Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S5W-19492

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 19 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 7 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that cases of drink-spiking have doubled in three years, what it is doing to tackle such activity, including what discussions it has with Police Scotland; whether it will publish details of the discussions, and what its position is on implementing a national anti-drinks spiking strategy.

The spiking of a drink, for whatever means, is a cowardly and dangerous act.

The Scottish Government work closely with a number of key partners including Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC), Crimestoppers and Police Scotland to promote and share messages on how to keep safe.

Examples include the Best Bar None Scotland ‘Good Night Out” campaign, Crimestoppers 7 tips for a good night out, previous seasonal safety messages and the supply of anti-drink spiking devices for bottles available to venues on request.

The Scottish Government is aware of the ongoing campaign from Girls Against Spiking who are working with the University of Strathclyde to provide anti drink devices for cups and glasses, and we are engaged with the SBRC and Police Scotland regard this campaign.

Question reference: S5W-19579

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when it will (a) publish and (b) respond to the results of the consultation on enhanced oversight of biometric data for justice and community safety purposes.

The Scottish Government has already published the responses to its consultation on enhanced oversight of biometric data for justice and community safety purposes, which can be viewed at https://consult.gov.scot/safer-communities/use-of-biometric-data/ . The Scottish Government will publish an Analysis Report of the responses and its Consultation Report in the coming weeks.

The Scottish Government announced its intention to introduce a Biometric Data Bill in its Programme for Government 2018. The key findings from the consultative response will inform the content of that Bill.

Question reference: S5W-19577

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of UK-wide research by the NSPCC that showed that 19% of primary school children live streamed, what protections are in place to prevent children being groomed through live streaming media, and whether it will review these protections.

The wellbeing and safety of children and young people in Scotland is a key priority for the Scottish Government.

Section 1 of the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 provides for an offence of 'meeting a child following certain preliminary contact'. This is commonly referred to as a 'grooming' offence.

This offence is intended to catch those who develop relationships with young people under 16 in order to gain their trust and persuade them into vulnerable situations where they can then be sexually assaulted. The preliminary contact can take any form, and as such it would include contact with a child who is 'live-streaming'.

The Scottish Government has no plans to review existing legislation concerning 'grooming' at this time. However, the Scottish Government monitors the effectiveness of legislation on an on-going basis in conjunction with justice system partners and if concerns were expressed this would be reconsidered.

The power to legislate to regulate the internet is currently reserved to the UK Parliament.

Question reference: S5W-19490

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 19 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 6 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to provide support to the tourism industry in Orkney.

The Scottish Government fully recognises the importance to Orkney’s economic wellbeing of sustaining a high quality tourism product.

Following a report commissioned last year by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Orkney Islands Council to examine the general impacts of high-volume tourism in Orkney, a number of key partners including HIE, the Council, Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Scottish Natural Heritage, VisitScotland and the local tourism industry (Orkney Tourism Group) are working together under the auspices of a new partnership body, Destination Orkney, which will develop a more dynamic and strategic approach to tourism in Orkney.

Orkney was one of the initial beneficiaries of our new £6m Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, from which they received £80,000 in the spring of 2018 for improved parking at the Stones of Stenness.

Question reference: S5W-19639

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 26 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 2 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Parliament agreeing motion S5M-13876, as amended, on 13 September 2018, which called for a Good Food Bill to be introduced "within the next 12 months", whether it will confirm (a) what plans it has to consult on such a bill and (b) when this bill will be introduced.

Question reference: S5O-02481

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how the views of local communities are taken into account by ministers during consideration of a planning appeal.

Question reference: S5W-19144

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 01 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 23 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what type of vehicles are included in its proposed Road Equivalent Tariff scheme for ferry routes serving Orkney and Shetland.

Question reference: S5W-19143

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 01 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 23 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it expects to introduce a Road Equivalent Tariff scheme on ferry routes serving Orkney.

As the member is aware, through our precise discussions, an official complaint has been made to the European Commission. The Commission has requested further information to which we have responded to and we are fully engaging with them to establish the next steps in the process.

The Scottish Government remains committed to pursuing all avenues to deliver Road Equivalent Tariff for Orkney and Shetland.

I will update Parliament in due course once there is more clarity on the way forward.

Question reference: S5W-19012

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 23 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-00012 by Michael Matheson on 14 June 2016 (Official Report, c. 10), on what date the police (a) began and (b) ceased operations through the Scottish Recording Centre (SRC), which used surveillance data acquired through the Milkwhite scheme; what advice it sought regarding the legality of holding and processing this data; what aspects of the SRC’s work were subject to ministerial approval, and, in light of the recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, whether it will provide an update on the operation of the SRC across Scotland and its involvement with Milkwhite.

The management of police units and related information sharing agreements are an operational matter for the Police Service of Scotland.

The role of the Scottish Ministers is provided in the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. Prior to this, Scottish Ministers’ role was provided in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) (No. 2) Order 2000.

All matters pertaining to the interception of communications are independently overseen by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO). From September 2017, the Police Service of Scotland has been subject to oversight and inspection by the IPCO; prior to this, the role was carried out by the Interception of Communications Commissioner's Office.

Question reference: S5W-19145

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 01 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-18904 by Humza Yousaf on 27 September 2018, how many of the not (a) proven and (b) guilty verdicts in each year can be attributed to cases of (i) murder and (ii) rape.

The available information is provided in the following tables by financial year, which have been produced from the Scottish Government’s criminal proceedings database .

Number of people proceeded against in Scottish Solemn Courts with result 'not proven' for 'Murder' or 'Rape'¹, 2014-15 to 2016-17.

	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17
Murder	2	4	4
Rape (offences prior to 1 Dec 2010)	12	7	8
Rape	34	36	30

1 - where main crime

Source: Criminal Proceedings database

Number of people proceeded against in Scottish Solemn Courts with result 'not guilty' for 'Murder' or 'Rape'¹, 2014-15 to 2016-17.

	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17
Murder	6	5	7
Rape (offences prior to 1 Dec 2010)	15	7	21
Rape	66	45	78

1 - where main crime

Source: Criminal Proceedings database