- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 1 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ban biometric surveillance in Scotland, in light of reported calls from Amnesty International and more than 170 organisations for its use to be prohibited.
Answer
The Scottish Government has noted the 2021 open letter by Amnesty International and its concerns around the use of mass surveillance biometric technology in public spaces.
The Scottish Government recognises that assurances are required in order to secure public trust and support for any future use of the technology. We also note that legal and regulatory provisions must be sufficient to ensure accountability and transparency.
These matters are not solely for the Scottish Government, and we stand ready to work with Police Scotland, local authorities, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office and others with regard to the use of mass surveillance biometric technology, to ensure an approach which is lawful, effective, proportionate and ethical.
- Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 1 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to extend the use of facial recognition technology within Police Scotland.
Answer
The decision to use any technology with facial recognition capability is an operational matter for Police Scotland, whilst having regard to the relevant laws. The Scottish Government understands from Police Scotland that they have no plans to use live facial recognition technology at this time.
In line with Scottish Government's commitment to the legal, ethical and proportionate use of technologies in policing, an Independent Advisory Group on Emerging Technologies, whose membership includes policing, human rights and data protection stakeholders, is currently developing recommendations and is due to report to Ministers later this year.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 1 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed the requirement for properties to meet an EPC rating of C or above with the buildings insurance industry, and what it anticipates the impact will be on insurance premiums and availability for properties that are unable to be made to reach the required C rating by the deadline.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises that the proposals to set minimum energy efficiency and zero emissions targets for domestic properties will affect a range of stakeholders, and will consider relevant impacts during our planned consultation on the regulatory pathway and the setting of standards, as laid out in the Heat in Buildings Strategy. This will include the building insurance industry, mortgage lenders and all those impacted by the proposals.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 1 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what the remit is of the recently established Agricultural Policy Development Group.
Answer
The Agricultural Policy Development Group (APDG) was established in September 2021 (as referred to at ARIOB on 30 September 2021: https://www.gov.scot/publications/agriculture-reform-oversight-implementation-board-minutes-30-september-2021/ ) as part of the Scottish Government’s approach to developing future agricultural policy and support. It enables government officials to discuss and share policy proposals and to get the input of key stakeholder interests to their development. In addition to Scottish Government officials, the APDG currently comprises representatives from NFU Scotland, from Environment LINK and an independent individual with extensive government and industry experience and expertise.
The Group’s Terms of Reference can be reviewed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/agriculture-policy-development-group-terms-of-reference/
Crofting interests on the Board are represented through NFU Scotland as well as the Chair of the Scottish Crofting Federation, Donald McKinnon. This is not the only route for stakeholders to input their proposals as part of this work and we would welcome all relevant organisations engaging with officials to provide their thoughts and ideas on current and future aspects of the National Test Programme. In particular, we would welcome stakeholder organisations encouraging their members and supporters to participate in the National Test Programme. There will also be a full consultation on future policy and legislative proposals for rural support.
The Academic Advisory Panel (AAP) was established to provide independent scientific and academic context for planning agricultural reforms.
The AAP’s Terms of Reference can be reviewed here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/academic-advisory-panel-terms-of-reference/
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 1 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how the recently established Agricultural Policy Development Group fits into the decision-making process of agricultural development.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-06145 on 1 March 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Patrick Harvie on 1 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update building standards to ensure that, within the next five years, all new housing is built to Passivhaus standards, as recommended by Scotland's Climate Assembly in its report, Recommendations for Action.
Answer
Our response to the recommendation of the Climate Assembly agrees with the need for review of regulation to further improve energy and environmental standards for new homes. It noted the relevance of the current review of Scottish building regulations, due to be completed this year. It provides an assurance that the outcome sought by the recommendation will be reported on, as part of the current review of standards.
I can confirm that we are looking at opportunities to move to Passivhaus or an equivalent standard within the timescale indicated by the Assembly. I have asked that work on this topic be undertaken over the coming months, in support of the ongoing review of Scottish building regulations and for this be reported back to the Assembly as work progresses.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 1 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government has met the leader of Angus Council since May 2021; what was discussed at each meeting, and what the agreed outcomes were.
Answer
I regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, and their national body COSLA, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland.
Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website. The spreadsheets include a wide-range of information including details of the organisation / individual I met along with the subject discussed.
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 1 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to creel fishermen, in light of the planned removal of customary exemptions to a seasonal ban on white fish catches, which is expected to come into force on 14 February 2022.
Answer
In line with Scottish Government policy, we will not provide financial compensation to fishermen for areas closed in order to protect fish spawning, such as those in the Firth of Clyde. This approach is consistent with that take in respect of similar management measures, including the National Cod Avoidance Plan and MPAs.
Whilst we fully understand that the non-continuation of the exemptions may come with short term costs, this seasonal closure covers a short period of 11 weeks, during which vessels may fish in alternative locations, which the vast majority regularly do. This is a more targeted closure than in previous years; the overall size of the closure compared to previous years has been reduced by 28%. The closure will not affect quota and should not affect the overall volume of fish that fishers are able to catch over the year. Moreover, cod and potentially other stocks, should benefit from the closure period, allowing greater fishing opportunities on the reopening of the seasonal closure.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 1 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government has met the leader of East Dunbartonshire Council since May 2021; what was discussed at each meeting, and what the agreed outcomes were.
Answer
I regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, and their national body COSLA, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland.
Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website. The spreadsheets include a wide-range of information including details of the organisation / individual I met along with the subject discussed.
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
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Current Status:
Answered by Shona Robison on 1 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government how many times the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government has met the leader of South Lanarkshire Council since May 2021; what was discussed at each meeting, and what the agreed outcomes were.
Answer
I regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities, and their national body COSLA, to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to working in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland.
Information about Ministerial engagements is proactively released on the Scottish Government website. The spreadsheets include a wide-range of information including details of the organisation / individual I met along with the subject discussed.