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: S5W-21540

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 February 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 26 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will take to increase the scale of development and investment in district heat networks as part of its proposed package of regulation for the sector, and what plans it has to provide direct support to projects to mirror the Heat Networks Investment Project, which will provide funding up to 2022 in England and Wales.

A key part of the Scottish Government’s approach to heat network regulation will be the introduction of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES). LHEES will identify the most suitable areas for district and communal heating in Scotland, sending strong signals to investors and the supply chain about the opportunities available.

Subject to Scottish Public Procurement Regulations, local authorities will then be encouraged to offer an 'anchor load' of public sector buildings for supply, providing assurances over expected heat demand.

As part of our forthcoming Energy Efficient Scotland consultation, we will seek evidence from the sector on whether further support can be made available to attract investment in heat networks and reduce the barriers faced in development.

The Scottish Government will continue to provide direct support to heat network projects in Scotland through our District Heating Loan FunD, which has funded 50 projects to date, and our Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, which offer low-rate, unsecured capital loans and assistance in developing investment grade business cases.

Question reference: S5W-21272

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 18 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the opinion of the Court of Session regarding the appeal for a major development at Airthrey Kerse.

On 23 January 2019, the Court of Session quashed the Scottish Ministers’ decision of 18 June 2018 to refuse planning permission in principle for a housing development at Airthrey Kerse, Bridge of Allan, Stirling. The case will in due course be returned to the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) to reconsider in light of the Court Opinion. The DPEA reporter will take full account of any representations made to the original application or appeal as well as any further submissions the reporter considers necessary to re-examine this appeal following the decision of the Court of Session. The reporter will then make a recommendation to Scottish Ministers.

Question reference: S5W-21265

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 5 February 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to introduce legislation to underpin the Scottish National Investment Bank.

Question reference: S5O-02841

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 January 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how commuters' views inform ScotRail timetabling changes.

Question reference: S5W-20739

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 January 2019
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 18 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with its plans to introduce legislation to give the Eurasian beaver protected species status, in light of its previous commitment that it would introduce legislation on this during the first half of 2018, and what the impact could be on the species if such legislation is not passed before 29 March 2019.

The Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage have been working closely with farming and other land management and conservation stakeholders to develop an approach for the management of beavers including, where necessary, their licensed control once they are given legal protection. This work is nearing completion.

In the event that powers are not available under the European Communities Act 1972, a range of suitable options are being identified and considered to give protection for beavers.

Question reference: S5W-20744

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 11 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the breakdown is for the Energy line in the draft Budget.

Question reference: S5W-20700

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 10 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on meeting its commitment in the Road Safety Framework to introduce speed awareness courses in Scotland, similar to those that operate in the rest of the UK.

Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 contains the commitment by road safety partners to consider if the introduction of a Speed Awareness Scheme focused on speeding would be an appropriate contribution to road safety in Scotland. Police Scotland has submitted its findings on preparatory scoping work and options for the introduction of the courses in Scotland to the Lord Advocate. These proposals are currently being carefully considered by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The decision on whether the courses should be introduced in Scotland is ultimately a matter for the Lord Advocate.

Question reference: S5O-02773

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 January 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Scottish Environment Link's 10 principles for future land management support in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-20646

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 8 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the consultation paper on its Good Food Nation Bill.

Question reference: S5W-20574

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 December 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 8 January 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the EU adopting the European Commission’s proposals for a climate-neutral EU by 2050, and whether it considers that this is beneficial to the net-zero section of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill.

The Scottish Government welcomes the European Commission’s proposals for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy by 2050. We contributed to the consultation on this strategy, sharing our experience and urging the EU to maintain its leadership. We now look forward to the strategic long-term vision set out by the Commission being translated into legally binding emissions reduction targets and credible policies to deliver on these.

The Climate Change Bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament in May includes emissions reduction targets for 2020, 2030 and 2040 that are the most stretching statutory targets for these years of any country in the world. The targets in the Bill also mean that Scotland will be carbon neutral by 2050. The Scottish Government wants to go further and achieve net-zero emissions for all greenhouse gases as soon as possible. We’ll set a target date for this as soon as it can be done credibly and responsibly. The independent advice on targets we have requested from the UK Committee on Climate Change next Spring will consider whether even more can now be done in Scotland, including in light of the European Commission’s current proposals.