Review are based on current forecasts and constitutional arrangements. The prevailing uncertain economic context and the volatility attached to our current fiscal arrangements makes it necessary that the annual budget, which will provide level 3 and 4 detail, will reflect any subsequent changes to the funding scenario set out in the RSR.

The current estimate for new passenger vessels for the Dunoon and Kilcreggan routes is approximately £9 million per vessel. This is subject to the conclusion of the business case process, review of designs and specifications and further consideration of shipbuilding market conditions.

Safety and security on our railways is reserved to UK Government and as such it would be inappropriate for me to comment on resourcing or operational plans for British Transport Police. However I have asked my officials to request BTP (D-Division Scotland) contact you directly to advise of its current and future plans to tackle anti-social behaviour on our rail network.

The Gourock – Dunoon ferry service was incorporated into the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) network from 21 January 2019 and therefore integrated as part of the monthly subsidy paid to the operator, CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL). The subsidy is not split out on a route by route basis.

The Gourock - Kilcreggan service, was operated by Clyde Marine Services (CMS) on behalf of Strathclyde Partnership Transport (SPT) until 31 May 2020 when it transferred into the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS) contract.

The Scottish Government is seeking to commission independent research in relation to protests and vigils that take place outside of abortion clinics to collect evidence of both the scale and impact of protest and vigils. The research will provide meaningful insight into the effects of protests and vigils on those who choose to protest, and those who are affected. Whilst the research will not be completed in time for the launch of Gillian Mackay MSP’s Member’s Bill, it will help provide a robust evidence base going forward.

The Scottish Government has no part to play in the recruitment of officers for British Transport Police.

The Scottish Government is not delaying the introduction of legislation on buffer zones. We have agreed to work constructively with Ms Gillian Mackay MSP on her forthcoming Member’s Bill.

The First Minister is wholeheartedly committed to addressing the issue of protests and vigils that take place outside of abortion clinics, and will therefore be chairing a summit on abortion on 27 June. The summit will primarily focus on buffer zones, but will also look at what measures can be implemented in the short term to ensure women can access abortion without fear of intimidation or harassment.

ScotRail’s Safety and Security team has been developing options relating to the current ban on consumption of alcohol on trains. I understand that the ScotRail Trains Ltd Board will consider these options shortly and will take account of the range of stakeholder views, including those of Trade Unions and any further representations that are made. I will then consider any recommendation ScotRail provides, giving due cognisance to staff and passenger safety.

Over the course of the last five years, the force has created separate Divisions for specialist officers such as CID. As a national police force, these specialist officers are not bound by traditional geographical borders. Therefore, to provide an accurate breakdown of resource placement in Scotland my officials have requested this information from the British Transport Police and I will write to the member in due course.