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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

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Question reference: S6W-19743

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it has had with the Royal Society of Edinburgh since May 2021, and what the agreed outcomes were of any such meetings.

The Scottish Government recognises the invaluable contribution of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) to Scotland’s research and innovation. As Scotland’s National Academy, the RSE meets regularly with a wide range of Scottish Government ministers and officials. Given the number of these meetings that take place across Government it is not possible to detail the outcomes of every meeting.

In recent months, however, I have met with RSE’s Chief Executive and RSE researchers to discuss shared priorities for Scottish research and innovation and the contribution of our Further and Higher Education sector.

Question reference: S6W-19842

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of a lack of accredited carbon audit advisers based in Shetland.

During the development of the Carbon Audit guidance, under Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF), early engagement with Agents and Lantra was conducted to ensure that the industry could start upskilling its network to meet the expected demand. As a result, the number of FBAASS accredited agents/ associates has increased to 151 (11-07-23). The spread might not cover every island, but it does create a growing network that is improving the access to farmers and crofters who request their services. We will monitor this position closely.

Question reference: S6W-19843

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to support farmers and crofters in Shetland to undertake carbon audits, in light of reports that there are currently no accredited advisers based in Shetland.

Question reference: S6W-19841

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to recruit and train carbon audit advisers in all local authorities to ensure that farmers and crofters receive advice from someone who has local knowledge and understanding.

Question reference: S6W-19412

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 13 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how the Scottish National Investment Bank is helping employee-owned businesses to access growth funding.

The Scottish National Investment Bank is a mission focussed impact investor. It was established to invest in Scottish business, projects, and communities in order to deliver positive environmental and social impacts and positive financial returns for the people of Scotland.

The Bank offers long-term, patient capital on commercial terms and will make both debt and equity investments. It seeks to invest where the risks are beyond the appetite of private capital. The Bank’s approach to investment helps crowd in and stimulate private investment helping to create and shape new markets.

The Bank is open to approaches from employee-owned businesses that are in line with its missions and Investment Strategy.

Question reference: S6W-19415

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 13 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions its ministers have had with UK Government ministers regarding special taxation deals for Scottish cities.

Question reference: S6W-19556

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 12 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to switch to electronic cattle tagging ahead of the scheduled date of 1 January 2024, and whether it can provide clarification on the status of paper passports past this date.

The introduction of mandatory Bovine EID is a substantial project and all applicable legislation is being reviewed. The Scottish Government have undertaken scoping work to determine the main changes to legislation that will be necessary. Once the necessary work is complete a response will be issued to the Bovine EID stakeholder group with an indicative timetable.

Any changes to future Regulations concerning cattle identification, will be subject to a full public consultation. This will also include the future use of paper passports.

Question reference: S6W-19547

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 12 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what structures or schemes it currently has in place to provide support to EU students seeking financial support to study in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-19544

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 12 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the financial limit is beyond which it considers that the cost for answering a written parliamentary question would be disproportionate.

Question reference: S6W-19555

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 12 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any discussions ministers have had with industry regarding the progress of systematic software upgrades to assist with the new ScotEID database ahead of 1 January 2024.

The Scottish Government works closely with partners to ensure the ScotEID multispecies database system is fit for purpose and meets the requirements of Industry stakeholders. The system is driven by innovation and continuous improvement, to ensure future challenges can be met. ScotEID will continue to support legacy IT systems used in other parts of the United Kingdom.

We recognised the importance of working with the sector on testing technologies and researching different systems, including the benefits that it could accrue to both the industry and government and welcomed proposals set out in a voluntary industry led pilot on the early adoption of electronic identification of cattle (Bovine EID). As a result, the Scottish Government issued funding for this voluntary industry led initiative for Bovine EID through the Programme for Government.