Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-25098

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will establish an independently-chaired group to ensure that police powers allow for the use of technology to make policing more effective and efficient, and when its terms of reference will be set.

On 13 June 2019 I announced to the Scottish Parliament Justice Sub-Committee on Policing my intention to form an independently-chaired reference group to scope the possible legal and ethical issues arising from emerging technological developments in policing. I can confirm that preparatory work is currently being undertaken including consideration of the terms of reference and membership. I will provide an update on progress to the sub-committee in due course.

Question reference: S5W-25103

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether its calculation that £9.5 million a year more has been invested in Criminal Justice Social Work since 2015-16 is based on cash or real terms.

Ring-fenced Criminal Justice Social Work funding is in addition to increases to revenue funding of local authorities and has increased by 7.3% compared with 2015-16 while the number of Community Payback Orders has reduced by 8.3% nationally, broadly reflecting reductions in court volumes.

The £9.5 million additional funding invested in community justice services, such as community sentences and electronic monitoring, takes the total allocation to over £100 million.

The impact of the extended presumption against short sentences and related evidence will inform budget considerations and discussions with COSLA around Criminal Justice Social Work funding.

Question reference: S5W-25102

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 19 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether the fire service's Youth Engagement Scheme has replaced the Cadet Scheme.

Question reference: S5O-03587

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to initiatives in the north east that aim to tackle climate change.

Question reference: S5W-24882

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 17 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when the new cancer unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is scheduled to open.

The Project Team are currently reviewing the design specification, assessing logistical arrangements with their supply chain and confirming timelines for the project. That work continues and results are expected shortly.

The Scottish Government remain fully committed to the Baird Family Hospital and The ANCHOR Centre Project and looks forward to the submission of the Full Business Case to the NHS Capital Investment Group when that work is complete.

Question reference: S5W-25056

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has set up a restorative justice stakeholder group and, if so, what its terms of reference are.

Question reference: S5W-25110

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 12 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will introduce guidance on (a) fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats, (b) fire safety in specialised housing and (c) fire-risk assessments.

Question reference: S5W-25109

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 12 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will develop specific fire safety guidance aimed at all residents of high-rise domestic buildings.

Question reference: S5O-03532

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress on railway station upgrades in the north east.

This Government has already invested £330 million to improve rail services in the north of Scotland.

Transport Scotland and its partners are committed to delivering new railway stations at Kintore and Dalcross. NESTRANS has recently been successful in securing a share of the Scottish Government’s £2 million Local Rail Development Fund. This funding will allow NESTRANS to carry out a multi-modal transport appraisal to look at opportunities to improve connectivity across Aberdeen.

Question reference: S5W-25111

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 12 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will put in place more stringent fire safety provisions for external wall cladding systems.

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