Chamber and committees

Network Rail is a wholly owned subsidiary company of the UK Government. The responsibility for determining and monitoring its operation, maintenance and renewal expenditure rests with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Transport Scotland funds Network Rail in accordance with the ORR’s determination. Therefore, Scottish Government does not hold the full investment information broken down by local authority within Scotland.

Therefore, I recommend that the member contacts Network Rail or the ORR for the detailed information requested for how much has been spent on rail infrastructure in each local authority area in each of the last ten years.

The location of the 42 automatic fish counters that are known to Scottish Government are provided in the following table. The vast majority of these are not owned or operated by Scottish Government, and it is not possible to confirm their current operational status.

The Scottish Government operates one fish counter in the North Esk Salmon Fishery District and is a joint operator, of a fish counter in the Helmsdale district with the District Salmon Fishery Board. We recently supported the installation of three new fish counters in the Ayr, Deveron and Laxford districts. These are in the process of being validated and are not yet producing data.

95 wind applications have been consented by Scottish Ministers, under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, in the last ten years. Effects on peatland (where relevant) are assessed on a case by case basis in accordance with current methodology and available tools, including the carbon calculator , and are taken into account through the statutory consultation process with SEPA and NatureScot when considering applications made to Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government does not collate peatland data from each application and we are therefore unable to provide analysis of how much peatland has been excavated and restored and how much carbon has been emitted from those consented developments (if built). Applications and related environmental information are advertised and made publicly available for inspection in accordance with the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 and the Electricity (Applications for Consent) Regulations 1990.

More about our processes and consultation requirements can be found on the Scottish Government website .

The Scottish Government does not collect data specific to the production of flax or other sustainable fibre crops. Currently, flax is not a major crop in Scotland, however we recognise there are potential benefits to flax production, and we are keen to speak with those interested in growing this and other sustainable fibre crops.

The Scottish Government does not offer support specific to the production of flax or other sustainable fibres. However, non-crop specific agricultural support is provided to farmers in a variety of ways, including through the Basic Payment Scheme, and we encourage those looking for further information to read more about these measures on our official website at https://www.mygov.scot/farm-payments-support .

We are aware of ongoing research by the Soil Association Scotland, which is running trials to compare several varieties of flax, and also work by the Rowett Institute to explore flax production.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-22317 on 7 November 2023. 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 Scottish Government does not have any current plans to implement a fish counter on the River Dee.

The prohibition on pavement parking was brought in with the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019. To support this, a suite of secondary legislation is required to bring this legislation into force. Final enforcement and accounts Regulations were laid in Parliament on 2 October and are due to come into force on 11 December 2023, subject to Parliamentary approval. These Regulations give local authorities the power to enforce the restrictions on pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs by issuing Penalty Charge Notices of £100 (reducing to £50 if paid within 14 days).

This year leadership of the Clyde Mission migrated from Scottish Government to Glasgow City Region through the transfer of £40m. Clyde Mission was launched in 2020 with a focus on the unique opportunities and competitive advantage of the river, incorporated in five missions, one of which is creating better places for people and communities along the river. At present there are no dedicated initiatives that promote the growth of workboat, small passenger vessel and recreation boat use on the upper Clyde at Glasgow, however if a proposal was submitted then both Scottish Government and Regional Partners would be able to consider.

There are currently no plans to promote the development of a marina at the former Prince’s Dock basin in Glasgow. Any decisions concerning the future development of the site would be for the landowner, in this instance Scottish Enterprise.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. The member may wish to contact the British Transport Police.