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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-37081

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to apologise to any women’s rights campaigners who may have been mischaracterised or dismissed as a result of expressing views that the term “woman” refers to biological sex, in light of the Supreme Court ruling regarding For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers.

The Scottish Government accepts the Supreme Court judgment.

The Supreme Court counselled against reading this judgment as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another. It is not. The ruling gives clarity on the interpretation of two pieces of relevant legislation passed at Westminster. We will now engage on the implications of the ruling. Protecting the rights of all will underpin our actions. The Scottish Government acted in good faith in our interpretation of both the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the Equality Act 2010; and as the Supreme Court recognised, our approach was consistent with advice then given by the EHRC.

Question reference: S6W-37146

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what due diligence requirements are in place for Scottish universities entering into, or renewing, international research agreements, particularly with institutions linked to states designated as strategic competitors or hostile by the UK Government.

Question reference: S6W-37076

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on the definition of “woman” in the Equality Act 2010 is final and binding.

Question reference: S6W-37243

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to (a) monitor and (b) publish data on the (i) actual volumes of marine diesel and liquefied natural gas consumed by the MV Glen Sannox once it is in service and (ii) associated fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the CHFS (Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service) contract, the Scottish Government monitors fuel consumption by all vessels operating on the CalMac network. However, there are no plans to publish this data at present.

The Scottish Government does not monitor or publish greenhouse gas emissions produced by, or associated with, vessels operating on the CalMac network. However, CalMac have a reporting requirement under UK MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification) regulations on total carbon emissions for all vessels in their fleet over 5,000 GT (Gross Tonnage).

Question reference: S6W-37145

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue guidance to universities and research institutions regarding collaboration with Chinese entities that UK intelligence agencies have deemed a security risk.

The Scottish Government has no plans to issue additional guidance for universities and research institutions regarding collaboration with Chinese entities that UK intelligence agencies have deemed a security risk.

Universities are autonomous institutions and are responsible for ensuring their alliances and partnerships are safe and appropriate. Ministers expect all institutions to understand and manage the risks associated with international partnerships and conduct appropriate due diligence.

Whilst national security is reserved to the UK Government, we expect universities to comply with relevant legal requirements, including the National Security Act 2023, and National Security and Investment Act 2021. We also expect our universities to carefully consider advice and existing guidance from bodies such as Universities UK, and the UK Government’s Research Collaboration Advice Team, to support them in managing risks of international partnerships.

Question reference: S6W-37273

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many antisocial behaviour incidents have been reported to Police Scotland in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Question reference: S6W-37150

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether any higher education institution has sought its advice, or approval, before entering into partnerships with Chinese organisations engaged in defence, surveillance, or dual-use technology research.

Scottish higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, and any partnerships they enter are a matter for them and their governing bodies.

The Scottish Government expects Scottish universities to carefully consider and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with any partnerships within global academic networks engaged in defence, surveillance, or dual-use technology research. This includes conducting due diligence, taking into account key sector guidance, and remaining compliant with relevant legal requirements, such as the National Security Act 2023 and National Security and Investment Act 2021.

Question reference: S6W-37235

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the current monthly cost of chartering the MV Alfred, and whether that cost has changed since the initial date of the charter.

Question reference: S6W-37237

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Aberdeen City Council and (b) hydrogen suppliers regarding securing alternative fuel supplies for the hydrogen-bus project while life-extension works are carried out at Kittybrewster and Cove, and what the outcomes were of any such discussions.

Scottish Government and Aberdeen City Council officials undertake regular engagement relating to hydrogen in Aberdeen. This has involved discussions relating to the city’s bus fleet, including in the context of the Energy Transition Fund grant to the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub project over the period 2021-22 to 2024-25. Decisions on hydrogen supply to the fleet are a matter for the Council. The Scottish Government has not engaged in any direct discussions with hydrogen suppliers for that fleet.

Question reference: S6W-37240

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 13 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the (a) expected number of road-tanker deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) that will be required each year to supply the MV Glen Sannox, (b) loading terminals from which these deliveries will depart, including the country of origin of the LNG, and (c) arrangements that are in place to ensure security of supply for the vessel.

CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) expect around 80 deliveries of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to be required per year to supply MV Glen Sannox. Delivery of LNG will come by road from the Isle of Grain terminal in Kent. The country of origin can vary depending on the global market. In terms of supply security, this is a matter for CFL as the operator; the Scottish Government has no involvement in these contracts.