Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24498 on 3 January 2024. 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 hold information on what projected income of the public health supplement would have been had it continued after 2015.

The new safeguards to be introduced will include a number of criminal offences for breaching certain requirements. In line with normal process, it is for Police Scotland to investigate any alleged offences and for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to consider reports of alleged crimes with a view to deciding on appropriate prosecutorial action.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24485 on 24 January 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 .

Replicating the approach taken in England and Wales, it will be possible for owners of XL Bully dogs to retain their dogs by applying for an exemption. Details of how this can be done will be published as the scheme is launched and practical and helpful support will be provided by the Scottish Government for XL Bully dog owners.

The effect of an exemption being granted will be that an XL Bully dog will be added to the already operating index of exempt dogs. This index has operated since the 1990s and it is operated on a day-to-day basis by the UK Government for Scotland (this reflects the fact that the exemption index was established prior to devolution). There are currently no plans to change how the index operates.

Making the index publicly available would require consideration of a number of issues including data protection. The Scottish Government would be happy to raise this issue with the operator of the index as part of the process of delivering the new XL Bully dogs safeguards in Scotland.

I can confirm I have met with a range of stakeholders over the winter period to discuss XL Bully dogs and the restrictions in England and Wales.

I met with:

The Scottish SPCA and the Dogs Trust on 21 November 2023

The National Dog Warden Association on 21 November 2023

Dog Control Coalition on 22 November 2023

The Kennel Club on 30 November 2023

Blue Cross on 6 December 2023

Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home on 15 December 2023

Communication Workers Union on 9 January 2023

Police Scotland on 11 January 2023

These meetings revealed concern about the UK Government decision to introduce new safeguards for XL Bully dogs in England and Wales and caution about doing so in Scotland.

However the Scottish Government has now been left with little choice given the failure of the UK Government to ensure XL Bully dog owners living in England and Wales cannot evade the new safeguards through selling or otherwise disposing of their dogs in Scotland.

In light of the UK Government failing to ensure English and Welsh XL Bully dog owners cannot evade the new safeguards through selling or otherwise disposing of their dogs in Scotland, the Scottish Government has been left with little choice to decide to replicate the new safeguards in Scotland. Through replicating the new regime, this will ensure owners in England and Wales have no ability to evade the new controls in England and Wales by selling their dogs to people in Scotland.

More generally, we are considering how best the preventative dog control regime in the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 could be improved. The need for the new safeguards for XL Bully dogs specifically arises separately from the general Scottish Government continuing policy focus on ‘deed, not breed’.

The British Veterinary Association are members of the Dog Control Coalition and I met with members of Dog Control Coalition on 22 November 2023. This was prior to the Scottish Government announcement on 11 January 2024.

During the meeting, concerns were expressed about the introduction of the new safeguards in England and Wales including the impact this may have on the veterinary profession.

Today, the Scottish Government has published its new International Strategy to guide our approach to international engagement and delivery to the end of the current parliamentary term. We have a successful record of delivering internationally since the beginning of devolution and want to continue to build on our strengths and seize global opportunities.

This new strategy looks across the wide range of Scottish Government responsibilities and priorities focusing on three key themes: (1) economy, trade and investment; (2) climate change, biodiversity and renewable energy; and (3) reputation, influence and relationships.

By being clear and precise in where we focus our efforts, the strategy will ensure that our international work continues to make a substantial, positive impact on the lives of people in Scotland and internationally.

Link to document: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781835218303

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to Historic Sundays, are best answered 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. However, information on sites participating in Historic Sundays is available on the Historic Environment Scotland website at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/some-of-scotland-s-most-iconic-heritage-sites-set-to-offer-free-admission-this-winter/ .