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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.

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Question reference: S6W-08809

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 30 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason no maximum bidding price has been stipulated within the awards process for floating offshore wind projects looking to progress through the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) process, in light of a maximum bidding price being stipulated in the commercial-scale ScotWind leasing round.

It is for Crown Estate Scotland, As managers of Crown assets in Scotland, to set seabed leasing fees.

The INTOG leasing round, due to be launched summer 2022, is a ‘first of its kind’ and there is no direct precedent to consider when finalising the design of the leasing arrangements. The objectives for INTOG (stimulating innovation and decarbonising oil & gas) are different from those of other offshore leasing rounds and as a result some key features of INTOG, including pricing, are also different.

Due to the specific nature of the projects, the novel commercial models, and the potential risks relating to such a new type of project, Crown Estate Scotland want to give the opportunity for the market to set the appropriate price given that this is a new and untested landscape.

The ScotWind price cap was designed to ensure that projects competing for limited Plan Options were viable in the long-term, would maximise supply chain opportunities and incentivise floating wind projects, that are ideal for Scotland's deeper waters but comparatively more expensive.

Question reference: S6W-08808

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 30 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what role (a) ministers and (b) Crown Estate Scotland will have in finalising the scoring criteria and weighting for Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) leases for floating offshore wind projects.

Crown Estate Scotland have designed and are responsible for the leasing arrangements for the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) process, this includes development of the weighting and evaluation criteria for applications. Crown Estate Scotland outlined the proposals for evaluation criteria in the Leasing Information Document (LID) released on 22 February 2022. The purpose of the LID is to provide developers with a clear understanding of the application process and contractual structure of the leasing round.

Question reference: S6W-07575

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 25 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 8 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism among publicly funded bodies.

The Scottish Government formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in June 2017. The Scottish Government and its agencies have been expected to adhere to the definition since June 2017.

While it is not legally binding, the Scottish Government would encourage publicly funded bodies to similarly adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, noting however that it is up to these bodies to make this decision for themselves.

Adopting the IHRA definition demonstrates a determination to tackle antisemitism and sends a strong message that it is entirely unacceptable in Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-00938

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve audit procedures for local authorities.

Question reference: S6W-07021

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 17 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what use has been made by the Russian Government or Russian-owned businesses of Prestwick Airport and any other Scottish Government-owned infrastructure during the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-07026

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 16 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been done, or is planned, on whether any successful applicants to the ScotWind auction have Russian partnerships or financing arrangements in place.

ScotWind, the recent leasing round for commercial-scale offshore wind projects, is administered by Crown Estate Scotland who are responsible for completing the process of due diligence in line with relevant guidance.

Crown Estate Scotland released a statement on 10 March in regards to ScotWind leasing in light of recent actions by Russia against Ukraine. The statement can be found here:

Statement regarding ScotWind Leasing and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The 17 successful ScotWind applications are mainly consortia of different project partners.

Crown Estate Scotland have advised they are committed to taking all appropriate action to not support trade and investment activity with Russia.

In early March, Crown Estate Scotland carried out an initial check of applicants for Russian ownership and / or registration. This did not uncover any Russian ownership or registration.

Crown Estate Scotland have confirmed they have taken a further step of seeking formal, written assurance from all applicants and project partners involved in each of the 17 applications that they will adhere at all times to the relevant sanctions regime. Project partners are subject to sanctions imposed by the state in which they are registered. UK registered entities will need to confirm they adhere to UK sanctions. Entities registered in another state will need to confirm that they adhere to the sanctions imposed by that state.

If Crown Estate Scotland do not receive sufficient assurance, Crown Estate Scotland will take appropriate action.

Crown Estate Scotland have advised that all applicants who secure an option agreement will be required to adhere to relevant sanctions throughout the term of the agreement.

In addition, Crown Estate Scotland have asked applicants for details of any Russian or Belarussian interests and steps that are being taken to divest of those interests.

The Scottish Government and Crown Estate Scotland will continue to work closely together to ensure each party is fully informed and taking appropriate action in what is a rapidly evolving situation.

Question reference: S6W-07023

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 15 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many Ukrainian students are estimated to be studying in Scotland and what support is being offered to them, in light of current international events.

In 2020-21, based on recorded nationality, there were around 125 Ukrainian students at university and 45 Ukrainian students at college. However, further students will have close links of family members affected by the current crisis and we want to support them as well.

We are continuing to engage with the sector to identify the likely impact on students studying at Scottish institutions. I met with University and College principals on 2 March to learn more about how they are responding to support students who may be affected by the situation and to understand some of the wider concerns they may have.

Ukrainian and other international students are already able to access a Coronavirus Fund put in place by Scottish Government to support students financially impacted by the pandemic. Scottish Government officials are also currently considering what additional support can be offered to students impacted by the conflict who are studying in Scotland.

We are also conscious of the impact of the ongoing situation on student mental health and wellbeing and welcome Universities Scotland’s ‘Statement of Solidarity with Ukraine’.

Students experiencing mental health and wellbeing or hardship issues, should, in the first instance, contact their respective institutions. Further mental health and wellbeing and finance advice is also available on the Student Information Scotland website.

Question reference: S6W-07022

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 15 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the implications of sanctions on Russia for any Scottish businesses that trade with Russia, and what support can be given to those businesses in order to best facilitate their rapid diversification in the face of such sanctions.

While international sanctions are reserved to the UK Government, we are exercising all possible levers at the disposal of the Scottish Government to ensure we reinforce the international response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Export Statistics Scotland 2019 show that Scottish exports to Russia (excluding oil and gas) were relatively small - worth £245 million (less than 1% of total international exports) in 2019. HMRC trade in goods statistics show that in 2020, 457 businesses in Scotland exported goods to Russia.

We have been clear that the Scottish Government and our Enterprise Agencies will not support trade or investment activity with Russia, and have encouraged all businesses in Scotland to review – and then sever – their links with Russia.

Our Enterprise Agencies are actively supporting businesses who previously traded with Russia to find alternative markets for their goods and services. Scottish businesses looking to find new customers in alternative markets can contact the Enterprise Agencies through the Find Business Support website at: https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/ where they can also find relevant advice and guidance signposted.

Question reference: S6W-06251

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 3 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm if it is the case that data on teacher absence due to COVID-19 has not been collected after April 2021, and, if it is the case, for what reason.

Data on teacher absence due to Covid-19 has been collected since September 2020 and is still being collected and published on a weekly basis.

Data for the 2020-21 academic year can be found at this link in the 'School staff absence' tab: COVID19 - Schools and Childcare Information 2021 | Tableau Public

Data for the 2021-22 academic year can be found at this link in the 'School staff absence' tab: COVID19 - Schools and Childcare Information August 2021 | Tableau Public

Question reference: S6O-00823

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 March 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Tayside in light of reports of the closure of GP practices.