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-00040

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42499 by Jenni Minto on 29 December 2025, whether it will provide a detailed timetable for the independent review of maternity services in Caithness, including (a) key milestones, (b) planned community engagement sessions, (c) stakeholder consultation periods and (d) the anticipated publication date for the final report.

Question reference: S7W-00207

Asked by: Kate Nevens, MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is available for local authorities when managing noise complaints as a public health issue.

The Guidance to Accompany the Statutory Nuisance Provisions of the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008 is available on the Scottish Government website. This guidance was published to support local authorities investigate and manage issues relating to noise complaints. Should the noise complaint involve antisocial behaviours the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004: noise nuisance guidance is also available.

Question reference: S7W-00008

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on the proposed Moray FLOW-Park development.

On 7 April 2026, the Scottish Government adopted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening opinion in relation to Moray Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW)-Park. This screening opinion requires that the project must undertake an EIA and comply with requirements set out in the Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

To date, no marine licence application has been submitted by Offshore Solutions Group for Moray FLOW-Park.

Question reference: S7W-00380

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to (a) create and (b) expand existing, Low Emission Zones during the current parliamentary session, and whether it can provide details of where these are being considered.

The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 provides powers for local authorities, rather than the Scottish Government, to introduce and operate Low Emission Zones (LEZs). Decisions on creating or expanding LEZs therefore rest with local authorities, based on local circumstances.

The Scottish Government is not currently in discussion with any local authorities regarding plans to introduce new LEZs or expand existing ones during the current parliamentary session.

Question reference: S7W-00197

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support households in installing electric vehicle charging points at home.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting access to home electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

To date, over £6.7 million has supported the installation of more than 21,600 home charge points across Scotland.

A further £3.45 million is being provided this financial year to continue supporting the rollout of home charging infrastructure.

This funding is focused on lower-income households, those in rural and island communities, residents of flatted properties, and households without driveways, including where cross-pavement charging solutions are permitted.

Question reference: S7W-00366

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what barriers identified by farmers and food producers are preventing greater domestic food production, and what action it is taking to remove these.

Scottish ministers have committed in the Rural Support Plan to providing certainty, preparation, and investment over the next five years, ensuring that our farmers and crofters have the confidence to invest and prepare for changes. Scottish Ministers remain clear in their commitment to support farmers and crofters to produce more of our food more sustainably. In support of that commitment The Code of Practice on Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture published in March 2026 highlights the types of activities that can be adopted on a farm or croft, that will contribute to ever more resilient agricultural production.

Question reference: S7W-00045

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce will consider the impact of travel distances and weather-related disruption on patient safety and outcomes, and whether it will specially examine the sustainability of reinstating consultant-led maternity services in Caithness.

The Scottish Government has a clear focus on ensuring women have access to safe, person-centred and high quality maternity care, and I look forward giving a statement to Parliament in the coming weeks on how the Scottish Government will be further improving maternity services across the country.

It is already a matter of public record that the Scottish Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is reviewing the issues facing rural communities, including Caithness.

Question reference: S7W-00292

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what legislative amendments are being made to establish a functioning Border Control Post that can enable freight to use the proposed Rosyth-Dunkirk ferry service.

I can confirm that the Scottish Government has recently amended the Minimum Requirements for the Location of a Border Control Post through The Official Controls (Location of Border Control Posts) (Scotland) Regulations 2026.

This amendment came into force on 21 March 2026. This amendment allows goods to arrive at a point of entry and then transit to an appropriately designated Border Control Post (BCP), provided that both the point of entry and the BCP are located within the same Scottish Green Freeport zone or within the outer boundary of that Freeport.

Question reference: S7W-00117

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the First Minister’s reported comments regarding the Northern Ireland Troubles and Sinn Féin what (a) assessment it has made of any impact those comments might have on victims’ families living in Scotland and (b) discussions it has had with any such communities on the matter.

It is important that the Scottish Government conducts constructive and collaborative relationships with all of the democratically elected governments across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Scottish Government engages with the current Northern Ireland Executive in the same way as our predecessors have done since the power sharing agreement was formed.

The Scottish Government has the greatest sympathy and deepest respect for all those who suffered as a consequence of the Troubles. We are also deeply grateful to all of the men and women who have previously, and continue, to serve in the armed forces.

Question reference: S7W-00041

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42497 by Jenni Minto on 29 December 2025, what steps it has taken to ensure meaningful and consistent involvement throughout the independent review of maternity services in Caithness of (a) Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT), (b) local midwives and (c) families with recent experience of maternity services in the area.

I will shortly be setting out to Parliament a statement detailing what the independent review will consider, how it will be led and how it will engage with stakeholders, including in Caithness. As has been the case under the previous Cabinet Secretary for Health and Minister for Public Health, there will continue to be close engagement with groups such as Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT), indeed Ms Minto engaged regularly with CHAT and with local stakeholders to discuss the issues women face and this Government will continue to do so.