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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-12911

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 December 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the impact that the restoration of roll-on, roll-off (a) passenger and (b) freight ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge could have on employment in the (i) shipping, (ii) port and (iii) rail freight sectors of the Scottish economy.

The Scottish Government is supportive of the reintroduction of ferry services from Scotland to Europe.

My officials in Transport Scotland have engaged with a number of interested parties proposing such services and we will continue to engage with potential operators and Scotland’s main ports to provide information and advice on what the Scottish Government can offer in support of a viable commercial proposition. The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland have also been engaging with port and haulage stakeholders to explore options to increase trade moved through Scottish ports and we continue to work with Scotland’s main ports to explore the possibility of new ferry services to the Continent.

Question reference: S6O-01721

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the actions taken in Forth Valley Royal Hospital following its escalation to stage 4 of the NHS Scotland National Performance Framework for Governance, Leadership and Culture.

Question reference: S6W-12362

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the financial impact of a direct award to Serco Caledonian Sleeper Ltd or a company owned and controlled by the Scottish Government for the operation of the Caledonian Sleeper service from June 2023.

Question reference: S6W-12363

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11596 by Jenny Gilruth on 15 November 2022, when it will announce successor arrangements for the continued provision of Caledonian Sleeper services.

Question reference: S6W-12365

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Caledonian Sleeper service is a commercial asset.

Question reference: S6W-12364

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that Transport Scotland may entrust the provision of Caledonian Sleeper passenger services to a company owned and controlled by the Scottish Ministers and make a direct award of a public service contract in that regard, and in light of Article 5 (2) or Article 5 (6) of Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007, whether it will award the contract to operate the Caledonian Sleeper service to a company owned by the Scottish Government.

Question reference: S6O-01661

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether a vote in favour of strike action by over 80% and over 90% from members of the UCU and EIS trade unions respectively is a democratic mandate for strike action.

Question reference: S6W-12058

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07663 by Jenny Gilruth on 27 April 2022, when it will engage with (a) trade unions and (b) the public regarding the National Rail Conversation.

Question reference: S6W-12057

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07663 by Jenny Gilruth on 27 April 2022, whether it will publish the programme of activities for the National Rail Conversation.

After initial planning work with transport partners and stakeholder, Transport Scotland officials are engaged in finalising the programme for the National Rail Conversation, including the first significant public phase, of external stakeholder engagement. This will see key stakeholders, including rail staff representatives, invited to a number of events in the New Year. These sessions will enable those taking part to offer their views on the National Rail Conversation. Further details of the programme will be provided at these even and announced in due course.

Question reference: S6W-11594

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 October 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11363 by Jenny Gilruth on 5 October 2022, what its position is on appointing a privately owned company to operate the Caledonian Sleeper franchise from June 2023.

In accordance with the requirements of the Railways Act 1993 and the Scottish Ministers’ Franchising Policy Statement, consideration is being given to the successor arrangement for the continued provision of Caledonian Sleeper services.

The Scottish Ministers have to work within the relevant current legislation, principally the Railways Act 1993, which neither they nor the Scottish Parliament have powers to change.

I will of course update Parliament on my decision on the successor arrangement once the required statutory process has been completed.