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-00249

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what extra resources have been earmarked to support the work of community councils if, as it envisages in its report, Democracy Matters: Route Map to Reform, they were to become the initiators of the development of updated local areas led plans.

The Democracy Matters Route Map (Published jointly with COSLA in May 2026) outlined the direction of travel to further empower communities and enhance local communities.

Options for how the components of the Route Map are delivered are currently being considered, including how community led plans might be supported to ensure public services better meet local needs and priorities.

We will continue to engage with partners across the public sector and civil society to understand potential implications for community bodies including Community Councils and how resources can best support communities.

Question reference: S7W-00250

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of its report, Single Authority Models: Publication on Progress, what action the Public Sector Reform Directorate next plans to take regarding the usage of single authority models.

Single Authority Models are a key component within the Scottish Government’s Public Service Reform Strategy, and the joint statement with COSLA on the Local Governance Review published in March 2026, confirmed our ongoing commitment to this foundational reform. We will continue to work with local partners across the three participating geographies to develop and refine proposals which best meet the needs of their communities. This will involve developing plans for implementation and supporting a process of widespread engagement, in particular with local communities and relevant workforces over 2026-2027.

Question reference: S7W-00317

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 8 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce prohibitive construction costs that may exceed the value of a development when completed.

The Scottish Government’s Client Guide to Construction Projects provides guidance to the public sector on the conduct of construction projects. This includes guidance on how to ensure value for money through the planning, design, procurement and management of projects. It covers a range of topics including governance, risk management, change control, business case development and delivery of quality during project initiation and construction.

The Scottish Government has also rigorous processes to assure that all projects are technically feasible and commercially viable. These are mandated for all projects which fall within the scope of the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) and are conducted routinely at various set stages of projects. The Scottish Government also leads best practice guidance and capability for inviting, awarding and managing construction contracts, including dealing with external pricing and logistical shocks which could materially affect project delivery.

Question reference: S7W-00568

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the operational status of the Dalzell Steelworks in Motherwell.

Question reference: S7W-00316

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when Transport Scotland will take over responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the Clyde Tunnel from Glasgow City Council.

Transport Scotland has yet to commence discussions with Glasgow City Council regarding the Clyde Tunnel.

These discussions will help inform the development of a range of options on how the manifesto offer to “take on responsibility for the maintenance of the Clyde Tunnel, freeing around £1 million of cost to the local authority…”, could practicably be delivered. This work will also consider responsibilities for discharging statutory duties and likely cost of these options.

Question reference: S7W-00569

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will directly award the design and construction of the planned replacement for MV Lord of the Isles to a UK shipbuilder, in line with the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

As announced in Parliament on 03 March 2026, CMAL, as Procuring Authority for the MV Lord of The Isles replacement project, will follow the industry standard two stage competitive procurement. Following the initial SPD stage, qualifying shipyards able to bid for the contract. Scottish Ministers play no part in the procurement process.

Also announced on 03 March was our intention to direct award vessels from the next phase of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme to Ferguson Marine as part of a wider suite of publicly funded vessel projects, subject to the necessary due diligence and processes.

Question reference: S7W-00570

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns that the Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) Single Procurement Document (Scotland) requirements in its contract notice, Shipyard Detailed Design and Build Contract RoPax Vessel, for the Mallaig-Lochboisdale route reportedly exclude all UK shipbuilding firms from eligibility, and whether it will instruct CMAL to revise these requirements and actively engage with UK shipbuilders to ensure that they are able to tender for the contract.

Question reference: S7W-00564

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to equip ScotRail passenger trains with satellite wi-fi.

Question reference: S7W-00566

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a limited overnight express train service between the Glasgow and Edinburgh terminals.

Question reference: S7W-00328

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to reform rolling stock companies (ROSCOs) as part of the broader nationalisation of the railway network.