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: S7O-00370

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Current Status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on 8 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when the National Treatment Centre at Perth Royal Infirmary, which it committed to in 2021, will open.

Question reference: S7W-03396

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 28 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a review of the impact of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 on families and public services, in light of the Act having been in force for six years.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to undertake a formal review of the impact of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019. Work has been undertaken with a multi-disciplinary Implementation Group to consider the impact of the legislation and how this may be effectively monitored over time. We remain committed to ensuring that children are protected from harm, while also promoting awareness, education and support for families. Should evidence emerge of any unintended or adverse impacts on children or families, we would, of course, be willing to consider whether a formal review is appropriate.

Question reference: S7O-00303

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to implement a universal library offer, as recommended by the Scottish Library and Information Council in its report on how public libraries are supported, measured and funded.

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: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 23 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-03192

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 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: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 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: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 21 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.

Public libraries are at the heart of communities and make an important contribution to Scotland’s cultural life.

Whilst local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that there is adequate provision of library services for their residents, in addition to core funding to local authorities, the Scottish Government also provide £1.035 million annually to the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC).

This funding includes £550,000 towards the Public Library Improvement Fund which supports the transformative power of libraries across Scotland to inspire and promote reading and literacy.

The SLIC “Public Libraries: Beyond Adequate” report, published earlier this year by a SLIC Working Group convened on behalf of the Scottish Government, makes ten recommendations across a number of partner organisations. All of the recommendations aim to improve service provision, leadership and strategy in public libraries across all local authorities.

The previous Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture welcomed the report. The recommendations are currently being considered as part of ongoing work. Further details will be set out in due course.

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-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-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.