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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 43016 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-39066

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 14 July 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answer expected on 11 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding allocated from the Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme went to growers based outside of Scotland in each year since it was established.

Question reference: S6W-39340

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 14 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 11 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the expected timeline is for the conclusion of NatureScot's review of the Scotland's Great Trails brand and purpose.

Question reference: S6W-39333

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 8 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its plans to consult on a proposal to ban the use of electric shock collars for training dogs, what information it holds on which animal welfare organisations (a) support and (b) oppose such a ban.

Question reference: S6W-39192

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 8 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many police officers have been refused permission to work second jobs in the past five years.

Question reference: S6W-39334

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 8 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation on the use of electric shock collars for training dogs.

Question reference: S6W-39219

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 8 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-04726 by Jenny Gilruth on 29 May 2025, whether it will provide an update on its review of the guidance regarding the levying of fees for hospital teaching costs for children who routinely attend independent schools, including when any new guidance will be published.

Question reference: S6W-39336

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 8 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its plans to consult on a proposal to ban the use of electric shock collars for training dogs, what information it holds on which veterinary organisations (a) support and (b) oppose such a ban.

Question reference: S6W-39335

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 8 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with representatives of the independent Scottish Animal Welfare Commission regarding the Commission's recommendation that the use of electric shock collars to train dogs should be banned.

Question reference: S6W-39100

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB) on 11 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what steps it is taking to make the parliamentary estate more pollinator-friendly, and whether these steps include (a) planting a more diverse array of plants for wild pollinators, (b) encouraging nature across the parliamentary estate more generally and (c) moving away from keeping bees in hives, in light of reports that organisations such as the Bumblebee Conservation Trust state that the latter is not a sustainable practice.

Supporting Pollinators and Biodiversity at Holyrood

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is committed to enhancing biodiversity and supporting pollinators across the parliamentary estate.

These are the key initiatives that are currently in place or planned:

Biodiversity Policy and Route Map

We have a Biodiversity Policy and Route Map. Facilities Management works with the Sustainability Team to ensure best practices are followed.

Monitoring and Evidence

From 2025, we will conduct biodiversity surveys twice a year to monitor progress and guide future actions. This will help us track our efforts and make informed decisions.

Landscaping and Maintenance

Our landscaping avoids pesticides and includes regular checks for invasive species. These efforts are managed through our Facilities Management contract to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

Pollinator-Friendly Planting

Each year, we plant a variety of wildflowers to support pollinators. This has increased the variety and number of pollinator-friendly plants across the estate, contributing to a healthier environment.

Partnership and Engagement

We work with internal teams and external organizations, including community benefit clauses in our contracts, to support biodiversity. This collaborative approach ensures a broad impact.

Wildlife Support Measures

Regular bat surveys are conducted, and bird and bat boxes have been installed in suitable locations to support local wildlife.

Public Engagement and Education

Information boards are placed in landscaped areas, and we provide opportunities for public engagement and education on biodiversity. This helps raise awareness and encourages community involvement.

Encouraging Nature Across the Parliamentary Estate

To further support biodiversity, we have implemented several initiatives:

Landscaping

We have incorporated native species of trees, shrubs, and meadow grass. This landscaping approach helps reduce carbon footprints, manage groundwater movements, and encourage biodiversity, including bees, butterflies, insects, and birds.

Management Practices

We maintain a pesticide and peat-free regime to ensure a sustainable environment.

The Butterfly Project/Square Metre for Butterflies

We are working on the recovery of the Northern Brown Argus butterfly at Holyrood, contributing to the conservation of this species.

Biodiversity Surveys

We conduct regular biodiversity surveys and review bird and bat boxes to ensure they are effective.

Beehives

The Scottish Parliament was the first legislature in the UK to have beehives, showing our commitment to supporting pollinators. Please refer to our response under ‘c’ below for the current position relating to beehives on the parliamentary estate

Waste and Recycling

We aim to be a Zero Waste Parliament, reducing our environmental impact through effective waste management practices.

Sustainable Procurement

We minimise ecological impacts through sustainable procurement practices, ensuring our operations are environmentally responsible.

We are committed to tackling climate change and reducing our environmental impact. Recently, we planted fifteen new trees around the Parliament perimeter. Soft landscaping, such as trees, grasses, and shrubs, supports biodiversity and reduces groundwater movement to minimise erosion.

No pesticides, fertilisers, or peat are used onsite by our contractors.

Review of On-Site Beekeeping following recent changes to guidance

As the current beekeeping contract neared its end in early 2025, Facilities Management and Procurement reviewed the role of managed beehives on the estate, following guidance from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. This review involved engaging with stakeholders to determine the best approach. The existing contract was extended by one year to allow time for this review. A project is now underway to explore sustainable pollinator support from 2026 onwards.

Question reference: S6W-38772

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 11 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether it is appropriate for the Minister for Public Finance to take a decision on the Flamingo Land Lomond Banks planning application at Balloch, in light of the views that he has expressed to the Parliament.

The Scottish Government considers that it is entirely appropriate. The Scottish Ministerial Code recognises that I am responsible for taking decisions on behalf of Scottish Ministers collectively on planning cases. In responding to questions in the Parliament on 20 May 2025, I pointed to the reporter’s earlier consideration of the appeal and explicitly noted on several occasions that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific details of the case; and I did not do so. A decision will be made in a fair and impartial way which takes into account all relevant legal requirements and maintains the integrity of the planning process.