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-02539

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will call in planning application 24/01934/FUL and listed building consent application 24/01935/LBA by Wemyss Properties for the proposed demolition of the category B-listed former Hillhead Baptist Church within the Glasgow West Conservation Area for independent scrutiny by Scottish Ministers.

Question reference: S7W-02500

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Alyn Smith 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.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken any assessment into the potential usage of floating or submerged inshore data centres. We are however aware that in 2018 Microsoft’s Project Natick deployed the Northern Isles data centre at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, where it was tested and monitored for performance and reliability over a two year period.

The Scottish Government is not currently aware of any further propositions, but is always interested in exploring innovative practices in this industry that respect the offshore environment. Should any marine data centre proposition come forward, these would be considered on a case by case basis. As with all marine developments, rights to use the seabed may be required from Crown Estate Scotland and a marine licence from Scottish Minister.

Question reference: S7W-02496

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Alyn Smith on 15 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Skills Development Scotland regarding the provision of targeted apprenticeship funding for traditional building crafts such as heritage joinery, stained glass-making and traditional sign-writing, to ensure that the domestic supply chain can support a national rollout of traditional shopfront design standards.

The Scottish Government continues to work with Skills Development Scotland, Historic Scotland and other partners to explore solutions to increase traditional skills provision in Scotland, attract future talent, increase capacity in the sector, train people in traditional skills and provide a sustainable model for traditional skills development.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) employ modern apprentices who are undertaking training in traditional skills including glazing, architectural joinery, and stonemasonry. In addition, HES are currently piloting a ‘host’ model for craft apprenticeships, with apprentices employed by HES and placed to work within micro businesses.

Question reference: S7W-02577

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 11 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Competition and Markets Authority regarding the proposed direct award of contracts to Ferguson Marine for the construction of replacement vessels for the research vessel, Scotia, and the fisheries protection vessel, Minna, and two ferries under Phase 2 of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme, and on what dates these discussions took place.

Question reference: S7W-02578

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 11 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government from which countries shipbuilding firms have been invited to tender for the detailed design and construction of the new passenger and vehicle ferry to replace MV Lord of the Isles on the Mallaig to Lochboisdale route.

Question reference: S7W-02486

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 11 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the membership is of the partnership group for the Glasgow People’s Palace and Winter Gardens restoration project.

The Partnership Group comprises of representatives from Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life, Historic Environment Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland, the Scottish Government and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Scottish Enterprise has also participated in the group’s work.

The Partnership Group was established with a specific remit to support the project through strategic coordination among organisations with direct responsibilities for funding, governance and delivery. Accordingly, membership has been limited to organisations with formal responsibilities in these areas.

Additionally a significant amount of community engagement and collaboration on the Peoples Palace Project has taken place, with over 7000 people involved to date. This includes the People’s Palace Community Partners Panel, which was established specifically for the project and includes key local community groups and representation. The aim of the group is to ensure that community voices and views inform all aspects of the project in a meaningful way. The panel has been heavily involved in the design process and has viewed and fed back on architectural designs. They are also informed of plans for future museum displays and interpretation of content and updates on the wider project plan.

Question reference: S7W-03168

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the national literacy strategy to ensure that evidence-based teaching methods, including systematic synthetic phonics (SSP), are embedded as the foundational approach to the teaching of reading in all primary schools.

Question reference: S7W-03171

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of the effectiveness of systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) instruction in closing the poverty-related attainment gap in early years literacy.

Question reference: S7W-03172

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) reading programmes currently being utilised in Glasgow primary schools, including at John Paul II Primary School, and whether it plans to evaluate this approach with a view to a potential national roll-out.

Question reference: S7W-03174

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what mechanism is in place for heritage restoration proposals, including the restoration of Holyrood Abbey, to be formally assessed and submitted to the Scotland Legacy Group for consideration.