Chamber and committees

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-29099

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 3 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what requirements exist to ensure that public sector buildings are equipped to support mothers who breastfeed at work.

Question reference: S6W-29032

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 3 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has engaged with (a) NHS Highland and (b) Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership regarding the provision of dialysis services in Lorn and Islands Hospital.

Question reference: S6W-29036

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 3 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government (a) where and (b) when the Convention of the Highlands and Islands will next meet.

Question reference: S6W-29037

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 3 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will invite all (a) constituency and (b) regional MSPs to attend the next Convention of the Highlands and Islands.

The Convention of the Highlands and Islands is a public meeting and anyone is welcome to attend. However, only Members and invited speakers are able to contribute to discussions on the day.

While the Scottish Government is the Secretariat for the Convention, it is for the collective membership to decide where non-members should be invited to contribute to the discussion of a meeting of the Convention.

Constituency and regional MSPs for the host area will be made aware of Convention meetings in advance and in accordance with the Ministerial Code (2023).

Question reference: S6W-29515

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 September 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 September 2024

To ask Scottish Government what plans it has to replace the trains that currently operate on ScotRail Intercity services.

The Scottish Government is planning to require ScotRail to procure replacement trains for the current fleet, known as the High Speed Trains (HST) fleet which operate on its InterCity routes between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness.

The aim for the replacement trains will be to provide a more consistent, comfortable experience for passengers on the InterCity routes.

This will ensure the reliability of Intercity routes for the long-term, will reduce emissions from Intercity services and will provide a path towards a decarbonised Intercity network.

The decision follows a process of appraisal to look at different options to replace the trains. These options take into consideration the potential transition from diesel power to electric trains, the availability of funding and affordability challenges.

A contract notice will be published in the coming weeks, with a more detailed delivery timeline available at the point of contract award.

Question reference: S6W-29171

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 19 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 3 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work on inclusive communication, following the closure of its consultation on a Scottish Specific Duty on inclusive communication.

I issued a letter to stakeholders providing an update on the Scottish Government’s work on inclusive communication on 14 August 2024. Due to restrictions in relation to legislative competence, the decision has been made to enhance public authorities' inclusive communication through guidance, tools, and training.

A scoping exercise will identify existing resources and gaps, with new materials to be developed in collaboration with partners and informed by lived experience of using diverse communication tools and approaches. Ministerial powers will be used to require public authorities to consider inclusive communication when fulfilling their equality duties, ensuring more consistent practices.

Question reference: S6W-29438

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6T-02081

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 02 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of its work to tackle the poverty-related educational attainment gap, in light of the gap reportedly widening across all school qualifications in the recent exam results.

Question reference: S6T-02065

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on the culture sector and livelihoods of the reported closure of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund for Individuals due to budgetary constraints.

Question reference: S6F-03302

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 September 2024

To ask the First Minister what analysis the Scottish Government is undertaking of any impact that reductions to winter fuel payments will have on people in Scotland.