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: S6O-01150

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the courts system to clear the current reported backlog of cases.

Question reference: S6O-01108

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many grants have been awarded through the Croft House Grant scheme in the Western Isles since 2007.

Question reference: S6W-08331

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the British Standards Institute regarding the timeline for establishing the proposed Scottish Technical Group, to help ensure that PAS regulations can be tailored for rural and coastal housing stock, climate and geography.

We are continuing to work with the BSI to finalise the membership and terms of reference for a new Scottish technical group to help achieve this. The membership of the group will include a representative who can highlight the needs and concerns of remote rural and island communities in Scotland. We expect the new group to identify and establish good practice for retrofitting traditional properties in more exposed locations, such as coastal and island communities.

The process of reaching out to potential members of the new group has been started and we expect the first meeting of the new group to take place during the Summer.

Question reference: S6W-07740

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 26 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of the housing agency, Tighean Innse Gall, ending the employment of staff involved in providing government-funded home insulation schemes, how such home insulation work will be continued in the Western Isles.

We have written to the Comhairle setting out our view on the issues raised by Tighean Innse Gall and continued delivery of home insulation schemes in the Western Isles. The Scottish Government has proposed practical solutions and remains open to receiving proposals from the council that aim to further strengthen the local supply chain. This year we will allocate £64 million in funding to local councils to support local delivery of Area Based Schemes.

Help and support for fuel poor households continues to be available through our national Warmer Homes Scotland service. Warmer Homes Scotland has installed insulation measures in 17 homes in the Western Isles since last September. Likewise there is a range of cashback and loans available to householders, as well as advice and information, through our Home Energy Scotland helpline.

Question reference: S6W-07519

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the introduction of industry regulation and a price cap on heating oil, in order to address cost-of-living increases for off-gas-grid consumers in rural and island areas in Scotland.

I am deeply concerned by the impacts that price rises are having for off-gas-grid customers and we are determined to address the higher levels of fuel poverty found in many of Scotland’s remote rural and island areas.

That is why the new fuel poverty definition takes account of the additional costs associated with living in remote and island communities. We are committed to continuing to spend more per head on energy efficiency in remote rural areas, to bring down energy costs and we are providing support through the £10 million Fuel Insecurity Fund, including for households reliant on solid and liquid fuels such as heating oil.

Following on from recent discussions with the heating oil trade body, UKIFDA, officials have engaged with the UK Government to raise concerns about the recent unprecedented rises in heating fuel costs for off-gas-grid customers in parts of Scotland, however the UK Government has indicated that there are no plans to regulate the sector.

Question reference: S6W-07503

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 12 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has reported to it any long-term plan for remedial works to Kisimul Castle, and what its position is on whether any agreements undertaken on this subject are being honoured by HES.

Question reference: S6W-07501

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 12 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture plans to meet with (a) local MSPs and (b) other stakeholders to discuss the future of Kisimul Castle.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters relating to Kisimul Castle are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland who have delegated responsibility for managing the properties in care. I have been informed that Historic Environment Scotland are able to offer the Member a site visit to Kisimul Castle to discuss the conservation works directly with Historic Environment Scotland experts. I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to contact the Member about this and to keep me informed of developments.

Question reference: S6W-07502

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 12 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when Kisimul Castle in Barra will reopen to the public, and whether it has had any discussions with Historic Environment Scotland regarding this issue.

Question reference: S6W-07390

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 29 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the most recent known rate of participation in higher education among 16- to 30-year-olds in Scotland, and how this compares with (a) England and (b) Wales.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) annually publish the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) which is an estimate of the probability that a 16 year old will participate in Higher Education by the age of 30.

In 2019-20, the HEIPR for 16-30 years olds in Scotland was 57.4%.

https://www.sfc.ac.uk/publications-statistics/statistical-publications/2021/SFCST032021.aspx

The closest comparison for England is the Higher Education Initial Participation (HEIP) measure published by the Department for Education (DfE) measuring participation rates for those aged 17-30. This publication shows in 2019-20 the HEIP in England was 53.4%.

Unlike the Scottish data, this measure contains higher education delivered at Alternative Providers in England. If these institutions are excluded, then the rate for England is 52.4%.

England does not include 16 year olds in their HEIP measure as very few 16 year olds in England participate in higher education.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/participation-measures-in-higher-education-2006-to-2020

No HEIPR is published for Wales for those aged 16-30.

Question reference: S6W-07417

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 18 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 25 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it is making to the UK Government to ensure that Gaelic broadcasting achieves parity in statute through the broadcasting bill, which is reportedly due to be introduced in the UK Parliament.

These matters are at an early stage and we understand that the UK Government is currently considering next steps. We are aware, however, that MG ALBA is making preparations for a possible media bill and will be meeting the Minister for State at DCMS to discuss these matters soon. We are also aware of what MG ALBA would hope to see included in a bill and the Scottish Government will support MG ALBA with its requests to ensure greater equity between minority indigenous languages across the UK and to defend and strengthen public service broadcasting in Scotland.