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-00146

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 3 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what specific reforms to rural planning legislation it is considering as part of the development of the Rural Renewal Bill.

We are keen to develop potential rural planning reforms, informed over the early period of this new Parliament by stakeholder engagement and consultation. This will build on the findings of previous engagement on issues relevant to how planning policy and the planning system impact on rural areas, for example, through the development of the National Planning Framework and on permitted development rights.

Question reference: S7W-00177

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 1 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many rural and island communities currently rely on a single remaining shop, pub, post office or other essential community business.

Question reference: S7W-00180

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 1 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the cost of establishing a Last Provider Fund.

Question reference: S7W-00178

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 1 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with representatives of rural and island communities regarding its proposed Last Provider Fund.

Question reference: S7W-00143

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has undertaken to date with rural stakeholders on the proposed Rural Renewal Bill.

Question reference: S7W-00142

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide further details on its proposed Rural Renewal Bill, including the intended aims of the legislation, the anticipated timetable for consultation and introduction, and how rural communities and stakeholders will be involved in its development.

Question reference: S7W-00144

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Rural Renewal Bill will include provisions requiring ministers and public bodies to undertake rural impact assessments when developing policy.

Question reference: S7W-00145

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Rural Renewal Bill will include provisions to introduce a formal rural-proofing requirement for all new legislation, policy and major spending decisions.

Question reference: S7W-00045

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce will consider the impact of travel distances and weather-related disruption on patient safety and outcomes, and whether it will specially examine the sustainability of reinstating consultant-led maternity services in Caithness.

The Scottish Government has a clear focus on ensuring women have access to safe, person-centred and high quality maternity care, and I look forward giving a statement to Parliament in the coming weeks on how the Scottish Government will be further improving maternity services across the country.

It is already a matter of public record that the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is reviewing the issues facing rural communities, including Caithness.

Question reference: S7W-00043

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it plans to deliver on its commitment, which it made during the 2026 Scottish Parliament election campaign, to undertake a national review of maternity services.