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-01774

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 13 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Amey and (b) Transport Scotland, in advance of refurbishment work on the A96 Fochabers New Bridge, regarding how disruption arising from work will be minimised.

Transport Scotland and its Operating Company, Amey, worked collaboratively to develop the most effective approach for delivering these works. Each project must achieve an appropriate balance between safety, efficient delivery, minimising impacts on local communities, and ensuring value for money in the use of public funds. To reduce disruption as far as possible, a range of options was considered before a preferred approach was identified. This involved maintaining access across the bridge throughout the works by keeping one lane open during daytime hours and limiting full closures to overnight periods only. Where overnight closures are necessary, a Standard Incident Diversion Route is implemented. This route is assessed and agreed by Police Scotland, Moray Council, and Amey. It is important to recognise that both the traffic management arrangements and the works themselves operate within a dynamic environment that can change on a daily basis. While no traffic management solution can completely eliminate delays, Amey will continue to monitor traffic conditions closely and make adjustments to temporary signal timings where appropriate. The aim is to achieve the best possible balance between traffic flow and project delivery, minimising impacts on all stakeholders while ensuring the works are carried out safely and efficiently.

Question reference: S7W-01773

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 13 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Amey and (b) Transport Scotland, in advance of refurbishment work on the A96 Fochabers New Bridge, regarding engagement with businesses in (i) Fochabers and (ii) Mosstodloch.

Transport Scotland worked closely with its operating company, Amey, to develop and deliver the scheme, including the associated traffic management arrangements. Throughout the planning process, careful consideration was given to the potential impacts on local communities and businesses, with every effort made to minimise disruption. Ahead of the works, Amey implemented a comprehensive communications campaign to raise awareness of the project and inform road users and businesses of potential delays. Mobile Variable Message Signs were deployed on the trunk road at Elgin and Keith for more than two weeks prior to the commencement of works. In addition, details of the overnight road closures and diversion routes were shared in advance with local MSPs and elected members. Information was also disseminated directly to residents and stakeholders through letter drops, local print media, social media campaigns, email alerts and Traffic Scotland communication channels.

Question reference: S7W-02086

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it disbanded its Tax Advisory Group on 18 February 2026, and whether it plans to establish a similar group during the current parliamentary session.

The Tax Advisory Group (TAG), which was chaired by the previous Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, met from July 2023 and concluded with the previous parliamentary session.

Engagement remains an important part of policymaking, and I plan to engage with Parliament and wider stakeholders on tax policy including as part of Budget processes.

We have a strong record of engagement on tax policy beyond TAG, including the first Scottish Government conference on tax in September last year, and meetings with a range of organisations as part of the Budget process. Our second Tax Conference is planned for 24 September 2026.

Question reference: S7W-02370

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) CalMac or (b) Transport Scotland plans to provide a replacement bus service during the period of scheduled works on the MV Ali Cat and MV Argyll Flyer between 2 September 2026 and 25 March 2027.

Question reference: S7W-02366

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many sailings on CalMac's Gourock to Dunoon ferry service carried (a) zero passengers, (b) fewer than 12 passengers, (c) between 13 and 24 passengers, (d) between 25 and 36 passengers, (e) between 37 and 48 passengers, and (f) 49 or more passengers, between March 2025 and March 2026.

Question reference: S7W-02369

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the number of sailings provided and the number of passengers carried on CalMac's Gourock to Dunoon ferry service during the April to June quarter in (a) 2024, (b) 2025 and (c) 2026.

Question reference: S7W-02364

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail in light of the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service temporarily running as a single vessel service between 2 September 2026 and 25 March 2027.

Question reference: S7W-02374

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether construction contracts for new vessels for the Gourock to Dunoon ferry route will be awarded directly to Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd.

Question reference: S7W-02368

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the annual fuel consumption associated with providing CalMac's Gourock to Dunoon ferry service has been in each year since 2024.

Question reference: S7W-02372

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 7 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Outline Business Case for the Gourock-Dunoon-Kilcreggan routes relates to the construction of (a) one or (b) two new vessels for the Gourock to Dunoon ferry route.