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-02396

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 24 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government’s update to the National Transport Strategy, Better Connected, which included a commitment to update the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, whether it will consider issuing guidance to allow Scottish local authorities to install ‘paint only’ side road zebra crossings to improve safety of walking and wheeling, following the example of guidance issued by the Welsh Government in April 2026.

Transport Scotland officials are engaging with UK Department for Transport regarding potential amendments to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, including the introduction of simple ‘paint only’ side road zebra crossings. These crossings have been subject to associated trials on their effectiveness and safety. Transport Scotland will consider the published trial findings when available.

Should it be established that side road zebra crossings are appropriate for use in Scotland, their incorporation in Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 as it applies in Scotland is intended. In this case, it is anticipated that Transport Scotland would also direct roads authorities and designers to suitable guidance on their use.

Question reference: S7W-02397

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 24 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government in light of the UK Government’s response to Wendy Chamberlain UIN 469 tabled on 13 May 2026, whether (a) it intends to bring forward amendments to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, and (b), if so, what amendments it is considering

Transport Scotland officials are engaging with UK Department for Transport regarding its proposed amendments to the UK Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, including side road zebra crossings as noted in the UK Government’s response to Wendy Chamberlain MP, UIN 469.

Should it be established that side road zebra crossings are appropriate for use in Scotland, their incorporation in Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 as it applies in Scotland is intended. Scottish Ministers are yet to determine what other amendments will be progressed. Any amendments would be subject to consultation.

Question reference: S7W-01521

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 28 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to introduce legislation to (a) modernise Compulsory Purchase Orders and (b) implement Compulsory Sales Orders and Compulsory Lease Orders, to give local authorities more powers to deal with empty homes.

The Scottish Government’s legislative programme will be agreed by Ministers and announced to Parliament in due course in the usual way.

The Scottish Government will shortly publish a summary of responses to the compulsory purchase reform consultation, and associated analysis of the questions on compulsory sale and compulsory lease orders, and will provide an update on next steps in line with our commitment for the first 100 days of government.

Question reference: S7W-01160

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 10 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether Historic Environment Scotland has obtained a direction under section 11 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 from the City of Edinburgh Council to exempt the Radical Road in Holyrood Park from access rights, and, if not, on what legal basis access to the road has been restricted for an extended period.

Question reference: S7W-01154

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 6 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to paragraph 142 of the 2025 final report of the SPCB Supported Bodies Landscape Review Committee, whether it plans to undertake a strategic mapping exercise to identify the functions of all Scottish public bodies, including areas of overlap; and, if so, whether it will provide details of (a) who will be responsible for carrying out this work and (b) the expected timeline for its completion.

Question reference: S7W-01155

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 29 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Registers of Scotland missing its 2024 target to have 100% of land registered and the reported impacts of an incomplete land register on the delivery of public services, including delays to progress on housing and infrastructure projects, increased legal and administrative costs, difficulty in progressing community ownership schemes and data quality issues affecting policy and planning, whether it considers that completing the register as soon as possible would reduce costs and improve service delivery.

Registers of Scotland is a non-Ministerial Public Body answerable to the Scottish Parliament.

In May 2014, Ministers invited the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland to take forward completion of the Land Register by 2024. With activity in the property market, targeted use of Keeper Induced Registration, a discounted Voluntary Registration fee and innovative use of data from the General Register of Sasines, the position, as of May 2026, is

Coverage	At May 2026
Land Register (completed)	61.0%
Land Register (pending)	3.6%
Indicative Sasines	31.5%
Total Land Coverage	96.1%

Full completion of the Land Register remains an important objective requiring the input of the Registers of Scotland and, critically, those who own land which is still in the General Register of Sasines. The Scottish Government will continue to support that work as well as taking forward work in other areas which contribute to the points raised.

Question reference: S7W-00196

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 3 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline how public bodies will be informed of their additional responsibilities under the enhanced biodiversity duty, which was legislated for by the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026.

A full review of the biodiversity duty reporting procedures is currently in progress.

Any proposed changes to the reporting process will be subject to consultation before being implemented through secondary legislation. We will engage with public bodies throughout the review process and write to them to advise of planned changes.

The current three-year biodiversity duty reporting cycle covers 2024-2026 inclusive, and reports for this period are due at the end of December 2026. We do not intend to make any changes to the reporting process before the end of this cycle, as this would not allow sufficient time for public bodies to consider and implement the changes. We will be writing to public bodies shortly to provide an update on the review process and reporting requirements for 2024-26.

Question reference: S6W-43952

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a ScotRail discount scheme similar to the 16-17 Saver Railcard used by other rail operators.

In Scotland, concessionary travel on rail is the responsibility of local authorities, which have discretionary powers under the Transport Act 1985 to provide and fund local concessionary travel schemes for residents. The extent and terms of any such scheme are for individual local authorities to consider and decide upon.

ScotRail currently offers discounted travel for those aged 16, 17 or 18 (or up to 25 years old and a full-time volunteer), who have a Young Scot National Entitlement Card. Eligible passengers receive 1/3 off most rail fares when travelling with ScotRail and 50% off weekly, monthly and annual tickets. Unlike the scheme the Member is referring to, ScotRail’s offer does not require the £35 upfront annual fee.

Question reference: S6W-42639

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the fundamental review of the adaptations system, as set out in its Housing to 2040 strategy, will take account of the needs of (a) minority ethnic communities, (b) other groups with protected characteristics and (c) the demands of an increasing ageing population, and when an update on the recommendations to improve the system will be published.

In September, I committed to begin work on the review of the housing adaptations system by the end of 2025. This review will make recommendations on how best to improve and streamline the system and better target resources.

I am pleased to be able to confirm that this work is underway and my officials are currently finalising a project plan and contacted stakeholders in December to formally invite them to participate in the advisory group. Formal engagement with the group will begin in early 2026.

This preparatory work will ensure that the needs of all older and disabled people in Scotland, including ethnic minorities and those with protected characteristics, will be represented and considered as part of the review and that we have a system that is fit for purpose for anyone who needs to use it.

Question reference: S6W-42642

Asked by: Lorna Slater, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the commitment in its Housing to 2040 strategy to streamline and accelerate the adaptations system, and when it expects to complete the fundamental review of the system.

As set out in my answer to question S6W-42639 on 14 January 2026, I am pleased to be able to confirm that the review of the housing adaptations system, a commitment in our Housing to 2040 strategy, is underway.

My officials are currently finalising a project plan and contacted stakeholders in December to formally invite them to participate in the advisory group. Formal engagement will begin in early 2026.

We aim to publish a short report in the autumn of 2026, that sets out the future of adaptations in Scotland.

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.