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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-28757

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 6 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many building owners faced fines or other consequences for harm caused to birds by poorly installed or maintained netting, in the last three years for which figures are available.

There is no specific criminal offence of causing harm to birds by poorly installed or maintained building netting. Should such an offence be prosecuted in Scottish criminal court it would most likely be done under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Although we cannot identify building owners as a subset of convicted persons, Criminal Proceedings in Scotland national statistics show no companies were convicted under Section 1 in the most recent available three financial years (2019-20 to 2021-22). The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service additionally confirmed no companies were convicted for an offence involving bird netting in the last five years (2019-2024).

Question reference: S6W-28717

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 6 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the final Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan will set out further detail about the proposals of the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy for supporting an approach to licensing of oil and gas exploration on a case-by-case basis, and how calculations will be made regarding climate compatibility and energy security.

Offshore oil and gas licensing is reserved to the UK Government.

The Scottish Government would be a willing partner in collaborative efforts, at UK and international levels, to further develop the detail of how robust and transparent Climate Compatibility Checkpoints could help support licensing decisions, despite the Scottish Government having no formal decision making powers in this area.

As part of this approach, our finalised Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan will set out the Scottish Government’s views on key elements which could form the basis of an enhanced Climate Compatibility Checkpoint that could be used by the UK Government, and form the basis of international discussions on this issue.

Question reference: S6W-28715

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 6 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, how its proposed climate compatibility assessment for new oil and gas licences, and the methodology that it uses, will demonstrate alignment with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.

Gillian Martin: Offshore oil and gas licensing is reserved to the UK Government.

The Scottish Government’s focus continues to be on meeting Scotland’s energy security needs, reducing emissions in line with Paris Agreement goals and ensuring a just transition for our oil and gas workforce as North Sea resources decline.

We have, through our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, called for a robust Climate Compatibility Checkpoint to be applied to licence applications for new North Sea oil and gas developments. The draft set out for consultation a range of proposals on aspects of Checkpoint design and application, including in relation to alignment with Paris Agreement goals Independent analysis commissioned by the Scottish Government in support of the draft Strategy also included consideration of what tests could potentially make up such a Checkpoint which could form the basis for UK wide and international discussion on this issue, despite the Scottish Government having no formal role in the licencing of new offshore oil and gas fields.

Question reference: S6W-28718

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 6 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to its Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, whether its proposed approach for supporting a climate compatibility assessment for new oil and gas licences will be the same as the climate compatibility checkpoint that was introduced by the UK Government in 2022, and, if not, what differences there will be.

As set out in the responses to S6W-28715 and S6W-28717 on 6 August 2024, the Scottish Government has consulted on a range of proposals for aspects of Climate Compatibility Checkpoint design and application and will publish a finalised Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, including further information on these matters, later this Summer.

The proposals consulted on in the draft Strategy include significant differences from the Checkpoint approach introduced in 2022 by the previous UK Government, including in terms of how the climate impact of emissions arising from consumption of oil and gas products should be considered and at which stages of the licensing process such Checkpoints should be applied.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-28499

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 July 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 22 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the First Minister's statement welcoming the Prime Minister's "commitment to forge a positive relationship between our governments", what its position is on what would constitute fulfilment of this commitment, and whether it will set out the details of specific changes that it is seeking to the working relationship.

The Scottish Government is committed to acting in the best interests of Scotland. This includes working constructively with the UK Government and Westminster in order to benefit the people of Scotland.

The Prime Minister has made clear his commitment to rebuild trust and foster respect with Devolved Governments, which the Scottish Government welcomes. The Scottish Government is keen to work together in areas of shared ambition and responsibility, and where the most effective change can be delivered through joint or coordinated action, in a way that is mutually respectful and co-operative.

Question reference: S6O-03634

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 June 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, as part of the delivery of its hate crime strategy, what action it is taking to tackle online extreme right-wing radicalisation.

Question reference: S6F-03242

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 June 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 June 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6O-03587

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 June 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what action it is taking to recognise Pride Month, including how it supports LGBTQ+ staff and visitors by ensuring that the Parliament remains a visibly inclusive environment.

Question reference: S6O-03542

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its recognition of a housing emergency, whether it will take steps to improve the application of policy 16 of the fourth National Planning Framework in relation to affordable housing.

Question reference: S6F-03170

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.