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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-21756

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 September 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 27 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress in developing future plans for supporting displaced people from Ukraine living in Scotland.

Today I am pleased to announce the launch of ‘A Warm Scots Future’ in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, and the Scottish Refugee Council.

The paper sets out the policy direction for the next phase of Scotland’s response to the humanitarian crisis created by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. This will help the Scottish Government, and its partners, to transition from an emergency response to a long-term and holistic approach that supports the integration of displaced people from Ukraine. This is in alignment with the New Scots approach, which aims to support integration from day one.

To aid this transition, five overarching and interlinked strategic priorities have been identified to guide the next phase of Scotland’s Ukraine response. These are:

1. A trauma informed, holistic and rights-based approach to long-term integration, in line with the New Scots refugee integration strategy

2. Reduce reliance on welcome accommodation

3. Boost long-term, settled housing that leaves a legacy for Scotland

4. Pursue clarity on routes to settlement, family reunification and repatriation

5. Continued partnership and collaboration, ensuring good governance and recognising the lived experience of displaced people from Ukraine.

We will now work closely with partners to deliver against these strategic priorities, and ensure displaced people from Ukraine achieve the best outcomes possible as they build their lives in Scotland.

‘A Warm Scots Future’ Policy Position Paper.

Question reference: S6O-02557

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to ensure that seasonal agricultural workers have access to effective worker voice under its Fair Work commitments.

Question reference: S6O-02533

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Fire Brigades Union regarding the FBU’s DECON campaign to raise awareness of and mitigate the carcinogenic nature of firefighting.

Question reference: S6W-20439

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 07 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 4 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports in the Angus area of prisoners being unable to attend children’s hearings, regarding their children, due to staff shortages at the prison escort service, GEOAmey.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS recognises the importance of attendance at Children’s Hearings for those in prisons and their families and remains committed to working with GEOAmey and all Multi-Agency Liaison Group partners, to improve contract performance.

SPS, The Scottish Children's Reporter Administration and GEOAmey are working collaboratively to address the current challenges in service delivery. SPS is also continuing to support GEOAmey in improving their staff recruitment and retention to meet the current and future demand for service in this important area of the Justice Sector.

Question reference: S6O-02466

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 August 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with communities in the North East Scotland region on any increases to and reform of council tax.

Question reference: S6W-20303

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 10 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported calls from Climate Camp Scotland and Unite for the Scottish Government to produce a green industrial strategy, which would include plans for decarbonisation of large industrial plants such as the INEOS complex at Grangemouth.

Scotland is committed to reaching net zero and to ensuring the journey is fair and just for everyone.

The draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan lays out over 150 actions, as well as consulting on further actions, to help maximise a just transition to net zero for our economy, communities, business and workers

Decarbonising industry is critical to our climate goals and the infrastructure and expertise at Grangemouth will play a key role. That is why we have committed to delivering a dedicated Just Transition Plan for the Grangemouth industrial area.

We will work closely with industry, unions, the workforce and the community to make sure they have a say in the plan for Grangemouth’s future.

Question reference: S6W-19536

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 12 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a cat being caught and injured in a snare in St Cyrus, whether it has considered banning snares to reduce the incidence of non-target capture of species, for example, cats, dogs or badgers, in snares.

Question reference: S6O-02426

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how its international development work is supporting the connections between humanitarian aid and loss and damage.

Question reference: S6W-19067

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Emma Roddick on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress, including the timetable, regarding the proposed legislation to end conversion practices.

Conversion practices that try to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are harmful, discriminatory, and have no place in our society. We are clear in our commitment to introduce legislation to end conversion practices in Scotland.

Detailed proposals for legislation are now being developed, taking careful consideration of the report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, the work of the Expert Advisory Group on Ending Conversion Practices, experiences from other countries and engagement with stakeholders, including those with lived experience of conversion practices.

These proposals will be published in a public consultation.

Question reference: S6W-18771

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 20 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on Scottish academic standards and the reputation of Scottish higher education of the proposed regulation changes reportedly adopted by many Scottish universities that would enable students to progress, or graduate, without final marks or degree classifications.

The Scottish Government is greatly concerned about any adverse impact on students resulting from industrial action, and fully expects universities to put in place appropriate mitigations to minimise disruption to studies. As autonomous bodies, universities are responsible for their own academic and assessment regulations and policies.

During this period of industrial action, while the nature and scale of any impact will vary between and within institutions, the Scottish Funding Council has been working closely with the Quality Assurance Agency, Universities Scotland and institutions across the sector to monitor mitigation arrangements, prioritise the integrity of academic standards and manage the impact on the student learning experience, including any implications for completion of studies and awarding of degrees.