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-00049

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 28 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many officials in the Energy Consents Unit are currently assigned to determining major electricity transmission infrastructure applications.

Question reference: S7W-00055

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 28 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the roll-out of 20mph speed limits on roads managed by Transport Scotland

The Scottish Government committed to implement 20mph speed limits on those roads where it is appropriate to do so across Scotland. Assessment criteria were prepared in conjunction with the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), Police Scotland, Transport Scotland and various local authorities to identify which roads can be considered as ‘appropriate’

A total of 104 locations were assessed by Transport Scotland for introduction of 20mph speed limits in line with the assessment criteria. Of the 104 locations, 75 were identified as being suitable for a 20mph speed limit. It has been agreed that implementation of one of the two sections of 20mph speed limit on the A78 in Greenock will be delayed until completion of major roadworks in the area.

Of the remaining 74 locations, all are currently operating with a 20mph speed limit in place.

Question reference: S7W-00400

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 28 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what portfolio responsibilities are held by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice currently.

Question reference: S7W-00115

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 28 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds regarding the number of drones detected in the vicinity of each prison in each of the last five years.

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS understand the risk that drones present to security and stability of our prisons and that is why we have implemented security measures such as window grilles and targeted interventions to lessen their impact.

Drone recoveries include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, SIM cards, weapons, various drugs and miscellaneous articles such as USB memory sticks and tweezers.

SPS recognise the continued threat presented by drones and are actively engaging with Police Scotland and both UK and European Prison Services, to share best practice and explore common solutions.

SPS record confirmed data on drone sightings and recoveries. The latest full year figures are presented in the following table:

Establishment	2021 - 22	2022 - 23	2023 - 24	2024 - 25	2025 - 26
Addiewell	1			4	2
Barlinnie	3	2	24	27	38
Bella
Dumfries				1
Edinburgh	2	12	23	22	6
Glenochil		1	3	1	6
Grampian
Greenock			1	1
Inverness	1		1	3	4
Kilmarnock					7
Lilias			1
Low Moss			6	3	1
Open Estate				1
Perth		5	8	3	1
Polmont					1
Shotts		1		3	5
Stirling					1
TOTAL	7	21	67	69	72

Question reference: S7W-00013

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 28 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of Award of DSF – Jury Deliberation Research, in February 2026, by what date it will publish the findings of the research commissioned that will explore jury deliberations in rape and attempted rape cases, and whether it will commit to publishing (a) the full report and (b) details of the methodology used, including any limitations that were encountered when carrying this out.

Question reference: S7W-00079

Asked by: Laura Mitchell, MSP for Moray, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 28 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the need for offshore storage for wind turbines to meet demands of the offshore wind sector, and what the outcome was.

Question reference: S7W-00110

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 28 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds regarding the number of student nurses who have withdrawn from nursing degree courses, broken down by institution, in each of the last five academic years.

Question reference: S7W-00002

Asked by: Alan Brown, MSP for Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 28 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for announcing the (a) location and (b) opening date of the proposed walk-in GP clinic for East Ayrshire.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran are part of phase two of the GP walk-in services pilot and are leading the design and implementation of the East Ayrshire service. Phase two sites will be based in high street or former retail premises, similar to some vaccination clinics. These locations require longer lead times, as converting retail spaces into clinically compliant facilities must meet strict safety standards, particularly for vulnerable patients. Further details on the pilot site will be shared once commercial and clinical agreements are finalised.

Question reference: S7W-00009

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 28 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to dual the (a) A96 and (b) A9, including what budget has been committed to both projects, and the up-to-date timeline for completion.

As outlined in our pledge over the first 100 Days of a new government and as set out in the Scottish Budget 2026-27, Scottish Spending Review 2026 and the Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline 2026, published on 13 January, the Scottish Government is fully committed to dualling the A9 between Perth and Inverness and the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen.

The Scottish Government provided an update to Parliament on the A9 Dualling Programme in January 2026 and will be providing a further update to MSPs at the upcoming MSP Engagement Briefing in Parliament to which you will be invited. I can confirm that delivery of the A9 Dualling is currently on track as per the 2026 Delivery Plan, with 11 miles currently under construction.

The A9 Dualling Programme is estimated to cost £3.97 billion at April 2025 prices and the Scottish Government remains committed to completing the A9 Dualling programme by the end of 2035.

In terms of the A96, the Scottish Government supports the full dualling of the route. As part of this commitment the Scottish Government is already starting the dualling process from Inverness to Nairn, including Nairn Bypass.

With the land acquired for the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) in 2025, funding is included in the 2026-27 Budget to commence the delivery of advanced works. In parallel to the advanced works, investment in 2026-27 will also allow Transport Scotland to continue to take forward the work to determine the most suitable procurement option for delivering the scheme and further develop the Business Case.

The Scottish Government’s preference would be to deliver the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) as one project. However, due to the continued fiscal challenges, it is planned that the Scottish Government will take forward a phased approach to delivery, starting with the Nairn Bypass, followed by the remaining sections of the scheme, from Seafield, east of Inverness, to Balloch and then on from Balloch to the Nairn Bypass.

Completion of the preparatory work, including approval of the Business Case, will enable a firm timetable for delivery to be set as part of the annual budget setting process, with a view to commencing procurement of the main works contract for the Nairn Bypass within this Capital Spending Review period.

The Capital Spending Review also allows for the commencement of construction of the Nairn Bypass in 2029-30, subject to business case approval and confirmation of funding beyond the spending review period.

Despite the current fiscal position and following the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme, the Scottish Government will continue to progress dualling of the A96 eastwards, including an Elgin Bypass.

Question reference: S7O-00017

Asked by: Laura Moodie, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Stagecoach regarding the reported ongoing punctuality and cancellation issues affecting the X74 service between Dumfries and Glasgow, including what steps are being taken to ensure value for money when services fall below acceptable reliability standards.