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: S7W-01970

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 7 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the distribution of fishing quotas and whether it plans to undertake reforms in this area to ensure the sustainable development of coastal communities, as required under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.

The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 provides the wider statutory framework for sustainable marine planning and management in Scotland. The allocation of fishing opportunities is, however, governed more specifically by section 25 of the Fisheries Act 2020 and by the Joint Fisheries Statement.

The Joint Fisheries Statement requires UK fisheries policy authorities to keep policies on the distribution of fishing opportunities under review. The Scottish Government has done so, including through the Future Fisheries Management programme and subsequent work on the allocation of Scotland’s share of Additional Quota.

That work has considered the role of the Fixed Quota Allocation system and how Scotland’s fishing opportunities can support environmental, social and economic outcomes, including for coastal and island communities. Following consultation, the Scottish Government introduced revised arrangements for Additional Quota, including allocations based on historic track record, targeted support for the non-sector fleet, and a pilot application-based approach for West of Scotland cod.

Separately, the Scottish Government also uses the Economic Link licence condition to help ensure that the benefits from access to Scottish fishing opportunities are realised in Scotland’s coastal and island communities, including through landings into Scotland.

The Scottish Government is considering the timing and scope of further consultation on the allocation of Additional Quota.

We will continue to keep quota management arrangements under review, including longer-term options such as community quota initiatives, to support sustainable fisheries management and the continued contribution of fishing to Scotland’s coastal and island communities.

Question reference: S7W-02324

Asked by: Julie MacDougall, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Reform UK
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 3 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help rectify recent pressures at University Hospital Crosshouse as a result of reported unsustainable demand on the hospital’s A&E department.

Question reference: S7W-01664

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 6 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate Transport Scotland has made of the potential financial costs and duration of a public local inquiry or hearing, should one be triggered by any unresolved objections to the proposed Oban Harbour Revision Order.

Question reference: S7W-01663

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 6 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps Transport Scotland is taking to mitigate any potential marine safety risks in Oban Harbour while a final decision remains pending on the establishment of a single Statutory Harbour Authority.

Question reference: S7W-01660

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 6 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is regarding whether revenues raised by municipal harbour authorities must be ring-fenced for local harbour maintenance and development, in light of reported stakeholder concerns regarding the draft Oban Harbour Revision Order.

Question reference: S7W-01552

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 06 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 6 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what precautions it is taking to ensure that the development of data centres does not have a significant impact on energy and water resources

The Scottish Government is taking a whole system approach to understanding the full implications of data centre developments.

We recognise that data centres are a rapidly evolving sector. In a response to Gillian MacKay MSP on Thursday 25 June, the First Minister set out that he is giving active consideration on whether the Scottish Government should provide planning guidance to balance the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centres with national energy and climate goals which are vital to our future prosperity.

Question reference: S7W-01662

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 6 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment Transport Scotland has made of the alternative Harbour Empowerment Order (HEO) submitted by the Oban Community Harbour Development Association (OCHDA), and whether these proposals will be fully considered prior to a final decision on the future of Oban Harbour.

Question reference: S7W-01661

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 6 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what Transport Scotland’s expected timeline is for a final decision on the Argyll and Bute Council Oban Harbour Revision Order (HRO), which was submitted to Transport Scotland in November 2023.

Making a Harbour Order can be a complex and sometimes lengthy process. Following the statutory 42-day consultation period for this application, over 100 representations were received. This was followed by the Written Representations stage, which provided further opportunities for interested parties to submit their views and liaise with the applicants.

Given the volume and nature of the material submitted, it has been essential that Transport Scotland undertakes thorough scrutiny from both a policy and a legal perspective, to ensure that all relevant matters are considered appropriately and in line with the requirements set out in The Harbours Act 1964. Transport Scotland is progressing this work as a priority.

Question reference: S7W-02278

Asked by: Joe Fagan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 August 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 2 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01437 by Angela Constance on 20 July 2026, which potential GP walk-in centre sites are affected by staffing challenges.

Question reference: S7W-01622

Asked by: Duncan Dunlop, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 5 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the annual cost of its proposed three-year job guarantee scheme for newly qualified teachers.