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-02947

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to tackle violence in schools and the impact that this is having on both pupils and staff.

Question reference: S6W-24092

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 December 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Neil Gray on 20 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when the final Solar Vision and draft Bioenergy Policy Statement will be published.

Following the Scottish Government’s announcement of the proposed solar deployment ambition for Scotland in October, we are now working with industry and community stakeholders to agree a suitable level of community benefit for large scale solar projects. As a result, we will now publish our final Solar Vision with the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan in Summer 2024.

We intend to publish the draft Bioenergy Policy Statement for consultation in the new year, and before the end of February 2024.

Question reference: S6W-23178

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Claire Baker MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Bo on 6 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it would consider keeping the canteen open in a limited capacity on business days from 2.30 pm to 3.00 pm, in order to provide a partial offering for staff who are unable to purchase lunch before 2.30 pm due to work commitments.

Catering service times across campus provide a robust offering around parliamentary business. Lunch service timings in the Garden Level Restaurant (11:30-14:30) are based on levels of demand and efficient use of resources in line with parliamentary requirements. If it is helpful, it is possible to pre-order food on our app, and collect it from the Holyrood room between 11:30 and 2:30, although this does not change the timings, it is a quicker service.

Alternative options are available after 2.30pm including the Coffee Bar where a hot sandwich option can be ordered and the Public Café where hot food options including soup, baked potatoes and a range of sandwiches are on offer. Hot food is also available from 4pm in Queensberry House Lounge.

Question reference: S6W-23345

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 November 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 28 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research will be published.

Question reference: S6O-02811

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure the sustainability of healthcare services in Edinburgh, in light of the significant increase in the population of the Lothian region in recent years.

Question reference: S6O-02725

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-22486

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 October 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Patrick Harvie on 27 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of its Heat in Buildings Strategy.

We have laid before Parliament today an annual progress report against our Heat in Buildings Strategy, the second since its publication in 2021: https://www.gov.scot/publications/heat-in-buildings-progress-report-2023 .

We have made significant progress in key areas during the past year, including our broad package of delivery schemes, heat networks, building standards and new build regulations. The biggest challenge facing us now is in existing buildings, and therefore the report confirms our intention to consult later this year on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill.

Question reference: S6O-02626

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what preparations are being made for the bonfire night period.

Question reference: S6O-02602

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering specific solutions to support the City of Edinburgh Council, and other relevant organisations, to address Edinburgh’s social housing shortage and growing population pressures, including providing additional resources in its 2024-25 Budget.

Question reference: S6W-21599

Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Neil Gray on 21 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of a Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal.