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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: S5W-08902

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 27 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when the working group on LGBTI inclusive education will report its findings.

Question reference: S5W-08181

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 28 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government which of Scotland's harbours and ports are (a) publicly owned and (b) privately operated.

There are large numbers of ports and harbours around the Scottish coast ranging in size from large commercial ports to local piers, slipways and marinas.

Ownership models include harbour trusts, privately owned harbours, local authority ownership and harbours owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. A full and comprehensive list is not held by the Scottish Government.

Our guidance on trust port governance, Modern Trust Ports for Scotland, contains a list of most Scottish Trust ports in annex C. http://www.transport.gov.scot/report/j249946-09.htm Information on ownership of specific harbours may also be found on that harbour’s website.

Question reference: S5O-00815

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to support local government pension funds that wish to divest from fossil fuels and reinvest in projects such as social housing.

The Scottish Government has encouraged pension funds to invest into affordable housing. Key to success is close partnership working across the public and private sector to ensure there are clearly defined investment opportunities. An early example is Falkirk Local Government Pension Scheme fund investing £30million into a residential investment fund that is focussed on delivering affordable housing within Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-07574

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it undertook prior to any policy changes since 2015 that may facilitate cadet forces’ (a) integration with the curriculum for excellence and (b) access to pupils.

There has been no change in policy. The Scottish Government continues to support a distinct Scottish approach to developing cadet forces, with the syllabus integrated into Curriculum for Excellence, rather than following the UK Government model with the school ‘hosting’ a Cadet Unit which does not contribute to the curriculum. The Cadet Experience syllabus is currently going through accreditation with the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Question reference: S5W-07575

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding it has received since 2015 as a result of UK Government action to expand cadet forces in schools, and what resources it has provided to (a) cadet organisations and (b) peace education.

Question reference: S5W-07576

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, if an expansion of cadet forces in schools is undertaken, how it will ensure that schools can offer viable alternatives to pupils who may on moral, ethical, personal or religious grounds not wish to take part.

Question reference: S5W-07573

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 8 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on cadet forces in state schools.

Question reference: S5W-07012

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 24 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates it has met the Hometown Foundation since May 2016; who attended; what the purpose was of each meeting; what was discussed, and what future meetings are planned.

The Scottish Government has met with the Hometown Foundation on two occasions since May 2016, to hear about their proposals for state-funded autonomous schools. I met the Director of the Hometown Foundation on 25 October 2016. Officials were also present. The second meeting, between the Director of the Foundation and Special Advisers, took place on 21 November 2016. No future meetings are planned at present.

Question reference: S5O-00678

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 22 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on extending the concessionary travel scheme to people aged 18 or under.

The National Concessionary Travel Scheme for Young People already provides discounts on bus and rail travel within Scotland for all young people living in Scotland aged 16 to 18. Using the Young Scot smart card, the Scheme offers a one-third discount off the adult single fare on any registered bus service in Scotland, one third off most rail journeys in Scotland and a 50% discount on rail season tickets. Eligible Island residents also receive vouchers for 4 free ferry journeys a year.

In addition, the Scottish Government will introduce free bus travel for Modern Apprentices aged under 21 in 2018. We will also be providing three months free bus travel for recipients of the Job Grant aged between 16 and 24 once this benefit comes into force.

The Scottish Government has no plans to extend eligibility to the National Concessionary Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People to people aged 18 and under.

Question reference: S5W-06685

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 8 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made toward the electrification of the Glasgow to (a) Kilmarnock and (b) East Kilbride line.

The Scottish Government is committed to rail electrification recognising the key benefits it brings in terms of improved journey times and connectivity, environmental benefits and reduced industry costs.

Future electrification schemes, such as Glasgow to Kilmarnock and East Kilbride will be considered as part of the broader rail infrastructure strategy and investment priorities beyond 2019. Any investment decisions will be subject to business case and affordability.