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-18378

Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 August 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 August 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what steps are being taken to ensure that a public sector body can bid for rail franchises in Scotland.

The Scottish Government secured a legislative change through the Scotland Act 2016 that allows public sector bodies to bid for rail franchise contracts in Scotland. The requirement for the contracts to be let through open competition remains.

The consistent view of this Government over many years is that there ought to be a level playing field between the private and the public sector in bidding for rail franchises. In line with our manifesto commitment, we want to enable a competitive public sector bid to strengthen competition in order to secure best value for the public purse while delivering continuous service improvements.

David MacBrayne Limited has confirmed its interest in exploring the possibility of a bid for a Scottish rail franchise contract. Indeed, any public sector body that wishes to consider bidding for a rail franchise contract that is let by the Scottish Ministers is able to do so – that is a decision for them. Future Scottish rail franchise competitions will continue to be fair and transparent, giving equal treatment to all bidders whether from the public or private sectors.

Question reference: S5W-17691

Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 13 July 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 10 August 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when its consultation on a Good Food Nation Bill will begin.

Question reference: S5W-17692

Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 13 July 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 10 August 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how long its consultation on a Good Food Nation Bill will run for.

Question reference: S5W-17961

Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 August 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 August 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the consultation in 2017, when it will publish proposals for the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.

The eligible age for the National Concessionary Travel Scheme will not change. It will remain at age 60.

The consultation on the scheme closed in November 2017, with nearly 3,000 responses received from people all across Scotland. Where permission has been given, we have published the responses on the Transport Scotland website, together with our analysis of these responses (here: https://www.transport.gov.scot/consultation/consultation-on-free-bus-travel-for-older-and-disabled-people-and-modern-apprentices/).

We have listened carefully to the views expressed. Almost two thirds of respondents agreed that the free bus pass should remain available to all from age 60. Many responses also agreed that women whose pensions have been unfairly delayed - the WASPI Campaign - should not be further disadvantaged. Therefore the eligible age for the free bus pass will stay at 60 years of age for all Scottish residents.

We agree that the scheme is of great benefit to its users and to the wider economy. As well as financial support, having a free bus pass helps people stay more active and preserves their independence, improving health and well-being.

We will continue to work towards free bus travel for Modern Apprentices which gained the support of two-thirds of respondents in the consultation.

Respondents were overwhelmingly in favour of our proposal to provide companion cards for eligible disabled children aged under five. Accordingly, we will amend the scheme to ensure this change is made.

Question reference: S5W-17482

Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 June 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fergus Ewing on 26 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making to complete the devolution of forestry.

Scottish Ministers have been responsible for forestry strategy, policy and funding since devolution in 1999. The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 completes the devolution of forestry, ensuring that forestry is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Government and the Forestry Commission in Scotland are working jointly under a forestry devolution programme to manage all activity required in Scotland to complete the devolution of forestry by 1 April 2019. The programme was established in May 2017 and is divided into six projects: legislation, Scottish Forestry executive agency, Forestry and Land Scotland executive agency, staff transfer, cross-border and forestry strategy. Further details about the projects can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Forestry/completingdevolution/programme .

In line with section 74 of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act, the two new executive agencies will deliver the functions which the 2018 Act confers on Scottish Ministers. The agencies will be part of the Scottish Government and directly accountable to Scottish Ministers. Scottish Forestry will be formed from Forestry Commission Scotland, and Forestry and Land Scotland from Forest Enterprise Scotland. These agencies are being established in accordance with the usual Scottish Government agency arrangements. Under section 85 of the Act, a report setting out the final administrative arrangements will be laid before Parliament by 1 April 2019.

The Scottish Government continues to consult closely with the Forestry Commission Trade Unions (FCTU), particularly on staff transfer and the approach to terms and conditions of employment under the new arrangements. A Partnership Forum has been established with the FCTU as a way of reviewing progress across the forestry devolution programme, with the first meeting due to take place this month.

Question reference: S5W-17087

Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 21 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the comment by the Chair of Scottish Natural Heritage that Wester Ross’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status will “attract people from all over the world”.

I am delighted that Scottish Natural Heritage has been awarded a certificate from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in recognition of its work with the people of Wester Ross to achieve Biosphere Reserve status.

The area is an important tourist destination with its vast areas of high quality natural landscape, rich cultural heritage (keeping alive traditional activities such as crofting and Gaelic music) and its historical importance which includes Neolithic archaeological sites.

The Scottish Government has committed £33,000 to assist the Biosphere Reserve’s participation in the EU-funded Sustainable Heritage Areas: Partnerships for Ecotourism (‘SHAPE’) project which will run over 3 years. This project enables those in the Biosphere Reserve to develop innovative eco-tourism initiatives in co-operation with other countries in the EU’s Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme.

Question reference: S5O-02290

Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 June 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what flexibility there is for rural colleges in the harmonisation of terms and conditions under national bargaining.

Question reference: S5W-17086

Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the investment in a flight simulator at Farr High School, Thurso to help students studying STEM subjects, what its position is on the use of such technology in aiding the study of these subjects.

The use of digital technology in schools can support learners to develop their STEM skills, knowledge and understanding through relevant and up to date experiences. It can also help to provide real life examples of how STEM can be applied.

Education Authorities and schools are responsible for the management and delivery of the school curriculum. In the case of the flight simulator at Farr High School, the school is taking part in a pilot with Fly2School, making use of hardware and teaching materials to learn about the physics of flight.

Question reference: S5W-16887

Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 11 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how its plan to halve childhood obesity by 2030 can be assisted by its Good Food Nation policy.

The Scottish Government will publish its diet and healthy weight delivery plan this summer, which will have a guiding ambition to halve childhood obesity by 2030. This will include a range of measures to support good nutrition and encourage children to develop healthy food habits that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Good Food Nation policy touches on many areas of life, including the provision of healthy and nutritious food and food education for children and families. We are committed to achieving our ambitions for Scotland to continue to develop as a Good Food Nation.

Question reference: S5W-16706

Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fergus Ewing on 17 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has provided a response to the National Council of Rural Advisers' interim report on the implications of Brexit for rural Scotland.