Questions and answers

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 ��˿�� 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-28482

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the feasibility of temporarily expanding the prison estate with additional cells, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

On 3 January 2020, there were 8,159 people in custody, compared with 7,176 on 24 April 2020, a reduction of 983. Our population level is currently at the lowest it has been since the end December 2016 when the lowest level recorded was 7,185.

Scotland’s prison population is projected to continue to decline in the coming months through the applications of early release legislation and the relaxation of some restrictions in the HDC process. It is therefore not necessary for the SPS to expand the prison estate with additional cells as is happening in other jurisdictions.

It should be noted that whilst there may be capacity in establishments, SPS are following public health advise and all non-essential prison transfers have been suspended to minimise the spread of infection.

Question reference: S5W-28335

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what provision is being made to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline staff dealing with prisoner transfers for court appearances.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The transfer of people between prison custody and court is undertaken by GEOAmey under the Scottish Court Custody and Prisoner Escorting Service contract. GEOAmey is responsible for the risk assessment and provision of PPE to their staff.

GEOAmey report that all members of their staff have access to supplies of appropriate PPE in accordance with operating guidelines and are working to ensure adequate levels of stock are maintained.

Question reference: S5W-28287

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what items of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being procured by the Scottish Prison Service in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, broken down by (a) quantity and (b) deadline, and, in light of reports that the agency already has sufficient stock, for what reason it is carrying out this exercise.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

Table 1 provides a breakdown of all PPE items and quantities ordered by SPS, by date.

Table 2 provides a breakdown of all PPE items and quantities received by SPS, by date.

Table 1:

Date PPE Orders placed (Week Commencing)	02-Mar-20	09-Mar-20	16-Mar-20	23-Mar-20	30-Mar-20	06-Apr-20	Total
PPE Item
Reusable Mask FFP3	1,600	2,000	1,500				5,100
Disposable Mask FFP2	2,000			80,000	7,500		89,500
Disposable Apron	14,000	35,000	25,000	70,000			144,000
Disposable Gloves	50,000	100,000	100,000				250,000
Goggles	2,389	33,517	25,000				60,906
Antibacterial wipes (packs of 1,500)	2,000						2,000
Antibacterial wipes (packs of 130)		4,950					4,950
Hand Sanitiser various sizes	15,000		18,480	4,008	4,008	1,700	43,196

Table 2:

Date PPE Orders Received (Week Commencing)	02-Mar-20	09-Mar-20	16-Mar-20	23-Mar-20	30-Mar-20	06-Apr-20	Total
PPE Item
Reusable Mask FFP3	1,600						1,600
Disposable Mask FFP2			2,000		80,000		82,000
Disposable Apron	9,000				70,000	35,000	114,000
Disposable Gloves	50,000	100,000					150,000
Goggles	2,389	2,218		203			4,810
Antibacterial wipes (packs of 1,500)			1,000	1,000			2,000
Antibacterial wipes (packs of 130)			4,950				4,950
Hand Sanitiser various sizes					4,008	4,008	8,016

SPS do not place deadlines on PPE orders, delivery timescales are determined by the respective suppliers.

All establishments are required to record and report their PPE usage on a weekly basis. Stock levels are centrally monitored on an ongoing basis in order to ensure that adequate levels are maintained.

SPS currently has sufficient stock levels of PPE however these levels will deplete with use during this uncertain time. SPS continues to work with suppliers to ensure that sufficient quantities of PPE are maintained and available in line with the latest government and public health advice.

Question reference: S5W-28288

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what items of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being procured by Police Scotland in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, broken down by (a) quantity and (b) deadline.

Police Scotland advises that officers can risk assess whether or not to use a surgical mask for routine policing activities where there are no symptoms or other indications of Covid-19 but where it may be difficult to apply social distancing measures. If there is a requirement for police support at an incident of suspected or confirmed COVID-19, wherever possible trained officers in full PPE kit will be deployed to attend. This kit comprises of:

FFP3 Face Masks
Disposable Suit EN14126 Standard
Full Knee Length Boot Covers
Indirect Vent Goggles
Long cuff Nitrile Gloves
Surgical masks

Procurement and distribution of PPE is an operational matter for the Chief Constable; however, Police Scotland has advised that 6,470 officers have been trained and face fitted in the use of PPE at 20 April 2020. All officers have to be 'face fitted' in the FFP3 to ensure manufacture compliance and health and safety principles.

Question reference: S5W-28513

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 4 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether wills are still being processed by the court system during the COVID-19 outbreak, and whether there are any barriers to this work being carried out remotely.

Question reference: S5W-28299

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 4 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding whether churches and religious bodies in Scotland will be eligible to apply for support from the funding package for charities that has been announced by the UK Government in light of the COVID-19 outbreak,

The Third Sector Resilience Fund (TSRF) is a £20 million emergency fund for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations working in Scotland. The fund will support organisations that already deliver services and products but find themselves in financial difficulties directly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The primary intention of the fund is to help third sector organisations to stabilise and manage cash flows over this difficult period.
‎
‎The Fund is being delivered by Firstport, Social Investment Scotland and the Corra Foundation and will provide grants between £5,000-£100,000. In addition there will be up to a further £5 million available in fully flexible, 0% interest loans starting at £50,000. The fund will be complemented by specialist business advice from Just Enterprise to help grant recipients maximise the impact of the financial support.
‎
‎More information about Covid-19 related support available to third sector organisations, including the Third Sector Resilience Fund is available at: .

Question reference: S5W-28205

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 April 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the (a) minimum and (b) maximum number of prisoners that are eligible for release under the provisions in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill.

The Scottish Parliament agreed that emergency prison release powers in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 Act were necessary, and would reflect the powers of emergency release already available in England and Wales – and which the UK government have decided to apply. Since the passing of the Act, the SG has worked closely with the SPS to evaluate whether and how whether these powers should be used. As I advised the Parliament on 20 April, we have now agreed with the Chief Executive of the SPS that it will be necessary to release a limited number of prisoners to ensure the SPS can continue to manage the current situation effectively.

Prisoners will only be considered if they are sentenced to 18 months or less – and within 3 months of their scheduled release date. The new legislation rules out early release for certain groups of prisoners – including life sentence prisoners, those on supervision orders and those convicted of sexual offending or terrorism offences. The proposed regulations will further exclude prisoners sentenced for domestic abuse offences or aggravations, harassment offences, or certain Covid-related offences. The Act also enables Prison Governors to veto the release of any prisoner where such release would present a clear risk to a specific individual.

Under these measures, around 450 prisoners will be assessed for possible early release. The number who are eligible will depend on the actual prison population on the day the process begins, and the final number released will depend how many individuals will be subject the Governor veto. The scale of release was specifically agreed with the SPS Chief Executive, as a measured and proportionate action to provide sufficient capacity and flexibility to maintain safe and effective operating conditions.

Question reference: S5O-04320

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 25 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Unit project at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

NHS Grampian are working with Health Facilities Scotland on a final design assurance review before moving towards financial close. The design review will provide assurance that the management and design of the project has taken cognisance of patient safety and construction standards; act as a pathfinder project for projects currently at design stage and influence the reviews of the next phase of new build and major refurbishment projects. The projected start date for construction is May, but NHS Grampian are meeting with contractors later this week to discuss what the impact of the current situation regarding COVID-19 may have and what mitigation action could be taken if required.

Question reference: S5W-27569

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 21 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the criminal proceedings statistical bulletin for 2018-19 is not due to be published until April 2020.

Question reference: S5O-04258

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for more investment in safety improvements for the A90, and whether these will include additional funding to improve the effectiveness of the average speed cameras.