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: S6W-24088

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 December 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Angus Robertson on 20 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Dublin.

On 24 November 2023, the First Minister represented the Scottish Government at the Summit meeting of the British-Irish Council hosted by the Government of Ireland and chaired by the Taoiseach – Leo Varadkar. The meeting was attended by Ministers from six of the eight BIC Member Administrations with Northern Ireland represented by senior officials.

The theme of the Summit focussed on Transforming Children’s Lives: Tackling Child Poverty and Improving Wellbeing. This discussion offered the opportunity to understand the challenges being faced by all of the Governments across these islands and to share and learn from the range of initiatives being taken to tackle the issue.

On the Latest Political Developments item, Ministers took the opportunity to recognise the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement and to reflect on the importance of BIC as one of the institutions established under that agreement.

The Council discussed political developments in Northern Ireland and highlighted the importance of the restoration of enduring devolved power-sharing institutions as soon as possible. It also reflected on the situation in Israel and Gaza, the conflict in Ukraine, the Cost of Living Crisis and the forthcoming COP 28.

In the margins of the summit, the First Minister took the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with the Taoiseach, the First Minister of Wales and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The Communiqué issued by the British-Irish Council after the meeting can be found on its website at: britishirishcouncil.org.

Question reference: S6O-02913

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 December 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of its new Carer Support Payment in the Western Isles and other pilot areas.

Question reference: S6T-01699

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 December 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the letter from the UK foreign secretary to the constitution secretary, what its response is to reports that the UK Government may withdraw Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office support for Scottish Government overseas meetings.

Question reference: S6W-23642

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 December 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 7 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on SEPA’s proposed sea lice framework to manage interactions between sea lice from finfish farms and wild salmonids.

I can advise Parliament that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has today published its response to its recent consultation on ‘Managing interactions between sea lice from finfish farms and wild salmonids in Scotland’ .

Our Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture values the role of aquaculture in producing world-renowned healthy and quality seafood, whilst recognising that its delivery and development must be sustainable.

SEPA’s finalised sea lice framework follows an extensive period of consultation. The framework will support sustainable development of fish farming worth over £1 billion to our economy, ensuring our communities continue to realise the benefits of aquaculture, by guiding development to the least-sensitive locations and protecting the environment, whilst making the development process more efficient and effective.

The framework will be implemented in phases and will adopt a proportionate, evidenced and risk-based approach to management. From February 2024, the framework will be used to assess all new and expanding fish farm developments.

Question reference: S6O-02869

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 December 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action is has taken to support the recommendations of the Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic.

Question reference: S6F-02572

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2023

To ask the First Minister what support the Scottish Government is providing to households that are experiencing the pressure of increased energy bills, in light of Citizens Advice Scotland launching its Worried This Winter awareness campaign.

Question reference: S6W-23062

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 17 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when the next paper in the Building a New Scotland series will be published.

The Scottish Government continues to deliver on its commitment to give people the information they need to make an informed choice about their future, and I’m pleased to confirm that today we are publishing An independent Scotland in the EU.

This is the seventh paper in the Building a New Scotland series, which sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for an independent Scotland in the EU. It details how EU membership is central to Scotland’s future economic and social success, and explains the benefits of EU membership to an independent Scotland, as well as what Scotland could contribute to the EU as a member state.

I can also confirm that we intend to bring the matters raised in this publication forward for a debate in the Chamber.

The Scottish Government is continuing to prepare further papers in the Building a New Scotland series. The next will be published shortly setting out our prospectus for the marine environment in an independent Scotland.

Building a New Scotland: An independent Scotland in the EU is available to view on the Scottish Government website from today at www.gov.scot/newscotland .

Question reference: S6O-02764

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to issue government bonds.

Question reference: S6W-22563

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 October 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the provision of support for young people travelling on ferries.

On 28 October 2023 the Scottish Government announced that the ferry scheme for young people is being extended to all island residents under the age of 22.

The scheme offers four free single (two return) ferry journeys a year to the mainland. At present it covers 16-18 year olds and eligible full time volunteers up to the age of 26 who are resident on a Scottish island. More young people will now be able to access ferry vouchers as a result of this change.

Question reference: S6W-21977

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 23 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on proposals from SSE Renewables to halve the number of gannets harvested in the annual Guga Hunt at Sula Sgeir to compensate for mortalities caused by the Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm.

Scottish Ministers are currently processing applications from SSE Renewables (via its project company Berwick Bank Wind Limited) for the construction and operation of the proposed Berwick Bank offshore wind farm. This process includes consultations with statutory and non-statutory consultees, as well as the opportunity for the public to make representations.

SSE Renewables has also submitted proposals to compensate for the potential adverse environmental impacts of the proposed wind farm, if a derogation under the Habitats Regulations is required. This includes a proposal regarding the guga hunt, which SSE Renewables has submitted on a without prejudice basis.

As this is a live application, it would be inappropriate to comment on the application further.

In determining an application for any project, the Scottish Ministers will consider a wide range of issues, including the environmental impacts it may have and whether a derogation under the Habitats Regulations is required. Any derogation under the Habitats Regulations, will include an assessment of the feasibility of compensation measures.