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.

Question reference: S4W-00687

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 20 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps Scottish Development International is taking to encourage GlaxoSmithKline to locate its proposed new plant in Scotland.

Scottish Development International (SDI) has been advised by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) that the selection process and timelines will be shared by the company in early July 2011. Whilst this is awaited, SDI is collating general materials to support a Scottish proposition to attract this new investment.

SDI will work closely with key stakeholders once the criteria is received to develop a bespoke and compelling Scottish proposal. GSK is a strategically important investor in Scotland and SDI meet regularly with the company to maximise the economic benefits of its existing investments in Scotland as well as to identify and develop convincing propositions for potential new opportunities, including the proposed new biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant.

Question reference: S4W-00680

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 20 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) discussions, (b) correspondence and (c) meetings it has had with GlaxoSmithKline regarding the location of its proposed new plant.

Andrew Witty, CEO of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), confirmed in a letter to the First Minister on 9 May 2011 that Scotland was being considered as a location for its new biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant. The Scottish Government has been advised by GSK that the selection process and timelines will be shared by the company in early July 2011. At present, officials are collating general materials to support a Scottish proposition to attract this new investment.

The Scottish Government will work closely with key stakeholders once the criteria is received to develop a bespoke and compelling Scottish proposal. GSK is a strategically important investor in Scotland and Scottish Development International meet regularly with the company to maximise the economic benefits of its existing investments in Scotland as well as to identify and develop convincing propositions for potential new opportunities, including the proposed new biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant.

Question reference: S4W-00681

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 20 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) discussions, (b) correspondence and (c) meetings it has had with North Ayrshire Council regarding the location of GlaxoSmithKline's proposed new plant.

Anne MacColl, Chief Executive of Scottish Development International (SDI) met with Elma Murray, Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council on 16 May 2011. One of the items discussed was the proposed location of the new GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plant. It was confirmed at the meeting, and in a subsequent letter on 20 May 2011, that SDI is actively engaging with GSK and will work with Scottish Enterprise colleagues to ensure that North Ayrshire Council is fully involved in developing the Scottish proposition once GSK has confirmed the process for site selection, which is due in early July 2011.

Question reference: S4W-00682

Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 20 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) discussions, (b) correspondence and (c) meetings it has had with Angus Council regarding the location of GlaxoSmithKline's proposed new plant.

At this time, the Scottish Government has not yet had discussions, correspondence or meetings with Angus Council regarding the location of GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) proposed new plant. However, when the criteria for the site selection process is released by GSK, in early July 2011, the Scottish Government’s trade and investment arm, Scottish Development International, will work with Scottish Enterprise colleagues to ensure that Angus Council is fully involved in developing the Scottish proposition.

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