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-00268

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been remanded to prison custody by sheriff courts but given a non-custodial sentence, and what the (a) mean, (b) median and (c) 90th percentile length of time on remand was for such individuals, in each year since 2018.

Question reference: S7W-00131

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Reform UK
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration has been given to the interactions with other food or public health regulations with regards to the products that would be in scope of a statutory price cap on essential food items, if this were to be enacted as per the Scottish National Party's 2026 manifesto commitment.

Question reference: S7W-00132

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Reform UK
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish National Party's 2026 manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, whether the proposal will extend to distance sales or products purchased out with Scotland.

Question reference: S7W-00138

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scot and Lothians West, Reform UK
Date lodged: Monday, 18 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish National Party's 2026 manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what it anticipates the impact might be on farmgate prices from the policy.

Question reference: S7W-00164

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items in shops, what steps have been taken to assess any potential impact on the profitability of food stores.

Question reference: S7W-00167

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items in shops, what the administrative and cost implications will be for those tasked with enforcing the proposal.

Question reference: S7W-00288

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been remanded to electronically monitored bail by sheriff courts, found guilty and sentenced to immediate custody, including those whose time on remand equals or exceeds their custodial sentence, and what the (a) mean, (b) median and (c) 90th percentile length of time on remand was for such individuals, in each year since 2018.

Question reference: S7W-00406

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 Neil Gray on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will proceed with an appeal against the proposed Category A-listed status of HMP Barlinnie, and what impact assessment has been undertaken regarding any effect on prison redevelopment plans.

I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS welcome and value the continued interest in HMP Barlinnie and we recognise its historic significance, however we believe that a more proportionate and selective approach is required for the site’s viability long-term.

Working in partnership with the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), SPS has utilised existing funding to lodge an appeal via Montagu Evans. Following any outcome, we will then be in a more informed position to assess the impact of the final decision, including consideration of any potential financial costs and any options for redevelopment of the site.

Question reference: S7W-00267

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been remanded to prison custody by sheriff courts and received a verdict of (a) not guilty, (b) not proceeded against and (c) not proven for the charges for which they were remanded, and what the (i) mean, (ii) median and (iii) 90th percentile length of time on remand was for such individuals, in each year since 2018.

Question reference: S7W-00631

Asked by: Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill, MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 2 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for the reintroduction of the Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill.