Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-08049

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been allocated for the Young Patients Family Fund in 2022-23.

Question reference: S6W-08021

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what support is available to people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

While the Scottish Government’s role is to set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, NHS Boards and healthcare professionals locally have responsibility for both service delivery and people’s care. NHS Boards are expected to ensure that patients, including those who require care and support for ME/CFS, have access to a range of professionals to provide the appropriate management of their condition.

We recently commissioned an independent organisation to engage with third sector and clinical stakeholders and people with lived experience, to discuss how we move forward in implementing the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) guideline recommendations on ME/CFS in Scotland, and in identifying priorities for service improvement. We are currently preparing to publish the final stakeholder consultation report and are considering its findings.

I was pleased to meet with #MEAction Scotland representatives in March 2022, to hear their views on improving the access to care and support for people affected by the condition.

Question reference: S6W-08043

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding the Chief Scientist Office provided for clinical research infrastructure in each year since 2012.

The Scottish Government, through the Chief Scientist Office and NHS Research Scotland, has invested approximately £40 million per year in clinical research infrastructure since 2012. This funding supports Health Boards, researchers, clinicians and industry to improve the quality, efficiency, coordination and impact of clinical research, and provides state of the art facilities to conduct clinical trials.

Question reference: S6W-08004

Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people aged under 18 are recorded as having been supplied with vaping products in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Enforcement of legislation around the sale and purchase of NVP's is carried out by Local Authorities as part of the ETSEP (Enhanced Tobacco (and NVP) Sales Enforcement Programme) overseen by The Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS), and funded by the Scottish Government. These activities in relation to this are reported annually to the Scottish Government with figures provided on a national basis.

The following table shows verified sales of NVPs to under 18s, following test purchase failures during trading standards activity over the past five financial years.

Financial Year	17-18	18-19	19-20	20-21	21-22
Aberdeen	1	5	7		1
Aberdeenshire		2
Angus	1	9	1
Argyll & Bute	1		1
City of Edinburgh		6	4
Clackmannanshire	0	0	0	0	0
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar	0	0	0	0	0
Dumfries & Galloway	0	0	0	0	0
Dundee City		4	1
East Ayrshire		1
East Dumbarton			2
East Lothian	0	0	0	0	0
East Renfrewshire	0	0	0	0	0
Falkirk	0	0	0	0	0
Fife		5
Glasgow City	19	14	11
Highland			2
Inverclyde		2	2
Midlothian	0	0	0	0	0
Moray	2		1		2
North Ayrshire	9		7
North Lanarkshire	7	8	5		6
Orkney	0	0	0	0	0
Perth & Kinross	0	0	0	0	0
Renfrewshire	0	0	0	0	0
Scottish Borders					1
Shetland	0	0	0	0	0
South Ayrshire	1	0	0	0	0
South Lanarkshire	0	0	0	0	0
Stirling [and Clackmannan]	0	0	0	0	0
West Dunbartonshire	0	0	0	0	0
West Lothian	0	0	0	0	0

Question reference: S6W-08005

Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether research has been commissioned for the next Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Substance Use Survey or equivalent, and, if so, when it anticipates that this data will be published.

There are currently no plans to recommission the Scottish Schools Adolescent Lifestyle and Attitude Survey (SALSUS). Over the past 4 years, the Scottish Government has been working with local authorities in developing a Health and Wellbeing Census. This Census is currently underway in Scottish schools and contains some key, high-level data which were previously collected in SALSUS. Results from the 2021/22 HWC are expected to be published towards the end of 2022.

Question reference: S6W-07990

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of landfill site locations that closed in each of the last five years, and, in each case, how long the site underwent monitoring prior to closure.

The following table provides a breakdown of all landfill sites with a pollution, prevention and control (PPC) permit that are currently in the ‘closure’ phase, in that they are not receiving waste for disposal .

Following the December 2020 cyber-attack on SEPA, it is not possible for SEPA to provide the dates at which sites moved from operational to closure status but in the last five years no PPC landfill sites have entered ‘Definite Closure’ meaning these sites could theoretically become operational again in the future.

