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: S7W-01644

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the cumulative impact on environmental horticulture businesses in Scotland of rising costs of (a) energy, (b) labour, (c) transport and (d) inputs.

An assessment into the rising costs of horticulture businesses has not been undertaken by the Scottish Government, however, the Horticultural Trades Association has recently published a briefing outlining the ‘Cost of Doing Business’ for the environmental horticulture sector across the UK as a whole. This can be found here: https://hta.org.uk/public-affairs-policy/briefings-consultations-and-reports/stakeholder-section/stakeholder-briefings. The Scottish Government recognises the current challenges outlined in this assessment, which environmental horticulture businesses are facing, the majority of which are family-run SMEs. That is why the Scottish Government continues to offer the Small Business Bonus Scheme to help address the rising costs that businesses are facing. In addition, Scottish Government backed schemes have helped businesses reduce energy costs through grants for energy efficient equipment and renewable technologies.

Question reference: S7W-01969

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of its compliance with the duties and requirements set out under Part 2 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and, in particular, how it considers that it is meeting its obligations in relation to (a) fisheries management, (b) protection and enhancement of the marine environment, and (c) the spatial planning and management of Scotland’s marine areas.

The Scottish Government takes its legal responsibilities seriously and considers the requirements of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and other relevant legislation when developing marine policies, plans and management measures.

The Scottish Government takes a holistic approach to sustainable development of our seas and to mitigation and adaptation to climate change .Our general approach to climate change mitigation is set out in Climate Change Plan 2026-2040 and to climate change adaptation in the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029 (SNAP3). Scotland’s national marine plan sets out planning policies designed to support sustainable development and mitigation and adaptation of climate change in our decision-making.

These plans are considered when developing marine policies, plans and management measures which affect Scotland’s seas. Where relevant, impact assessments are also undertaken to better understand the potential effects on the marine environment, communities and marine sectors to ensure these effects are considered at the policy-making stage and to support compliance with statutory obligations.

Through these and other measures, the Scottish Government seeks to balance environmental, social and economic objectives and promote the sustainable development, action on climate change, management, protection and enhancement of Scotland's marine area.

In relation to fisheries management, this includes delivery of Scotland's Fisheries Management Strategy, development of Fisheries Management Plans and the Future Catching Policy, and the introduction of Remote Electronic Monitoring on key fleet segments.

In relation to the protection and enhancement of the marine environment, this includes implementation of fisheries management measures for Marine Protected Areas, action to reduce by catch, implementation of our conservation strategies and action plans, habitat restoration initiatives, measures to address marine litter and pollution, and action to contribute towards achieving Good Environmental Status under the UK Marine Strategy.

In relation to the spatial planning and management of Scotland's marine areas, this includes implementation of the National Marine Plan, development of National Marine Plan 2, adoption of Regional Marine Plans in Shetland and Orkney, operation of marine licensing and consenting systems and the updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP-OWE).

Question reference: S7W-02107

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish data on the operation of GP walk-in clinics.

Question reference: S7W-02071

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian Coast and Lammermuirs, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government by what date its planned rollout of remote electronic monitoring for the inshore fisheries fleet will be completed.

Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) systems support comprehensive data collection in fisheries by using cameras, sensors and Global Positioning System technology to independently monitor fishing activity at sea.

REM is a key component of the Scottish Government's Fisheries Management Strategy. However, there are no plans to rollout REM across the inshore fleet. Instead, the Scottish Government is taking a targeted and proportionate approach to REM implementation.

Legislation has already been introduced requiring REM systems on all scallop dredge vessels from June 2024 and on pelagic fishing vessels from March 2026. The legislation applies to all relevant vessels operating within Scottish waters, as well as to relevant Scottish vessels wherever they fish.

This approach reflects the Scottish Government's commitment to strengthening fisheries monitoring, improving transparency and supporting sustainable fisheries management, while ensuring that monitoring requirements are proportionate and tailored to different fleet segments. It recognises that REM technology is not necessary or appropriate for all vessel types.

Question reference: S7W-02001

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the viability of Scotland's abattoir sector, particularly in relation to small-to-medium sized sites.

Small and medium-sized abattoirs are a crucial part of Scotland’s red meat sector, including in remote rural areas and for smaller producers seeking private kill services, including rare breeds.

The Scottish Government is aware of the challenges in the sector through work with a number of national organisations and through direct contact with businesses. Issues include economies of scale, labour costs and shortages and capital investment.

The Scottish Government recognises these challenges, which is why we have supported the sector through the Small Producers Pilot Fund, to improve access to private kill, and to improve coordination of services. £1 million resource and up to £1.5 million capital is being made available through the fund this year. The Scottish Government also offers a Ministerial Discount, awarded to the Scottish meat industry for FSS Official Veterinarian charges, which very small abattoirs and game plants benefit from most, with 76.5% of the rate being discounted.

Question reference: S7W-02104

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-00818 by Angela Constance on 16 June 2026, on the basis of the monthly report from NHS boards, when it anticipates that they will meet the 62 day standard for cancer treatment.

Board trajectories against the 62 day cancer standard have been requested from all Health Boards.

These will be submitted to the Scottish Government's Health & Social Care Performance & Delivery Assurance Board for review and approval by the end of August.

Once agreed, performance against the trajectories will be monitored monthly by the Scottish Government and the East and West Subnational Planning & Delivery Committees to support delivery and ensure progress is maintained.

Question reference: S7W-02102

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-00806 by Angela Constance on 16 June 2026 whether it will to set out a timetable for the national evaluation of the GP walk-in clinics programme.

Question reference: S7W-02135

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what advice it has received regarding any potential impact of constitutional uncertainty on investor appetite for bonds issued under the Scottish Government bond programme.

Question reference: S7W-02108

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the GP walk-in clinic in Shetland was closed and for how long the clinic remained closed.

Question reference: S7W-02106

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many GP walk-in clinics are currently open and where they are located.