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-03822

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 14 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland Assurance review of Conduct and Discipline finding that some allegations of potential senior officer misconduct were not being reported to the Scottish Police Authority, what action it is taking to strengthen independent scrutiny.

The Scottish Government has introduced reforms through the Police Service of Scotland (Senior Officers) (Conduct) Amendment Regulations 2026 to strengthen the independent scrutiny and handling of misconduct allegations involving senior police officers.

Under the new arrangements, any allegation concerning a senior officer that is received by, or comes to the attention of, the Scottish Police Authority or the Chief Constable must be referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) without delay. The Commissioner is then required to assess whether the alleged conduct, if proven, would amount to misconduct, gross misconduct, or neither, and to investigate the matter where appropriate.

The reforms also provide for misconduct hearings to be chaired by a legally qualified member of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland appointed by the Lord President. In addition, they increase transparency by enabling hearings to be held in public and by providing for the publication of outcome reports in most cases.

These measures recognise the distinct role held by senior officers, who exercise significant leadership responsibilities and are entrusted with maintaining the highest standards of public service and confidence in policing. For that reason, the senior officer misconduct regime incorporates additional safeguards to ensure independent scrutiny, transparency and accountability. Collectively, these reforms strengthen public confidence in the handling of allegations involving senior officers.

Question reference: S7W-03823

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 14 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland Assurance review of Conduct and Discipline finding that not all allegations of potential senior officer misconduct were being referred to the Scottish Police Authority for assessment, what action it is taking to ensure that such allegations are recorded and referred appropriately.

The Scottish Government has addressed this issue through the Police Service of Scotland (Senior Officers) (Conduct) Amendment Regulations 2026, which establish a robust statutory framework for the referral, assessment and investigation of misconduct allegations involving senior police officers. Under the regulations, any allegation received by, or otherwise coming to the attention of, either the Scottish Police Authority or the Chief Constable must be referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) without delay.

The regulations also place a statutory duty on the Commissioner to assess all allegations that are referred to, received by, or otherwise come to the Commissioner's attention, to determine whether the conduct alleged would, if proven, amount to misconduct, gross misconduct or neither. This ensures that all allegations are subject to independent consideration under a clear and consistent statutory process.

These reforms strengthen the framework for the oversight of senior officer conduct by providing independent scrutiny at the earliest stage of the process and ensuring that allegations are assessed transparently, consistently and in accordance with statutory requirements.

The enhanced arrangements reflect the unique responsibilities, visibility and public accountability associated with senior officer roles. For that reason, the senior officer misconduct regime incorporates additional safeguards to support independent scrutiny, transparency and public confidence in the handling of allegations.

Question reference: S7W-03824

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 October 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 13 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland Assurance review of Conduct and Discipline finding that 20% of Police Scotland officers and staff who died by suicide between 2013 and 2024 were subject to live complaints or conduct processes, what assessment it has made of the adequacy of wellbeing support available to officers and staff involved in such processes.

Every suicide is a tragedy with a far-reaching impact on families, friends and communities. Through Creating Hope Together, Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy and action plan, the Scottish Government is committed to reducing suicide and tackling the inequalities that can contribute to it.

The action plan includes measures to support workforce wellbeing, ensuring employers have access to sources of support for mentally healthy workplaces which include a focus on suicide prevention, alongside wider mental health and wellbeing.

Workforce management is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.

The Scottish Government welcomes Police Scotland’s acceptance of HMICS recommendations, including strengthening wellbeing support for officers and staff involved in conduct and disciplinary processes. Support should be tailored to individual needs and delivered consistently.

Since 2024, Police Scotland has invested around £2 million annually in an occupational health contract to support workforce health and wellbeing.

Question reference: S7W-03718

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 12 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider requiring a specific fire risk assessment, including consideration of the storage and charging of lithium-ion batteries, before a vape shop can operate in or immediately adjacent to a listed or historic building.

Existing fire safety legislation, the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, places responsibilities on duty holders to assess and manage fire risks in relevant premises, including risks associated with the storage and charging of lithium-ion batteries, where relevant.

However, the Scottish Government is currently reviewing the suite of fire safety guidance for all relevant premises (including shops) and will consider this as part of the ongoing work.

Question reference: S7W-04182

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 6 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has held with the Law Society of Scotland and other relevant legal regulators about solicitors issuing threats of civil proceedings planned to compel survivors into retracting allegations or withdrawing statements to the police.

Question reference: S7W-04179

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 6 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the November 2025 statement that it planned to reform the law on strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) at the next legislative opportunity, when it expects to introduce a bill.

Question reference: S7W-04191

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 6 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-02843 by Ruth Charteris on 10 September 2026, regarding the code of practice on the investigative functions as set out in section 57 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016, (a) for what reason this has not been (i) completed, ten years after the Act received royal assent, and (ii) issued for public consultation and (b) whether it will provide a timeline of the consultation and publication process.

Question reference: S7W-04166

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 6 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government on what date the decision was taken to replace the additional £40 million ScotZEB2 funding with ScotZEB3, which minister authorised that decision, and what reasons were recorded for doing so.

Question reference: S7W-04177

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 6 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that threats of civil legal action are being used to silence survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, what immediate action it will take and when it will introduce anti-strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) legislation.

Question reference: S7W-04165

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 October 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 6 November 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commission an independent review of the decisions concerning ScotZEB2, ScotZEB3 and the Alexander Dennis furlough support scheme, including their combined impact on Scotland's manufacturing employment.