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-22065

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its refreshed Culture Strategy Action Plan, in light of it being delayed from summer 2022 and spring 2023.

As confirmed in my evidence to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee on 5 October, we will publish our Culture Strategy Action Plan Refresh in the coming months, in line with our commitment in the current Programme for Government. The refreshed Action Plan will set out the workstreams we will take forward in response to the challenges that are brought about by the changed landscape the culture sector is now working in.

Question reference: S6W-21929

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that some local residents were required by Clackmannanshire Council to evacuate their homes, in a majority council-owned block of flats, and move into short-term accommodation due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete being found and the flats being deemed unsafe, what immediate action it can take to (a) help provide suitable long-term accommodation and (b) support any proposals for repairs of these properties.

Local authorities have a legal duty to help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, a person should be treated as homeless, even if they have accommodation, if it would not be reasonable for them to continue to stay in it.

The Local Authority is currently undertaking further surveys in relation to the condition of the RAAC identified in the decanted blocks in Tillicoultry, which will determine the long-term action necessary.

We are currently working with the Scottish Housing Regulator and engaging with Local Authorities, including Clackmannanshire, to understand ongoing work to identify and manage the risks associated with RAAC.

Question reference: S6W-22149

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported technical issues with MV Loch Bhrusda, MV Loch Alainn and MV Loch Portain, which have left the Western Isles with no inter-island ferry service, whether it will consider accelerating phase 2 of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme.

MV Loch Bhrusda and MV Loch Alainn returned to service on 11 and 12 October respectively. During the recent outage of MV Loch Portain, CalMac moved quickly to charter a vessel to provide replacement services.

Early business case development work for the second phase of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme is underway. Further progress will be made early next year as vessel design and feasibility studies will be undertaken as part of the development of the Outline Business Case.

Question reference: S6W-21985

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many homes built under the Affordable Housing Supply Programme since 2016 were (a) one-bed, (b) two-bed, (c) three-bed, (d) four-bed and (e) five-bed or more homes.

Question reference: S6W-21875

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 29 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns regarding the rail maintenance budget.

The rail maintenance budget is set and confirmed by Office of Rail and Road for the full Control Period (current Control period covers financial years 2019 - 2024) and that funding amount does not change.

Throughout the current Control Period, the Scottish Government has fully funded the operations, maintenance and renewal of Network Rail’s Scottish infrastructure as determined by the Office of Rail and Road. The Scottish Government has also invested a further £451.9 million due to the impact of COVID.

Question reference: S6W-21967

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the ScotRail peak fares removal pilot will be monitored and evaluated.

The purpose of the ScotRail Peak Fares Removal pilot is to identify if it helps reduce car use and will make rail travel more affordable and accessible during its six month period and to assess, using standard techniques whether it represents value for money (VfM).

The Value for Money will be formally assessed by comparing the initial forecasts and associated monetarised benefits and costs with the actual outcomes in terms of demand across all modes. This will include data from ScotRail and Transport Scotland. This is a key benefit of the change being a pilot rather than permanent.

The ScotRail Peak Fares Pilot will end on 29 March 2024 and the evaluation findings (including the assessment for Value for Money) will inform further decisions setting future fares.

Question reference: S6W-21984

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21426 by Paul McLennan on 2 October 2023, how many of these purchases were (a) second-hand from the (i) open market and (ii) with a tenant in-situ, and (b) off-the-shelf.

Question reference: S6W-21869

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can provide to all the relevant stakeholders to find a safe and permanent solution to the ongoing issues with the Ayr Station Hotel building, in light of repeated fire outbreaks affecting local transport, commuting and commercial activity.

The Scottish Government continues to provide support to South Ayrshire Council in relation to the Ayr Station Hotel building.

I met with the leader of the council on October 11 on the subject of the station hotel building and remain open to further discussion around what assistance may be required.

Officials are in regular dialogue with the council, and Network Rail and ScotRail, through the Strategic Governance Group which is looking at the plans for the station moving forward as well as more recently the implications of the most recent fire at the station hotel building.

Question reference: S6W-22001

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its timeline for a permanent solution to the issues on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful.

We are committed to an infrastructure solution to address landslip risks at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful. Delivery of a permanent and resilient solution is a priority and we will continue to seek ways to achieve that as quickly as possible.

We continue to progress design work at pace and the announcement on 2 June 2023 of the preferred route option through the Glen Croe valley is a very important milestone in finding a solution to this long-standing problem. The proposed new debris flow shelter will help protect the road and road users from future landslides.

The next step for the project is the detailed design and assessment of the preferred option. This is progressing at pace and should conclude by the end of 2024 with the publication of draft Orders for comment. Progress following publication of draft Orders will depend on the level and nature of any representations, including objections, to the published draft Orders.

As with all our infrastructure projects, construction of the long term solution can only commence if it is approved under the relevant statutory authorisation process and thereafter a timetable for construction can be determined. It is, however, estimated that construction of the preferred route option will take three to four years, including an allowance for possible stand down time due to bad weather.

Question reference: S6W-22269

Current Status: Withdrawn