Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-26908

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 30 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an up-to-date assessment of the ecological condition of species-rich grasslands (a) within and (b) outside of Special Sites of Scientific Interest.

The 2023 Official Statistic ‘The Proportion of Scotland’s Protected Areas in Favourable Condition 2023’ reported that, of 161 species rich grassland natural features on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), 73% were in favourable condition or had recent management put in place to recover to favourable condition, and 27% were unfavourable.

The data for the condition of species rich grassland outside of protected areas is limited. The condition of species-rich grasslands forms part of six yearly reports which NatureScot compile to meet the requirements of the Habitats Regulations – the next report is due in late 2024. In the 2019 report, NatureScot estimate that 17% of species rich grassland types were in good condition, 31% were in poor condition and the condition of the remainder is unknown. The most common pressure on species rich grassland which causes poor condition are invasive species and under-grazing. The draft Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan contains commitments to restore degraded habitats, including species rich grassland.

Question reference: S6W-26811

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 25 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether its final response to the Review of the Effectiveness of Environmental Governance will incorporate evidence recently submitted to the Scottish Parliament's Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee by Environmental Standards Scotland, the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland and the Law Society of Scotland, specifically regarding whether an environmental court could enhance governance arrangements.

The final Scottish Government response will take into account the views provided by stakeholders in their written consultation responses on the main issues of the report, including an environment court, which reflects the evidence that was provided to the Net Zero, Energy, and Transport Committee. The Scottish Government will continue to engage with stakeholders on environmental governance and environmental justice.

Question reference: S6O-03367

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the ferries task force with Orkney Islands Council, including when it expects new ferries to be procured.

Question reference: S6W-26907

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 24 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made estimates of the carbon sequestration rates per hectare in species-rich grassland compared with (a) improved grassland and (b) arable land, and, if so, at what soil depth this has been measured.

Estimating carbon sequestration rates for different land uses falls under the remit of the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory and the Scottish Government does not make these kinds of estimates.

The Scottish Government has commissioned research through the which considers how grassland management can impact carbon stocks. “ ” concluded that further evidence is needed on the impact of the restoration of species-rich grassland on carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions, and “ ” found that grazing rates, grass species, application of fertiliser, and tillage affect sequestration potential.

Question reference: S6W-26508

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don on 23 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what potential impact it expects the introduction of Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) fees for voluntary roles would have on child and adult safeguarding.

I have asked Gerard Hart, Chief Executive of Disclosure Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

Disclosure Scotland, an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, is consulting on how disclosure fees could be discounted for certain groups in future. No decisions have been made on this. The consultation response from stakeholders and the public will help to shape decisions by Scottish Ministers. Since 2011, Disclosure Scotland has fully subsidised qualifying voluntary organisations to get free PVG disclosures for volunteers. Reviewing the policy on fee waivers and discounts helps to ensure the effective use of public finances and the potential impact of any changes, whilst providing an effective public service.

Disclosure Scotland does not expect any of the options detailed in the consultation to have an impact on child and adult safeguarding. Disclosure Scotland keeps a list of people unsuitable to do regulated work with children and a list of people unsuitable to work with protected adults. If an individual is listed, they are barred from working with the group covered by that list, that includes working as a volunteer. It is a criminal offence for an individual to carry out regulated work with the vulnerable group they are listed for. It is also against the law for an organisation to employ a listed person in regulated work they are barred from. If an individual is listed they are not eligible for Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership for that type of work.

In addition, when the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 is implemented it will become mandatory for anyone carrying out a regulated role, including as a volunteer, to be a member of the PVG Scheme.

Question reference: S6W-26509

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don on 23 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on youth groups of the proposal by Disclosure Scotland to introduce Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) fees for voluntary roles.

I have asked Gerard Hart, Chief Executive of Disclosure Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:

Disclosure Scotland, an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, is consulting on how disclosure fees could be discounted for certain groups in future. No decisions have been made on this. The consultation response from stakeholders and the public will help to shape decisions by Scottish Ministers.

Disclosure Scotland has published a draft children’s rights and wellbeing impact assessment which considers the possible impact of the proposals made in the consultation on fee waivers and discounting on the rights of children. In doing so they are considering official statistics and surveys, evidence from Disclosure Scotland’s systems, past consultations and stakeholder engagement.

When the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 is implemented Level 2 with PVG scheme membership disclosures will not be available to children aged under 16 years old. Any fees and fee discounting therefore only has a direct impact on children aged 16 and 17 years old.

A copy of the impact assessment can be found on the Scottish Government’s website at:

Question reference: S6W-26040

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) has made and (b) is considering making a referral to the Competition and Markets Authority highlighting a Highlands and Islands exemption in its planned devolved Air Departure Tax as a subsidy of particular interest.

The Scottish Government has not made a referral to the Subsidy Advice Unit at the Competition and Markets Authority. Any future proposal for Air Departure Tax or a proposal relating to the Highlands and Islands exemption will be assessed for compliance with the Subsidy Control Act and will be referred to the Subsidy Advice Unit if they meet the mandatory referral requirements of a Subsidy of Particular Interest .

Question reference: S6W-26039

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25326 by Tom Arthur on 6 March 2024, whether it will detail how the UK subsidy control regime introduced in 2023 represents a barrier to implementation of a devolved Air Departure Tax, in light of the regime granting devolved governments the power to establish subsidy schemes such as tax exemptions based on local needs.

Question reference: S6W-26038

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 20 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25326 by Tom Arthur on 6 March 2024, whether it will detail exactly what options are being explored to implement Air Departure Tax in the manner described.

Question reference: S6W-26005

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 19 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the next meeting of the Orkney Ferries Replacement Task Force will take place.

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