All of these sites have been monitored, both by the operator and/or SEPA since before their permit was issued and will continue to be subject to monitoring until such time as an application to surrender the permit is approved by SEPA, i.e. throughout operational, closure, definite closure and after care phases.

Site Name	Status/Phase	Site location
A & M Smith, Bankhead, Portlethen	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Crows Nest L/F,Raemoir Rd,Banchory,Aberdeen	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Brandon Howe L/F Site, Inverboyndie, Banff	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Howe of Byth, Cowbog, New Pitsligo	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Hill of Tramaud Landfill, Harehill, Aberdeen	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Auchenlosh Landfill Site	Closure	Dumfries and Galloway Council
Galdenoch Waste Disp Site, Leswalt, Stranraer	Closure	Dumfries and Galloway Council
Aucheniness Waste Disposal Site, Dalbeatie	Closure	Dumfries and Galloway Council
Cockenzie Ash Lagoons, Musselburgh	Closure	East Lothian
JM Murdoch, East Capellie Farm L/F, Neilston	Closure	East Renfrewshire Council
West Fortune Transfer Station & Landfill	Closure	Edinburgh Lothian and Borders
Scottish Water, Broadside Landfill, Denny	Closure	Falkirk Council
Scottish Power, Valleyfield Ash Lagoons	Closure	Fife Council
Oatslie Sandpit L/F, Cleugh Rd, Midlothian	Closure	Midlothian Council
Shewalton Landfill Area 2 & 4/5, Irvine	Closure	North Ayrshire Council
Auchinlea L/F Site, Bellside, Cleland, M/well	Closure	North Ayrshire Council
Mossband Farm High Street Newhouse Motherwell	Closure	North Lanarkshire Council
Kingsdale LFS, Firth, Orkney	Closure	Orkney Island Council
Aberfeldy Groundworks Ltd, Mains of Taymouth	Closure	Perth & Kinross Council
SITA, Binn Landfill, Binn Farm, Glenfarg	Closure	Perth & Kinross Council
WH Malcolm Ltd, Reilly Quarry, Houston	Closure	Renfrewshire Council
James Fairbairn, Lamberton Inert Waste L/F	Closure	Scottish Borders Council
Easter Langlee Landfill Site, Galashiels	Closure	Scottish Borders Council
Shetland Gas Plant Peat Store, Sullom Voe	Closure	Shetland Islands Council
Tarbolton Moss Landfill Site, South Ayrshire	Closure	South Ayrshire Council
GCC, Cathkin L/F, Cairnmuir Rd, East Kilbride	Closure	South Lanarkshire
Rigmuir Landfill Site, East Kilbride	Closure	South Lanarkshire
Muirhouse LF, Muirhouse Quarry, Strathblane	Closure	Stirling Council

Source: Scottish Environmental Protection Agency

Question reference: S6W-07992

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline the procedure required to formally close a landfill site, including any period of monitoring required.

The status of a landfill site can be described as either ‘Operational’, ‘Closure’, ‘Definite Closure’ or ‘Aftercare’.

Landfill sites are not considered formally closed until they reach ‘Definite Closure’ status. Sites in the Closure phase are those which are no longer accepting waste, but could potentially be made operational again in the future.

The Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003 outline the formal legal process behind the closure of landfill sites to achieve Definite Closure.

As per these regulations, closing procedures to achieve Definite Closure begin when either the conditions specified in the landfill permit are satisfied; when SEPA initiate closing procedures following a request from the landfill operator; or following a reasoned decision of SEPA set out in a closure notice.

Closing procedures will not be completed until the reports from the operator, as required by SEPA, have been submitted to and assessed by SEPA; a final on-site inspection is carried out by SEPA; and SEPA have given the operator notice in writing that it approves the closure of the landfill site.

Once Definite Closure has been established the site is considered to be in its aftercare phase. The aftercare phase will continue until such time as an application to surrender the permit is approved. The site is regulated and monitored by SEPA throughout the operational, closure, definite closure and aftercare phases.

