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: S4W-20469

Asked by: Gavin Brown, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2014
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 14 April 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how many representations have been made by ministers to the UK Government on the issue of VAT on tourism since 2007.

Since 2007, the Scottish Government has made four written representations to the UK Government pointing out that VAT rates in the UK are higher than in many European countries, placing the Scottish tourism and hospitality sectors at a clear competitive disadvantage. The 20 per cent rate of VAT on hotel accommodation in the UK is currently the third highest in the European Union with 24 Member States choosing to levy a lower rate.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth raised the issue with the UK Chancellor on 9 March 2012.

A further representation was made on 24 April 2012, specifically on the UK Government proposal to levy the full rate of VAT on the purchase of static caravans.

Following an independent review of the snowsports sector within Scotland, which highlighted the competitive disadvantage of the 20% VAT rate on ski-lifts, the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism wrote to HM Treasury on 18 June 2012, and again on 11 September 2012. This sought to bring forward a reduction in the VAT rate from 01 April 2013 to 01 January 2014.

Question reference: S4W-20474

Asked by: Gavin Brown, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 April 2014
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 14 April 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has regarding VAT rates on tourism in the event of independence and whether it has committed to reduce them.

Scotland’s Future points out that “With independence the Scottish Parliament will make decisions about all aspects of taxation. Independence will provide an opportunity to design a Scottish tax system based on specific circumstances, preferences and principles. Tax rates and allowances will be set by future governments in an independent Scotland.” - page 7. It will therefore be for all parties in Parliament to set out their plans for taxation in an independent Scotland ahead of the 2016 election.

Question reference: S4O-03098

Asked by: Gavin Brown, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 April 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in taking forward the business rates incentivisation scheme.

Question reference: S4W-20223

Asked by: Gavin Brown, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2014
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 24 March 2014

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland became an independent country and did not enter into a formal currency union with the rest of the UK, what its plan E currency option would be.

Question reference: S4W-20224

Asked by: Gavin Brown, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2014
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 24 March 2014

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland became an independent country and did not enter into a formal currency union with the rest of the UK, what its plan F currency option would be.

Question reference: S4W-20220

Asked by: Gavin Brown, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2014
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 24 March 2014

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland became an independent country and did not enter into a formal currency union with the rest of the UK, what its plan B currency option would be.

Question reference: S4W-20222

Asked by: Gavin Brown, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2014
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 24 March 2014

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland became an independent country and did not enter into a formal currency union with the rest of the UK, what its plan D currency option would be.

Question reference: S4W-20221

Asked by: Gavin Brown, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2014
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 24 March 2014

To ask the Scottish Government, if Scotland became an independent country and did not enter into a formal currency union with the rest of the UK, what its plan C currency option would be.

Question reference: S4O-03010

Asked by: Gavin Brown, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 March 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 March 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to boost e-commerce.

Question reference: S4W-19897

Asked by: Gavin Brown, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 21 February 2014
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 5 March 2014

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its Draft Budget 2015-16.