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-03848

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 14 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how its proposed £350 million Better Surfaces Fund will be allocated among local authorities.

The funding approach to deliver the Better Surfaces Fund will be considered and prioritised as part of the Scottish Budget 2027-28.

As with all areas of Local Government funding, substantive details around funding allocations and accountability will be considered through the joint COSLA and Scottish Government Settlement and Distribution Group prior to recommendations being provided to COSLA Leaders.

Question reference: S7W-03849

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 28 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions on rural and agricultural businesses.

Question reference: S7W-03842

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 28 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will assess the Canadian Government's catalogue of standardised, regionally tailored house designs, and whether it will consider adopting a similar approach to reduce costs and accelerate the planning and construction of new homes.

Question reference: S7W-03844

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 28 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it will address the issue of long-term empty retail units on high streets, including in Arbroath.

Question reference: S7W-03843

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 28 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out its final position on whether to give local authorities Compulsory Sale Order powers.

Question reference: S7O-00274

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with Historic Environment Scotland and VisitScotland to attract visitors to historic buildings.

Question reference: S7W-03305

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Stephen Flynn on 16 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its regulatory check of local road user charging powers under Part 3 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001.

Given the ongoing financial pressures facing households, we do not believe it is appropriate to continue work on the regulatory check of local road user charging powers at present. Accordingly, no further work is being taken forward.

The Scottish Government remains committed to meeting Scotland's carbon budget targets and achieving net zero emissions by 2045. We will continue to support sustainable travel and reduce transport emissions, contributing to delivery of the Climate Change Plan while helping to realise the economic opportunities of the transition to net zero.

Question reference: S7O-00207

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what role it envisages for Angus in its proposed East Coast Arc between Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews.

Question reference: S7O-00149

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Angus Council regarding the presence of RAAC in council and privately-owned homes in Monifieth.

Question reference: S7W-01323

Asked by: Lloyd Melville, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with Angus Council regarding the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) that was discovered in local authority and privately owned homes in Monifieth.

Local authorities are responsible for determining their own approach to properties affected by RAAC to ensure the response takes account of local circumstances and there is no duty for local authorities to report to Scottish Government on their approach to RAAC. However Scottish Government engage with local authorities as required. The most recent meetings between the Scottish Government and Angus Council to discuss RAAC are as follows:

Scottish Government officials met with officers from Angus Council on 27 March 2026 to discuss their approach to RAAC in Monifeith and what options the Council are considering for both council-owned properties and owner-occupied properties affected by RAAC.
Elected members and officers from Angus Council attended the RAAC in Housing Leadership Group meeting, chaired by the former Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Mairi McAllan, on 28 January 2026. This meeting focussed upon the guidance published by the Institution of Structural Engineers to identify, assess and remediate RAAC.
The former Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Mairi McAllan, met with Dundee and Angus residents and elected members on 27 August 2025 to hear directly from people impacted by RAAC.

The former Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Mairi McAllan, invited local authorities to submit proposals for financial flexibility to support solutions for RAAC affected properties. Angus Council have not submitted any requests to date.