Seòmar agus comataidhean

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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 43731 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-22286

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-22285

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-22065

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its refreshed Culture Strategy Action Plan, in light of it being delayed from summer 2022 and spring 2023.

As confirmed in my evidence to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee on 5 October, we will publish our Culture Strategy Action Plan Refresh in the coming months, in line with our commitment in the current Programme for Government. The refreshed Action Plan will set out the workstreams we will take forward in response to the challenges that are brought about by the changed landscape the culture sector is now working in.

Question reference: S6W-22001

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its timeline for a permanent solution to the issues on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful.

We are committed to an infrastructure solution to address landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful. Delivery of a permanent and resilient solution is a priority and we will continue to seek ways to achieve that as quickly as possible.

We continue to progress design work at pace and the announcement on 2 June 2023 of the preferred route option through the Glen Croe valley is a very important milestone in finding a solution to this long-standing problem. The proposed new debris flow shelter will help protect the road and road users from future landslides.

The next step for the project is the detailed design and assessment of the preferred option. This is progressing at pace and should conclude by the end of 2024 with the publication of draft Orders for comment. Progress following publication of draft Orders will depend on the level and nature of any representations, including objections, to the published draft Orders.

As with all our infrastructure projects, construction of the long term solution can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory authorisation process and thereafter a timetable for construction can be determined. It is, however, estimated that construction of the preferred route option will take three to four years, including an allowance for possible stand down time due to bad weather.

Question reference: S6W-21869

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can provide to all the relevant stakeholders to find a safe and permanent solution to the ongoing issues with the Ayr Station Hotel building, in light of repeated fire outbreaks affecting local transport, commuting and commercial activity.

The Scottish Government continues to provide support to South Ayrshire Council in relation to the Ayr Station Hotel building.

I met with the leader of the council on October 11 on the subject of the station hotel building and remain open to further discussion around what assistance may be required.

Officials are in regular dialogue with the council, and Network Rail and ScotRail, through the Strategic Governance Group which is looking at the plans for the station moving forward as well as more recently the implications of the most recent fire at the station hotel building.

Question reference: S6W-21757

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can offer to car sharing organisations that work to support the National Transport Strategy aim to promote car and ride sharing in preference to single occupancy car use, in light of reports that such work is being undermined by insurance premiums increasing by more than 100% in a single year.

Transport Scotland provide funding sources, such as the Smarter Choices Smarter Places Open Fund, to encourage people to change their behaviours to drive less and to walk or cycle as part of their everyday short journeys or to use public transport for longer journeys for which shared transport projects, including those supporting car clubs, are eligible.

The cost of motoring through vehicle excise duty, fuel duty and motor insurance is subject to legislation fully reserved to the UK Government.

Question reference: S6W-22149

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported technical issues with MV Loch Bhrusda, MV Loch Alainn and MV Loch Portain, which have left the Western Isles with no inter-island ferry service, whether it will consider accelerating phase 2 of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme.

MV Loch Bhrusda and MV Loch Alainn returned to service on 11 and 12 October respectively. During the recent outage of MV Loch Portain, CalMac moved quickly to charter a vessel to provide replacement services.

Early business case development work for the second phase of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme is underway. Further progress will be made early next year as vessel design and feasibility studies will be undertaken as part of the development of the Outline Business Case.

Question reference: S6W-21985

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many homes built under the Affordable Housing Supply Programme since 2016 were (a) one-bed, (b) two-bed, (c) three-bed, (d) four-bed and (e) five-bed or more homes.

Question reference: S6W-21908

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its correspondence of 28 September 2023 with Miles Briggs, what measures it is taking to ensure that an applicant's given name is not displayed on a short-term let licence outwith their home.

There is no requirement to display the short term let licence at or on the premises. There is, however, a requirement to display a site notice at or near the premises for a period of 21 days from the submission of the application.

There is a right for members of the public to make representations or objections about applications, which may include referencing an applicant’s suitability as a fit and proper person to hold a short-term let licence. Therefore the site notice must contain the name and address of the applicant, the address of the short-term let premises and the names and addresses of the owners of the premises (if different from the applicant).

Question reference: S6W-21899

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many second-hand vessels have been considered for (a) charter and (b) purchase by (i) CMAL and (ii) CalMac since 1 June 2022 to date.