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: S6O-03088

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how proposed UK immigration rule changes will potentially affect overseas workers in the agricultural sector in Scotland, in light of the recent letter from Scotland Food and Drink, and industry partners, to the Home Secretary.

Question reference: S6O-03086

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect the welfare of bees.

Question reference: S6W-25212

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 14 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what work it has done to establish how many XL Bully-type dogs have arrived in Scotland from England and Wales since the Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (England and Wales) Order 2023 came into force on 31 December 2023.

I have met with a range of stakeholders to discuss the operational challenges and wider impacts associated with the new safeguards on XL Bully dogs.

As I stated in response to question S6W-24479 on 24 January 2024, there is a significant degree of uncertainty across the UK as to the size of the population of XL Bully dogs. It is clear from the number of applications received from XL Bully owners in England and Wales seeking exemption for their dogs that the initial estimate of 10,000 dogs was a significant underestimate.

It is also evident from press and social media coverage that some XL Bully dogs have been transported to Scotland. It is this context of uncertainty and the failure of the UK Government to ensure XL Bully dog owners in England and Wales cannot evade the new safeguards by selling their dogs outside of England and Wales that has led to the decision by the Scottish Government to introduce similar safeguards in Scotland.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-25173

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 14 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking in response to reported concerns raised by the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO) and others that over half of Scotland's 32 local authorities are failing to meet legal requirements in relation to dealing with homelessness.

We have been in regular dialogue with ALACHO since this survey was undertaken in November 2023 and I have also been meeting with Housing Convenors across Scotland to discuss the homelessness and housing supply pressures that are facing councils. I meet with local authorities with the greatest temporary accommodation pressures on a regular basis to explore the best way to build resilience in the system.

This year, we have provided an additional £2 million to the 15 local authorities with the greatest percentage increase in the use of temporary accommodation. We have committed to maintain the homelessness budget for 2024-25 at broadly similar levels to 2023-24 and we will invest £556 million in affordable housing in 2024-25. Further investment in our housing capital budget will be a key priority if new funding becomes available as a result of the UK Government’s Spring Budget 2024.

The Scottish Housing Regulator has noted that the demands on some local authorities now exceed their capacity to respond, and it is engaging with the City of Edinburgh Council and Glasgow City Council on improvements in the way they discharge their duties to people who are homeless.

Question reference: S6W-25174

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 14 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO) reportedly warning ministers of a potential rise in local authority homelessness emergencies.

There have been a number of organisations in the sector, including the Scottish Housing Regulator, Audit Scotland and SOLACE, documenting the difficulties local authorities are experiencing and the risks this could present to the provision of homelessness services and accommodation. I respect the decisions of the local authorities who have declared a housing emergency.

The Scottish Government has commissioned expert groups to recommend action to potentially reduce the pressures local authorities are facing and set out in its response the actions we will take. I am engaging with Housing Convenors across Scotland on a regular basis to discuss the homelessness and housing supply issues that are impacting on them most. We know that increasing housing supply is key to tackling homelessness, but a flat and falling funding trajectory from the UK Government has significantly impacted our ability to deliver on all our capital infrastructure commitments. We will invest £556 million in affordable housing in 2024-25 and we have stated that our housing capital budget will be a key priority if new funding becomes available as a result of the UK Government’s Spring Budget 2024.

Question reference: S6W-25135

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 14 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government (a) where and (b) when it expects to hold an international food summit to promote Scotland’s food and drink sector, as set out in its publication, Scotland's International Strategy: Delivering for Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-25120

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-20115 by Jenni Minto on 15 August 2023, whether there are any reimbursement schemes available to any patients who are forced to pay for private dental treatment as a result of there being no local NHS provision.

There are no reimbursement schemes available to patients who enter into a private arrangement with a dentist for treatment, and the Scottish Government has no locus for intervention.

NHS dental services will continue to be available to patients, and some patients may wish to travel outwith their local area to access NHS dental services. Patients who are not registered with a dentist are able to access emergency and urgent dental care through their local Board’s Public Dental Service clinic.

Question reference: S6W-25017

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what dental service provision is available for any young people who require braces but do not have access to an NHS dentist to carry out the necessary preparatory work required by their orthodontist.

Question reference: S6W-25295

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 14 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what objectives it set for any funding that it has provided to the Barbara Koerner Memorial Trust since 2019.

Question reference: S6W-25001

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 14 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its long-term aspirations are regarding Regional Land Use Partnerships, and when it will provide the (a) communities and (b) stakeholders involved in them greater certainty regarding (i) funding and (ii) strategic policy importance.