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-00337

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that greenhouse gas emissions analysis underpinning its “green data centre” policy might not fully account for hyperscale AI data centres, what plans it has to review these figures.

To support preparation of National Planning Framework 4, the then Scottish Government commissioned independent research on the Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of NPF4 proposed National Developments. This was first published in 2021 and updated in October 2022.

As the scale and characteristics of data centre developments evolve, we will continue to monitor developments and consider whether further evidence gathering is required. In the meantime, any proposed development schemes remain subject to planning and environmental assessment requirements.

Question reference: S7W-00336

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of data centres applying for gas connections, how many such applications it is aware of in Scotland, and what its position is on gas-fired power generation for data centres.

The Scottish Government is not routinely sighted on applications for gas connections, but we are aware there are emerging data centre proposals that may have a gas component. The Scottish Government policy position is that new AI infrastructure developments should minimise reliance on fossil fuel solutions and we encourage developers to explore renewable and sustainable alternatives to gas fired generation wherever possible.

Question reference: S7W-00338

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the potential particulate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with diesel and gas backup generation that might be required for hyperscale AI data centres proposed in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-00399

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the statutory site assessments required to launch the consultation on fisheries management measures for inshore Marine Protected Areas and Priority Marine Features have now been finalised, and if so, when the Scottish Government plans to bring the public consultation forward.

Question reference: S7W-00734

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to establishing an independent body to investigate complaints regarding the financial practices of adult social care providers, with a role similar to that played by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in England.

Question reference: S7W-00735

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is currently taking, or plans to take, to improve financial oversight and consumer protection in relation to care home providers, in light of concerns reported by the recent BBC Disclosure programme, Cashing in on Care, regarding families seeking to recover upfront fees and care home deposits.

Question reference: S7W-00653

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 29 May 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 12 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any barriers that the current costs and legal requirements associated with obtaining a Power of Attorney create for (a) low-income households, (b) older people and (c) disabled people, and whether it will consider introducing officially approved standard templates or additional financial support for applicants.

Question reference: S7W-00150

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding reports that Scottish residents participating in humanitarian flotillas to Gaza have been detained by Israeli forces in international waters, what (a) representations it has made to the UK Government, and (b) discussions it has had with the UK Government to ensure that all appropriate consular and diplomatic steps are taken to protect their welfare and secure their safe return.

The Scottish Government has raised this issue with the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at both Ministerial and official level.

I recently wrote to the Foreign Secretary, welcoming the release of detainees and pressing the UK Government to seek reassurance from the Israeli Government regarding the safety and wellbeing of all UK nationals during their detention. I also urged the UK Government to make clear to the Israeli Government that the treatment evidenced is unacceptable, as well as raising concerns on the potential detention of those on the flotilla in international waters. Officials have been in regular contact with FCDO on this issue.

Question reference: S7W-00197

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support households in installing electric vehicle charging points at home.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting access to home electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

To date, over £6.7 million has supported the installation of more than 21,600 home charge points across Scotland.

A further £3.45 million is being provided this financial year to continue supporting the rollout of home charging infrastructure.

This funding is focused on lower-income households, those in rural and island communities, residents of flatted properties, and households without driveways, including where cross-pavement charging solutions are permitted.

Question reference: S7W-00634

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 11 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring is being undertaken of NHS board compliance with the recommendations of the rapid review into healthcare provision in police custody.