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: S5T-01506

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 18 February 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what economic benefits could be realised following the full opening of the AWPR.

Question reference: S5O-02829

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 January 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what impact UK Government immigration policy is having on Scotland’s working population.

Question reference: S5W-21049

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 January 2019
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 18 January 2019

Date Lodged: 17/01/2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the BSE risk status of Scotland, following the recent case in Aberdeenshire.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have analysed an epidemiological report into this isolated case of BSE and concluded that Scotland complies with the provisions of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code and qualifies for the re-instatement of a “controlled BSE risk” status. The re-instatement of controlled BSE risk status was effective immediately on the 26 December 2018. The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has written to a number of key international trading partners to inform them of the outcome.

Question reference: S5O-02797

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 January 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its initial assessment is of the impact of the AWPR on north east transport.

Question reference: S5W-20701

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 December 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 20 December 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on Aberdeen Roads Limited’s progress in completing the Don Crossing and opening the final section of Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).

We can already see the benefits of the newly opened section of AWPR from Craibstone to Stonehaven and Charleston.

Despite what it said at the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee just over a fortnight ago, ARL informed officials on 18 December that it was no longer able to meet its own deadline. I have consistently urged caution about ARL’s ambitious programme to conclude the Don works. Consequently, as disappointing as this news is, it therefore comes as no surprise. This will be a difficult message for the workforce who have been working hard during this most challenging time of the year.

It is well known that ARL has experienced a series of technical issues during the construction of the Don Crossing. In order for this Government to protect the public purse, it is imperative that ARL provides the necessary technical and commercial assurances for the Don Crossing. We cannot and will not contemplate releasing payments for this structure without these critical assurances.

In terms of an opening date for this section, although ARL are forecasting January 2019, they have been unable to provide a definitive date.

Question reference: S5O-02736

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 December 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met north east business leaders, and what matters were discussed.

Question reference: S5O-02584

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 November 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Question reference: S5O-02543

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 November 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the fish processing industry in the north east regarding training workers to make best use of exiting the CFP.

Question reference: S5W-19741

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 02 November 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 2 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the BSE case in Aberdeenshire.

Following confirmation of a case of BSE in a single animal on a farm in Aberdeenshire on 18 October, precautionary tests carried out in line with standard procedures on a further four animals have been completed, the results of these tests were negative for BSE. Vets from the Animal and Plant Health agency (APHA) have now commenced a veterinary epidemiological investigation to establish, if possible, the source of the disease. This will take some time to complete. Once the outcome is known, Parliament will of course be updated.

Question reference: S5W-19148

Asked by: Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 24 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the finding that, according to the Vibrant Economy Index that was published on 18 September 2018, Aberdeen City and Shire are ranked "very high" for economic vibrancy and "very high" for inclusion and equality.