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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-02314

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 25 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason people under 40 who were given the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for their first dose, prior to the recommendation that this age group should receive an alternative vaccine, are not being offered the option of an alternative vaccine for their second dose.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have recommended that, where operationally possible, those aged under 40 should receive an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

However, everybody who has already had a first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine should receive a second dose of the same jab, irrespective of age, except for the very small number of people who experienced blood clots with low platelet counts from their first vaccination. There have been no confirmed cases of thromboembolic events to date in second doses.

People will not be offered options on which vaccine they will receive, unless there is a clinical reason why this would be required, such as an allergy. Any vaccine authorised for use in the UK, by the appropriate Medical authorities is safe and effective, and will have a similar effect in terms of protection.

It is also worth noting that this is the case with many other vaccines. People are not routinely offered a choice of the type of vaccines in other vaccine programmes in Scotland. The Scottish Government currently has no plans to introduce an option for receiving either COVID-19 vaccine, beyond a clinical recommendation as the benefits of the vaccine continue to outweigh the risks for the vast majority of the population.

Question reference: S6W-00562

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 22 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update crofting law in the current parliamentary session, and what timeline it has for publishing any legislation.

The Scottish Government remains committed to modernising crofting law to make it more transparent, understandable and workable. This is a complex area of work and officials will continue to engage with key crofting stakeholders with issues for consideration being discussed with members of the Crofting Stakeholder Forum, the Law Society and others.

The timetable for crofting law reform is being considered as part of the Government’s wider legislative programme. In the meantime non-legislative administrative solutions will be sought wherever possible and work will continue with the Crofting Commission to bring crofts back into active use, aligned to actions in the National Development Plan.

Question reference: S6O-00053

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what additional support it will provide to the hospitality sector to mitigate against the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Question reference: S6W-00176

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the analysis of the feedback on the Phase 1 Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 Recommendations.

Transport Scotland published the draft Phase 1 recommendations and an update on the second Strategic Transport Projects Review on 3 February 2021. This included National and Regional Case for Change Reports which contained a list of transport options that are being considered further in Phase 2. We invited stakeholders and the public to feedback with a closing date of
‎ 31 March 2021.

As a result of our engagement we received a total of 461 responses, of which 333 are on the Phase 1 Recommendations report and 128 on the Case for Change reports. Given the substantial amount of feedback we have received we are now carefully considering how this will inform Phase 2 of the review.

We will share these key points with the Regional Transport Working Groups in the first instance, and use them to inform the ongoing appraisal, prior to publishing later in the Summer.

Question reference: S6W-00170

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish Phase 2 of the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2.

Due to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken a two phased approach to the second Strategic Transport Projects Review. Phase 1 recommendations, which were published on 3 February 2021, identify short-term investment priorities in line with the five year spending review; to help ‘lock in’ some of the sustainable travel choices observed over the past year and provide a step change in investment which supports the priorities and outcomes of the second National Transport Strategy.

Phase 2, which looks beyond the spending review period, is aligned with National Planning Framework 4 highlighting the critical nature of transport and land use interaction. As such Transport Scotland will complete the review in Autumn this year, thereafter it will be published for formal public consultation.

Question reference: S6W-00177

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 3 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for carrying out a feasibility study into the extension of the Borders Railway, as agreed within the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, and what progress has been made on this to date.

Consideration of options for extending the Borders Railway continues to be undertaken through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2). This is a national appraisal of strategic transport interventions and will conclude later this year.

As detailed in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, STPR2 will create the evidence base for future transport investment decisions by the Scottish Government. Depending on the outcome of STPR2, feasibility work would then progress on the basis of, and informed by, findings from this appraisal work.

Question reference: S5W-35934

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 18 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government where its preferred location in Cairnryan is for a Border Control Post.

The Scottish Government has not yet identified a preferred location for a Border Control Post to service the ports at Loch Ryan and Cairnryan. A number of sites have been identified, one of which is the old Ferry Terminal in Stranraer, which is the stated preference of Dumfries and Galloway Council. Careful consideration will be given to the suitability of each of these sites, taking into account the size of site required, its operational suitability, connectivity and environmental factors.

You will be aware that we have laid a Special Development Order in Parliament. This is not to bypass traditional planning routes or to avoid statutory engagement with the public. This is a contingency measure to ensure that the project can proceed at pace within its demanding timescales and save time in the planning process, especially if it were to be a major development. In the event that it necessary to rely on the SDO, it does include a 21-day consultation period, and the Scottish Government is committed to working with Dumfries and Galloway Council to enable any consent granted through SDO, and in particular any conditions attached, to be as consistent as possible with the Council’s usual approach.

Question reference: S5W-35935

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 18 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the waterfront in Stranraer was ruled out as its preferred location for a Border Control Post.

Question reference: S5W-35936

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 18 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government who it consulted with when determining its preferred location of Cairnryan for a Border Control Post.

Question reference: S5W-35507

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 February 2021
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 16 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the impact that the (a) COVID-19 pandemic and (b) public contract with the Ferguson Marine for the Hull 801 has had on the delivery of the Ardrossan Harbour upgrade project.

The Ardrossan Harbour project is currently in the design and planning stage. There have been some delays due to the pandemic; such as project communications, with public information events being cancelled and project updates being issued using alternative media forums.

Berth infrastructure works are currently set to commence in Summer 2022 with completion of the works expected in 2024. These dates are however, subject to change taking account of tender and contract award stages. A more detailed programme will be available once a contractor is appointed.

Progress has continued on the new vessels within the constraints of the pandemic. The timing of this work has had no direct impact on the delivery of the Ardrossan project.