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-20280

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 28 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 11 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents have (a) taken place and (b) been investigated where pods of whales have died as a result of becoming stranded on beaches in Scotland in each year since 1 January 2021.

The Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS) at the University of Glasgow, is funded by the Scottish Government to provide a coordinated approach to the surveillance of marine species (e.g. cetaceans, seal and basking sharks) strandings around the Scottish coast with the aim of investigating major causes of death.

A mass stranding event is described as incidents involving two or more cetaceans (porpoise, dolphins and whales). Since 1 January 2021, the SMASS programme have reported 14 mass stranding incidents, where cause of death has been attributed to live stranding. This includes the recent stranding of 54 long-finned pilot whales on the Isle of Lewis. In all cases, a selection of the animals underwent post mortem examination to assist the investigation into potential factors surrounding the cause of death.

All annual reports are published at https://strandings.org/publications .

Question reference: S6W-20288

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 28 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 11 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to commission a study into the cause of mass whale beachings.

Scottish Government fund the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) which already undertakes investigations into the cause of death of marine animals (e.g. dolphins, whales, porpoises, seals, turtles and basking sharks) stranded around the Scottish coastline. Samples and data are collected at the strandings location and carcases are collected for further investigation via necropsy following a risk-based approach.

Question reference: S6W-20011

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 17 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of spending on the Road Equivalent Tariff, by (a) route and (b) carrier, in each year since it was introduced.

The spending on RET is not recorded separately. Since the start of new Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Service contract in 2016, Transport Scotland pays CalMac Ferries Limited, as the operator, a monthly grant payment which covers costs to operate the network as a whole. This is not broken down by individual routes. Previous evaluations have suggested that RET fares save users around £25m per year compared to pre-RET fares.

Question reference: S6W-20123

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 11 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-02399 by Gillian Martin on 21 June 2023, whether it plans to consider reforms that devolve the decisions of Grazings Committees to the local level.

The legal function of a grazing committee is to maintain the common grazing for the benefit of the crofters who share in it, and to manage the interests of those crofters.

The management and control of common grazing land, where there are many inter-acting rights, including those of crofters, landowners and grazings committees, requires safeguarding. The purpose of legislation is to ensure that these rights are kept in balance and that everyone’s rights are protected.

We will consult on the Bill proposals in due course and will consider all views as part of Bill development.

Question reference: S6W-20020

Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 11 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many new schools are currently planned to be built, broken down by local authority.

Question reference: S6W-20569

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-20303

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 10 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported calls from Climate Camp Scotland and Unite for the Scottish Government to produce a green industrial strategy, which would include plans for decarbonisation of large industrial plants such as the INEOS complex at Grangemouth.

Scotland is committed to reaching net zero and to ensuring the journey is fair and just for everyone.

The draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan lays out over 150 actions, as well as consulting on further actions, to help maximise a just transition to net zero for our economy, communities, business and workers

Decarbonising industry is critical to our climate goals and the infrastructure and expertise at Grangemouth will play a key role. That is why we have committed to delivering a dedicated Just Transition Plan for the Grangemouth industrial area.

We will work closely with industry, unions, the workforce and the community to make sure they have a say in the plan for Grangemouth’s future.

Question reference: S6W-20253

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19464 by Shona Robison on 24 July 2023, whether it will consider amending section 5 of the air travel policy to mandate that all official domestic trips within Scotland and the UK undertaken by ministers and officials utilise terrestrial or maritime modes of travel in place of air travel.

We are actively exploring various measures to address emissions from business travel. As part of this process, we will consult on amending the air travel policy to mandate terrestrial or maritime modes of travel for official domestic trips within Scotland and the UK.

While the potential amendment to the policy is under consideration, we are also mindful of the practical implications it may entail. Transitioning to alternative modes of travel will require careful planning, and consideration of the logistical requirements for ministers and officials. Ensuring efficiency, accessibility, and the ability to fulfil official duties effectively will be essential during this process.

As we move forward, we will engage with relevant stakeholders, to ensure that any potential amendments to the air travel policy are well-informed and representative of the broader public interest.

Question reference: S6W-20242

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 10 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19168 by Richard Lochhead on 29 June 2023, whether it can confirm in detail what has been discussed at each of its meetings with the Financial Conduct Authority regarding the provision of banks in rural areas.

Scottish Government officials meet bi-monthly with FCA officials to discuss a range of industry and regulatory issues. As part of these discussions the FCA have flagged the increased regulatory powers they will receive, through the Financial Services and Markets Bill, to act where they find impacts on consumers’ ability to access cash across the UK. The FCA have explained that the Bill provides a cash access framework within which they will seek to ensure the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit services in local areas where they anticipate potential deficiencies. The FCA have also said that, before they make any rules under these new powers, they will conduct a public consultation.

These new powers have only been granted to the FCA upon the passing of the Financial Services and Markets Bill which received Royal Assent on the 29 th of June. Until now, conversations between officials on this topic have centred around the progress of the Bill through the UK Parliament, as opposed to its implementation. Officials will continue to meet bi-monthly with the FCA and discuss with them how these new powers, and any new rules implemented post consultation, impact on cash and banking services in Scotland.

It has also been suggested that senior representatives from the FCA meet with me in the near future to discuss these increased regulatory powers. I am conscious of the importance of banking services to our communities, particularly in rural areas and our islands, and officials are working with the FCA on a suitable date for this meeting. I would be pleased to report progress to the Member once this has taken place.

Question reference: S6W-20147

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 21 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 10 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can instruct Network Rail Scotland to prioritise Springburn railway station for step-free access improvement works, as part of the Access for All scheme.

The Access for All scheme is a UK Government scheme and as such is managed by the UK Department for Transport (DfT).

The Scottish Government has made a case for Springburn railway station to be nominated for Access for All scheme funding for Control Period 7 (2024-2029). We will continue to make representations to the UK Government on this matter.

The Department for Transport is expected to announce which stations will be prioritised for funding through the Access for All scheme this Autumn.