Further information can be found in SEPA guidance WST-G-56 ‘Guidance on Closed Landfill Regulated under Pollution Prevention and Control’.

Question reference: S6W-07977

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings it had with the British Transport Police between December 2019 and March 2022 in relation to the nationalisation of Scotland’s railways.

Transport Scotland officials and Scottish Ministers have regular engagement with British Transport Police (BTP). These have included meetings with the new Chief Constable BTP UK and the Chief Superintendent D Division BTP Scotland where topical rail issues, such as the topic of ScotRail services being brought under Scottish Government ownership on 1 April 2022, have been discussed.

I personally met with the Chief Constable of BTP UK, Lucy D’Orsi, on 31 March and we discussed this matter along with several other topics.

Question reference: S6W-07991

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of landfill sites by (a) area covered and (b) active status.

The following table provides a full breakdown of landfill sites with a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit with their locations and current operational status.

It is not possible to specify the area covered by each landfill given it is a commercial decision for landfill operators where they accept waste from. The local authority that each site is located in is provided in the following table, but it is possible that waste will travel between local authority areas prior to being landfilled.

Site Name	Status/Phase	Site location
A & M Smith, Bankhead, Portlethen	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Crows Nest L/F,Raemoir Rd,Banchory,Aberdeen	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Brandon Howe L/F Site, Inverboyndie, Banff	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Park Quarry, Kincluny Farm, Durris	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Easter Hatton Environment, Balmedie, Aberdeen	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Loch Hills Quarry, Parkhill, Dyce, Aberdeen	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Savoch Quarry Landfill Site, Peterhead	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Howe of Byth, Cowbog, New Pitsligo	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Stoneyhill Environ Pk, Peterhead, Aberdeen	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Hill of Tramaud Landfill, Harehill, Aberdeen	Closure	Aberdeenshire Council
Wester Hatton L/F Site, Balmedie, Aberdeen	Operational	Aberdeenshire Council
Restenneth Landfill Site, Montrose Rd, Forfar	Operational	Angus Council
D Geddes Ltd, Border Quarry LF, Friockheim	Operational	Angus Council
D Geddes Ltd, Ardownie Landfill, Monifieth	Operational	Angus Council
D Geddes (Con) Ltd, Prettycur Landfill,Forfar	Operational	Angus Council
Hatton Mill Landfill site	Operational	Angus Council
Tayside Contrcts,Bolshan Quarry LF,Friockheim	Operational	Angus, Dundee & Perth & Kinross Councils
Gott Bay LFS, Isle of Tiree, Argyll	Operational	Argyll & Bute Council
Glengorm Landfill Site, Glengorm Rd, Tobermor	Operational	Argyll & Bute Council
Gartbreck Landfill Site, Bowmore, Islay	Operational	Argyll & Bute Council
Dalinlongart L/F & Compost, Sandbank, Dunoon	Operational	Argyll & Bute Council
Lingerton Landfill Site	Operational	Argyll & Bute Council
Bennadrove L/F Site, Marybank, Isle of Lewis	Operational	Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Auchenlosh Landfill Site	Closure	Dumfries and Galloway Council
Galdenoch Waste Disp Site, Leswalt, Stranraer	Closure	Dumfries and Galloway Council
Aucheniness Waste Disposal Site, Dalbeatie	Closure	Dumfries and Galloway Council
Barr Environ, Garlaff L/F, Skares Rd, Cumnock	Operational	East Ayrshire
Cockenzie Ash Lagoons, Musselburgh	Closure	East Lothian
