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-04780

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2020
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government what further financial support it is considering making available to the arts, culture and tourism sectors as a result of COVID-19.

Question reference: S5O-04640

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2020
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the imposition of more restrictive regulations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, what discussions the minister for older people has had with the health secretary regarding allowing families contact with older relatives while in care.

Question reference: S5O-04577

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 September 2020
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has reviewed the uses to which the Spaces for People programme has been put since it was established, and whether this includes safety and cost-effectiveness.

Question reference: S5O-04518

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2020
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it is offering to local authorities to respond to COVID-19 outbreaks among young people in school estates.

Question reference: S5O-04401

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2020
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether a transport company it owns should pressure a witness to withdraw evidence given before a parliamentary committee.

Question reference: S5W-29128

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 2 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on digitising the land register that is held by the Registers of Scotland.

This is a question for the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. She advises me that as of the end of April 2020 RoS have registered 39.3% of land mass on the digital land register which equates to an estimated 68.4% of titles.

The published Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is to achieve 50% of land mass on the register by end March 2021 and RoS considered they were on target to achieve that pre Covid 19. Work is ongoing to fully assess the impact on Covid 19 on all of RoS strategic objectives including land register completion.

Question reference: S5W-29126

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on developing a safe operating protocol that would allow the recommencement of the property transaction process, in light of the resumption of this in England.

The health and safety of the people of Scotland is our top priority. The Scottish Government published guidance on moving home during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak on 31 March: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-moving-home/ . This guidance permits only home moves that are reasonably necessary.

A relaxation of restrictions on home moves is anticipated in phase 2 of the recovery plan, as set out in Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis , published on 21 May. A specific date is not given for the start of phase 2. If the virus remains suppressed, and the evidence allows us to do so, then gradually, more restrictions will be removed.

During phase 1, preparations can be made for the safe reopening of the housing market.

Question reference: S5W-29127

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 27 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to proposals to allow for the clearing of a backlog of home reports required to support housing transactions in progress.

Most housing transactions in progress are likely to have been brought to the market with valid Home Reports before 23 March lockdown. Providing a property has not been withdrawn from the market for a period exceeding four weeks, the Home Report will remain valid until the property is sold.

For any housing transactions commenced during lockdown and for those properties which will be brought to market after lockdown, a Home Report will be required. A feature of the housing market restart could mean an increased demand for Home Reports and pressure on surveyors to carry them out timeously.

My officials are discussing with industry and other stakeholders the safe reopening of the housing market and how this can be achieved in line with Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis, published on 21 May. Part of this will include the potential level of demand for surveyors to carry out Home Reports.

Question reference: S5W-28206

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 30 April 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns regarding restrictions on freedom of movement and the policing of this, including for those visiting vulnerable people who may require support, care or assistance due to issues such as mental health, what account Police Scotland is taking of such issues, and what guidance it has given to Police Scotland for officers when dealing on a face-to-face basis with members of the public who are (a) themselves vulnerable and (b) supporting or providing care or assistance to a vulnerable person.

Police Scotland is playing a key role in the fight against Covid-19 by ensuring individuals comply with the advice from government and the health service on social distancing to stop the spread of the pandemic, protect the NHS and save lives.

Scottish Government guidance on social distancing sets out the essential reasons why individuals may need to leave their home and this includes to provide care or to help a vulnerable person. Police Scotland has developed operational guidance and provided training and direction to front line officers for dealing with people face to face and this is reviewed regularly to take account of changes to legislation or Scottish Government guidance. The Service is engaging nationally and locally during this time with partners, particularly those representing vulnerable, minority and disabled communities to identify and address any emerging community tensions or vulnerabilities at an early stage and has produced additional guidance to assist officers when engaging people with vulnerable people. This ensures a consistent approach, whilst maintaining dignity, freedom and safety for the individuals concerned.

Question reference: S5W-28178

Asked by: Gordon Lindhurst, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 March 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 9 April 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, what its response is to reports that Airbnb and other similar businesses are continuing to list properties for rent, and what measures it has put in place to ensure that such businesses comply with its guidance.

The Scottish Government’s top priority is the health and safety of the people of Scotland. Regulations are now in force requiring anyone carrying on a business providing holiday accommodation to cease carrying on that business. The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 came into force on 26 March 2020. Regulation 4 requires providers of holiday accommodation to cease carrying on with their business during the emergency period, subject to very limited exceptions. Police officers have powers to enforce these regulations.