Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-16627

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether the topic of Scottish independence was discussed in the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU on 1 June 2022.

The Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU and I held a positive meeting in June last year, in which we spoke about energy policy and the latest developments regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

Question reference: S6W-16625

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether the topic of Scottish independence was discussed in the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and the Head of the UK Mission to the EU on 31 May 2022.

The Head of the UK Mission to the EU and I held a positive meeting in May last year, in which we spoke about issues such as the Scottish Government's Retained EU Law and Horizon Europe.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

Question reference: S6W-16629

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether the topic of Scottish independence was discussed in the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and New Zealand's Ambassador to EU and NATO on 1 June 2022.

The New Zealand's Ambassador to EU and NATO and I held a positive meeting in June last year, in which we spoke about cultural, trade and civic links between Scotland and New Zealand.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

Question reference: S6W-17078

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Emma Roddick on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it last held its disabled people’s summit, and whether it has any plans to hold another such summit during the current parliamentary session.

The last Disability Summit was held in December 2020 to evaluate the impact of A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People: Delivery Plan 2016-2021. Over 100 people attended online and the voices of disabled people with lived and living experience were heard.

The Scottish Government’s current priority is co-designing the Disability Equality strategy with Disabled People’s Organisations. This work has involved analysing research and reports which incorporate the lived and living experience of disabled people in Scotland and agreeing on the priorities for the strategy.

We will engage with disabled people, third sector organisations and delivery partners when the strategy is drafted to gather views and feedback. We expect this to take the form of a fully accessible consultation and engagement activities.

Question reference: S6F-02002

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 April 2023

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government's plans for Highly Protected Marine Areas, following the end of its public consultation.

Question reference: S6W-16057

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 17 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated towards the planned repairs of Bute House.

Question reference: S6W-16050

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 17 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has set aside any contingency funding to meet any unforeseen additional costs associated with the planned repairs of Bute House, and, if so, how much it has set aside.

Question reference: S6W-16152

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 14 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish new export statistics.

A date for the next Export Statistics Scotland publication has not yet been announced. Scottish Government statisticians are currently reviewing the methodology and results and will pre-announce the date of publication in line with the Official Code of Practice for Statistics as soon as possible. The timing and content of the Export Statistics Scotland publication is determined independently of Ministers.

Question reference: S6W-16151

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 14 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the total running costs of the Scottish National Investment Bank have been in each year since it was established.

The following table (taken from the Scottish National Investment Bank’s annual reports) shows the Bank’s operating costs and income for 2020-21 and‎ 2021-22. The Scottish Government provides budget to cover all operating costs which are not covered by the Bank’s income.

Operating

Costs

£000s

Investment Income

£000s

Net Costs

£000s

2020-21 (November to March)

2,875

-423

2,452

2021-22

9,677

-1,905

7,772

2022-23: The Bank’s final outturn is still being finalised and it is too early to provide a provisional figure to Parliament. The Bank will lay its audited Annual Accounts in Parliament before the end of September.

Question reference: S6W-16054

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 14 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-04824 by Kate Forbes on 22 December 2021, whether it will provide an update on how many website domain names that it owns and pays for are currently (a) active and (b) inactive.

Seòmar agus comataidhean