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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-44219

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the replacement of HMP Inverness with HMP Highland, and on what date it anticipates that the new prison will be open and fully functional.

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

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service remain committed to delivering a modern, secure facility that supports staff and better serve the needs of local communities.

HMP Highland will provide a fit for purpose, community facing establishment designed to support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.

Construction is expected by the end of 2026 and will provide 200 places - more than double the current capacity of HMP Inverness.

The final opening and operational dates will depend on factors such as operational readiness and the successful completion of additional recruitment.

Question reference: S6O-05706

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many NHS boards have all of their accessible toilets as stoma-friendly toilets.

Question reference: S6F-04773

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 March 2026

To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to regulate deposit fees in care homes.

Question reference: S6T-02930

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care’s letter to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee regarding the funding required for the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill on 26 February, what current NHS services would potentially be reduced to meet such costs.

Question reference: S6O-05522

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what potential challenges it anticipates in relation to the scheduling of a Chamber debate on the Climate Change Plan before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Question reference: S6O-05490

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether its tree planting targets for 2025-26 will be reached.

Question reference: S6T-02875

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent announcement that the total projected cost of MV Glen Rosa has risen by £12.5 million to £197.5million, whether it will confirm how much further public funding will be required before the vessel enters service.

Question reference: S6O-05432

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what additional resources are being provided to Police Scotland in relation to asylum seekers being housed at Cameron Barracks in Inverness.

Question reference: S6O-05392

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the rural secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the potential impact on farmers and crofters of any reintroduction of lynx into Scotland.

Question reference: S6T-02793

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 08 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the newly published October mortality figures for the salmon farming industry.