Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01615 on 5 August 2026. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01615 on 5 August 2026. 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.

As indicated in the answer to question S7W-01612 on 5 August 2026, the offence of abuse of a partner or ex-partner is designed to respond to the many different forms of coercive and controlling behaviour that can arise in an abusive relationship. As such, the Scottish Government is not aware of any gaps in the law that would prevent the prosecution of abusive behaviour that could be described as a smear campaign or reputational abuse where it occurs in the context of domestic abuse. However, the Scottish Government keeps the criminal law under continual review to ensure that it remains effective. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01615 on 5 August 2026. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01172 on 10 July 2026. 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.

This would be an operational matter for Scottish Water. It publishes information on its website at https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/About-Us/What-We-Do/Urban-Waters-Routemap.

The main piece of legislation that controls the sale of alcohol is the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”) and it covers situations where alcohol is sold online and dispatched from Scottish premises.

While the Scottish Government has responsibility for the overarching legislation, the day to day administration of the licensing regime, as set out in the 2005 Act, is devolved to independent Licensing Boards – in effect the 32 Scottish local authorities. Licensing Boards have wide discretion to determine appropriate licensing arrangements according to local needs and circumstances, and their own legal advice.

The Scottish Government will continue to generally engage with a range of licensing stakeholders to help keep the alcohol licensing framework under review.

The 2005 Act makes provision for the licensing of premises in Scotland where alcohol is sold online and despatched from Scottish premises. Licensing legislation also imposes a requirement for a delivery book or invoice to be held by anyone delivering alcohol. There are offences in relation to delivering without such records, and refusal to co-operate with a constable or local authority Licensing Standards Officer (LSO) if they want to inspect their vehicle (or any other form of transport used to conduct deliveries), or records.

The 2005 Act also prohibits late night deliveries of alcohol to a premises – other than a licensed premise – between the hours of midnight and six am. Any person who delivers alcohol or who knowingly allows the alcohol to be delivered commits an offence.

It is an offence to supply alcohol to an under 18 and delivery companies must verify age when delivering alcohol to avoid committing an offence.

Further information is available in this Scottish Government alcohol licensing guidance document for Licensing Boards and local authorities. I would refer you to Chapter 12 ‘Sale and Supply of Alcohol to Children and Young Persons’ and Chapter 13 ‘Other Offences’: https://www.gov.scot/publications/licensing-scotland-act-2005-section-142-guidance-licensing-boards/

The Scottish Government’s consistent position is that Scotland’s onshore wind capacity should continue to play a central role in delivering a secure, affordable and decarbonised energy system.

We are continuing to engage closely with NESO and the UK Government as the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan is developed and are making the case directly that this plan should make full use of Scotland’s renewable energy resources.

The Scottish Government’s engagement is informed by a wide range of evidence, including industry analysis such as the report commissioned by the Scottish Onshore Wind Developers Forum.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of having a Power of Attorney (PoA) in place and is currently considering implementation options for the recent Audit Scotland recommendation, regarding the promotion of PoA, published in Delayed discharges: A symptom of the challenges facing health and social care, January 2026. Implementation is expected to increase public awareness and uptake.

The Scottish Government has collaborated with NHS 24 to update relevant NHS inform content, which provides guidance on the process and benefits of setting up a Power of Attorney. Available here: https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/health-rights/access/power-of-attorney-guardianship-and-intervention-orders/

The assertion that the report on Recorded Crime in Scotland 2025-26, indicates that weapons possession made up 18% of total crimes in Scotland is incorrect. Weapons possession accounted for 18% of crimes against society in 2025-2026 which is one of the six crime groups used in the bulletin, and crimes against society accounted for 21% of all recorded crime. Measured against total recorded crime, the correct figure is close to 4%.

Our approach has three strands, education on the danger and unacceptability of carrying a weapon, effective consequences when offences are committed, and sustained school and community engagement.

The Scottish Government has invested over £6 million to support implementation of the Violence Prevention Framework since its publication in May 2023. It has also provided over £2 million over 2026/27 to continue delivery of the violence prevention work. This funding supports a range of targeted prevention and early intervention activity in schools, hospitals and across communities, working with partners to tackle violence and its harms including the use of any form of weapon including knives.