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-01217

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Reform UK
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it has made regarding Delivery Plan for Sprint 1 for its Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland 2035 Vision.

Following the publication of the Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group’s (LSSILG) strategy in November 2025, the LSSILG published its delivery plan for sprint 1 in March 2026. Activity is underway across a range of priority actions to support delivery of the Strategy’s ambitions. At the end of the 2026/27 financial year, the LSSILG, with input from the Scottish Government, will publish a report setting out the activities delivered and the progress made against the Delivery Plan.

Question reference: S7W-01078

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of (a) employees and (b) supply chain contractors that Guangzhou Shipyard International Co. Ltd will require to complete the design and build contract for two Northern Isles freight flex vessels by 2029.

CMAL as the procuring authority, will oversee the design and build processes and have a site team at the yard. It is for the shipyard to ensure that sufficient personnel are assigned to deliver the build in line with the agreed schedule. Guangzhou Shipyard International Co. Ltd has confirmed that there can be 20,000 persons working at the shipyard including sub-contractors across a number of projects at any one time.

Question reference: S7W-01213

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact that restoring roll-on roll-off ferry connections between Scotland and France would have on (a) rail freight (i) infrastructure and (ii) capacity, and (b) jobs in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has not made an assessment of the impact of a ferry service between Rosyth and Dunkirk. The decision to introduce an international ferry service is a commercial consideration for the ferry operator and relevant port authorities.

The Scottish Government and its agencies continue to support the wider development of our ports and the potential for new direct freight and passenger ferry services linking Scotland to Europe. We are happy to work with any ferry operator to explore opportunities to promote a new service.

Question reference: S7W-01076

Asked by: Thomas Kerr, MSP for Glasgow, Reform UK
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans for a public inquiry into the response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation, commonly referred to as grooming gangs or rape gangs, including whether the inquiry will consider any failures by authorities.

Work is continuing at pace to establish the inquiry. Detailed Terms of Reference are currently being developed, informed by ongoing discussions with Professor Jay, and these will be published in due course.

Professor Jay has made clear her intention to deliver the inquiry at pace, while retaining the necessary flexibility to examine all areas within its remit. The institutions within the scope of the inquiry will be established in discussion with Professor Jay, these will be detailed in the Terms of Reference once finalised.

Question reference: S7W-01209

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is planning to take in 2026 to engage with (a) CalMac, (b) CMAL, (c) island stakeholders and (d) trade unions on proposals to reform the governance of public ferry contracts.

Scottish Ministers are committed to reforming our public sector to ensure the delivery of excellent public services in a fiscally sustainable manner. Delivering such services is core to the government’s mission. The role of Public Service Reform is to deliver that mission, building confidence that the government is on Scotland’s side and can be trusted to take the next step in our constitutional journey.

Any reform of ferry services will be taken forward as part of this and will involve engagement with stakeholders. Parliament will be updated on any decisions in the normal fashion.

Question reference: S7W-01084

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to protect producers in Scotland from being undermined by cheaper pork imports from the EU.

The current challenges affecting the pig sector include complex trade issues which appear to be affecting prices, as opposed to there being evidence of an increase in imports. Trade data indicates that UK pigmeat imports fell by nearly 5% in volume in 2025, and were down nearly 7% between January and March 2026, compared to the same three months in 2025. However, downwards pressure on the EU pig price appears to have distorted the domestic market.

Whilst international trade is reserved, the Scottish Government will continue to engage with the UK Government on trade matters such as these, with a view to preventing market shocks.

Question reference: S7W-01275

Asked by: Amanda Lindsay, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Reform UK
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has conducted, or plans to conduct, a feasibility study for westbound slipways at junction 3 of the M9 and, if so, what the current status of that study is.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken, and currently has no plans to undertake, a feasibility study into the provision of west-facing slip roads at Junction 3 of the M9.

The principle of west-facing slip roads at Junction 3 was considered through the previous local development planning process which safeguarded land for such purpose. Transport Scotland is engaging in the development of a new Local Development Plan by West Lothian Council and is content for land to continue to be safeguarded. However, the responsibility for developing the proposal, including feasibility considerations, rests with West Lothian Council. As would the securing of funding and delivery arrangements.

Question reference: S7W-01081

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to ensure that the recognised trade unions at NorthLink Ferries are consulted over the design of (a) seafarer and (b) trainee accommodation on the two Northern Isles Freight flex vessels that are currently being designed and built by Guangzhou Shipyard International Co. Ltd.

NorthLink engages and will continue to engage on a regular basis, with both RMT and Nautilus International on all aspects of current and future operational activity including the new Freight Flex vessels. The Freight Flex Vessels include provision for 28 seafarer cabins and 2 double cadet training accommodation cabins and 1 spare seafarer double cabin per vessel, allowing for up to four trainee placements to be provided at any point in time.

Question reference: S7W-01082

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, to ensure food security, how it plans to reverse the 7.3% decrease in total pig numbers that was recorded in 2025.

While the Scottish Government has no policy to reduce herd numbers, we do not set targets for livestock numbers, including breeding pigs, as these are primarily driven by market conditions and individual business decisions. However, we recognise the reported 7.3% decrease in pig numbers in 2025 when compared with the five-year average and the importance of a resilient domestic supply. The Scottish Government will invest more than £1 billion in the rural affairs budget during 2026-27, and we continue to provide certainty to the industry. We have a proud record of supporting and investing in farming and food production and are wholly committed to continuing to support active farming and maintaining a secure and sustainable food system for the future.

Question reference: S7W-01356

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 9 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of current surgical and oncology workforce capacity in relation to cancer treatment waiting times.

Following annual reviews of the number of specialty training places needed to meet anticipated future service demand and consultant need, the Scottish Government has funded the creation of approximately 850 additional posts across multiple specialities since 2014, including in clinical and medical oncology and key surgical specialties. Over the last ten years we have increased the Consultant Oncologists workforce by 46% (from 97.5 WTE as of March 2016 to 142.2 WTE as of March 2026). The number of consultants working in surgical fields relevant to cancer care stood at 1,096.1 WTE as at 31 March 2026. This is an increase of 28%, or 242.3 WTE, over the last decade.