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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 573 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S5W-09081

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 11 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken in the last three years to investigate the possibility of undertaking a debt issue, in whatever form, to be issued by it, or on its behalf, or guaranteed by it or any of its agencies.

While the Scotland Act 1998 (Variation of Borrowing Power) Order 2015, approved by the UK Parliament in March 2015, gave Scottish Ministers the power to borrow through the issue of bonds, there are no plans at the moment to undertake a debt issue. Borrowing, in 2017-18 as set out in the Draft Budget , is modelled as being from the National Loans Fund. There have, however, been periodic meetings with ratings agencies and potential advisors on the credit rating and bond issuance process and Scottish Government will evaluate its options for borrowing make a decision in due course based on the prevailing economic conditions at the time.

Question reference: S5W-09080

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 11 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had in the last last three years with any international credit rating agencies in relation to Scottish debt issued by it or on its behalf.

Question reference: S5W-09123

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 10 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how much it cost to set up the Scottish Business Pledge and what its running cost has been each year.

Question reference: S5W-09068

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 9 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many office premises are subject to the large business supplement, broken down by sector.

Question reference: S5W-08907

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 4 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the publication of the UK Government’s green paper, Building our Industrial Strategy, in January 2017, what engagement ministers have had with the strategy’s consultation process.

The Scottish Government is focused on ensuring sustainable economic growth. Many of the areas set out in the Industrial Strategy, such as skills, business support and trade and investment support, are devolved to the Scottish Government and it is important that Scotland is considered in how the Industrial Strategy is taken forward.

The UK Government’s Green paper contains a proposal to establish a Ministerial Forum on Industrial Strategy with each of the devolved administrations to ensure synergies between devolved and reserved areas: this commitment is being fulfilled via the Scottish Business Growth Group, which first met on 20 April 2017.

This group was established after the First Minister announced plans for a post-EU Referendum business network to work more closely and collaboratively with the main business bodies, the STUC, and the Scotland Office to help shape future policy and support for business. It provides a space for constructive dialogue and, where relevant and agreed, partnership working around:

overcoming economic, commercial and labour market challenges and seizing opportunities; post-Referendum business-related policy development within government; and communications

We continue to work with UK Government throughout the consultation process providing crucial input and change.

Question reference: S5O-00952

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage participation in sport.

Question reference: S5W-08901

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 2 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when the Council of Economic Advisers is next due to meet.

The Council of Economic Advisers last met on 26 and 27 January 2017. Minutes of this meeting are available on the Scottish Government website, accessed via the following link: https://beta.gov.scot/groups/council-of-economic-advisers/.

The Council undertakes two formal meetings each year, and Council members and Scottish Government officials interact regularly.

The date of the next formal Council meeting is yet to be agreed, but will take place later this year.

Question reference: S5W-08280

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 18 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release on 19 March 2017, Record year for food and drink exports, whether it will publish the methodology that it used to calculate that "the destination for over 70% of [Scotland's] food exports is the EU".

Question reference: S5O-00845

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 29 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the latest Fraser of Allander Economic Commentary, which states that Scotland has a weak export performance that remains a concern and a key challenge.

The latest Fraser of Allander Institute Economic Commentary provides a timely update on the Scottish economy.

Latest data shows that exports from Scotland's food and drink sector grew 8% over the past year to a record £5.5 billion.

The Scottish Government has taken action to support Scottish exporters. The number of exporting businesses in Scotland have increased in each year from 2011 to 2015 and currently stands at around 11,500 businesses. And, in 2014-15 Scottish Development International helped almost 2,500 companies to develop skills to internationalise, access new markets or increase international revenues.

Question reference: S5W-07227

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 20 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to establish a Scottish business development bank.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-30114 on 26 February 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Scottish Enterprise (SE) is leading on this work, and it is an operational matter for SE. I have asked the Chief Executive to contact you with an update on the progress and the information you have requested and my understanding is that this will be with you soon.