Viridor Waste,Dunbar L/F,Oxwell Mains,Dunbar	Operational	East Lothian
JM Murdoch, East Capellie Farm L/F, Neilston	Closure	East Renfrewshire Council
West Fortune Transfer Station & Landfill	Closure	Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders
Avondale Non-Hazardous Landfill, Polmont	Operational	Falkirk Council
Avondale Environmental, Polmont, Falkirk (Haz)	Operational	Falkirk Council
West Carron Landfill, Stenhouse Rd, Falkirk	Operational	Falkirk Council
Scottish Water, Broadside Landfill, Denny	Closure	Falkirk Council
Fife Council, Lochhead L/F, By Wellwood, Fife	Operational	Fife Council
Fife Council, Lower Melville Woods, Fife	Operational	Fife Council
Scottish Power, Valleyfield Ash Lagoons	Closure	Fife Council
Greenoakhill L/F Site, Hamilton Rd, Glasgow	Operational	Glasgow City Council
Skitten Quarry, Skitten, Wick	Operational	Highland Council
Duisky Landfill Site, Fort William (Site 5)	Operational	Highland Council
Oatslie Sandpit L/F, Cleugh Rd, Midlothian	Closure	Midlothian Council
Drummond Moor (No2) L/F, Rosewell, Midlothian	Operational	Midlothian Council
Middleton Quarry, Middleton, Gorebridge	Operational	Midlothian Council
Nether Dallachy Landfill Site, Spey Bay	Operational	Moray Council
Shewalton Landfill Area 2 & 4/5, Irvine	Closure	North Ayrshire Council
Auchinlea L/F Site, Bellside, Cleland, M/well	Closure	North Ayrshire Council
Knowes Farm IV Landfill Site, Beith	Operational	North Ayrshire Council
Loanhead Quarry, Boydstone Road, Beith	Operational	North Ayrshire Council
Greengairs L/F, Meikle Drumgray Rd, Airdrie	Operational	North Lanarkshire Council
Levenseat Waste Management Site, Lanarkshire	Operational	North Lanarkshire Council
Mossband Farm High Street Newhouse Motherwell	Closure	North Lanarkshire Council
Kingsdale LFS, Firth, Orkney	Closure	Orkney Islands Council
OIC Bossack Landfill, Bossack, Orkney	Operational	Orkney Islands Council
Aberfeldy Groundworks Ltd, Mains of Taymouth	Closure	Perth & Kinross Council
SITA, Binn Landfill, Binn Farm, Glenfarg	Closure	Perth & Kinross Council
Bishopton Landfill, Royal Ordnance Site	Operational	Renfrewshire Council
Kilbarchan Landfill, Branscroft, Kilbarchan	Operational	Renfrewshire Council
WH Malcolm Ltd, Reilly Quarry, Houston	Closure	Renfrewshire Council
James Fairbairn, Lamberton Inert Waste L/F	Closure	Scottish Borders Council
Easter Langlee Landfill Site, Galashiels	Closure	Scottish Borders Council
Gremista Landfill, Lerwick, Shetland	Operational	Shetland Islands Council
Shetland Gas Plant Peat Store, Sullom Voe	Closure	Shetland Islands Council
Straid Farm Landfill Site, Lendalfoot, Girvan	Operational	South Ayrshire Council
Tarbolton Moss Landfill Site, South Ayrshire	Closure	South Ayrshire Council
GCC, Cathkin L/F, Cairnmuir Rd, East Kilbride	Closure	South Lanarkshire Council
Carscallan Farm Landfill, Quarter, Hamilton	Operational	South Lanarkshire Council
Rigmuir Landfill Site, East Kilbride	Closure	South Lanarkshire Council
W Hamilton & Sons, Dovesdale Farm LF,Stonehse	Operational	South Lanarkshire Council
Muirhouse LF, Muirhouse Quarry, Strathblane	Closure	Stirling Council
Highland Coun,Granish L/F,Aviemore,Inverness	Operational	The Highland Council
Highland Council,Seater L/F,Bower,Caithness	Operational	The Highland Council
Barr Environ, Auchencarroch L/F, Jamestown	Operational	West Dumbartonshire Council
Rigangower L/F, Off A82, Milton, Dumbarton	Operational	West Dumbartonshire Council
Torphin Quarry, Harburn, West Calder	Operational	West Lothian Council

Question reference: S6F-01094

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 May 2022

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will convene an emergency summit on abortion healthcare in response to anti-abortion rights action in Scotland and around the world.

Chamber and committees