Chamber and committees

In general, it is an offence to collect native oysters from any location in Scotland. Currently the Loch Sween MPA is the only marine protected area that lists native oysters as a protected feature, and there are specific management measures in place for the MPA which prohibit fishing with a demersal trawl, mechanical dredge or by hand. British sea-fishery officers from the Marine Directorate will investigate any alleged reports of illegal fishing activity wherever it occurs.

The question does not reference the actual public satisfaction survey. The most recent survey, the British Social Attitudes survey report is for the whole of the UK. It does not have a particular locus for dental services in Scotland.

The Member is instead referred to Official statistics from Public Health Scotland at: NHS dental data monitoring report - Quarter Ending December 2024 - NHS dental data monitoring report - Publications - Public Health Scotland

The most recent findings show that in February, over 4.1 million courses of treatment were delivered to Scotland patients in 2024 under the new payment system, and over 900,000 patients were seen by an NHS dentist in the last quarter of 2024. This shows that the significant and continuing investment made in NHS dentistry is supporting high volumes of patient access to NHS care and delivering on our aims to sustain NHS dental services.

We also remain the only country in the UK to offer free dental examinations for everyone in Scotland, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to accessing care.

Since the publication of the Scottish Government’s response to the final report by the Independent Expert Group for the Unlocking the Value of Data programme, in January 2025, an Industry Data Access Steering Group has been established to oversee the development of an operational framework, as outlined in the Scottish Government response.

This project supports the aim of the Unlocking the Value of Data programme to realise greater value from public sector personal data when used with, or by, the private sector, for public benefit. The framework will facilitate private sector access to public sector data, in collaboration with the Scottish Safe Havens Network and through citizen and stakeholder engagement. This project aims to promote transparency, efficiency, and alignment with public expectations, ensuring the safe, secure and ethical use of public sector data by private organisations.

The Scottish Government has allocated £570 million to local authorities through the local authority capital grant settlement for flood protection schemes and flood resilience. The distribution of this funding is agreed by Scottish Ministers and COSLA Leaders. Typically 80% is used to support the delivery of specific flood protection schemes and Flood Risk Management Plans, and the remaining 20% is distributed amongst all Scottish local authorities for wider local authority flood resilience capital projects.

SEPA designate Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs). Around 90% of Scotland’s flood risk is contained within PVAs. PVAs are used to prioritise areas where the risk is highest and the benefits of flood risk management will be greatest.

Flood risk management actions which benefit PVAs should therefore be prioritised, but this does not prevent responsible local authorities and stakeholders from taking forward actions to tackle flooding in areas located outwith the PVAs.

The Scottish Government is committed to managing our seas sustainably to protect their rich biological diversity. NatureScot are currently liaising with local stakeholders to better understand the situation within the Loch Sween MPA. Surveys will be carried out in the MPA this year to better assess the status of the native oysters across the loch.

Significant planning work has been undertaken for the Marine Fund Scotland (MFS) for 2025-26 and we hope to be able to confirm arrangements shortly. Potential applicants should provide their details to [email protected] if they wish to be added to the mailing list.

The quarterly review which forms part of the Scottish Government’s Assurance cycle to ensure public bodies are operating efficiently and effectively includes an assessment of performance and identifies any areas that may require to be monitored.

Public inquiries are independent of Government, and each inquiry is responsible for publishing its own financial information. This can be found on the website of each respective Inquiry. For inquiries established under the Inquiries Act 2005 there is a statutory duty on the Chair to “act with regard to the need to avoid any unnecessary cost” (s.17(3))

The Edinburgh Trams Inquiry reported in September 2023. The costs for the Tram Inquiry from 2015 until it reported are £13,007,617.02. The salary paid to Lord Hardie as Chair of the Inquiry from 2015 until conclusion was £1,128,468. Information relating to the total costs of the Inquiry and the Chair’s fees were previously made publicly available in the media in articles published in June 2023 and September 2023, albeit the information previously published covered a different time frame.

In respect of the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry, overall costs are published on the Inquiry website Inquiry costs | Sheku Bayoh Inquiry From the date that this Inquiry was established to the date your question was lodged, the Scottish Government has provided the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry with £711,680 to pay Lord Bracadale for his role as Chair to the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry.

In respect of the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, overall costs are published on the Inquiry website Inquiry Costs | Hospitals Inquiry. From the point when the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry was established in 2020 to the date on which your question was lodged the Scottish Government has provided the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry with £727,040 to pay Lord Brodie for his role as Chair to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.

In respect of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, overall costs are published on the Inquiry website Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry | Cost of the Inquiry. From the point when the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was established in May 2015 the cost of salaries for the Chairs is £2,216,613 (initially Susan O’Brian then subsequently Lady Smith). Lady Smith’s appointment began on 1 August 2016. From her appointment until March 2022 the sum was paid to the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service as Lady Smith was a sitting judge and President of the Tribunals in Scotland as well as her role as Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

With regard to the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry, overall costs are regularly published on the Inquiry website Inquiry costs | Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry. The Chair of the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry is Lord Brailsford. As a sitting judge, Lord Brailsford is remunerated by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. The terms of the Chair’s appointment have been published on the Inquiry website. Any questions on judicial appointment terms are for the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service to answer but salary scales can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/judicial-salaries-and-fees-2023-to-2024

In respect of the Eljamel Inquiry, overall costs will be published on the Inquiry website Inquiry costs | The Eljamel Inquiry. In relation to the Eljamel Inquiry, the salary of Lord Weir for his role as the Chair for the year 2024-25 was £196,199.

Lasting Powers of Attorney is an English term which refers to two separate legal documents – one for property and financial affairs, and one for health and welfare. In Scotland, the equivalent arrangement is called a Power of Attorney (PoA), which can combine continuing (financial) and welfare powers into a single document.

Last year the Scottish Government published a consultation seeking views on proposed changes to the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. The consultation opened on 25 July 2024 and closed on 17 October 2024. Part 2 of the consultation related to changes to continuing and welfare powers of attorney. The Scottish Government published analysis of consultation responses on 25 January 2025.

The Scottish Government expects Health Boards to offer patients a clinically appropriate abortion method. The 2022 Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) Sexual Health Standards set out that patients should have access to information on both medical and surgical abortion to enable them to make an informed choice of abortion method. The Scottish Government’s 2021 Women’s Health Plan had an aim that ‘all women will have a choice about how and where they access abortion care’.

While most Health Boards can offer surgical abortions to a certain gestation, the Scottish Government is working with the Scottish Abortion Care Providers network, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to improve access for clinicians to surgical abortion training at all gestations. The Scottish Government has also committed to pay for training for any clinician who wishes to provide later stage abortions.

The Women’s Health Champion has been discussing with Health Board Chief Executives issues around contraception and abortion, including ensuring access to early surgical abortion. The Scottish Government will soon be presenting information gathered from Health Boards to Chief Executives to help inform discussions about where surgical abortion provision could be increased.