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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-34611

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated carbon emissions savings have been as a result of installing solar panels on government-owned buildings in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-34610

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost has been of installing solar panels on government-owned buildings in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-34614

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to expand the installation of solar panels on government-owned buildings.

Installing solar panels on owned Scottish Government buildings will be considered as part of holistic approach to decarbonising our buildings. Feasibility studies will be carried out to look at the suitability of roof structures, roof orientation, available space and shading. Not all buildings will be suitable for installing solar panels. We will continue to pursue innovative solutions which may provide opportunities to support the broader energy transition.

Question reference: S6W-34613

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much electricity has been generated by any solar panels installed on government-owned buildings in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S6W-34609

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many government-owned buildings have had solar panels installed, broken down by (a) department, (b) agency and (c) local authority area.

Scottish Government core owned estate has six buildings with solar panels installed.

They are in the following local authority areas:

The City of Edinburgh Council – 3 buildings (Victoria Quay, St Andrews House, SASA)

Scottish Borders Council – 1 building (Tweedbank)

Aberdeenshire Council – 1 building (Thainstone)

Argyll and Bute – 1 building (Cameron House, Oban)

The Scottish Government does not hold data on solar panels installed on buildings owned or occupied by its agencies or other public bodies.

Question reference: S6W-34564

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 21 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available for residents who are in dispute with park home site owners.

Disputes with a site owner about agreements under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 are decided in the Sheriff Court in Scotland. Residents would usually be advised to seek independent legal advice if they believe a site owner is not meeting their legal obligations.

The Scottish Government funds a consumer service, Advice Direct Scotland (ADS), that provides clear, practical advice on all consumer issues to people in Scotland and can refer cases to a local Trading Standards team. Shelter Scotland also has information about Mobile Homes on its website.

In addition to the formal processes for resolving any dispute, if the site operator is a member of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association a resident can approach them. They cannot make a decision in a dispute between a site owner and a resident but they do offer a conciliation service which aims to assist the parties to reach agreement.

The Scottish Confederation of Park Home Residents Associations also provides useful information and support to help residents.

Question reference: S6W-34567

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 21 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that park home residents are informed about their rights and the protections available to them.

The Mobile Homes Act 1983 governs pitch agreements for permanent residential mobile home sites. It requires that the site owner provides a prospective resident with a copy of the Written Statement setting out the rights and responsibilities of both parties alongside other relevant information.

The Scottish Government published guidance (https://www.gov.scot/publications/guide-mobile-home-owners-scotland/) for mobile home owners in Scotland which explains the rights and responsibilities of residents of mobile homes sites.

The Scottish Government also publishes website information for mobile homes site residents and owners at https://www.mygov.scot/browse/housing-local-services/mobile-homes, which is in the process of being updated, in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Question reference: S6W-34570

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 21 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that park home residents have access to affordable and reliable legal advice.

The Law Society of Scotland provides information at https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/professional-support/legal-aid/ on how to access legal aid and how to identify a solicitor who has knowledge of their area.

Scottish Government officials have met with the Law Society of Scotland, along with the Scottish Confederation of Park Home Residents Associations, to discuss some of the difficulties residents have encountered in seeking to find a solicitor.

Question reference: S6W-34569

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 21 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to establish an independent body to oversee and regulate park home sites.

Question reference: S6W-34172

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 21 February 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether schools have a statutory requirement to have some staff trained as first-aiders and, if so, what (a) minimum level of first-aider coverage is required per school and (b) information it has regarding how many teachers in post in each local authority area have completed first aid training provided by (i) that local authority and (ii) another source, and what proportion of the teaching workforce this represents.

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 requires employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. This includes for staff who are employed within schools and other educational establishments.

Whilst the 1981 Regulations do not require employers to provide first aid for anyone other than their own employees, it is strongly recommended that, in the case of schools, they should also consider the needs of non-employees such as pupils and other visitors when making provisions for first aid.

Under the provisions of the 1981 Regulations, the minimum level of first aid coverage for schools is to have an appointed person or designated first aider to take charge of first aid arrangements. In addition, they should have a suitable first aid container stocked in accordance with at least the minimum requirements set out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). This information is available on the HSE website through the following link: First aid at work - your questions answered.

Local authorities have the statutory responsibility for delivering education so the Scottish Government does not hold information about the numbers of teachers or school staff that have completed first aid training.