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-03153

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its review of how to increase the number of co-operatives, social enterprises and employee-owned businesses, as part of the move to a wellbeing economy.

Question reference: S6O-03157

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is on course to achieve its 2030 target for reducing emissions.

Question reference: S6O-03156

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how outcomes from the New Deal for Business will be measured.

Question reference: S6W-25687

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will publish its Energy and Just Transition Strategy.

Question reference: S6W-25347

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 12 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21426 by Paul McLennan on 2 October 2023, whether it will provide updated tables, based on the latest information available.

The following tables shows applications and homes formally approved since 19 September to 31 January, including grant offered split by registered social landlord and local authority in 2023-24. It should also be noted that discussions have taken place to support additional acquisitions with other providers but formal applications have either not yet been received or are in the process of being approved.

We have not been able to provide purchase price information at this stage as, although approved, all properties have not yet been purchased:

Date Range 19 September 2023 to 31 January 2024
Registered Social Landlords (RSL)	No. of Applications Received	No. of Homes Applied For	No. of Homes Approved	SG Grant Approved (£)	Average Grant per Home (£)
Ark HA	1	1	1	140,000.00	140,000.00
Buidheann Tigheadas Loch Aillse	1	1	1	85,000.00	85,000.00
Castle Rock Edinvar HA	2	30	30	2,601,000.00	86,700.00
Govan HA	1	1	1	101,894.88	101,894.88
Irvine HA	1	7	7	280,000.00	40,000.00
Kingdom HA	1	8	8	602,734.00	75,341.75
Larkfield HA	1	4	4	160,000.00	40,000.00
Lochfield Park HA	1	4	4	345,020.00	86,255.00
Ore Valley HA	1	1	1	100,000.00	100,000.00
Shettleston HA	1	1	1	81,664.00	81,664.00
The Highland Housing Alliance	4	28	28	2,484,000.00	88,714.29
Tollcross HA	1	1	1	201,740.46	201,740.46
West Of Scotland HA	1	1	1	120,012.00	120,012.00
Total RSL	17	88	88	7,303,065.34	82,989.38

Local Authority	No. of Applications Received	No. of Homes Applied For	No. of Homes Approved	SG Grant Approved (£)	Average Grant per Home (£)
Edinburgh	1	20	20	3,286,000.00	164,300.00
Highland	5	11	11	935,405.18	85,036.83
Moray	2	2	2	103,263.00	51,631.50
Shetland Islands	1	1	1	83,000.00	83,000.00
Total LA	9	34	34	4,407,668.18	129,637.30

Total 19 September 2023 to 31 January 2024	26	122	122	11,710,733.52	95,989.62

Question reference: S6W-25527

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the (a) Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and (b) Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 contains any mechanism that prevents owners from relinquishing ownership and/or responsibility for a dog that is subject to complaint, and, if this is not the case, what its position is on whether such a mechanism would be desirable.

Section 1 of The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (‘Dogs bred for fighting’) already prohibits owners of such dogs from giving away their pets.

This means that, for example, it is now illegal for the owner of an XL Bully to sell, give away or rehome their dog.

The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the 2010 Act”) introduced the dog control notice (DCN) regime. The 2010 Act gives powers to local authorities to issue DCNs to owners who allow their dogs to be out of control and this includes discretionary conditions that can be attached to a DCN. The Scottish Government recommends as best practice that when local authority authorised officers issue a DCN to an owner, this should include a condition that the owner is obliged to inform the local authority if they rehome their dog, and provide the name and address of the new owner.

The Scottish Government published updated statutory guidance on the 2010 Act in December 2020. The statutory guidance is designed to enhance understanding of the 2010 Act and assist local authorities and authorised officers: https://www.gov.scot/publications/updated-guidance-control-dogs-scotland-act-2010/

The Scottish Government has no current plans to amend the 2010 Act to prevent dog owners who have a DCN against them from relinquishing ownership and/or responsibility for their dog, but does plan to consider opportunities to enhance and strengthen the 2010 Act in the medium term.

Question reference: S6W-25526

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what analysis it has undertaken of the effectiveness of the (a) Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and (b) Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, and what conclusions it has arrived at as a result of any such analysis.

A Scottish Government led Short Life Working Group was established in 2022 to assist with taking forward the commitment to review the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

The focus of the review was on the criminal offence in the 1991 Act of a dog being dangerously out of control. However, views on prohibited breeds legislation were also offered. The working group has undertaken this review, and we are now considering the wide range of views offered to determine what may be appropriate as next steps. The Minutes of all working group meetings have been published on the Scottish Government website: https://www.gov.scot/groups/dangerous-dogs-act-short-life-working-group/

The Scottish Government previously consulted on practical measures to improve the operational effectiveness of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 (“the 2010 Act”). The views offered in response to this consultation are helping to shape and inform policy development decisions.

Scottish Government officials also meet regularly with stakeholders to discuss issues in relation to dog control policy.

As I made clear during my Ministerial Statement on 18 January 2024, the Scottish Government is committed to working with key stakeholders and interested parties to look at any improvements that could be made to the 2010 Act to strengthen and enhance the approach to preventative measures in the medium term.

Question reference: S6W-25445

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the proposed introduction of a similar ban in Scotland, what meetings (a) it has and (b) its agencies have had with (i) the French government and (ii) other relevant stakeholders in France regarding banning the disposal of unsold goods.

Neither the Scottish Government nor its agencies have had meetings with the French government or other relevant stakeholders in France regarding banning the disposal of unsold goods. Officials have, however, met a representative of the Ellen McArthur Foundation to provide insight into the operation of the ban in France.

We intend to engage with a wide range of stakeholders in developing any regulations.

Question reference: S6W-25424

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the occupied range of muntjac deer in Scotland, and the extent of any damage being caused by the species.

There is no established population of muntjac in Scotland. There have been sporadic sightings of muntjac in Scotland, most of which are unverified. Any confirmed sightings of muntjac have been captured or culled.

In the past 30 years, only five muntjac records have been accepted as correct, based on photographic or physical evidence and all of these are believed to have escaped from captivity nearby.

We encourage land managers and members of the public to continue to report sightings of muntjac via the reporting page on Scotland’s Environment Website or directly to NatureScot, for NatureScot to investigate.

Question reference: S6W-25425

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to tackle the reported encroachment of muntjac deer in Scotland.

While there is no established population of muntjac in Scotland, NatureScot are cognisant of concerns around their potential impact should that change.

We recognise that the two main risks are that either existing populations in other parts of Britain may expand their range into Scotland, or that captive muntjac may escape into the wild and establish populations.

Any suspected sightings of muntjac should be reported to NatureScot directly or through the invasive non-native reporting tool on Scotland’s Environment Website . NatureScot follow up all reported sightings. Between three and ten reports a year are investigated, by interviewing witnesses and following up credible sightings with trail cameras and night vision surveys. NatureScot considers nearly all of these have been unlikely to be muntjac based on witness statements.

It is already an offence to keep muntjac in captivity without a licence, and land managers must inform NatureScot without delay if they suspect the presence of muntjac on their land. It is also an offence to transport, use or exchange, breed or permit a muntjac to reproduce.

Since 2021, the Non-Native Species Inspectorate has been carrying out inspections of zoos and private animal collections on behalf of the Scottish Government. The Inspectorate gathers evidence of non-compliance and passes cases on to Police Scotland to investigate, or NatureScot to resolve through licensing. NatureScot has issued two licences to keep muntjac at visitor attractions in the last ten years.

Parliament dissolved ahead of election

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