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-24387

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 22 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many ministerial working groups there are that are currently in operation across the Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition portfolio, and whether it will provide a list of any such groups.

There are currently 21 ministerial working groups that fall under the remit of the Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition portfolio. In addition, portfolio Ministers sit on a number of ministerial working groups which are led by other Scottish Government portfolios.

Ministerial working groups that are headed by the Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition portfolio remit are as follows:

FM Environment Council

National Strategy for 20mph Working Group

National Litter and Flytipping Forum

Storm Babet Ministerial Taskforce

National Strategy for Economic Trans Private Investment in Natural Capital Working Group

Deposit Return Scheme Ministerial Strategic Assurance Group

National Transport Strategy Delivery Board

National Transport Strategy Business Group

Orkney Ferry Replacement Task Force

Shetland Ferry Replacement Task Force

A83 Taskforce Group

LEZ Leadership Group

SEFARI Gateway Waste Emissions Specialist Advisory Group

Environment and Economy Leaders' Group (EELG)

Cleaner Air for Scotland 2: Ministerial Group

Peatland Expert Advisory Group

Green Heat Finance Taskforce

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Ministerial Group

Climate Change Plan Advisory Group

Scottish Aquaculture Council

Hydro Nation Forum

Question reference: S6W-24385

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 22 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many Cabinet sub-committees are currently in operation, and what the (a) title and (b) membership is of each.

There are currently 5 Cabinet Sub-Committees in operation, the titles and membership of which are set out in the following table.

Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC)

Membership

CSC on Legislation

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance(Chair)

Minister for Parliamentary Business

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights

Lord Advocate

CSC on Local Government New Deal

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance(Chair)

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition

Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning

Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights

Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport

CSC on the Climate Emergency

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition (Chair)

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance

Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

Minister for Transport

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights

Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade

Minister for Energy and the Environment

Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning

CSC on the National Care Service

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance(Chair)

Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care

Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs

Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy

Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees

Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport

Minister for Public Health and Women's Health

Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel & Tenants’ Rights

Lord Advocate

CSC on The Promise

First Minister (Chair)

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice?

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs?

Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise

Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport

Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance

Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy

Question reference: S6W-24389

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 19 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what reporting arrangements have been put in place regarding the role of the Deputy First Minister in co-ordinating cross government delivery, as referred to in the cabinet secretary mandate letters for the financial year 2023-24.

Question reference: S6W-24370

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the consultation on proposals to close fishing for sandeel in Scottish waters, what its position is on whether any such closures would be considered to be an important measure in compensating for the potential environmental impact of offshore wind farms.

I refer to my answer to question S6W-24369 on 18 January 2024. The suitability of any closure of the sandeel fishery in Scottish waters as a compensatory measure for potential impacts from offshore wind farms will be considered by Scottish Ministers if and when such a case for compensation may be required and according to the merits of that specific case.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-24386

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many ministerial working groups there are that are currently in operation across the Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy portfolio, and whether it will provide a list of any such groups.

There are 21 Ministerial Working Groups that fall under the remit of the Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Portfolio which are currently in operation. They are:

1. Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Ministerial Forum

2. Community Wealth Building (CWB) Bill steering Group

3. Construction Leadership Forum

4. Fair Work Oversight Group

5. Financial Services Growth & Development Board (FISGAD)

6. Grangemouth Future Industry Board

7. Hydrogen Industry Forum

8. Industry Leadership Group Chairs Roundtable (ILG CRT)

9. Manufacturing Strategic Leadership Group

10. National Strategy for Economic Transformation Delivery Board

11. New Deal for Business Group (NDBG)

12. Non-domestic energy consumers working group

13. Oil and Gas and Energy Transition Short Life Working Group

14. Onshore Wind Strategic Leadership Group

15. Retail Industry Leadership Group [please note this group is economy related but chaired by the Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning]

16. Rural energy consumers working group

17. SEAB: the Scottish Energy Advisory Board

18. Tourism & Hospitality Industry Leadership Group

19. Trade Board

20. Vulnerable energy consumers working group

21. Wellbeing Economy Expert Advisory Group (WEEAG)

Please note these groups will be kept under review.

Question reference: S6W-24369

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the consultation on proposals to close fishing for sandeel in Scottish waters, what its position is on whether the benefit of any such closures would be considered to be an appropriate compensation measure for offshore wind farm developments that are required to seek derogation under the relevant habitats regulations.

Scottish Ministers will consider the suitability of any measures proposed as compensation as part of a case for derogating from the habitats regulations at the appropriate stage in the process, if and when such a derogation case may be required. This applies to any closure of the sandeel fishery in Scottish waters which may be proposed as a compensation measure for offshore wind farm developments.

Question reference: S6O-03019

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the justice secretary has had with Police Scotland regarding potential station closures in Edinburgh.

Question reference: S6W-24384

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 16 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action the First Minister would take if a cabinet secretary does not meet the objectives set out in their mandate letter for the financial year 2023-24.

The First Minister constantly keeps the performance of cabinet under review and meets regularly with his Cabinet Secretaries to discuss objectives. Should it arise that a mandate letter objective has not been met, the First Minister will hold a discussion with the Cabinet Secretary in question to (a) understand the reasons for the objective not being met and (b) agree the most appropriate next steps.

Question reference: S6W-24388

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 16 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the First Minister and/or Deputy First Minister will meet with each cabinet secretary to discuss what progress has been made against the objectives detailed in their mandate letter for the financial year 2023-24.

Question reference: S6W-23965

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 11 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to potentially changing the legislative framework to increase flexibility in the management and operation of paths and roads in Holyrood Park.

The Scottish Government delegated the management of Holyrood Park to Historic Environment Scotland as a Property in Care. When considering potential changes to any Property in Care, Historic Environment Scotland ensures that the local community, as well as the relevant experts, are consulted. The Holyrood Park public consultation ran from 26 September to 19 December 2023, and once the results are analysed this will inform the development of any proposals for change. Health and safety remains paramount and I will continue my regular engagement with Historic Environment Scotland regarding the effective management of the Properties in Care.