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-25035

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed bypass for (a) Crocketford and (b) Springholm on the A75 will be dual or single carriageway.

Question reference: S6W-25031

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what the budget is for the planned feasibility study into improvements to the A75.

I can confirm that the Scottish Government has secured a commitment from the UK Government for multi-year funding of £8 million for improvements to the A75. This money comes from the Union Connectivity Development Fund and was successfully secured following approval of the previously noted business case to undertake design development work on the A75 to bypass the villages of Springholm and Crocketford.

While funding is confirmed, it has not yet been allocated or received. My officials are working with the UK Government officials on the legal and financial mechanisms of securing this funding.

Question reference: S6W-25029

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to improve access for disabled people at (a) Kirkconnel, (b) Annan and (c) Sanquhar railway station on the Nith Valley line.

We are progressing Recommendation 19 of the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (STPR2), reviewing station accessibility across Scotland, including Kirckonnel, Annan and Sanquhar. This work will identify and remove barriers to travel and improve access for all to the rail network, prioritising those stations that have particular accessibility related requirements.

The review is anticipated to complete in Spring 2024, whilst it is too early to comment on any outcome to the review, Recommendation 19 reinforces the Scottish Government commitment to improve access for all to Scotland’s Rail Network.

SWestrans received funding from the Local Rail Development Fund to undertake the first stage of a transport appraisal using Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance. The appraisal has considered accessibility at Kirkconnel station.

Transport Scotland reviewed the Initial Appraisal: Case for Change report received from SWestrans and officials will feedback to them on this report in the coming weeks.

Question reference: S6W-25036

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 15 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated improved travel time will be for journeys on the A75 as a result of the proposed (a) Crocketford and (b) Springholm bypass, and whether this is based on a single or dual carriageway bypass.

Expected travel time improvement and other benefits of the proposed bypass schemes can only be confirmed after the conclusion of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Options Assessment work.

This planned work will assess the necessary evidence and data to determine the preferred configuration and layout of any bypass, however, until this work is completed it is not possible to confirm at this time as to what the potential time savings will be.

Question reference: S6W-24729

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 1 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what provision local authorities have to allow Council Tax exemptions or discounts to residents in properties affected by flooding.

The Council Tax system in Scotland provides for a 100% exemption from Council Tax for homes that are not habitable, and are undergoing major repairs, which lasts for up to 12 months. Further, local authorities have the discretion to apply a Council Tax discount of up to 50% to an unoccupied property at any time. As there is no time limit to this discretion there is no date at which any discount must expire.

Question reference: S6W-24891

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 26 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 31 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on meeting its tree planting targets of the proposed reduction to the budget for woodland creation grant funding.

Question reference: S6O-03049

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed waiting times for hernia operations with NHS Dumfries and Galloway.

Question reference: S6O-02987

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to attract and retain staff in colleges.

Question reference: S6W-23849

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 21 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the campaign to amend the Consumer Protection Act to remove the current 10-year longstop limitation and extend the time period to 20 years.

Question reference: S6O-02938

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact that the Scottish Budget 2024-25 will have on police officer numbers in the South Scotland region.