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-30201

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many full-time employees were working for Children’s Hearings Scotland as of August (a) 2022 and (b) 2024.

Question reference: S6W-30169

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to (a) improve the consistency of data on the (i) number and (ii) outcomes of adoption placements across local authorities and (b) start monitoring any new data in relation to adoption placements to improve the understanding of adoption in Scotland.

The National Records of Scotland, a non-Ministerial office of the Scottish Administration, publishes data tables annually, including in relation to the number of adoptions per year in Scotland.

In addition, the Care Inspectorate publishes an annual fostering and adoption statistical bulletin which outlines data from local authorities’ annual returns, including in relation to their adoption services.

The Scottish Government uses this data, and direct engagement with stakeholders, to continually improve the understanding of adoption in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-30200

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

Question reference: S6W-30202

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

Question reference: S6W-30203

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don-Innes on 10 October 2024

Question reference: S6W-30156

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when a decision will be made on whether to extend the current Northern Isles Ferry Service contract from 30 June 2026 to 30 June 2028.

Question reference: S6W-30004

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what further action it can take to support (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies to ensure that public toilets are maintained and do not face closure, in light of reported concerns regarding their necessity, particularly for children and older and disabled people, and their function in preventing damage and waste in tourist and other public areas.

Question reference: S6W-30527

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 October 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Alasdair Allan on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress of its Heat in Buildings Strategy.

We have laid before Parliament today the third annual progress report against our Heat in Buildings Strategy and the first report against the Heat in Buildings Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836018100.

The report describes significant activity in key areas, including through our delivery schemes, new build regulations, heat networks, the energy efficiency of our homes and steady growth in clean heat installations. This follows our recent consultations on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, a Social Housing Net Zero Standard and EPC reform, and in relation to which we will confirm next steps shortly.

Question reference: S6W-30557

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 October 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it is making towards delivering its Fisheries Management Plans.

Development of the 43 UK Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) is an important element of the UK Fisheries Act (2020) and the 2022 UK Joint Fisheries Statement (JFS). The four UK fisheries policy authorities (UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and DAERA) have been working together and in partnership with stakeholders to develop the FMPs according to the parameters set within the JFS.

A significant amount of work has already been completed, however, this work is complex and further stakeholder engagement and consultation is needed. The statutory deadlines therefore need to be amended to ensure the right time and space to develop and deliver robust and effective plans.

A consultation paper proposing amendments to Annex A in the JFS, which contains the list of FMPs and the revised timetable for their delivery, has today been published. The consultation will be led by DEFRA and will run for 6 weeks from 10 October to 21 November. The deadline for the Scottish-led FMPs will be moved to the end of 2026.

We already have a strong suite of management measures in place to sustainably manage our fisheries and safeguard our fish stocks. FMPs will support further improvements where these are needed and will help deliver increased transparency in the way in which fisheries management takes place across the UK.

Question reference: S6W-30388

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 October 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with emergency services regarding the safety of battery storage facilities.

Scottish Government officials meet with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) representatives regularly to discuss fire safety issues in Scotland, including the safety of battery energy storage sites (BESS). The role of SFRS in relation to BESS sites is regularly discussed, and SFRS continue to develop and update their operational processes, as appropriate.

In addition, if SFRS receive information about proposed BESS sites they refer those duty holders (site operators) responsible for the plant in any application process to the National Fire Chief Council's best practice guidance for such sites and continue to engage with them around emerging issues and updated guidelines as required. These guidelines detail, amongst other things, minimum standards for fire safety systems and design features, water requirements for firefighting and access requirements.