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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-16715

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 3 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many different bonus schemes are available at Ferguson Marine, and, from these, how (a) much has been paid out and (b) many people have received bonuses, in each year since 2018.

Scottish Government have been made aware of details of the bonus scheme for senior management at Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) (Holdings) Ltd. The scheme allocates payments on 3 levels with the CEO at level 1, directors at level 2 and other senior management at level 3. Table 1 sets the total amount paid in bonus payments to FMPG Senior Management from 2018-19 to date.

Table 1 Bonus Payments at FMPG 2018-19 to 2022-23

18-19	1 staff member	£48.8k
19-20	9 staff members	£135k
20-21	0 staff member	£0
21-22	6 staff members	£87.9k
22-23	8 staff members	£47,218*

*£47,218 has been calculated as due in 2022-23 with the first instalment of £23,609 paid in April 2023, and second in June 2023.

Scottish Ministers acquired Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited from administration in December 2019 and a new company Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Ltd (FMPG) was created. Not all data and information before this date has been made available to Scottish Government and this answer is based upon the information we have available to date.

Question reference: S6W-16726

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 3 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the consultation on its proposed Agriculture Bill.

Question reference: S6W-16442

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the economic impact of delayed treatment for patients with essential tremor.

The Scottish Government has not specifically considered the economic impact of delayed treatment for patients with essential tremor.

We recognise the importance of ensuring patients can access the treatment they require. Currently, patients who are eligible for magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for essential tremor can be referred to NHS Tayside in conjunction with the University of Dundee. Patients can also be referred to other services through cross border referral routes if appropriate.

Question reference: S6W-16770

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the plans to resolve safety issues at Tarbolton Moss Landfill Site.

The Scottish Government is not directly responsible for the site, or its regulation. However, the risk to human health outwith the site remains low and signage is in place to warn members of the public to keep off the site.

The Scottish Government intends to fund the removal of giant hogweed from the site again this year to prevent the spread of this threat to public health.

SEPA continues to monitor the site regularly, with the most recent site assessment outlining that the conditions remain poor but stable. The site conditions do not appear to be deteriorating, but there is an ongoing environmental impact to surface water. The most recent update from SEPA on the status of the site can be found here: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-16718

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 3 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of The 2021/22 audit of Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Limited report, what action it is taking to address Ferguson Marine’s workforce challenges in order to ensure delivery of vessels 801 and 802.

The recruitment, training and retention of the workforce at Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Ltd (FMPG) is a matter for FMPG.

The workforce at FMPG is diverse ranging from trades specialising in ship building as well as other professions and trades which are transferable to other sectors.

Apprenticeships continue to be a valued part of Scotland’s future workforce in cultivating fresh talent in sustaining specialised trades for our future industries. There are 52 apprentices gaining valuable industry recognised qualifications at the ship building yard in Port Glasgow.

Question reference: S6W-16716

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 3 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding Ferguson Marine, whether it will provide an update on (a) any new contracts that have been awarded, (b) the number of bids submitted for work and (c) the total value of any bonuses paid, since 16 March 2023.

Question reference: S6W-16443

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the ways in which magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment can improve a patient’s employment prospects.

The Scottish Government recognises the benefits magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) could provide to eligible patients with essential tremor.

Having access to appropriate treatment is crucial to a patient’s employment prospects. The commissioning of specialist services through NHS National Services Division (NSD) allows all patients regardless of their Health Board to access the specialist care and treatment they need. At present, no new application has been received to designate MRgFUS as a national specialist service to NHS Tayside. NSD will continue to work with the MRgFUS team in NHS Tayside in the meantime.

Alternatively, eligible patients for magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for essential tremor can be referred to NHS Tayside in conjunction with the University of Dundee. Patients can also be referred to other services through cross border referral routes if appropriate.

Question reference: S6W-17308

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 3 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether dog trainers will be in scope for the upcoming consultation on the expansion of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, following the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission’s observation in the Report on the use of handheld remote-controlled training devices (e-collars) in dog training that "professional trainers and behaviourists, are unregulated and are not legally required to have understanding of or training in animal welfare, learning theory or the harm/benefit analysis of e-collar use".

Question reference: S6W-17354

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 3 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will initiate an independent review into the architecture of political integrity and transparency in Scotland.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of political integrity and transparency, and takes these issues seriously. We review and update guidance when necessary. Since 2016 Scotland has been a member of the Open Government Partnership, a global partnership with civil society that works to make governments more inclusive, responsive, and accountable. As part of this work, we will consider the options for a review of political integrity and transparency in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-17188

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 3 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential prevalence of modern slavery in Scotland's waste management sector.

The Scottish Government condemns all forms of human trafficking or exploitation.

The Scottish Government has not assessed the potential prevalence of modern slavery in Scotland's waste management sector. Police Scotland monitor trafficking and exploitation trends in Scotland and the wider UK closely in order to tackle serious and organised crime effectively, including the potential for trafficking in the waste management sector.

The Scottish Government has provided grants to the Scottish Waste Industry Training, Competency, Health and Safety (SWITCH) Forum. As part of this grant funding, SWITCH has organised monthly webinars covering a range of issues, including modern slavery in the waste industry. The SWITCH webinars are available here: Webinars – SWITCH (switchforum.org.uk) .