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-16671

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 03 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 25 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect biodiversity in Scottish waters from the invasive signal crayfish species.

A review of distribution and management options for American signal crayfish in Scotland was carried out under the Species Action Framework . This concluded that introductions of this invasive species can lead to permanent, adverse, changes in the ecology of fresh waters and that awareness and prevention are key elements for control of this species.

Control and eradication using biocides is expensive and only possible in enclosed water bodies, such as ponds, while conventional control measures for signal crayfish, such as trapping, are ineffective. The uncontrolled use of traps is likely to result in the spread of this species to new areas, therefore the trapping of signal crayfish is not permitted in Scotland for control or consumption. This position was reached as a result of the evidence gathered in relation to Parliamentary Petition PE01558 , in 2015, which concluded that allowing commercial trapping of signal crayfish, even as a control measure, is likely to lead to the expansion of its range.

An unintended consequence of selective harvesting is the increased growth and earlier maturation of juvenile crayfish, which can cause the population to increase. Maintenance of strict licensing controls and improved surveillance for illegal harvesting activity are essential. The keeping and movement of signal crayfish is prohibited in Scotland, except for authorised surveys or research, and can be prosecuted as a criminal offence. Scottish agencies work with Police Scotland whenever there are reports of illegal activity.

In 2019 SEPA entered into a Species Control Agreement with Forestry and Land Scotland to ensure biosecurity is enacted in all forestry activities in the Galloway Forest area, where a high risk of spreading signal crayfish within and out of the area had been identified.

Agencies such as SEPA and NatureScot also work with partners to promote biosecurity good practice through the Check Clean Dry campaign to prevent the spread of all invasive non-native species; key partners in this are Fishery Trusts, Boards and Foundations, the Scottish Canoe Association, Scottish Canals and the Royal Yachting Association.

Question reference: S6W-16543

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 31 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 25 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is undertaking to understand more fully any changes in the behaviour of taxpayers in Scotland following tax increases, and whether it has developed a strategy to address any such changes.

Evidence on behavioural responses is an essential consideration for tax policy decisions.

The Scottish Government is acutely aware of the risks and benefits arising from behavioural responses to changes in devolved taxation policy, and actively works with stakeholders, such as HMRC, and subject matter experts, to monitor and continually improve the evidence base to help inform policy development. We will consider opportunities to update Parliament in the future, when appropriate.

In line with our Framework for Tax, and to further transparency and public debate, HMRC and the Scottish Government published studies on the Scottish Government’s 2018-19 Income Tax reforms which showed limited evidence of Scottish taxpayers lowering their taxable income in response to increasing tax rates.

Alongside regular monitoring of the tax base, the Scottish Government also works with tax administration authorities to proactively consider and address any possible emerging compliance issues.

Question reference: S6T-01335

Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent report by NUS Scotland, which stated that more than a fifth of international students in Scotland have experienced homelessness during their studies.

Question reference: S6T-01332

Asked by: Bill Kidd, MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the SQA regarding the preparations for this year’s exams.

Question reference: S6T-01336

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent report by Friends of the Earth Scotland, which suggests that additional investment is required in public transport if the Scottish Government is to meet its target of reducing car kilometres by 20% by 2030.

Question reference: S6F-02046

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 April 2023

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to new Police Scotland statistics showing that the number of recorded rapes has increased to its highest level in six years.

Question reference: S6F-02048

Asked by: Stephanie Callaghan, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 April 2023

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to Alcohol Focus Scotland’s emergency call to urgently take action to prevent further deaths and reduce harm from alcohol.

Question reference: S6F-02053

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 April 2023

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to ensure that published NHS waiting times for treatment are accurate.

Question reference: S6F-02033

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 April 2023

To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.

Question reference: S6F-02030

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 April 2023

Question to be taken in Chamber.