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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 494 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-22811

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21903 by Fiona Hyslop on 11 October 2023, whether its officials raised the issue of employment opportunities for Scotland-domiciled seafarers during its recent visit to the port of Dunkirk to discuss proposals for Ro-Pax ferry connections between Rosyth and Dunkirk, and whether it will provide a list of the officials who participated in the visit to Dunkirk.

The visit to the Port of Dunkirk was led by Forth Ports, DFDS and Ptarmigan Shipping, with Douglas Chapman MP also in attendance. The Scottish delegation was supported by Scottish Development International’s office in Paris. Whilst detail on seafarer employment issues was not discussed, the Scottish Government is keen to see maximum benefit derive to Scotland and its citizens from new ferry services to the Continent.

The Scottish Government want to see stronger direct shipping links between Scotland and the EU. A new freight and passenger service would provide increased resilience for exporters, as well as opportunities for inbound tourism and increased employment. However, the operation of a commercial ferry service, including crewing arrangements, is the responsibility of the commercial operator whilst ensuring compliance with the relevant employment legislation and standards.

Question reference: S6W-22813

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote (a) continental ferry links and (b) maritime employment for Scotland.

The Scottish Government wishes to see Scotland’s sea connections to Europe enhanced, and are happy to consider any approach for support. A new commercially viable and sustainable service would be of benefit to: those parts of industry where existing supply chains are not optimal; local economies; the selected Scottish port; and would provide some resilience for Scotland from any disruption at other UK ports.

Subsidy control rules limit possible funding for new international ferry services to start-up costs, so any attempt to enhance or add to existing international trading routes would require a commercial foundation. The Scottish Government offers a range of approved grants to encourage transport operators to move freight off road to other more sustainable forms of transport, including by sea.

The Scottish Government recognises the key role that the Scottish maritime sector plays in supporting the economic and social development of our Nation. The Scottish Government has committed to investing at least £580 million from 2021-2026 in lifeline vessels and ports, as part of its Infrastructure Investment Plan. This substantial funding will improve Scotland’s lifeline ferry services by delivering greater resilience to the network, supporting maritime employment across our islands and remote mainland communities.

Question reference: S6W-22812

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21903 by Fiona Hyslop on 11 October 2023, what its policy is on using collective bargaining agreements between maritime unions in Scotland and operators of ferry routes from Scotland to international ports to ensure that employment conditions for seafarers exceed (a) international minimum standards and (b) the UK National Minimum Wage for work in Scottish waters.

As noted in the answer to S6W-21903, ferry operators are responsible for crewing arrangements whilst complying with the appropriate employment legislation and standards. Shipping safety and seafarer welfare and employment conditions are matters reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government does not have powers over employment conditions for seafarers.

The Scottish Government expects the highest shipping safety and crew welfare and employment conditions to be observed by those vessels and for those crew working in Scottish waters. International ferry services can often have skilled crew from around the world, and not domiciled in the UK. However the UK Seafarers Act ensures crew will be entitled to National Minimum Wage equivalent whilst working in Scottish waters.

Question reference: S6O-02731

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether schools should publish monthly reports on any reported incidents of abusive and violent behaviour.

Question reference: S6O-02679

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it can take in response to the reported rise in violence and bullying in schools.

Question reference: S6O-02645

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported statistics showing that the number of people in Scotland dying from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia has more than tripled in the last 20 years and concerns that the country is unprepared for further expected increases.

Question reference: S6W-21769

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding (a) it and (b) any of its agencies have given, awarded or paid to Mowi Scotland Limited (formerly Marine Harvest) or any of its subsidiaries since 2006, broken down by (i) what was given, (ii) when it was awarded and (iii) which company entity received the funding.

The Scottish Government publishes grant support that it has provided to the marine and fisheries industries, including aquaculture. Details can be found here - https://www.gov.scot/policies/marine-and-fisheries-grants/grants-awarded/

Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have provided the following information regarding funding they have provided:

In 2019-2020, Scottish Enterprise provided Mowi Scotland Limited £750 for a learning journey showcase event.
In 2021, HIE awarded Mowi Scotland Limited £51,074 grant in aid towards a £248,600 staff training project for its new fish feed facility in Kyleakin.

Question reference: S6W-21905

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government which ports in northern Europe are under consideration as part of any proposals that it has seen for restoring roll-on, roll-off ferry services from Rosyth.

Question reference: S6W-21903

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland will provide an assessment of the crewing (a) model and (b) employment conditions proposed by (i) DFDS and (ii) Ptarmigan Shipping for restoring roll-on/roll-off ferry links between Scotland and northern Europe.

The Scottish Government expects the highest shipping safety and crew welfare and employment conditions on vessels accessing Scotland’s ports and coastal waters.

Ferry operators are responsible for crewing arrangements whilst complying with the appropriate employment legislation and standards. Shipping safety and seafarer welfare and employment conditions are matters reserved to the UK Government.

The Maritime Labour Convention sets out the minimum working and living rights for seafarers with the onus on operators' good practice. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are responsible for auditing vessels to ensure compliance. The recently introduced Seafarers’ Wages Act also ensures that UK seafarers on ferry services are paid the UK National Minimum Wage whilst working in UK waters.

Question reference: S6W-21906

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that maritime unions organising Scotland’s ferry workers will be recognised for collective bargaining purposes by operators of (a) new and (b) restored roll-on, roll-off ferry links between Rosyth and ports in northern Europe.

The Scottish Government advocates Fair Work policy and believes there must be respectful and meaningful dialogue between employers and employees and their trade unions, to ensure employees are treated fairly.

Any prospective ferry operator would need to ensure their proposal meets all requirements under UK employment law. While employment law remains reserved, we will use our Fair Work policy to promote fairer work practices across the labour market in Scotland.