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-02246

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 20 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support and increase horticulture training and education provision in the west of Scotland and Greater Glasgow areas.

The Scottish Government recognises the wide range of careers available in the horticultural sector, and the importance of effective training and educational pathways to deliver a workforce equipped with the skills and expertise demanded by the sector.

In 2026-27 the Scottish Government is investing over £2.4 bn in our post-school education and skills system, supporting the delivery of horticulture provision at education providers across the west of Scotland, including Ayrshire College, Glasgow Clyde College, New College Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire College. While colleges and universities operate independently of Government, with responsibility for their own course provision, we recognise and support collaborative work between those sectors and industry to address horticulture skills needs.

The Scottish Government also funds the 2026-27 Lantra workplan, which supports diverse and rewarding career development in the land-based sectors, including horticulture across Scotland, the UK and Ireland. Scottish Government officials continue to attend regular Horticulture Skills Group meetings, which provide an opportunity for further and higher education institutions to connect with employers, local authorities and other organisations.

While the Scottish Government does not currently offer regional specific support for horticulture education provision, we have supported and endorsed the development of Regional Economic Partnerships (REPs). These partnerships will seek to unlock new powers, and design delivery models tailored to local priorities. This could include powers in areas such as skills, further education, economic development and planning.

Question reference: S7W-02211

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 20 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the introduction of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025, what action it is taking to restrict contaminants of concern in treated sewage sludge (biosolids) applied to agricultural land, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics, bisphenols and pharmaceutical residues.

The Scottish Government recognises the challenges associated with emerging contaminants, including microplastics and pharmaceuticals, and intends to keep pace with developments in EU regulation.

Regulation of the practice of applying sewage sludge to land in Scotland was reviewed and amended with the introduction of the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025. No change to the list of regulated contaminants (“Potentially Toxic Elements”) was made at that time as evidence produced for the review did not support it. However, with the wider environment in mind, the Scottish Government is reviewing changes that the EU has recently made to the EU Priority Substance list under the Water Framework Directive; the contaminants PFAS, microplastics, bisphenol A and pharmaceutical products have all been added to the EU list for the regulation of the water environment.

Question reference: S7W-02586

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S7W-02587

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S7W-02081

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 27 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 19 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Creative Scotland regarding the sale of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) building on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

I am in regular contact with Creative Scotland on this matter and have been crystal clear that the former Centre for Contemporary Arts building should re-open as an important asset for Glasgow and Scotland’s culture and creative sector as soon as possible. I am assured by Creative Scotland that the ongoing cultural value of the building is the key consideration in it’s process of seeking expressions of interest to see the empty building back open and operating.

Question reference: S7W-02157

Asked by: David Linden, MSP for Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 19 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing measures adopted elsewhere in Europe to reduce the prevalence of illegally modified e-bikes in Scotland, such as restrictions on the sale of speed-limiter tuning kits.

The Scottish Government is committed to working alongside all of our partners to tackle the antisocial and criminal use of vehicles, including e-bikes. Officials regularly consider actions taken in other jurisdictions to tackle common issues.

Any new restrictions would need to be compatible with the limitations posed by the Scotland Act (such as the reservation of internet services) and the Internal Market Act.

Question reference: S7W-02153

Asked by: David Linden, MSP for Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 19 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the outcomes of Police Scotland's Operation Armour in Aberdeen, which targeted the illegal use of personal light electric vehicles (PLEVs), such as e-bikes and e-scooters, and associated antisocial behaviour and criminality, including the number of vehicles seized; what information it has regarding (a) the number and nature of charges brought and subsequent (i) prosecutions and (ii) convictions, and (b) any changes in reported antisocial behaviour attributable to the operation; what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding the potential roll-out of the operation beyond Aberdeen, including through a national framework or funded programme for targeted enforcement against such behaviour, what assessment it has made of any links between the activities targeted by the operation and other criminality, including the supply of illegal drugs and breaches of bail conditions, and what plans it has to review the adequacy of the legislation covering PLEVs, in light of the experience of Operation Armour and similar operations.

The Scottish Government welcomes initiatives from Police Scotland to target antisocial behaviour and strengthen enforcement of law in this area.

Police Scotland have confirmed the following were seized during Operation Armour: 5 SurRon style electric motorcycles; 19 adapted e-bikes; 15 electric scooters; 5 petrol motorcycles; 1 van; and 1 car. Additionally, drugs and cash were also seized. In total, 50 people were charged with various road traffic offences, which include Dangerous Driving, Disqualified Driving, driving an unregistered vehicle without a licence, driving an unregistered vehicle without insurance, driving on footpaths and not wearing a crash helmet. Four people were also charged with drug supply during the operation.

Legislation regarding PLEVs is reserved to the UK Government.

Question reference: S7W-02082

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 27 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 19 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has agreed to the sale of the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) building on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

Question reference: S7W-02349

Asked by: Michelle Campbell, MSP for Renfrewshire North and Cardonald, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 19 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, for each local authority, (a) how many businesses received non-domestic rates relief and (b) the total value of relief awarded, in (i) 2024-25 and (ii) 2025-26.

The requested information can be found in Table 4 of both the Non-domestic rates relief statistics 2024 and the Non-domestic rates relief statistics 2025.

The figures in these publication are based on Billing System Snapshots, an annual property-level data return provided to the Scottish Government by councils. Values of reliefs are estimates based on the reliefs in place on the snapshot date. The values of reliefs reported are the total values of reliefs, funded by both the Scottish Government and by councils.

Outturn values of reliefs, including a breakdown by council area, are published in Non-domestic rates income statistics.

Question reference: S7W-01981

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 19 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to meet its duties under section 2 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003, and what assessment it has made of whether these duties are being fully met.

Scottish Ministers meet their duties under section 2 of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003, principally through approval of River Basin Management Plans to protect and improve the water environment in Scotland. Other actions include supporting the delivery of Scotland’s third River Basin Management Plan, for example through the Water Environment Fund. Scottish Ministers are meeting their statutory duties under section 2.