- Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 25 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how many new overflow monitors have been installed by Scottish Water since its Improving Urban Waters Routemap was published in 2021, broken down by year.
Answer
As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water I have asked them to respond. Their reply is as follows:
I refer the member to the answers to S6W-15158 on 3 March 2023 and S6F-02135 on 19 May 2023 for information on Scottish Water’s approach to installing CSO monitors at priority locations. As confirmed in these answers, no new event duration monitors (EDMs) were installed in 2021 or 2022.
Scottish Water’s annual update to the improving urban waters routemap, published on its website at Scottish Water (readymag.website) , confirms that 230 new EDMs were installed in 2023. In addition, Scottish Water installed a further 229 sensors as part of its wastewater intelligent network (WWIN) transformation programme, of which 53 are EDMs.
In 2024 to date, Scottish Water has installed a further 633 new EDMs. Plans have also been approved for 450 new EDMs in 12 further WWIN catchments.
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 , and https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament .
- Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 18 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Neil Gray on 25 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS Scotland services and departments still use paper-based medical records.
Answer
The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The Digitisation of records is an operational responsibility of individual Health Boards and GP practices, therefore, it may be available from local Health Boards.
- Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 25 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported warning from industry leaders that the reported £32 million reduction to the forestry and woodland creation budget will lead to 10 million trees being burnt or destroyed in some other way, with the cost of the wastage amounting to losses of £4.5 million for the sector.
Answer
The Scottish Government remains fully committed to maximising the important contribution forestry and tree nurseries make in tackling the climate emergency, in the face of the most challenging budget settlement since devolution from the UK Government. The funding provided will support approximately 9,000 ha of new woodland creation; the highest figure in the UK.
Scottish Forestry is in discussion with the sector and will continue to meet with the forestry and nursery sector to ensure we make the most of the resources available. Scottish Forestry is supporting the industry as best we possibly can, including encouragement to increase using plants for restocking and to access other markets outside of Scotland for their high quality stock, helping to create a more resilient business model for the longer term.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 12 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 25 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-23975 by Mairi McAllan on 18 January 2024, whether it can detail any work that it has undertaken in relation to exploring joining the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) as a core member, and whether it will provide an update on its position on BOGA membership ahead of the publication of the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.
Answer
The Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan (ESJTP), to be published in summer, will include the Scottish Government's updated policy position on offshore oil and gas exploration and production, among other matters. The Strategy will set out a clear pathway to deliver on global commitments and capitalise on the enormous opportunities offered by becoming a net zero economy. Our focus remains on reducing emissions in line with climate goals, meeting our energy security needs and ensuring a just transition for our oil and gas workforce as North Sea resources decline.
Alongside finalising the ESJTP, we continue to engage with the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance as part of a wider programme of analysis and engagement with a range of organisations and stakeholders. The final ESJTP will also build from the substantial independent evidence base on domestic energy transition in the context of the global Paris Agreement goals that was developed and published in support of the draft version.
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Date lodged: Thursday, 11 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 25 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on when it (a) last met and (b) will next meet with the UK Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero regarding Grangemouth refinery.
Answer
I was disappointed that the UK Government Minister for Energy Security was unable to attend the recent meeting of the Grangemouth Future Industry Board Industrial Leadership Forum on the 28th March. He did attend the previous meeting in January and met with Scottish Ministers.
However I was pleased that the UK Government Scotland Office was represented by John Lamont MP. It is my understanding that Lord Cameron will now take forward the Scotland Office interests on this group and I have written to him to ask for a meeting to discuss these important matters.
I am also regretful that the previous Minister for Energy Security declined my invitation to meet since taking up my new position, however I have since written to the newly appointed Minister and hope that he will be able to join trilateral discussion with Petroineos in the coming weeks.
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 25 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26225 by Fiona Hyslop on 8 April 2024, what the estimated capital expenditure on the M8 Woodside Viaduct project is expected to be during the 2024-25 financial year.
Answer
The M8 Woodside Viaducts are a vital element of the motorway and road network serving Glasgow, the wider region and country, carrying approximately 150,000 vehicles per day. The structure requires to be temporarily propped to facilitate the refurbishment of the bridge elements in need of repair. The temporary propping design and implementation is highly complex in nature and requires careful consideration of the underground services and other site constraints in the vicinity of the Viaducts.
The budget allocation for the ongoing works on the Woodside Viaduct project for the 2024-25 financial year is £46.97m.
- Asked by: Ivan McKee, MSP for Glasgow Provan, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 25 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how many applications for Waterborne Freight Grants have been received in the past five financial years, including 2023-24.
Answer
One application was received by the Scottish Government for support from the Waterborne Freight Grant Scheme in the last five financial years.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Falkirk West, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 28 March 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 25 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what further steps it will take to help mediate the reportedly ongoing industrial dispute in the college sector regarding pay and conditions.
Answer
It is the responsibility of the college unions and employers to negotiate pay, terms and conditions, not the Scottish Government.
While the Scottish Government respects the right of trade unions to take industrial action, we remain concerned about the potential impacts this action will have on students.
That is why the Scottish Government continues to encourage unions and employers to reach a resolution that is fair and affordable and brings this action to a close.
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 19 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi McAllan on 25 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government how many responses were received to its consultation on the effectiveness of environmental governance arrangements, and when it will publish an analysis of the consultation responses.
Answer
There were 24 responses to the consultation on the Report into the Effectiveness of Environmental Governance. Section 41 of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 requires a statement to be laid before Parliament including a summary of any views expressed in response to the consultation, and the Scottish Ministers’ recommendations in response to those views. The publication of this statement will be confirmed in due course.
- Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 19 April 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 25 April 2024
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Historic Environment Scotland's blue plaque scheme is reportedly inactive at present, and whether there are any plans to reopen the scheme.
Answer
Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.
I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.
