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-19658

Asked by: Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 October 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update of the actions it is taking to deliver its target to meet 11% of non-electrical heat demand from renewable sources by 2020.

I am pleased to announce I laid a report in Parliament today, which provides an update on the actions the Scottish Government is taking to help meet our renewable heat target. The report is now available on the Scottish Government web-site, at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781787813168 .

During the 2017 calendar year, an estimated 5.9 – 6.1% of Scotland’s non-electrical heat demand was supplied from renewable sources, up from 4.7% in 2016 and 5.3% in 2015. Renewable heat capacity increased by 17% and renewable heat generation increased by 28%, when compared with 2016. Renewable heat output had fallen in 2016, primarily as a result of changes at a small number of large sites. If we instead compare 2017 data with 2015, when renewable heat output last increased, the 2017 figure is 14% greater indicating an underlying upward trend. The Scottish Government remains committed to decarbonising our heat supply whilst maximising the benefits of doing so for Scotland. We continued to demonstrate leadership and ambition in terms of our specific policy interventions, for example, the development of regulations around Local Heat & Energy Efficiency Strategies and district heating and, more broadly, through the Route Map for delivery of the Energy Efficient Scotland programme.

In addition, the Energy Saving Trust have published today the report Renewable Heat in Scotland 2017, which provides further details on these figures. The Energy Saving Trust report is now available at: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/renewable-heat-scotland-2017 .

Question reference: S5O-02502

Asked by: Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Scottish Health Technologies Group’s advice statement regarding the use of the Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system.

Question reference: S5O-02452

Asked by: Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 October 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed with the UK Government raising the UK's proposed 10-megabit Universal Service Obligation for broadband to match Scotland's plans for universal availability of at least 30 megabits.

Question reference: S5W-18793

Asked by: Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Graeme Dey on 13 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has submitted a draft action plan to the Scottish Information Commissioner to address the recommendations set out in his report of 13 June 2018 into its Freedom of Information practices.

I can confirm that a draft action plan has today been sent to the Commissioner for his consideration. It will be published on the Scottish Government website at https://beta.gov.scot/publications/freedom-of-information-document-collection/ .

The plan aims to address all of the recommendations made by the Commissioner in his report and to build on our improving performance in responding to Freedom of Information requests and to ensure we provide quality responses as promptly as possible.

I am grateful for the Commissioner’s constructive approach throughout his intervention in helping us to identify where improvements are required. I look forward to his feedback on the draft plan in due course and on continuing engagement with him during its implementation.

Question reference: S5F-02580

Asked by: Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 September 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 September 2018

To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding reports that an estimated 1,000 miles of roads in Scotland have no mobile phone signal.

Question reference: S5O-02241

Asked by: Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 June 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to meet the oral health needs of an ageing population.

Question reference: S5W-17048

Asked by: Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that no new lorry parks will be available at Dover following Brexit, what other transport options will be available to Scottish companies that export goods.

Despite potential parking difficulties at Dover, all existing routes to mainland Europe remain in available. However, for 'just in time' deliveries, such as fresh fish and shellfish, the Dover to Calais route remains vital as the only viable option to allow goods to reach European markets on time.

Scottish Ministers and officials continue to engage with the UK Government to stress both the importance of continued access to Europe for Scottish exporters, and the consequences of any additional border and Customs delays as a result of leaving the EU.

Question reference: S5O-01970

Asked by: Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 April 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support and encourage young people to engage in sport.

Question reference: S5O-01915

Asked by: Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 March 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle period poverty.

Question reference: S5O-01879

Asked by: Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 March 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many community asset transfers there have been since the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 came into force, and how this compares with previous numbers.