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: S6W-24197

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there has been a 37% increase in the budget for Scotland House in London between 2023-24 and 2024-25, as set out in the 2024-25 Scottish Budget.

The increase in operational budgets of overseas offices in 2024-25 predominantly reflects how running costs for Scotland House London are attributed from a budgeting perspective as well as a minor amendment to IFRS 16 adjustments, and does not reflect an increase in the costs of its activities. Aside from these, there are adjustments across all offices to reflect a smaller increase in staff costs for the pay award announced by the Scottish Government in June 2023.

Question reference: S6W-24223

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there was a fill rate of 81.25% for Paediatrics ST1 in the 2023 recruitment round 1 and 2 for the NHS, and what action it is taking to improve this fill rate.

Overall more trainee doctor posts have filled in 2023 than any other year on record, (data correct as at 25 July 2023). 81.25% is still a high fill rate for Paediatrics ST1in rounds 1 and 2 of 2023 recruitment. Within that context there will always be a small number of posts that will not fill. We continue to work closely with our partners in NHS Education for Scotland and Health Boards, to consider ways of improving fill rates across all specialities.

Question reference: S6W-24198

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there has been an overall increase of £820,000 in the operational budgets of all of its overseas offices between 2023-24 and 2024-25, as set out in the 2024-25 Scottish Budget.

Question reference: S6W-23923

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what level of drought resilience has been set for Scotland’s water supply, and how this compares with resilience levels in other parts of the UK.

Scottish Water faces many technical challenges providing drought resilience compared to England and Wales. Due to the geography of Scotland, and population spread, Scottish Water operates many more water resource zones and has less connectivity between zones as is the case in the rest of the UK.

Despite the challenges, Scottish Water currently plans to maintain supplies through the worst historic drought, using fixed assets and drought plan contingencies which are broadly the equivalent of a 1 in 150 year return period. Scottish Water is looking to develop processes to move toward assessing drought risk to a 1 in 500 worst plausible drought level, which is similar to companies in England and Wales.

Drought has historically been more prevalent in England, however, the climate emergency means that drought is becoming more common and more severe in Scotland, hence our developing processes. Our water, wastewater and drainage policy consultation ( https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/water-wastewater-and-drainage-policy-consultation/ ) seeks views on how Scotland should adapt.

Question reference: S6O-03015

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to the recent Families Outside report, Staying Connected: Care-experienced children and young people with a sibling in prison or secure care.

Question reference: S6O-03017

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported comments by the Faculty of Advocates and the Law Society of Scotland that an exodus of defence solicitors has left the legal system close to collapse.

Question reference: S6O-03018

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the statistics that it has published on criminal justice social work for 2022-23.

Question reference: S6O-03019

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the justice secretary has had with Police Scotland regarding potential station closures in Edinburgh.

Question reference: S6O-03016

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the MV Isle of Islay will be launched on 16 March 2024.

Question reference: S6O-03014

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to businesses in Aberdeen.