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-01332

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 21 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the implementation of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025, whether it will provide a timetable and a date by which it anticipates that all aspects of the legislation to be operational.

Question reference: S7W-01362

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the impact of water scarcity on food production in Scotland.

We know that the impact of climate change means that summers in Scotland are likely to get drier which may impact summer water scarcity. As a result, it is vital that we take action both to limit further climate change and to adapt to the challenges it is already creating.

Scotland’s National Adaptation Plan sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners are taking to respond to the impacts of climate change, and Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan sets out how water resources are managed during periods of scarcity - including for users in agriculture and food production.

The Scottish Government supports farmers in efficient water management and to adapt to a changing climate, for example through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme and through the Agricultural Reform Programme and monitors overall impacts on food production through the Food Security Unit.

Question reference: S7W-01364

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is planning to take to ensure that agriculture, food production and food security in Scotland are not significantly impacted by combined environmental and global factors, including water scarcity, drought and soaring prices of and limited access to fertiliser as a result of the closure of Strait of Hormuz.

Scotland’s food, farming, and marine sectors have been beset by a range of challenges in recent years – not least as a result of Brexit - and we know that there are increasing risks to Scotland’s food security, including from climate change and ongoing conflicts globally.

Scotland’s National Adaptation Plan sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners are taking to respond to the impacts of climate change, and Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan sets out how water resources are managed during periods of scarcity, including for users in agriculture and food production.

The Scottish Government’s Food Security Unit works closely across policy areas, with external partners and other UK nations to ensure food security concerns are reflected strategically. The unit also monitors overall food security in Scotland (including fertiliser, fuel and food supply) working closely with industry through our Food Sector Resilience Group to share intelligence, identify risks and support co-ordinated responses.

Alongside this, the Scottish Government continues to support active farming and food production through direct payments, including bringing forward payment dates to support cash flow. The 2026-27 budget allocates more than £665 million for the purpose of supporting farmers, land managers, rural communities, and rural businesses.

Question reference: S7W-01363

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding water scarcity in 2025, what (a) action has been taken to assess its impact, particularly on the east coast, (b) lessons have been learnt and (c) is being implemented in 2026 as a result.

In 2025 Scotland experienced the driest start to the year in more than 60 years, prompting enhanced monitoring and assessment activity by the Scottish Government, SEPA and Scottish Water.

The Scottish Government supports a wide range of research on the impact of water scarcity. Its Strategic Research Programme (2022-2027) is modelling future drought risks and ecosystem service impacts using water abstraction data, while the Scottish Government funded Centre of Expertise for Waters is also investigating the ecological impact of water scarcity and the socio-economic water demand.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) also undertakes assessments to evaluate the effects of licenced abstractions.

Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan sets out how water resources are managed during periods of scarcity. The Scottish Government, SEPA and Scottish Water have established processes to monitor the situation and support those affected. SEPA’s actions include daily river level monitoring, publishing weekly water scarcity reports, providing water availability information to abstractors, issuing targeted advice, and engaging with key stakeholders.

The Scottish Government also supports farmers in efficient water use through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme. In 2026 this will continue to support the Water use Efficiency – Irrigation Lagoon option, helping businesses in targeted catchments to plan investment in water storage as part of longer-term resilience to water scarcity.

Question reference: S7W-01333

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether Crown Estate Scotland has stopped the Community Land Accelerator pilot and what plans it has to publish its findings from the pilot.

Question reference: S7W-00723

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that air travel is affordable for islanders and island businesses.

We understand the importance of aviation to the Highlands and Islands, which is why the Scottish Government provides funding to support the operations of Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL). In order to ensure that HIAL can continue to operate safe and regulatory compliant airports, supporting connectivity in the Highlands and Islands, we’re making a budget available to HIAL of £52.3 million in 2026-27. This subsidy is crucial to facilitating the operation of air services by enabling HIAL to set its airport charges at a lower level than they would otherwise, thus lowering costs for airlines.

We also continue to operate the Air Discount Scheme which provides residents of Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Caithness and north-west Sutherland with a 50% discount on the core air fare on eligible services. We currently expect the scheme to provide support to registered scheme members of around £15 million in 2026-27.

Question reference: S7W-00725

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of whether current air travel services are meeting the needs of island communities.

The provision of air services is a matter for individual airlines. However the Scottish Government understand the importance of aviation to the Highlands and Islands. The continued provision of the Air Discount Scheme provides significant support to residents of Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Caithness and north-west Sutherland with a 50% discount on the core air fare on eligible services. We currently expect the scheme to provide support to registered scheme members of around £15 million in 2026-27.

This is why we provide funding to support the operations of Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL). In order to ensure that HIAL can continue to operate safe and regulatory compliant airports, supporting connectivity in the Highlands and Islands, we’re making a budget available to HIAL of £52.3 million in 2026-27. HIAL’s strategic plan includes a priority to deliver a safe and sustainable airport operating model to meet the needs of customers, communities and colleagues. HIAL regularly engages with the communities it serves through a variety of fora adapting the engagement to the needs and formats best suited to the wide range of communities it serves.

Question reference: S7W-00724

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Loganair regarding the cost of island flights.

As a key provider of air services in Scotland, the Scottish Government regularly engages with Loganair on a variety of issues, including in relation to fares. Fare levels are, however, entirely a matter for the airline and the Scottish Government has no power to directly intervene in the operation of air services. The Scottish Government continues to operate the Air Discount Scheme which provides residents of Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Caithness and north-west Sutherland with a 50% discount on the core air fare on eligible services. We currently expect the scheme to provide support to registered scheme members of around £15 million in 2026-27.

Question reference: S7O-00050

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the current status of the Barra and Vatersay Community Campus project.

Question reference: S7W-00098

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 28 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to deliver island representation on the boards of CMAL and CalMac.

Scottish Ministers are clear that island communities must have a strong and meaningful voice in the governance of Scotland’s ferry services. They have taken active steps to support this, including through representation on the boards of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) and CalMac Ferries Ltd. As a result, there are currently two island residents serving on the Board of CalMac Ferries Ltd.

Ministers will continue to use the public appointments process to actively encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of island communities, while ensuring that all appointments are made on merit and that boards have the skills required to deliver high-quality ferry services.

Work is ongoing with CMAL and CalMac Ferries Ltd to promote board opportunities within island communities and to support applications from individuals with direct experience of island life. Future appointment rounds, including the forthcoming CMAL campaign, will provide further opportunities to strengthen island representation on these boards.