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: S5W-26321

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 14 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the review of the curriculum for excellence is expected to be completed.

Question reference: S5O-03780

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to National Galleries Scotland's decision to end sponsorship from BP.

Question reference: S5W-26176

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 13 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it expects the completion and operational use of Hull 802, which is under construction at the Ferguson Marine shipyard.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work has set up a Programme Review Board to report on the revised schedule and costs for the delivery of vessels 801 and 802 under construction at Ferguson Marine shipyard.

The report is expected to be submitted shortly. When that report has been received, and Ministers have had an opportunity to consider it, Mr Mackay will update Parliament on the content.

Question reference: S5W-26175

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 13 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the projected cost of (a) MV Glen Sannox and (b) Hull 802.

The report is expected to be submitted shortly. When that report has been received, and Ministers have had an opportunity to consider it, Mr Mackay will update Parliament on the content.

Question reference: S5W-26087

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 12 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Growth Scheme is expected to end.

Question reference: S5W-26173

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 12 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with other parties interested in the purchase of Ferguson Marine shipyard.

Question reference: S5W-26086

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 12 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish each Scottish Growth Scheme monthly progress report produced to date.

Question reference: S5W-26084

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 12 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how much money has been invested in the Scottish Growth Scheme to date, and how many businesses have been supported by this investment.

Question reference: S5W-25909

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date ScotRail will deliver (a) bi-mode trains and (b) revamped and modernised rolling stock on the Borders Railway.

As committed in the Programme for Government, we will publish an action plan in spring 2020 to decarbonise Scotland’s railway network by 2035. The primary focus will be the continuation of a rolling programme of efficient electrification, the procurement of battery trains and the development of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion trains. Further detail on how change may affect specific routes, will be set out in the action plan.

Although more seats have been provided in the last few years Abellio ScotRail has further plans to increase peak capacity on the Borders route. However, these plans cannot be implemented until Angel Trains and Wabtec deliver on their contracted programme for refurbished HSTs so that existing upgraded diesel trains used elsewhere on the Scottish network cannot be cascaded to meet the needs of busy Borders services.

The fleet of class 158 and class 170 diesel trains which currently operate on Borders services have completed a significant refurbishment programme which has seen Wi-Fi, wheelchair spaces, power sockets, accessible toilet plus new flooring, seating and lighting installed to deliver the modern facilities that passengers expect. It is apparent that a high quality refurbishment can deliver a passenger experience comparable to new rolling stock whilst offering value for money across the Franchise period.

Question reference: S5W-25904

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 21 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 12 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost each year to administer the implementation of the reintroduction of non-domestic rates on sporting rights, including the cost of administrating appeals.

The valuation of non-domestic properties for rating purposes is carried out by independent Scottish Assessors. It is their responsibility to manage their own budget and the cost of entering properties, including sporting rights on the Valuation Roll is not held centrally.

The non-domestic rates system, including billing, collection, enforcement and determination of rates relief is undertaken by local authorities. Local authorities are independent corporate bodies with their own powers and responsibilities and are entirely separate from the Scottish Government. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them, including any administration costs, on the basis of local needs and priorities. Information on the costs of administering the implementation of non-domestic rates on sporting rights is not held centrally.

Information on the costs of administering appeals is also not held centrally. Rating appeals are part of an independent statutory legal process and are dealt with by Valuation Appeals Committees or the Lands Tribunal for Scotland and ultimately may be determined in the Lands Valuation Appeal Court.