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-40659

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 2 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Department for Business and Trade regarding the impact of opt-out group proceedings (class action) litigation on competition matters, and what lessons it has drawn for the Scotland-specific context of this, including any implications for (a) the operation of Scotland's courts, (b) Scotland’s competitiveness as a location for business and investment and (c) consumers.

As set out in the answer to S6W 40658 on 2 October 2025, the introduction of opt-out group proceedings in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC). Under the 2018 Act , opt-out procedures can only be introduced through rules of court made by the Court of Session on the recommendation of the SCJC.

The Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018, as introduced, provided only for opt-in group proceedings. However, at Stage 2, non-Government amendments were accepted by the Justice Committee to allow for both opt-in and opt-out procedures, with the type of procedure to be determined by the court in each case. These amendments were supported by all opposition parties and were not overturned at Stage 3.

While the Scottish Government did not oppose the principle of opt-out proceedings, it had concerns about the complexity of implementing such a model without further analysis. The Government’s preference was to introduce opt-in proceedings first, with opt-out to be considered following post-legislative scrutiny. As a result, a full policy analysis of the opt-out model was not undertaken at the time of the Bill’s passage, on the understanding that detailed analysis and stakeholder engagement would be carried out prior to implementation. This remains the Government’s position

The Scottish Government is aware of the growing interest in the potential introduction of opt-out group proceedings in Scotland, particularly in relation to competition matters. While there have been no formal bilateral discussions with the UK Department for Business and Trade specifically on this issue, the Scottish Government continues to monitor developments in UK-wide competition litigation, including the operation of opt-out collective proceedings before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in England and Wales.

I also further refer the member to the answers to question S6W-40658 on 2 October 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Question reference: S6W-40658

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 2 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018, how it will ensure that there is an opportunity for the Parliament to scrutinise any proposed changes to the operation of group proceedings (class action).

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that any changes to the operation of group proceedings under the Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018 are subject to appropriate scrutiny and transparency.

The development of rules for group proceedings, including any proposals to introduce opt-out procedures, is the responsibility of the Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC). These rules are made by the Court of Session under powers conferred by the 2018 Act.

Once approved by the Court of Session, rules of court are laid before the Scottish Parliament in accordance with the negative procedure. This means that Parliament has the opportunity to scrutinise the rules and, if it considers it appropriate, annul them within a specified period. This process ensures that the Parliament retains oversight of significant procedural changes to the civil justice system.

In addition, the Scottish Government will continue to engage with stakeholders and the Parliament throughout the development of any new procedures. Ministers are also required under the 2018 Act to report on the operation of group proceedings, which provides a further mechanism for parliamentary scrutiny and debate.

I also further refer the member to the answer to question S6W-40659 on 2 October 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Question reference: S6O-05018

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the social justice secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding how to manage any growing funding gap created by higher spending on devolved benefits.

Question reference: S6W-40673

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 24 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation on the use of electric shock collars for training dogs.

We are continuing to give the SAWC reports on remote control static pulse devices and other aversive training devices careful consideration, along with the findings of our review into whether further provisions for wearable static pulse training devices are required, which was undertaken as part of the review of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020. Once we have finished our deliberations, we will announce our timeline for a further consultation.

Question reference: S6W-40674

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 24 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met (a) animal welfare and (b) dog training organisations to discuss the continued use of electric shock collars.

Question reference: S6W-40672

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 24 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what advice it provides for prospective puppy buyers on how to source a healthy puppy, and whether any such advice (a) already includes and (b) will be updated to include advice to only purchase puppies from dog breeders that comply with a health standard.

The Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 19 March 2025 and introduced provisions to help ensure more informed and responsible dog ownership. Scottish Government officials have been working with key stakeholders over a period of months to develop a code of practice that should be followed by any person who is considering acquiring a dog to keep as a pet. There is already a wealth of information available to the public from welfare organisations including the Dogs Trust and the Scottish SPCA covering the safe purchase and ownership of a dog and we urge people considering getting a dog to follow the advice provided.

Question reference: S6O-04963

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions the business minister has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the impact of the visitor levy on the hotel and tourism sectors.

Question reference: S6W-40008

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 8 September 2025

The Scottish Growth Scheme (SGS) was established in December 2018 and operational during financial year 2019-20, being set-up to provide early-stage equity and debt to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Scotland. To date, the Scottish Government has committed £97 million to the SGS, which is deployed via five commercial fund managers.

Scottish Government has invested the following totals across SGS fund managers:

2023-24 - £14.3 million
2024-25 - £5.9 million
2025-26 – anticipated to total £9.2 million

In summer 2024, at the end of the initial capitalisation period of the SGS, a decision was taken not recapitalise four of the five SGS fund managers. This decision was taken due to the presence of similar public investment offerings and recapitalisation of the SGS could be seen as duplicative which would not be an efficient use of public funds. It should be stated that this decision was taken at the end of the capitalisation period and all fund managers not recapitalised will continue to manage the existing investment portfolio until 2029, as originally agreed.

In closing the fund manager who was recapitalised offered a point of separation from other public sector supported investment offerings, focusing on supporting innovative globally ambitious Scottish companies access key growth equity investment from international markets. This fund manager will continue to manage their initial portfolio to completion until March 2029 but have also been recapitalised and are therefore able to make new investments into companies which align with their investment strategy.

Question reference: S6W-40009

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 8 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25344 by Richard Lochhead on 4 March 2024, whether it plans to make a financial commitment to the Scottish Growth Scheme until March 2029.

Question reference: S6O-04909

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details regarding the announcement that NHS Dumfries and Galloway has moved to stage 3 of the NHS Scotland Support and Intervention Framework.