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 1960 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S7W-00142

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide further details on its proposed Rural Renewal Bill, including the intended aims of the legislation, the anticipated timetable for consultation and introduction, and how rural communities and stakeholders will be involved in its development.

Question reference: S7W-00109

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 Angela Constance on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of prostate cancer cases that have been diagnosed at a late stage in each of the last five years, and what assessment it has made of whether earlier screening could improve outcomes.

Information on prostate cancer staging is available via Public Health Scotland Routes to Diagnosis publication. It is worth noting that survival rates, the most crucial measure for any patient, remain high in comparison to other tumours. Public Health Scotland’s Cancer Survival in Scotland data set confirms that Scotland’s five-year survival rate for prostate cancer is 88.6%, similar to that of the other UK nations.

The Scottish Government takes advice from the UK National Screening Committee(UK NSC), an independent expert advisory group that informs screening policy across the UK, regarding national screening programmes. Should a recommendation be made to introduce targeted prostate screening, the organisations that oversee screening will advise us on how to take that recommendation forward.

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-00150

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding reports that Scottish residents participating in humanitarian flotillas to Gaza have been detained by Israeli forces in international waters, what (a) representations it has made to the UK Government, and (b) discussions it has had with the UK Government to ensure that all appropriate consular and diplomatic steps are taken to protect their welfare and secure their safe return.

The Scottish Government has raised this issue with the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at both Ministerial and official level.

I recently wrote to the Foreign Secretary, welcoming the release of detainees and pressing the UK Government to seek reassurance from the Israeli Government regarding the safety and wellbeing of all UK nationals during their detention. I also urged the UK Government to make clear to the Israeli Government that the treatment evidenced is unacceptable, as well as raising concerns on the potential detention of those on the flotilla in international waters. Officials have been in regular contact with FCDO on this issue.

Question reference: S7W-00375

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 will provide an updated timeline on how it plans to deliver a long-term solution for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.

The Scottish Government is committed to an infrastructure solution to address the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslip risks. Delivery of a permanent and resilient solution is a priority, and Transport Scotland continues to seek ways to achieve that as quickly as possible.

Following publication of draft Orders for both the long-term solution and future phases of the medium-term solution on 13 December 2024 Transport Scotland received a number of representations, including objections, to the published draft Orders and the project team are working to resolve these where possible.

If it is not possible to resolve the objections a Public Local Inquiry may be required to consider objections received and not withdrawn.

As with all infrastructure projects, procurement and construction of the long-term solution can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory authorisation process and thereafter a timetable for delivery can be determined.

Question reference: S7W-00144

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Rural Renewal Bill will include provisions requiring ministers and public bodies to undertake rural impact assessments when developing policy.

Question reference: S7W-00145

Asked by: David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 29 May 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed Rural Renewal Bill will include provisions to introduce a formal rural-proofing requirement for all new legislation, policy and major spending decisions.

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-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-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.