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-03192

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering introducing a positive list of permitted exotic animals, and if so, whether it has considered any potential risks, including legal cases and the creation of underground markets, as experienced in other European countries that have pursued a similar scheme.

Question reference: S7W-03191

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken any consultation with interested stakeholders regarding the introduction of a positive permitted list for exotic animals.

Question reference: S7W-03159

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 24 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made with its review of the definition of an “adequate provision” for libraries in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-02659

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 August 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 3 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in securing a new operator for the Dundee Airport to London Heathrow route operating under the public service obligation.

Dundee City Council is the lead body for the Public Service Obligation (PSO) between Dundee and London. The Scottish Government understands that Dundee City Council are in the process of developing proposals for a new PSO air service to London. If Dundee City Council requests a funding contribution to a future PSO then the Scottish Government will fully consider that request. Should a new PSO be imposed, the airline to operate the service will be selected through an open tender procedure as required by legislation. It should be noted that the Scottish Government continues to provide subsidy to enable the ongoing operation of Dundee Airport.

Question reference: S7W-02637

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 22 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42836 by Kate Forbes on 20 January 2026, when it plans to publish the business and regulatory impact assessment in relation to its defence sector support policy, which was updated on 3 September 2025, and whether that assessment will include information on the number of companies affected and any impact on investor confidence.

Question reference: S7W-01845

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 18 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it, the Energy Consents Unit or the National Planning Hub holds data on the cumulative electricity and water demand of all data centre proposals currently in the planning system, and if not, what its position is on commissioning such data before further determinations in relation to these proposals are made.

The Scottish Government is aware of proposed data centre developments and is communicating with developers to understand the effect across the country. We are regularly engaged with Scottish Water and the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to understand the potential effect on existing infrastructure.

This matter is under active consideration by the Scottish Government, and Parliament will be kept informed of the outcomes of those considerations – including the potential for planning guidance – in due course.

Question reference: S7W-01844

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 18 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it will publish guidance on the factors that define a green data centre, and whether, pending publication of that guidance, it will invite planning authorities to defer determining applications for hyperscale data centres.

Question reference: S7W-01960

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 18 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to local authorities and the General Teaching Council for Scotland on balancing teachers' responsibilities to demonstrate political impartiality in schools with their rights to hold and express protected religious beliefs under the Equality Act 2010, and what action it is taking to ensure that individuals working in the education sector are protected from discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief.

It is the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s responsibility as the independent professional registration and regulatory body for teachers in Scotland, to ensure teaching standards are upheld. GTCS, local authorities and professional associations, operate with appropriate independence, which the Scottish Government respects. This autonomy is an important feature of a balanced and credible system. It sits alongside clear responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty, which requires public authorities to exercise their functions in a way that advances equality, eliminates discrimination and fosters good relations between communities.

Question reference: S7W-01843

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the implications for Scotland, including for the period after Torness closes in 2030, of the electricity grid frequency event of 23 June 2026 and the subsequent matters raised in the letter by the Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to the National Energy System Operator (NESO) of 10 July 2026.

Responsibility for assessing grid stability, system inertia and generational adequacy rests with the UK Government and the National Energy System Operator (NESO), as electricity security of supply is a reserved matter.

On Monday 13 July, NESO announced an independent investigation by law firm Eversheds Sutherland International into the specific whistleblowing allegations that have been raised. The investigation will examine operational decision making and record-keeping.

Ofgem are the independent regulators and have committed to overseeing this investigation. An independent panel will ensure that all NESO staff who feel they have relevant information will be able to speak directly to Eversheds completely anonymously, and the investigation team will also be allowed to speak to whomever they wish, anonymously.

It would not be appropriate to comment until that investigation has concluded.

Question reference: S7W-01846

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 13 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on household and business electricity bills in Scotland of transmission network charges forecast by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to rise from £2.8 billion in 2020-21 to £13.6 billion in 2030-31, and of Ofgem's early funding decisions indicating substantial cost increases for transmission projects in Scotland, including the Denny to Wishaw and Tealing to Kincardine projects.

The current transmission charging regime is a significant barrier to investment in Scotland’s renewable energy industry, with key projects such as the West of Orkney Wind Farm having stalled due to the impact of high and volatile charges.

It is clear that the current system is not fit for purpose, and unfairly penalises Scottish generators, resulting in higher bills for businesses and consumers. The UK Government and Ofgem must urgently deliver long-term reform ,along side short and medium term measures to address the impact of unfair charges now.

Reforms must also recognise the critical role of Scotland’s renewable energy resources in delivering Clean Power 2030 and net zero ambition, ensuring that transmission charging supports, rather than hinders, the investment needed to deliver the energy transition.