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-17704

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 12 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking (a) in general and (b) through its Fair Work agenda, to encourage trade union (i) membership and (ii) recognition, across the economy.

Question reference: S6W-18043

Asked by: Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 May 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update to the Parliament on NHS Lothian’s escalated position in relation to the delivery of mental health services.

NHS Lothian has made significant progress in the area of Mental Health since it was escalated to Stage 3 of the NHS Board performance escalation framework in July 2019.

The Scottish Government requested a formal recovery plan with clear milestones and has provided a package of tailored support to NHS Lothian to develop and implement it. The changes resulting from the plan, including changes to the Mental Health leadership team in NHS Lothian, has supported sustained improvement in performance.

The Scottish Government’s Director General of Health and Social Care, supported by the Health and Social Care Management Board, took the decision to de-escalate NHS Lothian from Stage 3 to Stage 2 of the NHS Board performance escalation framework for its improved provision of mental health services, care and support.

The Scottish Government will continue to monitor progress at Stage 2 and NHS Lothian will continue to be able to access advice and support from the Scottish Government Professional Advisors. This will ensure that the continuous improvement remains a priority.

You can find out more about the NHS Board performance escalation framework here: NHS healthcare standards: Board performance escalation framework - gov.scot ( www.gov.scot )

Question reference: S6W-17531

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many pre-paid mobile phones, so-called burner phones, it has purchased in the past five years.

Question reference: S6W-17024

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 12 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many SME house builders there have there been in Scotland in each year since 1999.

The following table shows a time series for the number of registered private sector businesses in the construction of domestic buildings sector, split into Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises. The construction of domestic buildings sector is defined as Standard Industrial Classification (“SIC”) code 41.202 and is a sub-category within the construction sector, Section F. A SME here is defined as a business with 0 – 249 employees, whilst registered businesses are businesses that are registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) and/or Pay As You Earn (PAYE). The data covers the period from 2010 to 2022, earlier data are not readily available and, also not comparable due to changes in SIC definitions and methodology over time.

The number of registered private sector businesses by employee size band in the construction of domestic buildings (SIC 41.202) in Scotland, March 2010 – March 2022.

Calendar Year	SMEs (0-249 Employees)	250+ Employees	Total
2010	1,840	25	1,865
2011	1,740	25	1,765
2012	1,765	25	1,795
2013	1,745	30	1,775
2014	1,735	25	1,760
2015	1,780	25	1,805
2016	1,795	25	1,820
2017	1,850	30	1,880
2018	1,850	30	1,880
2019	1,885	25	1,910
2020	1,905	25	1,930
2021	1,915	30	1,945
2022	2,105	25	2,135

Source: Scottish Government analysis of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR)

Business counts are rounded to the nearest five. Totals may not equal the sum of the constituent parts due to rounding.

Excludes central and local government.

Size band is based on the number of employees that the business employs across the UK.

Question reference: S6W-16965

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 12 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Cycling report, Developing A Nation Of Cyclists 2.0, published on 14 March 2023.

Overall, the Scottish Government thinks that this is a well-designed and helpful document which clearly outlines the approach which Scottish Cycling plans to take.

We welcome the focus on improving diversity in cycling participation as well as a pathway for all, regardless of ability.

We are pleased to see references to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, highlighting the significant opportunity to increase cycling participation this provides, including through initiatives such as the Cycling Facilities Fund.

Question reference: S6W-17641

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-17541

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 11 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to propose time in the business programme for the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy to deliver a statement to update the Parliament on any revisions to the proposed restrictions on alcohol marketing and promotion laid out in the previous government consultation.

We are currently reflecting on the wide-ranging feedback we received from stakeholders during the recent stakeholder roundtables and are working with an independent contractor to analyse the public consultation responses to understand the views and perspectives of those that responded.

We will publish both the roundtable notes and the consultation findings later this year, which will inform the potential content and scope of any policy proposals and our consideration of appropriate next steps for this work.

Question reference: S6W-17526

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 11 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of any climate implications of redefining the definition of deep peat from 40cm to 30cm in relation to the muirburn licensing provisions of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill.

There is no clear scientific consensus relating to muirburn on peatlands. A 2022 report by NatureScot has shown that there is limited and unclear evidence on the impact of muirburn on the total carbon budget. Therefore no specific assessment has been made of any climate implications of redefining the definition of deep peat from 40cm to 30cm in relation to the muirburn licensing provisions of the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill.

When in good ecological condition, peat can store significant amounts of carbon and that this can help address the impacts of climate change. The provisions in the Bill take a precautionary approach aimed at allowing muirburn to continue as a land management tool, and as a method of controlling the risk of wildfire, alongside reducing the risk and volume of carbon emissions.

The Bill contains regulation-making powers which will allow further changes to the new law on muirburn to made by secondary legislation, should further relevant scientific evidence come to light.

Question reference: S6W-17562

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 11 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether an impact or risk assessment has been undertaken of any potential effect of continued high inflation on the delivery of (a) outstanding Control Period 6 (CP6) projects and (b) future Control Period 7 (CP7) commitments on Scotland’s railways.

The risk assessment in relation to inflation on the delivery of the remainder of Control Period 6 (April 2019 – March 2024) and for Control Period 7 (April 2024 – March 2029) is reflected in the draft forecasts presented by Network Rail and the amount of risk funding allocated to it.

The impact or risk of inflation in Control Period 6 continues to be monitored by Network Rail and reported to Transport Scotland as part of the normal four weekly monitoring process.

As for Control Period 7, the potential impact of inflation is being considered by Network Rail in their planning for Control Period 7 via the ongoing Periodic Review 2023 process. This will be assessed and regulated by the Office of Rail and Road and be reflected in their final determination for CP7.

Question reference: S6W-17473

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 11 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to reduce the rates of alcohol-related deaths, in light of reports that they are at their highest rate for over a decade.

My deepest sympathy goes to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through alcohol. In the most recent data, we are starting to see the profound impact the pandemic has had on those with problematic alcohol use. We will use this information to understand how we can better support those who need it.

We are working collaboratively with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) across Scotland to understand and help resolve local issues and support them in identifying ways to improve services, such as monitoring waiting times. Last year, £106.8 million was made available to ADPs, and nationally there is ongoing work including the upcoming UK Alcohol Treatment Guidelines, development of alcohol treatment targets for April 2024 and the expansion of our Residential Rehab capacity by 50% by the end of the current Parliament.

We remain determined to reduce alcohol-related harm. That is why we have introduced initiatives such as Minimum Unit Pricing, which recent research estimated has saved more than 150 lives a year and led to 411 fewer hospital admissions.