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-13162

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11368 by Lorna Slater on 7 November 2022, when the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity last engaged with industry and other stakeholders about the readiness of obligated businesses for implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme, and who was present at the meeting.

Question reference: S6W-13166

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to smaller retailers regarding any potential financial impacts that may result from the Deposit Return Scheme.

We listened closely to small retailers in designing Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Under the DRS Regulations, return-point operators including small retailers will be able to claim a reasonable handling fee from the DRS scheme administrator for each container returned. This fee must cover costs including the rental value of space used to collect or store scheme packaging and will ensure small retailers are not out of pocket for operating a return point.

Retailers will also be able to refuse returns where the quantity of material is disproportionately greater than the volume of containers they would usually sell as part of a single transaction.

We are confident that these protections will ensure that small retailers can successfully operate a return point.

The DRS Regulations also allow a retailer to apply to the Scottish Ministers for an exemption from the obligation to operate a return point should they meet certain criteria. On 3 November 2022 updated guidance was released which makes this process clearer, easier and quicker for retailers wishing to apply.

Question reference: S6W-13163

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many reverse vending machines it anticipates will be in use across Scotland when the Deposit Return Scheme begins on 16 August 2023, and, of those, how many will be located in (a) cities, (b) towns with a population of between 40,001 and 60,000, (c) towns with a population of between 15,001 and 40,000 and (d) towns or villages with a population of up to 15,000.

All retailers have obligations to be a return point, unless they apply for and are granted an exemption. The choice of whether to operate a reverse vending machine, or alternatively to operate a manual takeback service, is a commercial decision for individual retailers. The Scottish Government does not hold information on how many reverse vending machines there will be across Scotland or their likely locations.

Question reference: S6W-13165

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 20 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government where reverse vending machines to be used for the Deposit Return Scheme are manufactured.

Question reference: S6F-01586

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 28 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 December 2022

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to build on the enduring legacy of Doddie Weir and support efforts to cure MND and similar neurological conditions.

Question reference: S6O-01632

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether current funding provisions will enable local authorities to meet the standards in its housing strategy regarding social housing, including energy efficiency.

Question reference: S6O-01583

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential economic benefit to Scotland of moving to a low-carbon economy and achieving net zero.

Question reference: S6O-01548

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of several high-profile cases of antisocial behaviour in Scotland, what its response is to reports of escalating instances of antisocial behaviour at Kilmarnock Bus Station.

Question reference: S6W-11368

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 7 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it is the case that the Deposit Return Scheme will be implemented on 16 August 2023, and, if so, what further steps are required to achieve this.

Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will launch on 16 August 2023.

In line with the polluter pays principle, and just like similar schemes around the world, Scotland’s deposit return scheme is being delivered by industry. It is for obligated businesses to ensure that they are fully prepared and ready for launch.

The Scottish Government remains engaged by meeting regularly with industry, the Scheme Administrator, and other stakeholders to ensure that implementation remains on track.

Question reference: S6W-11369

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 06 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 27 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to raise public awareness of the Deposit Return Scheme, and what form any public awareness campaign will take.