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: S5O-03412

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 June 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are for people applying to university who have leave to remain when assessing their home or overseas status.

Question reference: S5W-23409

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 7 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Scotland's food and drink exports are at a record high of £6.3 billion.

Food and drink is one of Scotland’s brightest economic success stories. These statistics highlight the importance of the sector’s growth in recent years and are testament to the unique collaboration between government and industry and the hard work and enterprise of businesses all over Scotland albeit in challenging circumstances.

The numbers also highlight the risks that Brexit poses to this success. They show that our single biggest trading partner for exports – by some distance – is the EU. Should Scotland be pulled out of that community against our will, then the impacts could be hugely disruptive. The sector has already estimated huge losses in annual value thanks to the creation of trade barriers and tariffs, as well as the loss of vital migrant workers from Europe.

Any form of Brexit represents a major threat to the cost and quality of produce exported from Scotland. This government wants our food and drink sector to continue to flourish, at home and in international markets. That is why we will keep on making the case for Scotland to remain in the EU – it is our most important market for so many Scottish food and drink products, and we want that to continue into the future.

Question reference: S5W-23411

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 7 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to the food and drink sector, in light of statistics suggesting that the sector's value was almost £15 billion in 2017.

We continue to work with farmers, food producers and industry bodies to drive forward the Ambition 2030 food and drink strategy. Our Programme for Government sets out a range of measures to support the sector, building on the range of work that is already ongoing.

Indeed, direct investment and support to the food and drink sector in Scotland from the public sector across a range of areas including skills, education, research, industry development, standards and capital investment equates to approximately £100 million per annum.

Question reference: S5O-03354

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 June 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to deliver superfast broadband to rural communities.

Question reference: S5O-03314

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the European election results, what discussions it has had with its UK counterparts regarding Brexit.

Question reference: S5O-03285

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 22 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how the draft neurological action plan will help people with ME.

We want to ensure that everyone living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in Scotland is able to access the best possible care and support to live well on their own terms. That is why we have made it a priority through our Programme for Government to implement Scotland’s first National Action Plan on Neurological Conditions. This has been produced in collaboration with the neurological community and will be published in final form later this year.

Question reference: S5W-22938

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 9 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to carry out awareness-raising activities in respect of the question on the Scots language in the 2021 census.

The Scottish Government has provided funding to the Scots Language Centre to research and develop a strategy for delivering a refreshed online campaign supporting the Scots language questions in the 2021 census.

The Scots Language Centre has begun discussions with stakeholders with the purpose of gathering information about Scots in the census and making this widely available via a dedicated section on their website. The SLC has also started the process of auditing existing information provision and working with Scottish Government officials and stakeholders on developing plans for an awareness raising campaign in advance of the census in 2021. We will consider the topical needs of core audiences and seek to identify the most effective routes to meeting these.

In the meantime, Scottish Government policy officials and the Scots Language Centre continue to work with the NRS to develop their guidance for the Scots question to ensure greater public understanding of term Scots language.

Question reference: S5O-03073

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 March 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact has been on the economy of Aberdeen and the north east of business uncertainty resulting from Brexit.

Question reference: S5W-21944

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2019
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 7 March 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reached a decision on when it will publish its principles of charging and objectives for the water industry’s 2021 to 2027 price control period, and whether it will alter the single person discount for water charges.

I have carefully considered the feedback received from customers and stakeholders during the recent consultation process as well as the comments received from representatives subsequently. I have also considered the impact of amending discounts during the transition to Universal Credit, the consequential impact on the effectiveness of Water Direct and the continued scrutiny of local taxation following the Barclay Review.

I will publish the final Principles of Charging and Ministerial Objectives as soon as they are complete and no later than June 2020, the date set out in the industry timetable. As I continue to refine that document I can confirm that I have concluded that the single person discount should not be amended for the period 2021-27. My officials will continue to work with industry stakeholders to determine how the Scottish Government can continue to keep customer charges as low as practicable and provide support for those members of society that are least able to afford those payments. I have further concluded that vacant domestic properties will, subject to further detailed implementation details being agreed, fall into charge in the period. I will continue to consider other changes including developer charging arrangements, improving rural supplies and supporting innovation to best drive sustainable economic growth.

Question reference: S5O-02897

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports young people from deprived communities to positively engage in sporting activities.

Scottish Government has a vision of a Scotland where more people are more active, more often. We aim to reduce physical inactivity in adults and adolescents by 15% by 2030. The Active Scotland Outcomes Framework sets out our ambitions for a more active Scotland, and is underpinned by a commitment to equality.

We know that young people from deprived communities are less likely to participate in sport. So programmes like Active Schools and Community Sport Hubs are key in providing opportunities for young people to engage in sporting activities.