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-28899

Asked by: Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 December 2015
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 17 December 2015

To ask the Scottish Government whether the wild land designation is aimed specifically at controlling wind power development or at any man-made developments.

Wild land is not a statutory designation. Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) contains policies on wild land generally. Policy in the SPP on wind energy developments also specifically refers to wild land. The SPP does not impose a blanket ban on development in wild land areas. It states that development on wild land may be appropriate in some circumstances, where it can be demonstrated that significant effects can be substantially overcome by siting, design or other mitigation.

Question reference: S4O-05193

Asked by: Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 December 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 December 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights has given to implementing the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Question reference: S4O-04924

Asked by: Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 December 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2015

To ask the Scottish Government whether planning regulations can be adapted to allow more housing in the countryside.

Question reference: S4F-03099

Asked by: Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 November 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 December 2015

To ask the First Minister what part Scotland can play in the international mitigation of climate change.

Question reference: S4O-04859

Asked by: Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what upgrades are planned for the A9 north of Inverness.

Question reference: S4W-28159

Asked by: Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 6 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what Food Standards Scotland's position is on the maximum residue levels of glyphosate exposure to wheat and imported soya crops that has been set by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

Question reference: S4W-28162

Asked by: Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 6 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what Food Standard Scotland's position is regarding the reported 400% increase in the use of glyphosate over the last 20 years, and whether the agency plans to limit its use on farms.

I have asked Geoff Ogle, Chief Executive of Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to respond to the first part of this answer. His response is as follows: “FSS considers that current levels of pesticide residues in food, including glyphosate levels, which are regulated by EU regulations, do not provide concern for food safety based on current information.”

FSS does not have powers to limit pesticide use on farms, however, pesticide products are strictly regulated by EU regulations, and can only be sold or used if authorised by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive. There is a wide range of legislation and administrative controls governing authorisation, marketing, storage and use, in order to manage risks appropriately. An authorisation from the Health and Safety Executive will specify the crops and situations for its use, and the amounts which may be applied.

Question reference: S4W-28160

Asked by: Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 6 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what study Food Standards Scotland has conducted on the carcinogenic effects of glyphosate and its exposure levels in (a) imported soya for livestock consumption and (b) store-bought bread.

I have asked Geoff Ogle, Chief Executive of Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to respond. His response is as follows: “FSS was established in April 2015 and has not commissioned any studies in this area. FSS is however advised by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate, which is the UK regulator on such matters, as well as the independent Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment.”

Question reference: S4W-28161

Asked by: Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 6 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what Food Standards Scotland's position is on the (a) World Health Organization classifying glyphosate as a carcinogen and (b) Soil Association's reported claim that glyphosate is found in 30% of all bread tested in the UK.

I have asked Geoff Ogle, Chief Executive of Food Standards Scotland (FSS) to respond. His response is as follows: “The current approval for use of glyphosate in plant protection is being reviewed under the auspices of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and their conclusions, following that process, are likely to be published by the end of 2015. FSS will consider EFSA’s conclusions in line with competent authorities for food safety elsewhere in the UK and EU.

FSS considers that current levels of pesticide residues in food, including glyphosate levels, which are regulated at an EU level, do not provide concern for food safety based on current information.”

Question reference: S4O-04691

Asked by: Rob Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 October 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what progress Abellio has made on behalf of users of long-distance Scottish rail routes.