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: S7W-04822

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of total NHS expenditure on medicines that are subsequently unused, returned, expired or otherwise disposed of in the last five years, broken down by NHS board area and financial year.

Question reference: S7W-04872

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its paper, Green Data Centre guidance, which was published on 2 November 2026 in response to FOI/202600522764, what assessment it has made of hyperscale data centres’ energy requirements and their impact on (a) the electricity grid, (b) household energy bills and (c) potential mitigation measures to protect communities from price rises.

Question reference: S7W-04888

Asked by: Amanda Bland, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Independent
Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the setting of a firm timetable to end animal experiments and the acceleration of the adoption of humane alternatives.

Question reference: S7W-04876

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what requirements it places on public bodies responsible for critical devolved services, including Transport Scotland, ScotRail and local authorities, to maintain and regularly test manual procedures, which are independent of any backup IT systems, as part of their business continuity arrangements for cyber incidents or extended losses of power or telecommunications, and what guidance it provides to them.

Question reference: S7W-04875

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Scottish Water’s ability to supply drinking water safely during any prolonged loss of its digital control systems, including any reliance on the manual operation of treatment works.

Question reference: S7W-04898

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to reassure parents following the recent hoax bomb threats made against some schools in Scotland, and whether it can provide an update as to the origin of this malicious action.

Question reference: S7W-04873

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 November 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it is provided with assurance regarding the resilience of critical infrastructure, and which bodies or organisations are responsible for providing this.

Question reference: S7W-04853

Asked by: Laura Mitchell, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 November 2026
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Gillian Martin on 6 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what decision it has reached regarding the future status of Scottish Forestry, as part of its programme of Public Service Reform.

Following careful consideration of the options for public service reform, I have decided that Scottish Forestry should continue as a stand-alone Executive Agency. I am grateful for the constructive engagement from stakeholders as I considered this decision.

In reaching this decision, I have considered the distinctive long-term nature of forestry investment and the importance of maintaining confidence across the sector. Continued private investment in woodland creation will be critical in order to meet our climate change ambitions and woodland creation targets.

Scotland's forestry sector makes a vital contribution to tackling climate change, restoring nature, supporting rural communities and growing our economy. The sector contributes more than £1 billion annually to the Scottish economy and supports over 34,000 jobs.

I am satisfied that retaining Scottish Forestry as a stand-alone Executive Agency will provide stability and continuity for the sector while ensuring clear accountability for delivering Scotland's forestry ambitions. While Scottish Forestry will remain a dedicated agency, I expect it to continue playing a role in the wider Public Service Reform programme, working closely with partner organisations to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, value for money, collaboration and improved outcomes.

I want to place on record my thanks to the staff of Scottish Forestry, and indeed our other public bodies, whose expertise and professionalism will be essential to delivering our ambitions for climate, nature and sustainable economic growth.

Question reference: S7W-04598

Asked by: Laura Moodie, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 6 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what funding is (a) currently available and (b) planned to support the decarbonisation of domestic and non-domestic buildings in South Lanarkshire.

Grant funding is allocated annually to every Scottish local authority through the Heat in Buildings Area Based Schemes. This is based upon levels of fuel poverty and 'hard to help' properties, as agreed with COSLA. This year we have offered South Lanarkshire a grant of £2,779,000 to deliver local retrofit projects benefitting fuel poor households. More information about funding allocated and claimed by local councils since 2013 through Area Based Schemes is published on the Scottish Government website.

Further funding for the decarbonisation of domestic and non-domestic buildings is also available through other Heat in Buildings schemes, but is not allocated by local authority area. The Heat and Buildings delivery scheme allocations are published here: Heat in Buildings Budget Allocations.

Question reference: S7W-04625

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 29 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 6 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the minimum carbon capture rate that would be considered acceptable in order for the proposed Peterhead gas-fired power plant to operate following its development.