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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-39123

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 30 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards have been put in place to ensure transparency in the reform of the school inspection system.

To ensure transparency in the reform of the school inspection system, HM Inspectors introduced a revised approach to stakeholder engagement in November 2024. This approach is designed to support continuous improvement and ensure that inspection activity remains purposeful and inclusive of all stakeholders, including children and young people.

A key safeguard is the establishment of a Stakeholder Forum in December 2024. This forum plays a central role in testing ideas and informing the ongoing review of school inspection. Between December 2024 and May 2025, HM Inspectors engaged with over 1,300 adult stakeholders and 500 children and young people through targeted sessions, national online events, and questionnaires, ensuring a wide range of perspectives were considered.

To further strengthen transparency, professional legitimacy, and system-wide ownership, a public consultation will be launched in Autumn 2025. This will provide an open platform for feedback and help shape reform of the school inspection system.

Question reference: S6W-39215

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government in which year it anticipates that new ferries to replace MV (a) Hjaltland, (b) Hrossey and (c) Hamnavoe, which serve the Northern Isles Ferry Service route, will come into service.

The Vessels and Ports Plan, published as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan, indicates delivery of new tonnage to replace the three NIFS Ro-Pax vessels is expected within Phase 3 (2031-2036). Work on planning for and procuring their replacements will commence during Phase 1(2021-2026). The outline business case for the replacement vessels, including concept design work and project cost estimates, is expected to be presented to Transport Scotland and then Ministers in 2026. The specific timeline of business case activity, procurement and delivery is still currently being developed and will be dependent upon resource, required approvals and available funding.

Question reference: S6W-39217

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what cost estimates it has made of the process to replace MV (a) Hjaltland, (b) Hrossey and (c) Hamnavoe, which have served on the Northern Isles Ferry Service route since 2002.

Question reference: S6W-39243

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 30 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider creating a joint health and justice working group for national leadership and to undertake a review and assessment of any need for clearer standards for alcohol interventions at appropriate stages in the justice system.

The Scottish Government is engaging widely on the creation of a new approach to care and support for people impacted by alcohol. That new approach will include plans for a national specification setting out the interventions required to reduce harm as well as improved standards for implementing those. Standards for alcohol care and support in the justice system are the same as standards in the community.

The Scottish Government has oversight groups in place to help provide national and local leadership with a clear steer on the services which need to be in place in all settings.

Question reference: S6W-39255

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 30 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is national training and guidance for justice settings regarding Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABIs).

The Scottish Government’s national guidance on Alcohol Brief Interventions (ABI) was last published in 2018. It includes advice on training as well as advice for carrying out and recording ABI in justice settings.

In response to the national review of ABI we will be working on updating this guidance and working with Public Health Scotland on refreshing and updating related advice as part of our new approach to alcohol care and support.

Question reference: S6W-39216

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to begin the process of replacing MV (a) Hjaltland, (b) Hrossey and (c) Hamnavoe, which serve the Northern Isles Ferry Service route.

Question reference: S6W-39218

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for the process of replacing MV (a) Hjaltland, (b) MV Hrossey and (c) MV Hamnavoe, which serve the Northern Isles Ferry Service route.

Question reference: S6W-39257

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 30 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the Glasgow Alcohol Court, and whether it will consider rolling this out to other cities.

Specialist courts such as the Glasgow Alcohol Court are the responsibility of Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, rather than the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

There are other good practice examples of problem solving courts, including the Pan-Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drugs Problem Solving Court, which secured funding via the CORRA foundation and launched in December 2023.

If there was a desire to see this approach extended to other areas on the basis of evidence of effectiveness, we would be supportive.

Question reference: S6W-39600

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 26 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what enforcement notices or other regulatory actions the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has issued in relation to the Mossmorran natural gas liquids plant since 1 January 2022, and what remedial steps were required in each case.

Question reference: S6W-39638

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 26 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what data it collects on the number of homes granted planning permission outside of any statistics that are published.