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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: S6W-12669

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the purchase of agricultural land by foreign businesses to create woodlands to offset their carbon footprint.

The Scottish Government has published a set of Interim Principles for Responsible Investment in Natural Capital, which set out our expectations of stakeholders in a high integrity, values-led market for responsible investment in natural capital. These principles highlight the importance of wider environmental, social and economic outcomes including maintaining the resilience of food supply and generating opportunities for agricultural tenants and crofters to benefit from new investments.

Any investment in woodlands for carbon credits should be both measurable and verifiable through the government-backed Woodland Carbon Code , the mechanism through which land owners and companies can purchase offsets in Scotland and the UK. The Code is backed by all the governments across the UK, and is a domestic standard for use by companies with UK operations to offset emissions in the UK.

Question reference: S6O-01737

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures good governance in Scotland's colleges.

Question reference: S6O-01735

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to close the autism spectrum employment gap.

Question reference: S6O-01738

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many vessels operated by CalMac, Northlink or Scotland’s local authorities will be operating past their working life expectancy by the end of the current parliamentary session.

Question reference: S6O-01734

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it will seek to achieve a balance between food and energy security, in relation to permitting the use of productive agricultural land for the deployment of large-scale solar arrays.

Question reference: S6O-01736

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has with the UK Government regarding reports of delays of payment of Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers.

Question reference: S6O-01733

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to supporting the gaming industry in Scotland during the cost of living crisis.

Question reference: S6O-01732

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what it is doing to improve and maintain the road network in Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-01726

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to review the legislation on licensing of short-term let accommodation, in light of the reported unintended consequences for existing providers that have emerged.

Question reference: S6O-01711

Asked by: Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it is addressing any impact of the EU Withdrawal Agreement on the seed potato sector.