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-01489

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 15 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the new Muirburn Code, what assessment it has made of the contribution made by gamekeepers and other land managers to wildfire prevention and response, including the provision of personnel, equipment and other resources, and if such an assessment was made, whether (a) any findings have been reflected in the new code and (b) it will publish the findings.

The Scottish Government recognises that gamekeepers, farmers, crofters and other land managers can make an important contribution to wildfire prevention and response, including through vegetation management, local knowledge, practical experience, personnel and equipment.

NatureScot has engaged with stakeholders through the Muirburn Code Working Group. That engagement has helped inform the development of the Code, including provisions relating to safe planning, appropriate resourcing, liaison with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and the role of muirburn as a land management tool.

No separate formal assessment has been undertaken specifically of the contribution made by gamekeepers and other land managers to wildfire prevention and response. As no separate assessment has been produced, there are no findings to publish.

However, the knowledge and experience of land managers have been considered through the consultation and stakeholder engagement process, and has informed the development of a Code intended to be practical, proportionate and capable of supporting safe licensed muirburn where appropriate.

Question reference: S7W-01487

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 15 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to address reported concerns raised by gamekeepers that the new Muirburn Code could undermine wildfire prevention efforts and increase risks to rural communities, property and the environment.

NatureScot has worked through iterations of the Muirburn Code of Practice with stakeholders through the Muirburn Code Working Group. Stakeholder views have been considered throughout the development of the Code, including concerns raised most recently by some stakeholders about the workability of the draft provisions.

Following that engagement, NatureScot has worked with stakeholders to revise the Code to ensure that it supports safe and responsible licensed muirburn, while also protecting peatlands, habitats, species and the wider natural environment.

The Code is intended to provide a clear and practical framework for muirburn. It does not prevent muirburn from being undertaken where it is lawful, licensed where required, and carried out safely and appropriately. Where muirburn is proposed for wildfire prevention purposes, NatureScot will consider applications through the licensing process, including the specific circumstances of the land and the purpose of the proposed burning.

The Scottish Government will continue to engage with NatureScot and stakeholders as the licensing regime is implemented, to ensure that the Code remains workable in practice and supports both wildfire prevention and environmental protection.

Question reference: S7W-01486

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 15 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements it will put in place to monitor the impact of the new Muirburn Code on the frequency, extent and severity of wildfires in Scotland.

The impact of the new Muirburn Code will be kept under review as part of the wider implementation of muirburn licensing. NatureScot will monitor the operation of the licensing system, including any issues arising from licence applications, licence conditions, compliance activity and stakeholder feedback.

Wildfire frequency, extent and severity are influenced by a range of factors, including weather conditions, vegetation, land use, fuel load, visitor behaviour and climate change. It will therefore not be possible to attribute changes in wildfire activity solely to the Muirburn Code. However, the Scottish Government will continue to work with NatureScot, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and other relevant partners to consider available evidence on wildfire risk and land management practice.

The Code will remain subject to review where evidence indicates that changes are required to ensure it remains effective, proportionate and workable in practice.

Question reference: S7W-01488

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 15 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a summary of the representations received on the draft Muirburn Code, including how stakeholder feedback influenced the final version.

As set out in response to S7W-01487 on 15 July 2026, NatureScot has worked through iterations of the Muirburn Code of Practice with stakeholders through the Muirburn Code Working Group. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

A consultation on the draft Code closed in May 2025 and responses have informed NatureScot’s consideration of the final version of the Code. Stakeholder feedback has also been considered through direct engagement with the Muirburn Code Working Group and wider discussions with interested parties.

The Scottish Government does not currently intend to publish a separate summary of the representations received on the draft Code. However, the final version of the Code will reflect the outcome of NatureScot’s engagement with stakeholders and the consideration given to consultation responses.

Question reference: S7W-01564

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 18 November 2025, Heat in buildings: future plans, which stated, “We intend to introduce the [Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland)] Bill once the Scottish Parliament returns after the Scottish Election in May 2026”, by what date it will publish this Bill; what elements of the original draft Bill it plans to retain; what consultations it will hold regarding the Bill, in particular to understand the views of the country’s rural population, and how it will ensure that the Bill will maintain a technology neutral approach to home decarbonisation, as had been indicated in the original draft.

Question reference: S7O-00113

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what advice and support it provides to rural communities on wildfire prevention ahead of the heightened risk of such fires during the summer months.

Question reference: S7W-00874

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 08 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Highland regarding the delayed opening of the Invergordon GP walk-in clinic, and what action is being taken to ensure that the service becomes operational as soon as possible.

My officials are in regular contact with NHS Highland regarding the opening of the Invergordon GP walk-in clinic. NHS Highland is responsible for the operational management of the pilot however the Scottish Government is providing support where required. I appreciate the hard work of the health boards to get these services up and running and my thanks go to our hard-working NHS staff for delivering these.

Question reference: S7W-00876

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 08 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement that a GP walk-in clinic would open in Invergordon in May 2026, for what reason the original opening date was missed, and when it first became aware that it would not be met.

Question reference: S7W-00875

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 08 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement that a GP walk-in clinic would open in Invergordon in May 2026, what the revised opening date for the clinic is.

Question reference: S7W-00186

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what timescales it has set for the delivery of new affordable homes under its proposed Rural and Island Housing Fund and how it will evaluate the fund's progress, including key annual milestones.

In February we announced our intention to introduce a Rural and Islands Housing Grant Scheme to complement existing funds within the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, including the Rural and Islands Housing Fund and the Rural Affordable Homes for Key Workers Fund, both of which are open to application to March 2028.

The development of this new grant scheme will be taken forward with rural and housing partners. The scheme will be open to individuals to help meet the cost of securing a permanent home. It is expected it will provide support to first time buyers, families, rural returners and others to help them access affordable owner occupation in the rural and island communities of their choice.

Our intention is that the fund will be operational in 2026-2027 but will want to take time to develop the finer details in collaboration with rural and island housing partners to ensure that this scheme meets the needs of rural and island communities.