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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: S5W-25293

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 3 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of hydroelectric power for securing a sustainable future, and how this will inform its work to make Scotland a Hydro Nation.

Scotland’s Energy Strategy, published in December 2017, sets out our priorities for the future energy system in Scotland. This comprises a whole-system approach that promotes renewables – including hydro-power and other low carbon alternatives – as part of a diverse, well balanced energy supply mix, which we believe is vitally important in supporting Scotland’s transition to a net-zero economy.

Hydro-electric power has a long and illustrious history in Scotland and we are committed to encouraging and promoting this by creating a supportive environment.

We continue to recognise the benefits of pumped storage hydro (PSH) – it allows large-scale energy storage which helps to provide security of supply and support renewable growth as we move to a decarbonised energy system and new mix of generation technologies. Investment in new PSH capacity in Scotland could greatly enhance the flexibility and resilience of our electricity network and power supplies.

Such investment would represent major infrastructure projects, with considerable economic and industrial value attached.

Furthermore, we are committed to supporting and working with the small-scale hydro sector to provide an informed, supportive policy framework to encourage the continued deployment of this technology.

The Scottish Government's Hydro Nation strategy supports our vision of Scotland as a country that maximises the economic and non-economic? value of our water resources and manages them sustainably and responsibly.

Our Hydro Nation strategy has led to the introduction of dedicated business and innovation support for the water sector, improved knowledge networks and research programmes on key water issues, all underpinning one of Scotland's fastest growing sectors with potential for further growth.

The 6th annual Hydro Nation Report ( https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotland-hydro-nation-annual-report-2019/ ) highlighting the work being undertaken to deliver on the Hydro Nation strategy and associated vision was laid in The Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 19 th September and published on the Scottish Government website.

Question reference: S5W-25313

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 3 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in superfast broadband in the South Scotland region in the last five years, including gainshare.

The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB) programme has provided access to fibre broadband to over 170,000 premises in the South of Scotland region with over 150,000 capable of accessing superfast speeds.

Alongside our partners, we have invested more than £400 million in the DSSB programme, with the Scottish Public Sector contributing £164.9 million of the total expenditure. As this is a national programme, it is unfortunately not possible to provide a financial breakdown by region.

In the constituency of Galloway and West Dumfries, the latest assured data show that more than 27,200 premises in the area now have access to fibre broadband, thanks to the DSSB roll-out, with more than 23,600 of those able to access speeds of Megabits per second or above, as a result of the DSSB programme.

Question reference: S5W-24862

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 3 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has made available for oil and gas innovation and business support since September 2016.

Our continued support for oil and gas exploration and production in the North Sea will now be conditional upon a sustainable, secure and inclusive energy transition. This will include an increased net zero investment by industry and government.

Through the Aberdeen City Region Deal we have committed £90 million over the next decade to support the creation of the Oil and Gas Technology Centre (OGTC). Since September 2016, we have provided £23,600,000 towards this.

The OGTC has also received funding from the Decommissioning Challenge Fund (DCF) launched by the First Minister in 2017. In the financial year 2017-18, £1,750,000 was awarded to invest in capital equipment which would further support decommissioning technology and innovation. During 2018/19, a further £2,617,000 was awarded for 3 projects at the National Decommissioning Centre site, located at Newburgh, Aberdeenshire.

In addition, the Scottish Funding Council has contributed £6,571,200 since September 2016 to support the establishment of the Oil and Gas Innovation Centre.

In the same period, Scottish Enterprise have spent £44,694,170 in supporting the oil and gas sector. Additionally, Highlands and Islands Enterprise have contributed £3,977,020 since September 2016. Funding in this area has helped to create and safeguard jobs; attract investment and help to anchor the oil and gas and energy sectors in Scotland as well as ensuring continued energy security of supply.

Question reference: S5W-25295

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 27 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when the National Forum on Climate Change will be established, and how its membership will be configured.

We will establish a National Forum on Climate Change to bring together Scotland’s businesses, public sector, communities and individuals so that everyone can be involved in the continued conversation on climate change and the decisions we will all have to take. We will update the Climate Change Plan within six months of the Climate Bill Royal Assent and the National Forum will be established in 2020 after the update to the Plan is published.

Question reference: S5W-25294

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 27 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent the review of the Climate Change Plan will outline actions for ensuring that the energy sector contributes to realising a net-zero target.

In its report on Net-Zero, published 2 May 2019, the UK Committee on Climate Change was very clear that in order to achieve net-zero emissions, more effort is needed from all sectors. The Scottish Government accepts that analysis, and in updating the Climate Change Plan will show how all sectors, including energy, will contribute to meeting the more ambitious targets being brought forward in the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill.

Question reference: S5O-03602

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many farm holdings will have support payments withheld as a result of unresolved disputes regarding the Land Parcel Identification System mapping process.

Question reference: S5W-25379

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its planned investment for routes serving the ferry hub at Cairnryan, as referred to in the SNP's 2016 election manifesto.

We are delivering on the pledges made in the 2016 Manifesto. Improvements on the A77 are currently underway with the construction of the Maybole bypass, which is expected to open in summer 2021 subject to any unforeseen circumstances such as adverse weather.

We have also progressed early work on the second Strategic Transport Projects Review, in the South West of Scotland. This has led to publication of the South West Scotland Transport Study draft study report on the 27 June, which identified 23 potential transport interventions for the region.

Comments received on the report will now be considered prior to the publication of the final report later this year. The final outcomes will then inform the second Strategic Transport Projects Review, which will set out a clear programme of potential transport investment opportunities for Scottish Ministers over the next 20 years.

Question reference: S5W-25216

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 September 2019
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 24 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is an agreement in place between it and the UK Government regarding public access to MoD sites in Scotland and, if so, whether it will publish this.

Public access to Ministry of Defence (MoD) sites in Scotland is a reserved matter and there is no agreement in place between the Scottish Government and the UK Government regarding public access to MOD sites in Scotland. However, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) summarises the MOD’s position on public access to military land in Scotland such that there is a presumption in favour of safe public enjoyment of the estate wherever this is compatible with operational and military training needs, public safety and security.

Question reference: S5W-24863

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has made available through the Transition Training Fund (TTF) since September 2016.

Question reference: S5W-24875

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 August 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 September 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been paid out by the Training Transition Fund since September 2017.

Since September 2017 until end-August 2019 the Transition Training Fund spent £5,093,775. Between February 2016 and September 2017 the Fund spent £5,559,465,

Therefore, since its launch in February 2016, the Transition Training Fund has cumulatively spent £10,653,240. Although the fund has now closed for new applications, the cumulative expenditure will continue to increase as existing applicants finalise their training courses.

Overall, the Fund has supported more than 4,000 people, this surpassed initial aim of supporting 1,000 participants in each of the three years the Fund was in operation .