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-04368

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 25 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with (a) Police Scotland and (b) the Scottish Police Authority regarding how much Police Scotland has spent on dealing with cases of (i) sexual harassment and (ii) discrimination.

The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with Police Scotland, or the Scottish Police Authority, regarding how much Police Scotland has spent on dealing with cases of sexual harassment and discrimination.

It is a matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority, to consider all cases of sexual harassment and discrimination reported to Police Scotland. If any cases result in severance payments the severance payment costs will be set out the SPA Accounts, such as those for 2020-21, set out in the following SPA Annual Report and Accounts: https://www.spa.police.uk/spa-media/zn3niyle/35372-spa-annualreport-2021_fa-1-1.pdf .

Question reference: S6W-04119

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 17 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether the new hydrogen-powered vessel in Orkney will be covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Question reference: S6W-04121

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 17 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet the costs of hydrogen bunkering and refuelling infrastructure at Kirkwall and Shapinsay for the new hydrogen-powered vessel in Orkney.

Question reference: S6W-04118

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 17 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make a direct award to local authority operator, Orkney Ferries, for the new hydrogen-powered vessel in Orkney.

I met with the Orkney Islands Council in Kirkwall recently and heard about their plans to introduce low-emission ferries. I welcome these plans but made clear – as local representatives well know – that the responsibility for their inter-island ferry services including the procurement of replacement vessels, related infrastructure and crewing arrangements, sits with the local authority.

We recognise the pressures this brings which is why the Scottish Government’s 2021-22 Budget includes £19.2m for local authorities operating ferries, an increase of £7.7m on last year.

Question reference: S6W-04120

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 17 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the anticipated delivery date is for the new hydrogen-powered vessel in Orkney.

Question reference: S6T-00293

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a legal opinion stating that local authorities cannot use their byelaw powers to implement buffer zones at NHS reproductive health facilities, how it will ensure that women have access to these services free from harassment.

Question reference: S6W-03802

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 18 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 15 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what the timetable is for publishing a revised work schedule on the implementation of the provisions in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.

Question reference: S6W-03787

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 15 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on building new nuclear fusion plants.

Question reference: S6W-03786

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 15 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of five of the 15 potential sites being in Scotland, what its position is on the proposed prototype fusion energy plant being considered by the UK Government for one of these sites.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) has identified five potential site for the UK’s first prototype nuclear fusion reactor. This includes one location in Scotland at Ardeer. The Scottish energy strategy, published in December 2017, confirmed the Scottish Government’s continued opposition to new nuclear stations under current technologies. Our priority continues to be to support energy efficiency, develop Scotland’s huge renewable resource and to promote storage and flexibility.

Question reference: S6O-00369

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 11 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a full assessment of the outcomes of the COP26 discussions and the implications for Scotland’s energy strategy.

The Scottish Government will consider in detail the decisions and outcomes from the COP26 Summit, as well as the comprehensive Scottish Government programme that is running alongside. Our forthcoming draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan will take a whole-system view of the energy sector and highlight our commitment to ensuring that the transition to net zero is inclusive, creates good green jobs, is fair for all, and that no one is left behind. It will provide an early opportunity for Scotland to build on the agreements and priorities that emerge from COP.