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: S6O-03598

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6O-03549

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 June 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recently published data from Scotland’s Census on the number of people with Gaelic language skills.

Question reference: S6O-03472

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it can make to Loganair to ensure that constituents in Na h-Eileanan an Iar are not disadvantaged as a result of recent changes to flight timetables.

Question reference: S6O-03401

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how the NHS supports the health of rural and islands communities through regular visits from consultants.

Question reference: S6W-27125

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 29 April 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 30 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on implementing the Border Target Operating Model.

Despite voting to stay in the EU, Scotland was forced to leave with the UK. That means putting in place trade barriers for both exports and imports that create costs for businesses and consumers.

After delays lasting several years, the UK Government has now moved further on in the implementation of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), the UK Government’s post-Brexit regime of border controls.

Scotland has little choice but reluctantly to accept these controls, not least to at last level the trading field for Scottish exporters. However, the longer these controls have been delayed, the more necessary they have become to protect our biosecurity.

The model brings into force a sliding-scale of risk-based checks and controls on imported goods entering Great Britain (GB), from the EU and the rest of the world. On 31 st of January 2024, documentary checks began under the model with various administrative requirements put in place. Today sees the establishment of the next phase of controls – risk-based physical checks on certain categories of goods.

The requirement for checks on imports from the EU stems of course from Brexit, but Parliament will be aware that it interacts with devolved responsibilities – primarily our responsibility to protect Scotland’s people, environment and businesses from biosecurity risks. Last year, therefore, I reluctantly agreed to adopt this model.

While this model is not perfect, it is an unfortunate necessity. We must deliver robust biosecurity protections for Scotland.

My agreement to endorse the model last year was predicated on receiving assurance from the UK Government that several outstanding issues would be addressed. I am both disappointed and frustrated to have to report to Parliament that instead of joint working on a range of matters and devolution being respected, the UK Government continues to work in isolation, has taken unilateral decisions on areas of devolved responsibility, and has delivered the legislative underpinning of this model so poorly that time for parliamentary scrutiny has been severely limited. I have raised our frustrations repeatedly with UK Government ministers since prior to the model’s publication; despite receiving assurances, our frustrations have not been addressed.

Similarly, I have written to conveners of relevant Scottish Parliament committees on this matter to express concern at how the UK Government’s approach is impacting our Parliament’s scrutiny.

Our stakeholders want clarity about how this model impacts them. Despite the UK Government having had years to prepare for this (and having delayed the model no less than five times), there are still unanswered questions preventing industry from getting clear answers about how to conduct their businesses. For example, interactions between the BTOM and the Windsor Framework remain unclear. Therefore, west coast arrangements have not yet been decided and checks there are not yet coming online. I will of course keep Parliament updated as to any progress in these and other areas.

My fellow ministers and officials will be closely monitoring the implementation of this latest stage of BTOM, not only to ensure that our biosecurity protections are maintained, but to ensure businesses are given the information and support they require to navigate these new roles. We will continue to advocate for substantial and meaningful engagement on issues of major importance to Scotland, as we were promised and which Westminster, has so far failed to deliver.

I have repeatedly urged the UK Government to negotiate a comprehensive veterinary agreement with the EU – sensibly and pragmatically aligning standards that would reduce the financial and administrative requirements that this model will create for some businesses here in Scotland.

Further information on the model can be found on the UK Government’s website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-target-operating-model-august-2023

Question reference: S6O-03341

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 April 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its approach alongside Bòrd na Gàidhlig to secure the long-term future of the Gaelic Officers Scheme.

Question reference: S6W-26484

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what estimated works will be necessary at Lochmaddy pier, in light of the expected arrival of newer CalMac vessels.

The main construction works at Lochmaddy to accommodate the new Little Minch vessels are complete. Some minor port interface items have still to be progressed, for example changes to navigational aids. The vessels are expected to be delivered in June and October 2025.

Transport Scotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and CalMac continue to review the potential operating parameters of the new vessels alongside options for maximising efficiencies, reliability, and resilience over the longer term. This includes consideration of the potential benefits and costs of bringing forward a linkspan replacement at Lochmaddy, and delivering shore power infrastructure at each of the three ports on the Little Minch routes. Neither of these considerations will impact initial vessel deployment plans.

Question reference: S6W-25896

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 29 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the next paper in the Building a New Scotland series will be published.

The Scottish Government continues to deliver on its commitment to build the case for an independent Scotland in the EU, giving people the information they need to make an informed choice about their future, as set out in the Programme for Government. I’m pleased to confirm that on 4th March we are publishing ‘An independent Scotland’s place in the world’.

This is the eleventh paper in the Building a New Scotland series, featuring detailed proposals for Scotland becoming a new sovereign state on the world stage.

It sets out our plans for Scotland to become a good global citizen, building partnerships with other countries and international organisations to address global challenges, promoting human rights and development, advancing an ambitious, progressive agenda and securing agreements in international forums aligned with our values and interests. It will also set out plans to promote innovation, trade and investment.

The Scottish Government is continuing to prepare further papers in the Building a New Scotland series and these will be published shortly. I can also confirm that we intend hold a debate in Parliament on Scotland’s place in the world on 5th March.

An independent Scotland’s place in the world will be available to view on the Scottish Government website from 4th March at www.gov.scot/newscotland .

Question reference: S6O-03172

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what factors are assessed when determining vessel deployment decisions for Western Isles ferry routes.

Question reference: S6W-25594

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it can make on behalf of any small businesses in the Western Isles that are reportedly facing increases of thousands of pounds per week in delivery expenses as a result of a local haulage company being taken over by the multinational company, DFDS.

The Scottish Government recognises that the cost of living and doing business on islands can be higher compared to other parts of Scotland.

Our Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund has distributed £2.4 million to island local authorities since December 2022, giving councils flexibility in directing funding to those who need it most, including local businesses. Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar has been awarded £617,000 to date.

In 2024-2025, we will also offer a new 100% relief for hospitality businesses located on islands, capped at £110,000 per business.

The Scottish Government will continue to encourage the delivery sector to provide island communities with fair and affordable delivery options.