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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: S6O-02389

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what the newest developments are in the creation of Scottish Parliament apps to allow the public easier access to parliamentary business papers and other resources.

Question reference: S6O-02391

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what action it takes to ensure that children and young people from across Scotland can visit their Scottish Parliament.

Question reference: S6O-02356

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it will next review the car parking arrangements for MSPs and staff.

Question reference: S6O-02390

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on the efficiency of the passholder secure entry system to the Parliament, in light of reports that passholders are experiencing difficulties in gaining access.

Question reference: S6W-18505

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of any additional financial pressures on local authority budgets being caused by inflation.

Although it is the responsibility of local authorities to assess the impact of inflationary pressures on their budgets, Scottish Government Ministers and officials meet regularly with COSLA and individual local authorities to discuss all their respective financial pressures. This engagement has increased in recent weeks following the First Minister’s re-commitment to working with COSLA and SOLACE to agree a New Deal for Local Government in Scotland with the aim of providing greater flexibility over local funding, with clear accountability for delivery on shared priorities and outcomes.

Question reference: S6W-18465

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15973 by Ivan McKee on 22 March 2023, whether it will provide a further update on efforts to recommence operations at Stoneywood paper mill, in Aberdeen, in light of reports from 12 February 2023 that there was about to be a "credible bid" made.

Question reference: S6W-18372

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the (a) business community, (b) UK Government and (c) Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), regarding how to reduce the number of people in Scotland on zero-hours contracts.

My officials have held numerous engagements with a range of employers in relation to the refreshed Fair Work Action Plan, and updates in Fair Work Policy. Specifically, applying the Fair Work criteria to public sector grants, other funding, and contracts where it’s relevant and proportionate to do so. This includes employers being asked to commit to no inappropriate use of zero hours contracts.

We continue to press the UK Government for the full devolution of employment powers in order to allow us to fully deliver our Fair Work ambitions. We firmly oppose improper use of zero-hours contracts and other non-standard types of employment that offer workers minimal job or financial security.

We have given £250,000 annually for the last seven years to the STUC through the Trade Union Fair Work and Modernisation Fund to support their efforts in tackling precarious work and promoting fair work in under-unionised sectors. We maintain regular contact with STUC to ensure the funding is used effectively.

In 2021 we introduced a Living Hours Employer Accreditation Scheme for Scotland, recognising that as well as payment of the real Living Wage, the number and frequency of working hours and security of contract are critical to addressing in-work poverty.

Question reference: S6W-18095

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to increase competition in the tenancy deposit scheme market, in light of there being currently only three companies, with one of them reportedly having almost 70% of the market share.

A review of the tenancy deposit schemes was undertaken at the end of 2018. It was clear from the findings that the current regulations continued to provide a robust regulatory and operational framework.

Following the review a number of revisions to the operating procedures were made under The Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019 . The schemes submitted revised procedures in October 2019 and were reapproved in November 2019.

Should any additional companies wish to operate a tenancy deposit scheme in Scotland they would be required to apply to Scottish Ministers for approval demonstrating they can meet the requirement of the Regulations before they can operate.

Question reference: S6W-18236

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates its "public-facing digital directory of organisations around the world affiliated with Scotland", as set out in the Scottish Connections Framework, will go live, and how it will be accessed.

A digital directory of organisations with a Scottish connection will launch in 2023. The directory will be hosted on the Scottish Government’s international-facing website www.scotland.org and will be available for all to access without registration.

The directory will include a range of diaspora or affiliated organisations – from traditional clan and St Andrew’s Societies, to established alumni groups and business networks. The directory will be reviewed and updated regularly.

Question reference: S6W-18228

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many restoration orders to restore damaged natural features in certain protected areas have been handed down by courts in each year for which data is available.

Restoration orders can be issued as an additional disposal to people convicted of charges under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 Sections 19(1), 19(3), 27(1) or 36(2). As of 31 December 2022, no restoration orders have been issued as a disposal in a criminal court.

Source: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2020-21 and the Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services Criminal Disposals Dashboard: Q3 2022-23.