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-12089

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 11 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of any threat to former Hong Kong residents who have resettled in Scotland from the Chinese police service that is reportedly operating in Glasgow.

As the First Minister acknowledged in Parliament on 27 October, the allegations of the existence of such establishments are concerning and she made clear any foreign country that operates in Scotland must abide by Scottish law.

In your questions, you rightly use “reportedly”. As the FM also made clear in her answer, these are matters for the police to consider in terms of any investigation or action. Police Scotland has said they are currently reviewing these reports to assess any criminality in conjunction with local and national partners.

If anyone feels that they have been the victim of unlawful activity, they should report the matter to Police Scotland. Equally if anyone feels threatened, they should report the matter to Police Scotland.

Beyond that, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further. We have not engaged with the Chinese Consulate on this issue. This would not be appropriate while a Police review is underway.

You have asked what whether Scottish Government has met with former members of the Hong Kong community in Scotland to gain knowledge and understanding of their experiences since resettling in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to upholding and advancing the rights of those that choose to make their life here in Scotland, including former Hong Kong residents.

The Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government, COSLA, Police Scotland and third sector partners to understand the needs and requirements of former Hong Kong residents to support their integration into our communities.

You ask what assessment has been made of the number of any attacks that have taken place in Scotland on former Hong Kong residents who have resettled in Scotland by members of the Chinese Communist Party.

You also ask whether a policing assessment has been made of any threat to former Hong Kong residents who have resettled in Scotland from individuals acting in the interests of the Chinese state. These are also matters for the police and it would not be appropriate for me to comment.

Question reference: S6W-12090

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 11 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure that former Hong Kong residents who have resettled in Glasgow feel safe and protected, in light of the reported existence of a branch of the Chinese police service in the city.

Question reference: S6W-12073

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to pig producers experiencing rising costs and price competition from imports.

Last August we launched the Pig Producers Hardship Support Scheme. This scheme initially provided £715,000 of funding to producers and was specifically aimed to support those affected by the temporary closure of the Quality Pig Processors plant at Brechin and the loss of the plant’s export licence to China. We extended the scheme twice for producers who supplied QPP Brechin, with the total support delivered via the scheme now amounting to approximately £1.8 million. We were also aware of the issues in the sector with regard to the shortage of butchers and introduced a private storage aid scheme in Scotland to support processing.

Scottish pig producers have also been impacted by the UK Government decision to avoid implementing import controls earlier this year. That decision has left our domestic producers at disadvantage.

We are also consulting, alongside the UK Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland DAERA on contractual practices in the UK pig sector with the aim of supporting a competitive and resilient sector that delivers benefits for producers.

Question reference: S6W-12069

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time equivalent staff have been employed by the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) in each year since 2016.

Question reference: S6W-12022

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry will conclude.

Question reference: S6W-12018

Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the Cats Protection’s, Cats and Their Stats (CATS) Report Scotland 2022, that “32% of all Scottish cat owners expressed considerable concern over being able to afford bills and other living costs over the next 12 months due to price increases”.

The Scottish Government recognises that the current cost of living crisis families are having to make difficult decisions. It is of course very upsetting when anyone has to give up a pet they dearly love. There are numerous charities who can help and I would encourage anyone who is experiencing difficulties to reach out for advice and where possible for support.

The Scottish SPCA Pet Aid scheme aims to provide essential food supplies for animals through a network of food banks across most of Scotland. Concerned owners looking for help and advice can contact the SSPCA, in confidence, via their helpline on 03000 999 999 or can visit their website to find out more details of their Pet Aid scheme ( Pet Aid | SSPCA (scottishspca.org) )

Question reference: S6W-12025

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards the establishment of a Peace Institute by the end of 2022, as set out in the Programme for Government 2021-22.

The Scottish Government is committed to Scotland being an active and responsible global citizen and we are actively considering the options received in the report commissioned earlier to advise on a Scottish Peace Institute. Our priority is to ensure our offer is appropriate, responsible and complimentary to existing activity both in Scotland and internationally. I look forward to updating Parliament with our plans in due course.

Question reference: S6W-12024

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when the report of the independent review group regarding the establishment of a Peace Institute will be published, and, if it is already published, when it will respond to its findings.

Question reference: S6W-12023

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much it will spend to continue the roll-out of free mobile phones for prisoners, in light of reports that the project is set to continue.

Question reference: S6W-12026

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 21 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to re-categorise mid-market rental properties owned by registered social landlords as social housing for the purposes of the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 in the next financial year.

Mid-Market homes are let under private tenancy arrangements, mostly Private Residential Tenancies. There are therefore no plans to re-categorise mid-market rental properties owned by registered social landlords as social housing, and no decision has been taken about the use of the emergency measures beyond 31 March 2023. Any decision regarding the emergency measures will take into consideration the cost of living situation as it develops, and will be also be informed by our engagement with tenants, landlords and other stakeholders.