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: S6W-21333

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 26 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it will respond to the concerns raised during the consultation on the proposed Agriculture Bill, that it will provide insufficient support to farming families.

We consulted on powers required to realise the Vision for Agriculture. The Scottish Government has repeatedly made clear that there will be no funding cliff edge for our farmers and crofters.

We do though face the reality that EU Exit means that we no longer have long-term certainty of funding.

The level of support available is dependent on the UK Government responding to our numerous requests for confirmation of the level of future funding that will be provided to replace current support. HM Treasury have provided yearly allocations for the current UK Parliamentary term, but as of yet, there is no funding commitment from 2025.

The Scottish Government fully understands the frustration expressed by stakeholders over the lack of future budget clarity, and the impact this has on the development of future policy.

Question reference: S6W-21336

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 26 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how much interaction it has had with the college and university sector during the preparation of its proposed Agriculture Bill.

Question reference: S6W-21222

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 26 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands received the analysis of the consultation on the proposed Agriculture Bill.

Question reference: S6W-21221

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 26 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost to run the consultation on the proposed Agriculture Bill.

Question reference: S6W-21226

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 26 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns raised in the consultation on the proposed Agriculture Bill that it could lead to "an over-fixation on administration and efficiency, and less dedicated focus on the environment itself".

Question reference: S6W-21223

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 26 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands has had with the First Minister, regarding the proposed Agriculture Bill, from 29 March 2023 to date.

Question reference: S6O-02562

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the effectiveness of its current income tax policies in stimulating economic growth and job creation.

Question reference: S6W-21143

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 15 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the concerns that were raised as part of the consultation on the Agriculture Bill that maintaining alignment with the EU could lead to additional bureaucracy.

Question reference: S6W-21138

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 15 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the measures proposed in the Agriculture Bill to encourage animal welfare will not lead to a duplication of effort across different ministerial portfolios and/or directorates.

Question reference: S6W-21141

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 15 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the concerns raised as part of the consultation on the Agriculture Bill regarding ministers’ understanding of the science surrounding plant genetic resources and plant health.