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-19787

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to appoint directors to the board of any future Deposit Return Scheme administrator.

Question reference: S6W-19560

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 03 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it was first informed that Circularity Scotland was going into administration.

The Scottish Government was first informed that Circularity Scotland was likely to go into administration late on 19 June 2023 and was formally told that they were appointing administrators on 20 June 2023. The administrators confirmed they had been appointed on their website on 21 June 2023.

We had told the UK Government that Circularity Scotland were likely to go into administration should they not provide a full exclusion to the Internal Market Act for the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland to allow it to go ahead as planned on 1 March 2024.

Question reference: S6W-19788

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it required the establishment of a minimum viable product from applicants to be a Deposit Return Scheme administrator, and, if not, for what reason such a requirement was not deemed necessary.

The information to be contained in an application for scheme administrator approval is set out in Schedule 2 of the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020 as passed by the Scottish Parliament. The design and operational detail of the scheme is a matter for the scheme administrator. Following the March 2023 gateway review, scoping work was commenced to finalise a Target Operating Model. This work has been paused due to the UK Government’s 11th hour intervention which undermined Scotland’s deposit return scheme.

Question reference: S6W-19643

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 03 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether the newly announced Investment Zones in Glasgow and Aberdeen will be subject to the same regime of workers' rights as the rest of Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-19651

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to raise the issue of how e-cigarettes are treated in Scotland under Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations as part of the ongoing UK-wide review.

Question reference: S6W-19845

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 07 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether key infrastructure is integral to ensuring the survival of Scotland’s cultural heritage, particularly in Gaelic-speaking communities, and what it is doing to ensure that the use of Gaelic increases.

The Scottish Government recognises that key infrastructure such as housing, transport, connectivity and employment can contribute to the survival of Scotland’s cultural heritage, particularly Gaelic speaking communities in areas of low population. The Scottish Government is also taking a number of steps to ensure the use of Gaelic increases and this includes promoting and supporting a wide range of initiatives and projects in a range of sectors in Scottish public life.

Question reference: S6W-19847

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 07 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) its agencies, (b) local authorities and (c) community-led organisations regarding the key recommendations in the report of the Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic.

The Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic contains a number of recommendations which sit within a wide range of business areas within the Scottish Government. The report was prepared by an independent group that took evidence from both public authorities and community groups. The recommendations are currently being allocated to separate Scottish Government business areas. These business areas will then discuss with relevant interests in order to consider what progress can be made.

Question reference: S6W-19840

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to increase public awareness of any environmental and economic benefits of using reusable nappies.

The Scottish Government promotes the use of reusable nappies by including a voucher for one waterproof nappy wrap and five stay dry nappy pads in Scotland’s Baby Box. The voucher also signposts families to the Scottish Government Parent Club website which highlights the benefits of using reusable nappies and provides helpful advice and tips on nappy use. Ready Steady Baby , which is given out at antenatal appointments, also highlights the benefits of reusable nappies.

Question reference: S6W-19222

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any potential implications for its Deposit Return Scheme, whether it has carried out contingency planning for a situation where Circularity Scotland would cease trading.

The Scottish Government assesses and monitors a range of risks relating to the delivery of the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland and takes appropriate action.

Circularity Scotland is now in administration and the Scottish Government is considering the next steps in accordance with the Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020.

We remain committed to the delivery of the Deposit Return Scheme but as stated in Parliament on 7 th June, this will not now launch until October 2025 at the earliest due to the UK Governments 11 th hour intervention through their decision on the Internal Market Act exclusion.

Question reference: S6W-19221

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 18 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding any potential implications for its Deposit Return Scheme, whether it has undertaken any planning for a situation where Circularity Scotland would have a year-end deficit.

Circularity Scotland Limited is a private not for profit company set up by industry. As an independent private company, it is not required to report to the Scottish Government and is responsible for its own financial planning. Therefore the Scottish Government has not undertaken any planning in relation to Circularity Scotland’s financing.

Circularity Scotland is currently in administration. More information on this can be found at: : Interpath Administrators appointed to Circularity Scotland Ltd (interpathadvisory.com)