Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-03448

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 04 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 29 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the National Cycle Network Route 73 between Stranraer and Cairnryan, and whether it has taken any steps to carry this work out.

The Scottish Government provides Sustrans with funding to maintain and extend the National Cycle Network (NCN) in Scotland, with £4.065 million this financial year alone. And where the NCN interacts with the trunk road network, Sustrans and Transport Scotland work in partnership to ensure the best possible outcome is achieved for specific projects. Intentions to explore improvements to the National Cycle Network in the south west are included within Sustrans Scotland’s 30 year National Cycle Network Plan. See link: Paths for Everyone - Sustrans.org.uk

Also, the South West Scotland Transport Study, published in January 2020, included a recommendation to develop the Strategic Active Travel Network in the South West of Scotland. This option included proposals to better connect communities to key destinations, including cycle paths parallel to trunk roads and improvements to the National Cycle Network. This intervention is currently subject to detailed appraisal as part of Phase 2 of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

Once complete, STPR2 will inform strategic transport investment in Scotland for the next 20 years, including decisions on new active travel infrastructure. STPR2 will conclude later this year, with publication of recommendations for investment and be followed by the appropriate statutory consultation period.

Question reference: S6W-03960

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 25 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 29 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding ending the use of animals in research and testing.

Question reference: S6O-00301

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 28 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with trade unions across all portfolio areas, including in relation to any upcoming industrial action.

A progressive approach to industrial relations and trade unionism is at the heart of a fairer, more successful society. The Minister for Fair Work meets regularly with our trade union partners and values this regular, open and constructive dialogue. Indeed, he chairs a regular roundtable with the STUC and affiliate unions where issues relating to industrial action have been raised and of course subsequently discussed Ministerial colleagues, who in turn have their own direct engagements.

With regards to planned industrial action, we remain firmly committed to supporting all parties to agree an appropriate resolution to current disputes, before such action is taken.

Question reference: S6W-02315

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 4 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have received a different COVID-19 vaccine for their second dose than the one they received for their first dose, broken down by the circumstances in which this has occurred.

As of August 23rd there are 8,220 records flagged receiving 2 doses of mixed COVID-19 vaccine products in the National Clinical Data Store (NCDS).

There are 7,697,632 total records ( first and second doses ) in the NCDS relating to COVID-19 vaccinations therefore this number is 0.11% of records flagged.

The circumstances for these are not recorded.

Data completeness and accuracy checks have not yet been carried out on each of these records, therefore some of these records may be duplicates, or in fact relate to more than a single individual.

Question reference: S6W-03011

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 30 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to enforce the wearing of face coverings on ScotRail trains.

By law, you must wear a face covering on trains and inside railway stations in Scotland.

ScotRail has clearly communicated this message to customers via prominent signage and announcements on trains and within stations, social media messaging and joint media releases with the British Transport Police (BTP) and Network Rail Scotland.

Enforcement of the wearing of face coverings on the railway rests with the BTP. BTP officers continue to conduct join initiatives with ScotRail and deploy to non-compliance hotspots.

Question reference: S6W-03016

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 30 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it has provided to bus operators in receipt of government funding on returning services to pre-pandemic levels.

Throughout the pandemic we have supported bus operators to keep Scotland moving, and have made up to £210 million in additional financial support available since June 2020. Operators receiving this funding enter into public service contracts and are required to meet certain conditions including running a specified level of service mileage set at 95% of pre-COVID levels unless otherwise agreed with Transport Scotland. Some operators are running less bus mileage due to constraining factors such as bus driver shortages. Given reduced patronage and changing travel patterns, operators are also required to adapt services to meet demand as it now arises. When doing so, operators are required to consult and cooperate with local transport authorities, have regard to public transport connectivity, and keep services under review. The model public service contract, setting out the full terms and conditions, can be found on the Transport Scotland website: https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/covid-19-support-grant/

Question reference: S6W-02763

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to promote the wearing of helmets by cyclists.

The wearing of a cycle helmet is not a requirement in the UK and remains a matter of personal choice.

The wearing of cycle helmets is covered by the Highway Code and is a matter reserved to the UK Government, however the Scottish Government is committed to improving the safety of vulnerable road users including cyclists. Scotland’s Road Safety Framework endorses the Highway Code, which recommends that cyclists wear a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened.

Many local authorities’ operating procedures insist on the use of helmets during Bikeability cycle training in schools. In others, it is left as a parental decision, in line with the absence of a legal requirement to wear a helmet when cycling.

Question reference: S6W-03018

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 24 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on banning greyhound racing.

The Scottish Government considers that the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, as amended, are sufficient to ensure that action can be taken if the welfare of greyhounds, whether still racing or retired, is not being met. The provisions of Part 2 of the Act apply to all people responsible for animals, including breeders, trainers and owners of racing greyhounds.

As a result of the Scottish Government’s introduction of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 a person convicted of the offence of causing an animal unnecessary suffering can currently be sentenced for a period of up to 5 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

Question reference: S6O-00228

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 September 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it will implement part 3 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 to allow local authorities to bring forward proposals to directly run bus services in their area.

Question reference: S6W-02324

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 9 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to tackle the issue of nuisance gulls in town centres in situations where growing gull populations are impacting on the quality of life of residents.

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