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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-22402

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 3 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19204 by Mairi Gougeon on 21 June 2023, whether it will provide an update on the status of the public consultation on the Good Food Nation Plan.

Question reference: S6O-02642

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the safety of Scotland’s fishermen when at sea.

Question reference: S6W-21537

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the pilot scheme to remove peak fares on ScotRail, what consideration was given during the design of the pilot scheme to any impact of withdrawing super off-peak fares during the trial period.

Overall, ScotRail passengers will benefit from significant reduction in the average fare charge. Super off-peak journeys only account for 2.7 per cent of all journeys made on ScotRail services. The purpose of this trial is to establish impact on removing time restrictions on tickets and therefore this trial is looking to establish the effect of the flat fare throughout the day, to encourage modal shift from car to rail.

Question reference: S6W-21283

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 26 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the terms of the Verity House Agreement mean in practice for the funding of Violence Against Women and Girls services at local level.

The Scottish Government and COSLA are co-owners of Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy to eradicate Violence Against Women and Girls. We will continue this joint approach when considering the wide-ranging recommendations of the Independent Strategic Review of Violence Against Women and Girls Services.

The Verity House Agreement provides a framework for both parties to work within when considering the joint response. A detailed analysis, including costing and cost benefit analysis, will be necessary before making definitive statements on individual recommendations.

Question reference: S6W-21294

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-02115 by Jenni Minto on 19 April 2023, when it estimates that work will begin on the review of the NHS Scotland patient travel scheme.

The comprehensive review of Patient Travel Guidance is a substantial exercise for the Scottish Government and NHS Boards, and, regrettably, a start date is not confirmed at this time.

As we continue to prioritise the recovery of services, this important review will take full account of the matters raised by Members and will be taken forward as soon as possible.

Financial support for travel remains available for patients and authorised escorts, according to eligibility criteria and medical requirements.

Boards are expected to support patients to identify and access support available, taking account of individual circumstances and ensuring patient care is at the centre of all decisions.

Question reference: S6W-20694

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Transport Scotland document, Ferry Concession, Guidance Note for Operators, which states, "Single concession holder: - will be able to access at no charge a berth in a same sex cabin, either two or four berth", whether it will raise with Serco Northlink Ferries its current policy, which is reportedly not in line with the stated guidance.

Question reference: S6W-20695

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 12 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Northern Isles ferry service journey from Lerwick to Kirkwall, and in light of Transport Scotland being responsible for ensuring that any policy decision about service delivery is made taking full account of equality issues, including medical needs, what consideration has been given to (a) allowing passengers to use a concessionary voucher for use of a cabin during the evening sailing from Lerwick to Kirkwall and (b) reinstating shared cabins to allow concessionary voucher holders use of a berth on all routes.

National Concessionary Travel Scheme vouchers can currently only be used for cabins on overnight sailings. Concessionary Travel arrangements are being reviewed as part of the Fair Fares Review and Islands Connectivity Plan.

The decision to remove shared cabins was taken solely by NorthLink following their risk assessments. The Scottish Government notes concerns about the impact of the removal of shared cabins on the National Concessionary Travel Scheme entitlement and this will also be considered through the Fair Fares Review and Islands Connectivity Plan.

Question reference: S6W-20597

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 11 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 6 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the Northern Isles route between Aberdeen and Lerwick, whether it will provide a provisional timeline (a) from pre-build to full entry into service for new (i) passenger and (ii) freight vessels and (b) for any community engagement regarding vessel design and services to ensure that they meet the needs of the islands.

The pre consultation draft of the Islands Connectivity Plan Long Term Plan for Vessels and Ports, published in December 2022, indicates that the Northern Isles Ferry Service freight vessels are scheduled to be replaced and the passenger vessels project developed between 2026-2031. As these projects progress, engagement events will be held to enable key stakeholders to contribute to the outcomes. CMAL will communicate details of the various engagement events when arrangements are made. The business case work will be reviewed when complete and all future funding for delivery will be determined as part of the annual Scottish Budget setting process, as is normal.

Question reference: S6W-20180

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 22 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many households, by R100 contract area, remain eligible for a Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) voucher, but have yet to make a claim.

As of 28 July 2023, a total of 65,602 properties in Scotland remain eligible for a voucher worth up to £5,000 through the R100 SBVS. That total is broken down by R100 contract area as follows:

North – 31,104

Central – 29,550

South – 4,948

The R100 SBVS remains the most generous broadband voucher currently available and we continue to publicise its availability via the press, social media, and through continued stakeholder engagement activity across Scotland. Suppliers registered to deliver connections through the R100 SBVS provide a range of superfast capable technologies including fibre, fixed wireless, 4G and satellite. The R100 SBVS can also be combined with the UK Government’s Gigabit Voucher, where applicable, to provide up to £9,500 to secure a gigabit capable broadband connection.

Question reference: S6W-20181

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 15 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19328 by Richard Lochhead on 3 July 2023, whether every home and business in Scotland will have access to superfast broadband by March 2028, and, if this is not the case, whether the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (SBVS) will continue beyond the completion of the R100 contracts and by what date it expects to meet its goal of 100% superfast broadband coverage across all of Scotland.

Through a combination of the R100 contracts, the R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme and the commercial broadband market – including the emergence of technologies such as Low Earth Orbit satellite - every home and business across Scotland can access superfast broadband speeds of 30 Megabits per second (Mbps). The R100 contracts are continuing to deliver future-proofed, full fibre connections – capable of gigabit speeds; more than 30 times faster than our original superfast target.