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-02375

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when any new tonnage is expected to be introduced on the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service.

Question reference: S7W-02473

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 14 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it measures the spatial extent and intensity of bottom-contact fishing methods by vessels under 12 metres in length in inshore coastal waters, and when it plans to introduce remote electronic monitoring requirements for this type of fishing activity.

The Scottish Government does not currently hold comprehensive data from tracking or monitoring technologies to measure the spatial extent and intensity of bottom-contact fishing activity across the under-12 metre fleet operating in inshore coastal waters.

Improving the availability of spatial fisheries data is a key commitment within the Scottish Government's Fisheries Management Strategy, including the increased use of inshore tracking devices (I-VMS) on under 12 metre vessels.

Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) systems support comprehensive fisheries data collection through the use of cameras, sensors and Global Positioning System technology to independently monitor fishing activity at sea. While REM is a key component of the Fisheries Management Strategy, the Scottish Government is taking a risk based and proportionate approach to its implementation, recognising that the technology is not necessary or appropriate for all vessel types and fisheries, and that alternative approaches, such as vessel tracking technologies, may in some cases provide the data required.

Question reference: S7W-02367

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what is the annual subsidy requirement associated with providing CalMac’s Gourock to Dunoon ferry service in each year since 2024.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Funding is allocated to CalMac on an annual basis in connection with the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract, however this is not broken down by route. Funding provided by the Scottish Government for CHFS services is included in the relevant Section 70 report, which are available online: Section 70 Grant Payments In accordance with: Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 Section 70(4) Financial Year 2024-25; Transport Scotland Section 70 Return - 2025-26 | Transport Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-02417

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin work to reduce the number of public bodies in Scotland.

The First Minister’s 100 Days Programme sets out this Government’s commitment to public service renewal. Work to reform the public service delivery landscape is already underway and will be reflected in the Programme for Government in September. We will continue to work in partnership with public bodies, trade unions and other stakeholders to develop and deliver reforms that improve outcomes, strengthen services and ensure long-term sustainability.

Question reference: S7W-02485

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Liam McArthur (on behalf of the SPCB) on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it has considered commissioning a Scottish Parliament challenge coin for members to present to hosts during official international visits and to members of visiting delegations, in light of the increasing use of such coins by legislatures and public bodies across the Commonwealth, the United States and elsewhere.

The Scottish Parliament’s International Relations Office is responsible for coordinating the purchase of gifts for presentation on both outward and inward visits. Gifts usually include Scottish Parliament branded items though as yet these have not included a challenge coin.

The International Relations Office is currently reviewing the gifts available for presentation. As part of this review, the Head of the International Relations Office would be happy to discuss the possibility of commissioning a Scottish Parliament challenge coin with the Member.

Question reference: S7W-02421

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government which trade unions it has consulted on its plans for a Council for Economic Growth.

Question reference: S7W-02480

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 14 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to fisheries management measures, how it measures improvements to a) the condition of the seabed, b) biodiversity, c) fish populations and d) ecosystems.

The Scottish Government assesses the effectiveness of fisheries management measures using a range of scientific monitoring programmes, indicators and statutory assessments, drawing on evidence collected by the Marine Directorate (MD), NatureScot, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), academic institutions and other partners. Assessments are undertaken at both the site level, including within the Marine Protected Area (MPA) network, and at wider scales.

1.Seabed condition is measured through seabed habitat surveys, habitat mapping, and condition assessments, including monitoring of protected seabed features and the effects of physical disturbance.

2.Biodiversity is assessed through monitoring of marine species and habitats including, fish, seabirds, marine mammals, and benthic and pelagic habitats. Data are collated from a range of programmes including bycatch monitoring, seabird monitoring, trawl surveys, plankton monitoring, and benthic habitat monitoring.

3.The status of fish and shellfish populations is determined on a regular cycle for those commercial fish and shellfish stocks which are the subject of quantitative stock assessments, provided either from the ICES or internally from the MD. Data for these are collated from commercial fisheries, and research-vessel or other surveys.

4.Ecosystems are measured using a range of indicators that bring together evidence on habitats, fish populations, plankton, and marine food webs. These assessments draw on several scientific monitoring programmes and contribute to wider assessments of environmental status.

Question reference: S7W-02365

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the number of (a) scheduled sailings and (b) sailings actually provided on CalMac's Gourock to Dunoon ferry service between March 2025 and March 2026, and what the reasons were for any variance between the two.

Question reference: S7F-00029

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 September 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S7F-00030

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 September 2026

Question to be taken in Chamber.