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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 2396 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-27055

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the next routine maintenance is scheduled to be carried out on each junction of the A9 between Inverness and Thurso.

Rather than a set routine maintenance schedule, the programmes of routine maintenance on all trunk roads are developed based on need within the limits of available funding. The information that drives the programmes comes from a variety of sources, such as the regular safety inspections, the annual condition inspections and reports from the public.

Other work streams such as Strategic Road Safety can also develop schemes that contribute to the improvement of north west trunk roads if the investigation of accident statistics highlights problems at specific locations, including junctions. A number of schemes on the A9 junctions have been completed recently through this budget as part of a package of short term works to improve safety prior to the dualling of the remainder of the A9.

Cyclic maintenance is also carried out across trunk roads including grass cutting at junctions to keep visibility splays clear and bollard cleaning to maintain their reflectivity.

The following highlights the diverse range of schemes being prepared for the A9 this financial year and the schemes that have been undertaken recently.

A9 Spittal – proposed design of new footpath link to community hall (2024-25). Associated signing and road marking upgrades. Construction subject to available funding (from 2025-26 onwards).
A9 Tore Roundabout – traffic modelling assessment currently being progressed by an external consultant on behalf of the Transport Scotland Bus Partnership Fund. Possibly future investigation/design work to introduce signal control at the roundabout to be taken forward by our Operating Company BEAR Scotland. Awaiting confirmation of 0802 funding to determine if any work can progress in 2024-25.
A9 Scrabster – investigation proposed 2024-25 to improve non motorised user access around the harbour area (subject to available funding).

Question reference: S6W-27058

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions have taken place with (a) the car hire sector, (b) key local partners and (c) regional partners to examine how tourists and foreign drivers can be better educated on the use of Scotland’s roads, including the A9.

In 2019, Road Safety Scotland (RSS) partnered with Police Scotland and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) to develop a campaign targeting foreign drivers/those not familiar with driving on the left. Leaflets, wristbands, and windscreen stickers were provided to car rental companies to distribute to foreign drivers hiring vehicles at airports across Scotland.

In 2023, following Covid, the campaign was revived and further developed, and launched by the Minister for Transport. In addition to the BVRLA route, campaign resources were also made available in Visit Scotland iCentres, airports, ferry ports, and supported by variable message signs on appropriate routes. The wristbands say 'drive on the left' in nine languages, and RSS has also produced reservoir gaiters saying 'ride on the left' in eight languages for use by motorcyclists.

Furthermore, a short, animated video was produced for companies to send to drivers in advance of picking up their vehicles providing information on the use of single track roads and passing places. More information on the campaign can be found here: Driving on the left - Road Safety Scotland

Question reference: S6W-27061

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when routine maintenance of (a) white lineage and (b) bollards was last carried out at each junction on the A9 between Inverness and Thurso.

Maintenance of junction road markings is typically the responsibility of the authority whose road connects with the trunk road. In most cases on the A9 this is the local authority. The exception is acceleration and decelerations lanes, which Transport Scotland maintains. Notwithstanding this, since January 2023, Transport Scotland has collaborated with local authorities to improve junction markings on the A9.

Recent road marking improvements have included:

Ousdale
Geiselittle
Cambusavie Bends
Berriedale
Deephaven
South of The Mound
North of Glenmorangie
North of Struie
B9169 Junction
North of Hilliclay
Achalone
Alness to Tomich
Inverbrora
South of Inverbrora

Bollards are included in an annual cyclic maintenance programme. Our records show maintenance was undertaken between May and September 2023. More recently maintenance commenced in April 2024 with more planned in the coming months.

Question reference: S6W-26917

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-03310 by Patrick Harvie on 18 April 2024, regarding the ban on the installation of wood burners and other pollution-emitting heating systems in new properties, whether it will provide a non-exhaustive list of portable appliances that can be used as emergency heat sources.

As Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy, I have recently taken on responsibility for this matter from the former Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights. The NBHS, as it stands, prohibits the use of direct emissions heating in all new buildings only, from 1 April 2024, and in certain types of conversions where reasonably practicable. We recognise that heating for emergency use will be needed and the NBHS permits fixed systems which may include woodburning stoves for emergency use where this is justified – this is in direct response to feedback from rural communities recognising concerns about supply.

Portable heaters are not within the scope of building regulations and therefore do not need to be referenced in a building warrant application. Accordingly, we would not seek to provide a suggested list. Those considering portable appliances for emergency heating will decide what common products and solutions are most relevant for their circumstances. However, we have heard the concerns raised over the past few weeks about the use of woodburning stoves, particularly in emergency situations, and are taking these fully on board. Initially, we are considering what further clarity is needed in guidance to address those concerns and will work with concerned parties, developers and Local Authorities to ensure any updates to the existing technical guidance address this comprehensively.

Question reference: S6O-03364

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when its review of capital spending will be complete.

Question reference: S6W-26569

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 15 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the (a) Keeper of the Registers of Scotland and the (b) King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (KLTR) in relation to the reported application to register a title to the MacLeod Estate, including the Cuillin, in the Land Register, and whether it will consider applying to the KLTR to take ownership of any ownerless land identified in the process of land registration.

Question reference: S6W-26116

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 22 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the peer review of NHS Western Isles patient escort process will be published.

Following receipt of the proposed scope for the peer review, the Scottish Government asked NHS Shetland and Orkney to extend the scope to include representation from relevant patient groups involved with the previous review of the application process, which was led by NHS Western Isles. This is an important part of ensuring that concerns on the escorts approvals process can be appropriately considered.

This part of the review has not yet concluded and Officials have asked the Boards to confirm by the end of March as to when the output will be available.

Question reference: S6O-03274

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when its review of capital spending will be complete.

Question reference: S6W-25949

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 01 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 13 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential public expenditure or contingent liability implications for its Budget to de-risk or otherwise sufficiently underwrite private investment in nature sufficient to deliver private investment at the scale of (a) £5 billion, (b) £10 billion and (c) £15 billion up to 2032, in the absence of carbon prices capable of fully funding private investment ambitions, and whether it will publish any such assessment.

Options are currently being explored for spending models on nature restoration that can encourage greater responsible private investment while maximising the value of public spending. This includes consideration of ‘blended finance’ mechanisms where public funding is used in a more targeted way to support increased nature restoration activity by attracting responsible private investment.

The Scottish Government has not assessed potential public expenditure or contingent liability implications for its budget to de-risk or otherwise sufficiently underwrite private investment in nature. Budget implications would be published in line with usual processes.

Question reference: S6W-25991

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 12 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the consultation on crofting reform legislation will be launched.