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-27896

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 May 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Angus Robertson on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on work to develop a refreshed National Events Strategy for Scotland.

The Scottish Government published the refreshed National Events Strategy for Scotland 2024-2035 today.

Developing this strategy has been a collaborative effort, shaped by voices from across the event sector, Trade Unions, Local Authorities and the wider public sector. Following a consultation and engagement process clear agreed priorities have emerged to shape a strategy that provides focus for the whole sector, bringing everyone together to deliver a shared ambition.

This strategy can sustain and develop a dynamic, resilient, and responsible events sector that is a valued part of Scotland’s wellbeing economy, maintaining Scotland’s reputation as the perfect stage for events. It will ensure Scotland continues to support a dynamic portfolio of events – from regular local community events to Scotland’s signature events and festivals, to one off international business, cultural and sporting events.

The Scottish Government remains committed to continuing to work with the existing strong partnerships across Scotland – as well as creating new relationships in a collaborative and cohesive approach, helping to maximise our collective resources.

A copy of the strategy is available using this URL – https://www.visitscotland.org/about-us/what-we-do/events .

Question reference: S6W-27725

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Angus Robertson on 21 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when the Registrar General for Scotland will publish the next results from the 2022 Census, and what topics will be included.

I have asked Janet Egdell, Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

National Records of Scotland have today published: “ Scotland’s Census 2022: Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion ”.

The publication includes unrounded population estimates and the first set of topic data from the 2022 census. Topic data includes census tables for the following variables:

Ethnic group
National identity
Country of birth
Religion
Passports held
Main language
Gaelic language skills
Scots language skills
English language skills
British Sign Language

Topic variables are broken down by age and sex. Where possible, data will be published at the lowest geographic level possible following assessment of disclosure protection.

Scotland’s Census results are designated as National Statistics and form an integral part of the statistical system in the UK. The Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), the independent regulatory arm of the UK Statistics Authority , awards Accredited Official Statistics designation based on the quality, good practice and comprehensiveness of official statistics.

More detail about the schedule for future reports can be found at: https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/about/2022-census/census-outputs-schedule/

Question reference: S6O-03419

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 9 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what support is in place for disabled and neurodiverse legal practitioners in Scotland's courts system.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is entirely independent of the Scottish Government. The operation of the courts is the responsibility of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service under the leadership of its independent board headed by the Lord President.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is committed to mainstreaming equality and diversity, providing responsive and accessible services for all court users and legal practitioners which recognise their diverse needs.

The Law Society of Scotland has a responsibility to support its members and promote the interests of the solicitor profession.

Question reference: S6O-03441

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of a digital strategy to help ensure that digital provision supports the wider aims of the education system.

Question reference: S6O-03376

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to encourage constituents in Motherwell and Wishaw to use public transport.

Question reference: S6O-03329

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 April 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how Scotland's International Culture Strategy will support the aspirations of touring artists.

Question reference: S6W-26570

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 March 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Angus Robertson on 28 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its International Culture Strategy.

Today the Scottish Government published its International Culture Strategy. The Strategy sets out a series of ambitions and actions to support the culture and creative sector in pursuing international opportunities and ensure that such activity plays a central role in the sector’s long term development. It builds on existing activity, but explores additional opportunities and sets out a policy rationale for why the Scottish Government considers international cultural activity to be important. The International Culture Strategy is available here https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836010876 .

Question reference: S6W-25050

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 31 January 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 recent Programme for Government. I’m pleased to confirm that on 2 February we are publishing ‘Our Culture in an Independent Scotland’.

This is the tenth paper in the Building a New Scotland series, which focusses on Scotland’s cultural and creative industries, providing detailed proposals on how an independent Scotland would further support Scotland’s creative economy, how an independent Scotland could realise the potential of our culture and creative sectors on the international stage by re-joining the European Union and removing barriers for international performers, how public service broadcasting would be protected with independence, and how Scotland can build on the strength of our screen sector.

I can also confirm that we intend to bring the matters raised in this publication forward for a debate in the Chamber as soon as possible.

The Scottish Government is continuing to prepare further papers in the Building a New Scotland series and these will be published in the coming months.

The Our Culture in an Independent Scotland paper will be available to view on the Scottish Government website from Friday morning at www.gov.scot/newscotland .

Question reference: S6O-03008

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what social security support is available to people in the Motherwell and Wishaw constituency who are experiencing poverty, including fuel poverty.

Question reference: S6O-02970

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations outlined in the final report of the Economy 2030 Inquiry, Ending Stagnation: A New Economic Strategy for Britain, as they relate to public finances in Scotland, including those relating to taxes and local government investment.