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: S6O-02926

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what feedback it has received from arts and culture stakeholders following its announcement of the Scottish Budget 2024-25.

Question reference: S6W-23065

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 20 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its policy of "working closely with the football authorities and clubs…to address unacceptable conduct by spectators", what its position is on whether the booing that was heard during the minute's silence at the Celtic v Aberdeen match held on 12 November 2023 was "unacceptable conduct", and what discussions it has had with (a) Celtic FC and (b) the Scottish Football Association regarding this.

We routinely speak to the Scottish footballing authorities on wide a range of topics, including the behaviour of fans. It should be noted that the majority of supporters across the country go to football to support their team in a safe and responsible manner and that incidents, such as booing during commemorative events, are the actions of a minority. Nevertheless we condemn such actions.

As this match falls under the auspices of the Scottish Professional Football League, it is for them to investigate any incidents and take any appropriate actions against the clubs. Any individuals identified as engaging in criminal behaviour during these investigations will be reported to the police. We have not spoken to either Celtic FC, the Scottish FA or the SPFL about this specific incident.

Clubs are taking action when they can and we welcome the decision by Celtic to ban sections of their fans who, despite numerous requests by the club, continued to demonstrate anti-social behaviour. We would support other clubs in taking similar actions where appropriate.

Question reference: S6W-23719

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide information on any (a) ongoing and (b) planned initiatives aimed at balancing the expansion of wind energy infrastructure with the protection of existing wind farms from the adverse effects of wind turbine shadows.

The selection of a site and the configuration of wind turbines is a matter for the wind farm developer. This process involves comprehensive analysis to ensure the most suitable placement and design for wind turbines. Developers may have to balance the benefits of a compact site, which can minimise construction cost, and the gains from maximising energy capture from greater separation distances.

The Hagshaw Energy Cluster provides an example of how industry stakeholders can work collaboratively to promote and adopt a coordinated approach to future renewable energy development.

Policy 11: Energy of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) states that potential cumulative impacts are important considerations in the decision-making process. All applications are subject to site-specific assessments.

Question reference: S6W-23720

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it currently assesses the potential impact of new wind farm applications on existing wind farms, particularly in relation to the phenomenon known as wind theft or wind shadow.

Question reference: S6W-23721

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what data it is collecting to understand the extent of wind turbine shadow effects and their impact on the overall efficiency of wind farms.

Question reference: S6W-23722

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that proposed wind farm developments take into consideration the cumulative impact on wind energy generation in a given area, particularly in relation to any shadowing effects on existing turbines.

Question reference: S6W-23617

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to reduce waiting times for MRI scans in Ayrshire.

Since 2021, the Scottish Government have provided three permanent CT scanners to support core capacity within Boards, including a mobile CT pod currently stationed in NHS Lothian, which is deployed flexibly to support Boards that require additional capacity. In addition, one further mobile CT and seven mobile MRI scanners are being used across multiple NHS Boards to provide additional capacity during 2023-24.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran has had a mobile MRI scanner throughout 2023-24 to help reduce their waiting lists.

At the end of April 2021, 61.6% patients having an MRI in NHS Ayrshire and Arran were scanned within 6 weeks; in September 2023 this had risen to 86.2% within 6 weeks.

Question reference: S6W-23158

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what mechanisms are in place to revoke or suspend cards issued through the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme in cases where young people have been found to be using them while committing acts of antisocial behaviour.

Free bus travel is one of several services provided through the National Entitlement Card. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for transport operators to remove cards from cardholders due to the impact this may have on access to other services, such as free school meals.

Tackling allegations of antisocial behaviour are matters for the police and local authorities using the enforcement powers and resources available to them. The Scottish Government will continue to work with these partners to explore and strengthen options to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Question reference: S6W-23155

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what data it has on any incidents of (a) damage to vehicles, (b) abuse of bus drivers and (c) other antisocial behaviour by young people while using a card issued through the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme.

The Scottish Government is aware that there have been reports of incidents of anti-social behaviour on buses over recent months and we are aware of concerns relating to anti-social behaviour in other public places. We do not hold data on individual incidents but use official statistics to monitor trends on reported incidents and people’s own experiences or perceptions of antisocial behaviour.

These incidents are of concern but should not detract from the success of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme. By the end of October over 98 million journeys had been made since the scheme went live in January 2022. The Scheme is making a real difference to the lives of young people and their families by helping to cut costs for essential, every day and leisure travel.

To understand the impact of the Young Persons Scheme, the Scottish Government will carry out an ongoing evaluation during the first five years of its operation. The first part, the one year after launch evaluation will be published later this year and will consider impacts on antisocial behaviour.

Question reference: S6W-23156

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent it is monitoring and analysing data on any increase in antisocial behaviour in (a) general and (b) relation to the implementation of the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme.

The Scottish Government uses official statistics to monitor trends on reported incidents and people’s own experiences or perceptions of antisocial behaviour. These include the quarterly Recorded Crime in Scotland bulletin; Scottish Crime and Justice Survey and Scottish Household Survey (both annual surveys).

Reported antisocial behaviour over the last decade has decreased. I recognise that not all incidents are reported, and anecdotal information arises. However, the Scottish Government surveys people’s own experiences, which indicate that people generally feel safer, and the core Recorded Crime data of reported incidents, which also indicates an overall decrease in antisocial behaviour.

To understand the impact of the Young Persons Free Bus Travel Scheme, the Scottish Government have committed to an ongoing evaluation during the first five years of operation. This includes a one year after launch evaluation which will be published later this year and include consideration of the impact of antisocial behaviour on cardholders, other bus users and the bus industry.