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: S6W-05647

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 20 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Amnesty International report, Amazon, let workers unionize! Respect for workers’ rights is not a choice, regarding the issuing of legal notices to trade union organisers attempting to recruit members at Amazon facilities in the UK.

The Scottish Government expects employees in all workplaces to be treated fairly and is doing everything it can to drive up employment standards and promote Fair Work practices, including effective worker voice, with the powers available to us.

We continue to call for employment law to be devolved in order to protect and improve worker’s rights and to create fairer and more inclusive workplaces.

The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting strong Trade Unions in Scotland for the benefit of workers and our economy. We have provided funding of £250,000 annually for the last five years to STUC, to help unions embed the Fair Work Framework in Scotland's workplaces. We will continue to call on employers to ensure appropriate channels for effective voice in the workplace, including engaging with relevant trade unions for their sector to improve working conditions and employment practices in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-05298

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 19 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects CalMac Ferries’ services to Arran to temporarily transfer from Ardrossan to Troon.

Question reference: S6W-05300

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 19 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of cabin space on the (a) Glen Sannox and (b) Hull 802 will be allocated to (i) passenger accommodation, (ii) crew accommodation and (iii) seafarer training and induction.

Question reference: S6W-05301

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 19 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that upgrades to harbour infrastructure do not delay the scheduled introduction of the (a) Glen Sannox and (b) Hull 802 onto routes operated by CalMac Ferries.

Works are underway at Troon harbour which will be used as an alternative mainland port to support CalMac services. Troon will also support the operation of the Ardrossan-Brodick/Campbeltown ferry services when they are temporarily diverted during the construction phase of the Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment project.

These works are closely monitored and are set to be completed before the scheduled introduction of the MV Glen Sannox.

In addition, upgrade works as part of the Skye Triangle Infrastructure Programme at Tarbert (Harris) and Uig (Skye) ports are currently in the construction phase, and are expected to be completed by early 2022 and Summer 2023 respectively.

Lochmaddy (North Uist) is currently in procurement phase with a contract award expected early 2022 and completion of works by Spring 2023; programme dates are subject to funding approval and contractor mobilisation.

Question reference: S6W-05299

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 19 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01657 by Graeme Dey on 16 August 2021, what Transport Scotland’s latest assessment is of progress in planning multi-modal transport continuity, in preparation for the temporary transfer of CalMac Ferries services from Ardrossan to Troon.

As part of service continuity planning CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) are undertaking public consultation sessions with communities in early 2022 to gather feedback on Troon timetables. This also includes plans for transport integration and connectivity with other modes whereby CalMac continues to engage with ScotRail and bus operators.

In addition to support the service, two shuttle-bus services will also be available from Ardrossan to Troon and between Troon railway station and port.

Question reference: S6W-05297

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 19 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries regarding sea trials of the Glen Sannox on routes to Arran from (a) Ardrossan and (b) Troon.

Question reference: S6W-05162

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 18 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-03128 by Shona Robison on 1 October 2021, and in light of the progression of the Nationality and Borders Bill in the UK Parliament, whether it has given further consideration to whether any amendments to the Bill could trigger the need for a legislative consent memorandum, and, if so, in respect of what provisions of the Bill.

The Scottish Government continues to monitor the Nationality and Borders Bill and has not yet concluded legislative consent consideration, following amendments made to the Bill in December.

If we conclude that any provisions in the Bill are on matters within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, or change the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament or executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, I will seek to lodge a legislative consent memorandum and will set out the relevant provisions for the consideration of the Scottish Parliament.

Question reference: S6W-05650

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 18 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports of fair work criteria not being applied to the evaluation of bids that resulted in NHS Education for Scotland awarding a contract to Amazon in May 2021.

It is a matter for each individual Public Body to decide how to address Fair Work First in their procurement processes, with decisions being taken on a procurement-by-procurement basis. In accordance with guidance issued by the Scottish Government bodies are expected to apply the Fair Work First criteria to all new regulated procurement processes from 1 April 2021 wherever relevant and proportionate to do so. This procurement process commenced prior to 1 April 2021.

Question reference: S6W-05649

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 14 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many public sector tenders were awarded to Amazon in the financial year 2020-21, and what the overall value of those tenders was.

Following a search of the information held on the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) portal, there have been no contracts awarded to Amazon during financial year 2020-21 by any Scottish Public buying organisation. This information is already in the public domain and available on the internet by searching www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk . The PCS portal is a national advertising website provided by the Scottish Government as a one-stop shop for suppliers to access Scottish public sector contract opportunities.

Question reference: S6O-00644

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the UK Government regarding people in Afghanistan seeking resettlement in the UK who could be relocated in Scotland if they already have existing family connections, including in relation to correspondence from MSPs on this matter.