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-00560

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent inspection report of HMP Kilmarnock, the first inspection of a prison in Scotland transferred from private to public sector operation, which found that standards at the prison have declined since the previous inspection.

The Scottish Government welcomes the His Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons Scotland (HMIPS) report on HMP Kilmarnock and the important work by HMIPS to assess the treatment and care of those in custody.

We note the report’s recognition of the positive and respectful relationships between staff and those in the care of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and that the transfer from private into public ownership was done in a safe and controlled manner.

The report makes a number of recommendations for improvement and since the inspection which was undertaken in May 2025, SPS have progressed work to address many of the points raised, recognising the need for continuous improvement.

The impact of the high prison population in Scotland is felt within HMP Kilmarnock, and across the prison estate. The inspectorate acknowledges there are opportunities for the future under the transition.

Question reference: S7W-00206

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the aerospace firm, Aeralis Ltd, and/or its representatives following the company entering administration, including what impact this might have on promised investment and jobs at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

The Scottish Government has not had any direct engagement with Aeralis Ltd, or its representatives, following the company entering administration.

Scotland has a significant defence manufacturing base. Delays to the UK Defence Investment Plan continue to contribute to ongoing uncertainty for Scottish industry, where clarity and certainty are critical to investment and planning decisions.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with partners, including Scottish Enterprise, to monitor developments and assess any implications for investment and employment, including at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Question reference: S6T-02970

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 23 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent findings by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service that 29 babies have died as a result of co-sleeping in Scotland in the last two years.

Question reference: S6W-44108

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it (a) is aware of health, wellbeing and safety concerns regarding HGV transport through Girvan and (b) what consideration it has given to the development of a Girvan bypass.

The Scottish Government is aware of the potential impacts that Heavy Goods Vehicles are having on key routes in the South West, including on various communities such as Girvan.

In response, Transport Scotland, working closely with key local partners, has assessed the A77 through Girvan against the established criteria for introducing a new 20 miles per hour speed limit. This assessment concluded that most of the trunk road through the town meets the requirements for a reduced limit.

On that basis, a 20mph limit will be introduced from Bridgemill Roundabout in the north toa point near to the Shallochpark Roundabout at the southern end of the town. In line with standard practice, this will initially be delivered by means of a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order, which allows the impacts of the change to be monitored and evaluated before any decision is taken on whether the limit should become permanent. It is expected that this will be in force in thein the coming weeks.

A Girvan Bypass was considered as part of the transport appraisal that supported the second Strategic Transport Project Review (STPR2). However, this option is not one of the 45 STPR2 recommendations, which make up our long term framework for investment in transport infrastructure. Instead, other options to maintain and safely operate the A77 were considered more appropriate and have been highlighted in Recommendation 40.

Transport Scotland officials are working with local stakeholders to identify potential areas for improvement on the A77 beyond general maintenance schemes, as set out in Recommendation 40.

Question reference: S6W-44107

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 17 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what monitoring is in place to assess the air quality in Girvan.

Scotland enjoys good air quality compared with the rest of the UK and Europe. Under the Environment Act and associated regulations, all Scottish local authorities are required to regularly review air quality in their areas against objectives for several pollutants of particular concern for human health. The Scottish Government provides grant funding to support authorities in undertaking this work.

South Ayrshire Council currently operates two automatic monitors in Ayr and 20 nitrogen dioxide sensors across the Council area in Ayr, Maybole, Prestwick, Troon and one location at Bridge Street in Girvan. Current data indicate that concentrations are well below the objective level at all monitoring sites.

Further information can be found in South Ayrshire Council's 2025 air quality annual progress report which is available at South Ayrshire APR 2025.pdf

Question reference: S6T-02955

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports that one in five adults in Scotland are unable to access dental care.

Question reference: S6O-05660

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of how its Budget 2026-27 delivers fair funding for health and social care services across the country, including in South Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-05634

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the financial sustainability of NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Question reference: S6W-43897

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to continue the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which the UK Government currently has only confirmed until March 2026, or whether it plans to introduce another scheme to replace it.

The Scottish Government was not informed of the decision to close the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme prior to the announcement from UK Government, and is disappointed with the decision that future funding will apply to England only.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of maintaining support for Scotland’s historic places of worship, which continue to play vital cultural, social, and community roles.

In light of the UK Government’s decision, the Scottish Government is actively exploring options to ensure that listed places of worship in Scotland are not disproportionately affected by this withdrawal of UK-wide VAT relief.

Question reference: S6O-05550

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, following Orbex entering administration, what the likelihood is of the public purse receiving a return on the money invested in the company by the Scottish National Investment Bank.