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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-12694

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the proposed Clyde Metro transport system, whether there could be scope for including areas in the Glasgow City region more than 15 kilometres from the city centre, in particular if that location has poor public transport links.

Question reference: S6W-12577

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing a renewable energy SME loan scheme, which has been identified by Scottish Renewables as crucial for developing the supply chain and meeting the needs of domestic and international energy projects.

Developing a strong supply chain for renewables is crucial to deliver on Scotland’s net zero ambitions, and to ensure Scotland’s economy and communities see the benefits of this transition.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role of SMEs in Scotland’s energy transition, and has a number of initiatives underway to support the supply chain including the Heat in Buildings Supply Chain Delivery Plan, published on 11 November. This sets out practical steps that will be taken to support the growth of the green heat sector – including supporting green jobs, leveraging private investment and helping businesses seize the economic opportunities offered by the transition to net zero.

An export plan which supports international ambitions of the Scottish supply chain is also being developed and will be published soon.

ScotWind promises to be transformational in delivering wider economic supply chain benefits, and developers have committed to invest an average projection of £1.4bn in Scotland per project. Onshore, the Scottish Government has awarded £9.8 million to the Energy Transition Zone, to stimulate investment from indigenous energy supply chain companies looking to deliver green energy projects, and to strengthen their capacity to take advantage of UK and international opportunities.

Our Business Energy Scotland SME Loan and Cashback scheme provides interest free loans from £1,000 up to £100,00 to Scotland based SMEs for the installation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies.

Question reference: S6W-12681

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether the next National Marine Plan will include detailed marine spatial plans for mobile and static fishing gears.

The purpose of the National Marine Plan is to set out the strategic policies for the sustainable development of our marine resources. The current National Marine Plan reflects broad spatial areas for certain types of activities (for example through policies such as RENEWABLES 1 and AQUACULTURE 1, 2 and 3). The content of the new National Marine Plan (NMP2) is yet to be defined. Given its strategic nature, it is anticipated that it will similarly reflect broad areas for certain types of activity, as informed by other relevant marine planning processes and policies. It will also provide at a strategic level an overview of the range of human activities in the marine space, including fisheries, and their associated cumulative impacts and interactions.

In addition, Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy sets out our approach to managing sea fisheries in Scotland in partnership with our stakeholders through ‘co-management’ and in a way that balances environmental, social and economic interests. As part of our 12 point action plan, we will address issues around the shared marine space linking with wider developments through the Blue Economy approach, considering how fishing interests can work alongside others marine users including offshore renewables.

Our Fisheries Management Strategy commits to rolling out Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) to key parts of the fishing fleet, and prioritises making REM (including Global Positioning Systems (“GPS”), sensors and cameras) mandatory on scallop dredge vessels and pelagic vessels. REM provides opportunities to modernise the way in which accountability and confidence is provided in delivering responsible and sustainable fisheries management. This is a substantial change programme and one that will significantly improve our data, and our abilities to monitor activity and fish stocks, which will feed into future spatial management measures.

We are also developing our Future Catching Policy, in partnership with our stakeholders, which will link stock management with responsive and proportionate technical and spatial measures to take concrete action to support fishers to avoid catching fish and other species which they don’t want to land, or catch in the first place – reducing waste and improving environmental outcomes.

Question reference: S6W-12680

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on addressing any socioeconomic impacts on marine industries affected by the need for a just transition to a low-impact fishing industry.

The Scottish Government is committed to working to deliver a just transition to climate resilience and net zero for Scotland. Scotland’s Future Fisheries Management Strategy sets out our approach to managing sea fisheries in Scotland in partnership with our stakeholders through ‘co-management’ and in a way that balances environmental, social, and economic interests to ensure the long-term sustainable management of Scotland’s fishing sector.

We recognise that planning and stakeholder engagement will be crucial to ensure that the economic and social impacts and opportunities from the transition for climate resilience and net zero are not missed and that risks associated with rapid structural change are mitigated where possible. Understanding the social and economic impacts and opportunities for marine sectors using just transition principles is at an early planning stage and will be evidence-informed and co-designed, working with those most impacted by the transition to help shape our approach.

Question reference: S6W-12684

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11996 by Lorna Slater on 22 November 2022, whether any species control agreements or species control orders have been issued in the north east of Scotland for giant hogweed, and, if not, for what reason.

NatureScot has not made any species control agreements in northeast Scotland. Species control agreements can be useful where inaction on a particular land holding is jeopardising the success of a coordinated control project. Working with landowners on a voluntary basis is a more effective way to secure a long-term commitment to tackling invasive plants.

The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative works with hundreds of landowners to control invasive plants on riverbanks in northeast Scotland. As infestations are brought under control, landowners are asked to sign voluntary agreements to continue the control work. As of 7 October 2022, 34 landowners had signed voluntary agreements to control giant hogweed in northeast Scotland.

See also answer to question S6W-09427 on 29 July 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-11905

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to introduce new legislation regarding prompt payment, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Question reference: S6W-11839

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce new legislation regarding prompt payment, and specifically in relation to construction companies being paid.

Question reference: S6W-12573

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-12087 by Jenny Gilruth on 22 November 2022, whether it will provide the information requested regarding what outcomes or responses from its consultation would lead it to withdrawing its commitment to fully dual the A96.

Question reference: S6W-12544

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the prevention of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) escape incidents.

Question reference: S6T-01041

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 December 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that a suspect involved in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing has been detained in custody by US authorities.