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-18669

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 19 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to compensating householders whose properties are devalued by large scale wind development.

The most recent research conducted on this matter ( Impact of Wind Turbines on House Prices in Scotland, by ClimateXChange in October 2016) found no evidence of a consistent negative effect on house prices. This finding was similar to the findings of the other research published by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in march 2007 We are not aware of any new evidence which would warrant a review of this issue.

Question reference: S5W-18475

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 18 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of recent changes to park home legislation in Wales and how these could be applied in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-18476

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 13 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to recording damage-only accidents on the trunk road network.

Police Scotland are responsible for recording accidents on the trunk road network. By law the Police are only required to record damage only accidents, and the public to report them, if a criminal offence occurs or there is damage to crown property. Damage only accidents are not recorded consistently or to the same standard as personal injury accidents and therefore are not considered to be a reliable data source.

Question reference: S5W-18471

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 13 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take in the next year to improve road safety on the A701.

Through our annual assessment of trunk road safety performance we have identified the A701 for further investigation this financial year. Next steps are dependent on the outcome of the investigation, however mitigation measures arising from this will be prioritised and delivered as appropriate.

We have recently modified the traffic signals at Heathhall in Dumfries to moderate speeds through the junction on the A701 approaches and are planning vegetation clearance in the Parkgate area.

Question reference: S5W-18472

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on maintaining the A76 in the last 12 months.

Question reference: S5W-17945

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 17 August 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the effectiveness of Energy Performance Certificates.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken analysis of the effectiveness of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).

In late 2017, we commissioned research to report on comments on the EPC methodology made in responses to consultations undertaken as part of the development of the Energy Efficient Scotland Programme. Within our consultation on the Route Map for the Programme, which closed last month, we are also seeking views on the EPC process.

This research and responses to the current Route Map consultation will inform review of energy assessment and certification under the Programme.

Question reference: S5W-17944

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 17 August 2018

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason hydro-electricity generation is not taken into consideration as part of Energy Performance Certificates for rental properties.

Question reference: S5W-17917

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 July 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 10 August 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to extend the blue badge scheme to include people with Crohn's disease, colitis and fibromyalgia.

The eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge do not focus on whether an individual has a particular kind of medical condition. Instead, the criteria are designed to assess the impact on a person’s mobility. We have no plans to change this arrangement. It means that people can get a blue badge regardless of what condition they have.

The current eligibility criteria (for those who do not automatically passport to a badge because of their social security benefits) are whether someone is unable to walk, virtually unable to walk or poses a risk to themselves or others in traffic. Decisions on whether people meet these criteria in individual cases are for local authorities. We keep the criteria under continual review, as shown by our extension to cases where someone poses a risk in traffic. In shaping Blue Badge policy, we are guided by the views of disabled people and welcome ideas and representations from all quarters.

Question reference: S5O-02282

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 27 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what recent analysis has taken place regarding the use of temporary accommodation.

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group and Social Bite recently commissioned a report from Heriot Watt University to better understand temporary accommodation in Scotland. This report was used, in conjunction with other sources of information, to support the recommendations made by the Action Group in May on transforming the use of temporary accommodation.

These recommendations focus on preventing the need for temporary accommodation in the first place. They also recommend that the right support and standards are in place where it is needed which will play a vital role in meeting our commitment to end homelessness and transform temporary accommodation. This is backed by our £50 million ending homelessness together fund

The Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group, which I co-chair, will oversee plans for taking agreed recommendations forward to implementation. We look forward to working with partners on this programme of work.

Question reference: S5O-02178

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 May 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote tourism in areas served by the M74.