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: S4W-06985

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 27 April 2012
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 8 May 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-06469 by Nicola Sturgeon on 26 April 2012, on what date it responded to the UK Government’s consultation on welfare reform; what concerns were raised in its response, and whether it has received correspondence from the UK Government regarding any concerns raised.

We responded to the UK Government’s consultation on Welfare Reform on 28 September 2010. Our concerns regarding the cumulative impact of these reforms and additional cuts to benefits on some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in Scotland are a matter of public record. We have had regular correspondence with the UK Government regarding its welfare reforms, and we will continue to do so as we prepare for the implementation of the changes.

Question reference: S4O-00984

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 May 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 May 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reform the legal aid system.

Question reference: S4W-06870

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 2 May 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will consult on the (a) future investment priorities for Scottish Water and (b) principles behind charging for (i) water and (ii) waste services.

Question reference: S4W-06608

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 April 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 1 May 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a mechanism for the enforcement of a fair rent in the private rented sector.

Question reference: S4W-06606

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 April 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 1 May 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive how fair rents in the private sector are assessed.

The term “fair rent” has a specific meaning under the terms of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984. The Rent Service Scotland (RSS), a part of the Scottish Government, can undertake “fair rent” assessments for private rented properties let before 2 January 1989 as “regulated” tenancies.

In certain circumstances, if a regulated tenant is dissatisfied with the rent fixed by the RSS Rent Officer, they can apply to the Private Rented Housing Panel to have their “fair rent” determined by a Private Rented Housing Committee.

Question reference: S4W-06603

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 April 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 1 May 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-06109 by Keith Brown on 2 March 2012, who represents the organisations of which the Private Sector Strategy Group is comprised.

Question reference: S4W-06605

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 April 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 1 May 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what the definition is of a mid-market rent.

Question reference: S4W-06607

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 April 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 1 May 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive what action a private tenant can take if they consider that their rent is higher than justified.

A private rented sector tenant on a “regulated tenancy” can have their rent assessed by the Rent Service Scotland (RSS), a part of the Scottish Government. In certain circumstances, if they are dissatisfied with the rent fixed by the RSS Rent Officer, they can apply to the Private Rented Housing Panel to have their rent determined by a Private Rented Housing Committee.

A private rented sector tenant on an Assured or a Short Assured Tenancy can also apply to the Private Rented Housing Panel to have their rent determined by a Private Rented Housing Committee, in certain circumstances.

Question reference: S4W-06604

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 April 2012
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 1 May 2012

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it wishes to encourage the expansion of the private rented sector.

Question reference: S4F-00642

Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 30 April 2012
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 May 2012

To ask the First Minister what information the Scottish Government was given following the abduction of Khalil Dale.