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-01665

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) local authorities and (b) Trading Standards Scotland regarding the potential benefits of allowing local authorities, rather than Police Scotland, to apply for closure orders against any commercial premises that sell age-restricted products to children.

Question reference: S7W-01673

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to fulfil its duties under section 12 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025.

Question reference: S7W-01668

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what criminal offences are available to address the dissemination of disinformation by individuals or communication platforms where there is intent to stir up conflict, hostility or disorder within communities, or where a person is reckless as to the likelihood of doing so, and whether it is considering the introduction of any new legislation to address such conduct.

Question reference: S7W-01664

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate Transport Scotland has made of the potential financial costs and duration of a public local inquiry or hearing, should one be triggered by any unresolved objections to the proposed Oban Harbour Revision Order.

Question reference: S7W-01674

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Reform UK
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the development of a funding model that recognises the heritage and community value of listed places of worship in Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-01661

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what Transport Scotland’s expected timeline is for a final decision on the Argyll and Bute Council Oban Harbour Revision Order (HRO), which was submitted to Transport Scotland in November 2023.

Question reference: S7W-01330

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what efforts have been made to communicate the upcoming ban on using or supplying rodent glue traps to major online sellers, including those such as Amazon and eBay.

The Scottish Government notified key stakeholder organisations of the upcoming commencement of the ban on using, supplying or possessing rodent glue traps on 2 March 2026.

Follow-up correspondence was issued to Amazon, Ebay and the Post Office to confirm receipt of the notification. Further notification was sent to Scottish Wholesale on 20 May 2026 asking them to issue a reminder to Scotland’s wholesalers to ensure the removal of their stocks of rodent glue board traps, prior to the ban coming into force in Scotland on 1 July 2026.

Question reference: S7W-01362

Asked by: Donald MacKinnon, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the impact of water scarcity on food production in Scotland.

We know that the impact of climate change means that summers in Scotland are likely to get drier which may impact summer water scarcity. As a result, it is vital that we take action both to limit further climate change and to adapt to the challenges it is already creating.

Scotland’s National Adaptation Plan sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners are taking to respond to the impacts of climate change, and Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan sets out how water resources are managed during periods of scarcity - including for users in agriculture and food production.

The Scottish Government supports farmers in efficient water management and to adapt to a changing climate, for example through the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme and through the Agricultural Reform Programme and monitors overall impacts on food production through the Food Security Unit.

Question reference: S7W-01335

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to reduce the standard mileage available via the Motability Scheme in Scotland to match the new standard mileage available from 1 July 2026 through the Motability Scheme in the rest of the UK

Question reference: S7W-01334

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase the excess mileage fee, including standard rate VAT, which is applied via the Motability Scheme in Scotland, to match the fee applied to excess mileage from 1 July 2026 through the scheme in the rest of the UK.

The Scottish Government is aware that, as a result of the changes announced by the UK Government in its Budget in November 2025, Motability Operations announced in March 2026 that it would adapt its offer for new and renewing lease customers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 1 July 2026. The 1 July commencement is not set to apply in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has been working at pace with Motability to understand how any changes Motability makes to its customer offer as a result of the UK Government Budget announcements might affect the AVE Scheme and Motability customers in Scotland. Customers will be notified as soon as possible about changes that will apply in Scotland and the timeline for these.