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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-06225

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 04 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 14 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what support has been made available to the crofting industry for forestry schemes, diversification, and improvements to buildings, in each year since 2016.

Crofters can access the Forestry Grant Scheme, introduced in 2015, which has a specific premium option aimed at the Northern Isles, Western Isles and crofting counties where establishing trees can be more expensive.

In addition, the Small Woodlands Loan Scheme, introduced in April 2021, aims to reduce cash flow barriers that crofters may face when considering tree-planting. The loan works alongside the Forestry Grant Scheme and is aimed at woodland creation projects of up to 20 hectares in size. It provides up to half of the upfront costs associated with planting a new woodland.

Scottish Forestry is also a partner in the Croft Woodlands Project, run by The Woodland Trust Scotland, which provides free help and advice to crofters, smallholders and common grazings committees.

During the Pillar Two programme period (2014-20) LEADER funding supported Community Led Local Development to deliver a range of thematic activity, which included a range of farm and crofting diversification projects.

The Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme provides grants for agricultural buildings, and the Croft House Grant provides grant funding towards the costs of croft house improvements or a new build croft house.

Question reference: S6W-06197

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 14 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce a bill to restrict the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt.

As set out in our 2021-22 Programme for Government , the Scottish Government will introduce a Public Health Bill that includes restrictions on unhealthier food and drink promotions in this Parliament.

We will consult again on our proposals to restrict unhealthier food and drink promotions in the spring. This will help us consider the impacts of EU exit and the COVID-19 pandemic on our proposals, as well as explore the potential opportunities for alignment across the UK.

Question reference: S6W-05936

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 14 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been committed to supporting breastfeeding in each of the last five years and, of that, how much has been committed to supporting mothers with post-natal mental health issues.

We provide £2.3m per year to NHS Boards to support the 2011 Maternal and Infant Nutrition Framework Action Plan which includes a range of breastfeeding support activities and interventions.

We have additionally provided more than £6m over the past four years to NHS Boards and third sector partners to improve the quality of breastfeeding support.

In 2019, the Scottish Government established the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Programme Board to oversee the delivery of improved perinatal and infant mental health services in Scotland. Since then we have invested over £16 million in perinatal and infant mental health, including specialist community perinatal services, Mother and Baby Units and services provided by the third sector such as peer support, counselling and befriending.

Details are as follows:

		2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	2121-22
Maternal and Infant Nutrition	Allocated	£2.3m	£2.3m	£2.3m	£2.3m	£2.3m
Breastfeeding Projects	Actual	£0	£1.6m	£1.9m	£1.8m	£1.4m

Question reference: S6W-05991

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 14 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence it has had with Avanti West Coast in the last 12 months regarding fair pay for Atalian Servest cleaners.

Question reference: S6W-05989

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 14 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence it has had with (a) rail unions and (b) other stakeholders in the last 12 months on developing new rail freight routes and services.

The Scottish Government routinely receives correspondence from a range of stakeholders including those who are interested in growing rail freight. With regard to rail unions specifically, ASLEF wrote in November 2021 to the then Minister for Transport, and this was followed by a meeting in January to discuss rail freight growth. At this meeting, the Minister invited ASLEF to attend a rail freight industry roundtable meeting on 28 January, chaired by the Director of Rail at Transport Scotland, to discuss how opportunities for rail freight growth can be harnessed.

The Low Carbon Logistics Conference held during COP26 at Mossend also provided the ideal platform to showcase the low carbon transition in the rail and road sectors and how the rail freight industry can help to decarbonise the overall logistics sector.

Question reference: S6W-05993

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 14 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when ScotRail’s response to the public consultation, Fit for the Future, will be published.

Question reference: S6W-06546

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-06544

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-06542

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-06543

Current Status: Withdrawn