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-22906

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it plans to undertake a full review of the Young Patients Family Fund, including its eligibility criteria, to assess its impact to date.

Question reference: S6W-22813

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote (a) continental ferry links and (b) maritime employment for Scotland.

The Scottish Government wishes to see Scotland’s sea connections to Europe enhanced, and are happy to consider any approach for support. A new commercially viable and sustainable service would be of benefit to: those parts of industry where existing supply chains are not optimal; local economies; the selected Scottish port; and would provide some resilience for Scotland from any disruption at other UK ports.

Subsidy control rules limit possible funding for new international ferry services to start-up costs, so any attempt to enhance or add to existing international trading routes would require a commercial foundation. The Scottish Government offers a range of approved grants to encourage transport operators to move freight off road to other more sustainable forms of transport, including by sea.

The Scottish Government recognises the key role that the Scottish maritime sector plays in supporting the economic and social development of our Nation. The Scottish Government has committed to investing at least £580 million from 2021-2026 in lifeline vessels and ports, as part of its Infrastructure Investment Plan. This substantial funding will improve Scotland’s lifeline ferry services by delivering greater resilience to the network, supporting maritime employment across our islands and remote mainland communities.

Question reference: S6W-22837

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many arrests were made in (a) October and (b) November 2023 to date, in connection with fireworks-related disorder, and how these figures compare to the same period in 2022.

There were 16* detected firework related crimes in Scotland in October 2023. As of 15 November there has been 22* detected firework related crimes for November 2023. This figure is expected to rise as Police Scotland continue their investigations.

This compares with 6* detected firework related crimes in October 2022. And 33* from November 2022.

*Please note that this figure includes both arrested or charged individuals.

Question reference: S6W-22811

Asked by: Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21903 by Fiona Hyslop on 11 October 2023, whether its officials raised the issue of employment opportunities for Scotland-domiciled seafarers during its recent visit to the port of Dunkirk to discuss proposals for Ro-Pax ferry connections between Rosyth and Dunkirk, and whether it will provide a list of the officials who participated in the visit to Dunkirk.

The visit to the Port of Dunkirk was led by Forth Ports, DFDS and Ptarmigan Shipping, with Douglas Chapman MP also in attendance. The Scottish delegation was supported by Scottish Development International’s office in Paris. Whilst detail on seafarer employment issues was not discussed, the Scottish Government is keen to see maximum benefit derive to Scotland and its citizens from new ferry services to the Continent.

The Scottish Government want to see stronger direct shipping links between Scotland and the EU. A new freight and passenger service would provide increased resilience for exporters, as well as opportunities for inbound tourism and increased employment. However, the operation of a commercial ferry service, including crewing arrangements, is the responsibility of the commercial operator whilst ensuring compliance with the relevant employment legislation and standards.

Question reference: S6W-22829

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm the costs associated with the (a) production and (b) publication of the paper, Migration to Scotland after independence.

The external costs associated with the production and publication of the Building a New Scotland paper, ‘Migration to Scotland after independence’, are set out in the following table:

Costs
Task	VAT %	VAT	Net Price
Formatting and Online Publication	20	807.93	4,039.67
Summary Document	20	84.67	423.36
Summary Document – Easy Read Version	20	197.64	988.18
Summary Document – Language Translations	20	1,124.10	5,620.48
Summary Document – BSL Translation	20	247.60	1,238.00
Summary Document – Audio Translation	20	34.16	170.81
Printed Copies	0	0	1,188.46

Total		£2496.10	£13668.96

Total (including VAT)			£16165.06

Papers in the Building a New Scotland prospectus series are available at the following link: www.gov.scot/newscotland .

Question reference: S6T-01642

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the chief executive of Ferguson Marine is still entitled to a bonus despite the First Minister saying that he thought the practice should end.

Question reference: S6T-01639

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that stagnating workforce numbers, amongst other factors, are contributing to increased pressure on midwifery services.

Question reference: S6F-02572

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2023

To ask the First Minister what support the Scottish Government is providing to households that are experiencing the pressure of increased energy bills, in light of Citizens Advice Scotland launching its Worried This Winter awareness campaign.

Question reference: S6F-02557

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2023

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government policy to require households to replace their fossil fuel boilers with heat pumps or other green energy systems in off gas properties from 2025 and in on gas areas from 2030 is still going ahead.

Question reference: S6F-02554

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2023

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the Autumn Statement.