Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-16819

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scotland-relevant findings contained in the know.space report commissioned for the UK Space Agency, Size & Health of the UK Space Industry 2022, which was published on 28 March 2023.

The latest report highlights the continuing significance of Scotland’s contribution to the UK space industry, making up 18% of the total workforce.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to supporting our burgeoning space sector identified as a priority in both our Inward Investment Plan and the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

And it is that commitment that helped Mangata Networks choose to locate its state-of-the-art engineering and operations hub for satellite manufacturing and over 500 high skilled jobs in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-16691

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the section of the M8 that passes through central Glasgow, between Junction 15 (Townhead) and Junction 19 (Anderston), generates noise levels in excess of 80 decibels, which is similar to the noise generated by the runway at Glasgow Airport, whether it will consider revising the M8/M73/M74 Motorways (30mph, 40mph and 50mph Speed Limit) Regulations 2022, under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to pilot a 30mph speed limit on this section of the M8 in order to assess its impact on noise pollution.

Question reference: S6W-16567

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Welsh Government regarding the £20 million Welsh Building Safety Developer Loan Scheme, and whether it plans to introduce a similar loan scheme in Scotland.

We meet regularly with the Welsh Government to discuss Building and Fire Safety issues and the delivery of the Cladding Remediation Programme. The safety of residents and homeowners in buildings with potentially unsafe cladding is our absolute priority. On that basis Scottish Government is identifying and assessing buildings through our Single Building Assessment Programme; focusing public funding on remediating so called ‘orphan’ buildings and pressing developers to do the right thing and take responsibility for funding the remediation of their buildings. We will assess the effectiveness and impact of the Building Safety Developer Loan Scheme to consider its applicability in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-16712

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister plans to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and, if so, whether it will provide details of this.

The Coronation is a significant moment and a range of community led events will take place across Scotland to mark the occasion.

The Scottish Government is supporting the Lord Lyon King of Arms to ensure that Scottish Lord Lieutenants and Local Authorities are kept informed of opportunities to be involved in and offer support to those celebrations.

In addition, the Scottish Government has ensured that the people of Scotland will have the opportunity to mark the Coronation by the proclamation of an additional bank holiday which falls on the 8 May.

The First Minister will also represent the people of Scotland when he attends the Coronation at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.

The Scottish Government is also supporting the Lord Lyon’s plan to hold a Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving for The King to be held in Edinburgh later in the year.

Question reference: S6W-16376

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government which of its (a) ministers and (b) officials will give evidence to the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry, and within what timeframe.

Question reference: S6W-16688

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish a Cabinet-level ministerial position focused on housing and tackling homelessness.

There is already a Cabinet-level ministerial position focused on housing and tackling homelessness: the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.

In addition, the appointment of a dedicated minister for housing demonstrates the Scottish Government’s continued commitment to delivering good, safe, secure and warm homes. The Minister for Housing will work alongside the new Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice to achieve ambitions set out in the Housing to 2040 strategy and in our Ending Homelessness Together action plan.

Question reference: S6W-16632

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 April 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 Katarina Barley MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament, on 30 August 2022.

Vice-President of the European Parliament Katarina Barley MEP and I held a positive meeting in August last year, in which we spoke about Scottish Government's draft hydrogen action plan.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international 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-16654

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 20 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are currently working to develop the proposed prospectus for an independent Scotland, broken down by pay grade.

Question reference: S6W-16624

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 April 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 Danuta Hübner MEP on 31 May 2022.

Danuta Hübner MEP and I held a positive meeting in May last year, in which we spoke about the Scottish Government's EU alignment and Energy policies.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international 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-17277

Current Status: Withdrawn

Seòmar agus comataidhean