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The Division of Commonties Act 1695 was discussed at the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s stage 2 consideration on 17 June 2025 and I undertook to provide an update on the Scottish Law Commission’s work on it as part of its work on statute law repeals. I can confirm that following a request by the Scottish Government, the Scottish Law Commission undertook preliminary work on the Division of Commonties Act 1695, and the issues arising in relation to it. The Commissioners took the view that a review of the Act would not be an appropriate law reform project for the Scottish Law Commission and advised Scottish Government of this in August 2018.

The website Air Quality in Scotland provides guidance on exempt fireplaces and stoves in Smoke Control Areas, and a link to the list of exempt appliances in Scotland, which is updated monthly. The Air Quality in Scotland website also provides a link to the Spatial Hub interactive map of all the Smoke Control areas in Scotland.

Financial and operational decisions in response to the industrial action are a matter for Scottish Water, whose Chief Executive is the Accountable Officer for the organisation.

It is for Scottish Water and the Joint Trade Unions to agree a settlement which is fair and affordable, and the Government urges them to find a solution.

Local authorities are responsible for enforcing Smoke Control Areas and investigating smoke nuisance complaints under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

A swift yet satisfactory conclusion is essential to minimise impacts on Scottish Water customers, both in the near term and for the future. The Scottish Government continues to urge all parties to continue negotiations in good faith to find a solution which is within the spirit of the Government’s public sector pay policy; is affordable to Scottish Water; and represents a fair offer to Scottish Water’s employees. It is for Scottish Water and the Joint Trade Unions to agree a settlement which is fair and affordable.

The UK Clinical Guidelines for Alcohol Treatment is a document being drafted by the Westminster governed Office for Health Inequalities and Disparities (OHID). The document is being drafted on a 4-nations basis in which Scottish Government is fully involved, however the decision on when to publish sits solely with OHID.

SG officials have spoken to their colleagues within OHID and have been advised that OHID intends to publish this document in Summer 2025.

Public Health Scotland have advised that the findings of their investigation into the decline in alcohol treatment numbers over the last decade is due to be published in late Summer 2025.

Scottish Government is fully aware of the recommendations contained within Public Health Scotland's report into Alcohol Brief Interventions.

The SG response will be incorporated into work currently being done to develop an alcohol specific actions as part of the broader planning being done to design the future direction of alcohol and drug treatment in Scotland following the end of the current National Mission which ends in 2026.

Enforcement of Tobacco and Vapes legislation, including the Single Use Vape (SUV) regulations is a local government issue, and in line with the Verity House Agreement we do not ring-fence or direct local authority funding.

Funding is provided annually to Local Government and they have responsibility for working to ensure local budget decisions deliver local and national priorities, including those on the enforcement of existing legislation, including on underage sales and illicit tobacco and vapes and the single use vape ban.

In addition, the Scottish Government has made £300k available for transitional costs associated with the ban on SUVs, and to support recycling and responsible disposal of SUV’s seized by local authorities.

We work closely with the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS) to support enforcement of existing legislation, including on underage sales and illicit tobacco and vapes. This includes providing funding of £46k for the SCOTSS national co-ordinator role for Scotland.

Formal multidisciplinary processes have been established for second opinions regarding treatment between the regional cancer centres, when required. Boards can explore the option of referral to other boards to facilitate earlier surgical dates where they feel clinically necessary.