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: S5O-01092

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many professional veterinary bodies have indicated support for its legislative proposal to allow the amputation of tails in healthy puppies.

Question reference: S5O-01038

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 25 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding whether dust clouds from the Valleyfield ash lagoons have exposed communities in West Fife to hazardous pollutants.

In addition to taking enforcement act to ensure ash spread was stopped, SEPA undertook additional environmental monitoring which was shared with Health Protection Scotland (HPS). On the basis of analysis undertaken by HPS, NHS Fife were able to provide reassurance to the public that there is no evidence that the composition or concentration of the ash cloud presents a significant risk to public health.

Question reference: S5O-01059

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 May 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the recent pay award to Scottish Prison Service operational staff has not been extended to non-operational staff in the same institutions.

Question reference: S5W-09141

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 18 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it (a) has had and (b) plans with (i) the UK Government and (ii) stakeholders regarding the commitment made in the white paper accompanying the Great Repeal Bill that "the Bill will give the devolved ministers a power to amend devolved legislation to correct law that will no longer operate appropriately"; what processes it plans to introduce to enable it to carry out such actions, and what involvement the Scottish Parliament will have with this.

We have sought information on these vital issues from the UK Government but have been told little beyond what was publically published in the white paper on the Great Repeal Bill. While recognising the difficulties caused by the general election, we need greater engagement from the UK Government as soon as possible and in detail about the planned legislation.

The white paper does not address many important aspects of the proposals, such as the requirement for consent of the Scottish Parliament under the Sewel Convention and the procedure for this Parliament to scrutinise secondary legislation made under powers in the Bill. As we have and will continue to make clear to the UK Government, protecting the interests of this Parliament and ensuring appropriate processes for parliamentary involvement, both in the passage of the Bill and in the exercise of powers under its provisions, will be a key objective for the Scottish Government in future discussions with the UK Government.

The Bill envisaged in the white paper would require legislative consent: this Parliament could legislate in a similar way for devolved areas affected by EU law, and the proposals envisage altering Scottish Ministers' executive competence. As set out in Scotland’s Place in Europe, there is also the option of separate Scottish legislation which we are examining closely. In due course we will make proposals to this Parliament on handling the legislative consequences of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. As part of that process, we will engage with stakeholders in developing the Scottish Government’s proposals.

Question reference: S5W-09107

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 18 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what advice or instruction it has given to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) regarding the nature conservation advice that SNH is providing to the Secretary of State for Transport regarding proposals for the ship-to-ship transfer of oil in the Cromarty Firth, and what the reason is for its position on this matter.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is a public body and is responsible for determining how it fulfils its statutory functions. The Scottish Government did not instruct, or advise, SNH on how to respond to the Port of Cromarty Firth Oil Transfer Licence application. However, it is not uncommon for marine scientists from different organisations to discuss matters within their area of scientific expertise to help inform and confirm their understanding of a subject, as happened in relation to the Port of Cromarty Firth Oil Transfer Licence application.

Question reference: S5W-09139

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 17 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to uphold all EU laws, including preambles of such legislation, that impact on devolved aspects of environmental protection, including bringing forward any (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation that might be required following Brexit.

The Scottish Government will seek to continue to play a key role in contributing to EU-wide environmental policies, including leadership on climate change, and has committed we maintain, protect and enhance our environment. Membership of the European Union has delivered considerable environmental benefits for individuals, businesses and communities across Scotland.

Many matters relating to the environment and climate change are within the devolved competence of the Scottish Parliament. EU obligations in these matters are implemented in Scotland in a way designed to meet conditions in Scotland. When the UK leaves the EU, the Scottish Government expects to exercise full competence across devolved areas such as environmental policy.

The Scottish Government would welcome clarification from the UK Government of its intentions for the future development of environmental policy, and how this will relate to trading arrangements with the EU and other trading partners. The UK Government has engaged in very limited discussions with the Scottish Government on the Great Repeal Bill. Without greater engagement from the UK Government on the detail of legislative planning for EU withdrawal, it is difficult to set out the amount and type of legislation required to ensure we achieve our ambitions for Scotland's environment.

Question reference: S5W-09140

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 17 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what contact it (a) has had and (b) plans with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that the Great Repeal Bill takes account of the devolved aspects of environmental protection.

The Scottish Government has held discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, alongside the other Devolved Administrations, on the UK leaving the European Union. The discussions have covered a range of issues, with an update provided by the UK Government on its published Great Repeal Bill White Paper at the recent Ministerial meeting which took place on the 20 April 2017.

To date, the UK Government has engaged in very limited discussions with the Scottish Government on the Great Repeal Bill and the Scottish Government continues to seek greater clarity from the UK Government on the detail of their legislative planning for the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

Question reference: S5W-09148

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 16 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of toxic fly ash being deposited on West Fife villages following the draining of the Valleyfield ash lagoons.

Ash clouds have affected the local communities near the Valleyfield ash lagoons; a situation which has been exacerbated by recent very dry weather. In responding to the situation SEPA have undertaken enforcement action with the site operator to support the resolution of this issue. In particular additional dust suppression measures have been put in place to avoid repetition and SEPA have established additional environmental monitoring and put in place a daily staff presence at the site.

Question reference: S5W-08974

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 11 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported damage to flame shell beds in Loch Carron, which are not protected in law, when it will publish a timetable for the proposed Inshore Fisheries Bill as part of the Inshore Fisheries Strategy, which committed to consider measures "to facilitate spatial management measures, devolve local management and give greater responsibilities to coastal communities, or tackle long standing management challenges".

Question reference: S5O-00984

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many planning appeals determined under ministerial direction in the last year have been contrary to local development plans.