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: S5W-04273

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by James Wolffe on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01163 by Fiona Hyslop on 29 July 2016, in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that "the Scottish Government has committed to being as open and as frank as possible – with the Scottish people, as well as with the Scottish Parliament – as it explores all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU", what information it can provide regarding the legal advice that it has (a) commissioned and (b) received regarding the Brexit process.

The Scottish Government receives legal advice on this and other EU matters on an on-going basis and will continue to do so as appropriate as it explores all options to protect Scotland’s interests and relationship with the EU.

The Scottish Ministerial code is clear that Ministers must not divulge either the source or content of legal advice. However, this will not undermine Scottish Government commitment to provide regular updates to the Scottish Parliament on the work undertaken in response to the result of the EU referendum.

Question reference: S5W-04277

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by James Wolffe on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how it procures its legal advice.

Question reference: S5W-04299

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on the ability of the construction industry to secure loans for building new homes.

Question reference: S5W-04275

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by James Wolffe on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government which Lot of its Legal Services Framework it uses to obtain legal advice relating to Scotland's place in Europe.

Question reference: S5W-04281

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what estimates it has made of the impact of Brexit on employment levels.

Analysis published by the Scottish Government (“Potential Implications of the UK Leaving the EU on Scotland’s Long Run Economic Performance”) on 23 August 2016 summarises the impact that leaving the EU could have on the Scottish economy based on a range of recent studies covering different trading relationships that the UK could adopt.

The analysis shows that the potential cost to Scottish GDP of leaving the European Union could be up to £11.2 billion per year by 2030 than under a scenario where the UK remains a member. The analysis also indicates that leaving the EU could result in a reduction in Scottish tax revenues of up to £3.7 billion a year by 2030.

Evidence published by the European and External Relations Committee based on analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute confirms the risks Brexit poses to Scotland’s economy. The Fraser of Allander Institute forecast that leaving the EU could result in the number of people in employment being up to 80,000 lower after 10 years.

The Scottish Government is pursuing all options to retain our relationship with Europe, access to the single market, and all the advantages that brings.

Question reference: S5W-04220

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what contingency plans it is preparing in the event that the UK leaves the single market.

Question reference: S5W-04296

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government which Scottish foods have protected geographical indication under EU law, and what estimates it has made of the revenue impact should this protected status be lost.

Scotland currently has 14 products that are registered under the EU Protected Food Name Scheme:-

Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop Cheese

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar

Stornoway Black Pudding

Scottish Wild Salmon

Shetland Lamb

Orkney Beef

Orkney Lamb

Scottish Farmed Salmon

Scotch Lamb

Scotch Beef

Arbroath Smokie

Native Shetland Wool

Teviotdale Cheese

Bonchester Cheese

We are looking at all options for ensuring the continued protection of Geographical Indications, including protected food names, and are in discussion with the current holders to determine the potential impact of any change to their status.

Question reference: S5W-04219

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government when it began preparing its proposals for allowing Scotland to stay in the single market.

The Scottish Government began preparing its proposals for protecting Scotland’s interest and to stay in the single market immediately after the EU Referendum vote. This is being informed by the Standing Council on Europe, which was established by the First Minister to provide the Scottish Government with independent, expert advice on how Scotland’s interests can best be protected following the EU referendum.

Question reference: S5W-04197

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the EU referendum result on the sectors that are most heavily dependent on EU migrant workers.

The Scottish Government research published on 28 October 2016 contains a breakdown of Scotland's population by sector of employment. This includes a breakdown of recent EEA migrants and established EEA migrants. This research is cited in answer to question S5W-04192 on 16 November 2016.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Question reference: S5W-04195

Asked by: Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 16 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe has defined Scotland's negotiating position; whether this will be provided to the Parliament and how it will do so.