Questions and answers

Question reference: S5O-01491

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 November 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 23 November 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the economy of the Highlands and Islands.

Question reference: S5W-12294

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 9 November 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported distress that can be caused to animals from fireworks, what its position is on reducing their noise levels to a maximum of 95 decibels, and whether it has discussed this matter with animal charities.

The Scottish Government recognises concerns about the noise of fireworks and the distress this can cause animals. A comprehensive package of measures has been introduced under the Fireworks Act 2003. These include The Fireworks (Scotland) Regulations 2004 which restrict when fireworks can be set off. However, the responsibility for regulating the noise of fireworks lies with the UK Government. We have no plans at present to review existing regulations.

Question reference: S5F-01699

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 November 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 November 2017

To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding reports that the UK could leave the common agricultural policy and common fisheries policy in March 2019 with no transition period.

Question reference: S5O-01377

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 October 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 November 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed cost increase for ferry freight from 1 January 2018 will have on the Northern Isles, in light of reports that it was believed that prices would remain frozen.

Question reference: S5W-11678

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on 13 June 2017 (Official Report, c.38) that it will double the period during which support is provided to potential victims of human trafficking to 90 days, what assurances it has received from the Home Office that temporary admission or temporary release will be provided for the full 90 days to potential victims in Scotland who are subject to immigration control.

Question reference: S5W-11677

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on 13 June 2017 (Official Report, c.38) that it will double the period during which support is provided to potential victims of human trafficking to 90 days, whether this period of support will be made available to victims of all nationalities.

Question reference: S5W-11682

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on 13 June 2017 (Official Report, c.38) that it will double the period during which support is provided to potential victims of human trafficking to 90 days, when this will come into effect.

Question reference: S5W-11680

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on 13 June 2017 (Official Report, c.38) that it will double the period during which support is provided to potential victims of human trafficking to 90 days, what discussions it has had with the Home Office regarding changes to the guidance for competent authorities regarding this extension and the possibility of doubling the minimum decision-making time scale for conclusive grounds decisions to 90 days for potential victims referred from Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-11679

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the announcement on 13 June 2017 (Official Report, c.38) that it will double the period during which support is provided to potential victims of human trafficking to 90 days, what steps it is taking to ensure that all victims who receive a positive conclusive grounds decision will receive the full 90 days support, irrespective of when the conclusive grounds determination is made.

Section 9 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 obliges the Scottish Government to ensure support is provided to victims of human trafficking for a minimum specified period, or until there is a conclusive grounds decision, whichever comes first. Section 9 of the Act – which was unanimously passed by the Scottish Parliament – also permits discretionary support to be provided outwith those parameters, including in cases where a conclusive grounds decision takes place before the specified period ends. The Scottish Government already liaises with service providers to ensure that victims are given the support they need for as long as necessary, including beyond the relevant period should that be necessary, and will continue to do so taking particular account of the needs of individual victims.

Question reference: S5O-01355

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2017
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 25 October 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle fuel poverty.

This Government has always prioritised tackling fuel poverty and is committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland lives in a warm home that is affordable to heat.

We are delivering our commitment to make half a billion pounds available over the next 4 years and, by the end of 2021, we will have allocated over £1 billion pounds since 2009 on tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency.

We will publish shortly a consultation on a new, long-term fuel poverty strategy, including a new target, which will feed into the Warm Homes Bill which we plan to introduce in Year 2 of this Parliament.

Chamber and committees