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-02503
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
- Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing national planning policy, similar to the Edinburgh Design Guidance published by the City of Edinburgh Council in September 2025, to encourage or require the use of traditionally designed cast-iron architectural street furniture in designated conservation areas, and whether it has assessed the potential impact of such a policy on Scotland's domestic foundry sector.
Answer
Question reference: S7W-02498
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
- Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers there to be any conflict between the operation of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 and the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 in cases involving dangerous listed buildings, and, if so, what action it plans to take to ensure that public safety measures do not unnecessarily result in the loss of historic buildings.
Answer
Question reference: S7W-02502
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
- Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is, regarding any impact on Scotland, on the statement by the Director General for Rail Services at the UK Department for Transport, Alex Hynes, to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee that “by having bi-mode trains you inadvertently weaken the business case for further electrification”.
Answer
Question reference: S7W-02487
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
- Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to amending the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 to grant permitted development rights for shopfront alterations that strictly comply with a local authority’s formally adopted heritage design code.
Answer
Question reference: S7W-02493
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
- Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Historic Environment Scotland regarding the creation of a targeted, fast-track grant stream exclusively for small business owners seeking to restore original architectural details to listed or conservation area commercial properties.
Answer
Question reference: S7W-02488
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
- Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to integrate the material and architectural standards developed under the Traditional Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme (TSIG) into the statutory guidance supporting National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).
Answer
Question reference: S7W-02500
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
- Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered the potential use of floating or submerged inshore data centres and, if so, what assessment it has made of their potential to reduce renewable energy constraint costs, utilise seawater cooling, and provide a source of heat for district heating networks.
Answer
Question reference: S7W-02497
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
- Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to issue stronger guidance to local planning authorities regarding the determination of retrospective planning applications for unauthorised alterations to shopfronts on listed buildings or within conservation areas, to discourage developers from undertaking unauthorised works in anticipation of retrospective planning permission being granted.
Answer
Question reference: S7W-02490
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
- Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities on the adoption of street-specific, visual design codes within Local Development Plans to remove ambiguity for property owners regarding acceptable restorations.
Answer
Question reference: S7W-02501
- Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
- Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to whether the electricity requirements associated with data centre development could improve the economic viability of constructing small modular reactors.
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