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-25303

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Emma Roddick on 16 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what objectives it set for any funding that it provided to Dornoch and District Christian Fellowship since 2019.

Question reference: S6W-25097

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 16 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many personnel trained to handle XL Bully-type dogs Police Scotland currently has available, and what additional resources are being made available to train more, in light of the decision announced on 18 January 2024 to introduce new regulations.

This is an operational matter for Police Scotland. Police Scotland has advised that all Police Scotland Dog Handlers receive training in dangerous dogs as part of their initial training course. There are currently 74 Handlers/Instructors across Police Scotland.

Armed Policing are also trained in how to deal with dangerous dogs.

It is a matter for Police Scotland to consider the enforcement of the new safeguards in relation to XL Bully dogs and any operational issues that arise.

The Scottish Government is committed to ongoing engagement with Police Scotland as we move through the two-stage process for the new safeguards in relation to XL Bully dogs, in order to consider any issues, concerns, or barriers to effective implementation.

Question reference: S6W-25091

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 16 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what additional requirements exist for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in relation to the monitoring of large battery storage units.

There is no additional statutory requirement on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to monitor large battery storage unit sites.

SFRS continually review and develop their operational response to any new and emerging technology to keep communities safe. SFRS is committed to work in collaboration with key partners to ensure the highest level of preparedness for potential incidents involving lithium-ion batteries or similar storage facilities.

In the event of incidents involving these facilities, SFRS have the ability to deploy a range of resources that can be utilised by the highly skilled crews to successfully bring the incidents to a safe conclusion.

Question reference: S6W-25099

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 16 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of capacity in the rescue sector to accommodate any increase in XL Bully-type dogs given up by owners who cannot meet the conditions of the restrictions.

Question reference: S6W-25098

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 16 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it next plans to meet the British Veterinary Association to discuss its decision to replicate regulations introduced in England and Wales in relation to XL Bully-type dogs.

Question reference: S6W-25095

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 16 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will follow the same conformation standard for XL Bully-type dogs as that set out for England and Wales.

Yes, the definition used for an XL Bully dog will be the same as the UK Government set out for England and Wales.

Helpful and practical support and guidance has been published on the Scottish Government website to ensure owners are made aware of how to comply with the new safeguards on XL Bully dogs, with further information to be published in the coming period: https://www.gov.scot/publications/xl-bully-dog-rules/ .

Question reference: S6W-24897

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 29 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 16 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will progress a feasibility study regarding the Chartered Institute of Building's proposal for a demolition levy.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to undertake a feasibility study into a Demolition Levy. Whilst the Scottish Government shares the Chartered Institute of Building’s concerns around carbon emissions from demolition and the preservation of our built environment, introducing a new fiscal measure is a lengthy and complex process. The Scottish Government believes the most expedient and appropriate solution is for the UK Government to address the VAT imbalance between new build and retrofit / refurbishment.

Question reference: S6W-25250

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 16 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of any impact of local authorities decreasing relief on non-domestic rates for empty, listed properties.

Empty Property Relief was devolved to local authorities on 1 April 2023, and it is for individual local authorities to decide how they will tailor any support for unoccupied property, including listed buildings, to best support their local needs.

As indicated in the recommendations of the New Deal for Business Non-Domestic Rates sub-group, the Scottish Government will undertake an initial review of the devolution of Empty Property Relief before the next revaluation in 2026.

Question reference: S6W-25189

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 02 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 16 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regarding any risks associated with an increasing number of battery storage facilities.

Question reference: S6W-25018

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 16 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed introduction of a non-domestic rates public health supplement on retailers, as set out in its Budget for 2024-25, whether it will provide further details of what its position is on whether the introduction of such a levy is consistent with the New Deal for Business Group’s Implementation Plan recommendation to maintain a competitive and less complex rates regime.