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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-07172

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that waiting times for the Scotland's Census 2022 helpline have been over an hour in some cases.

The Scotland’s Census 2022 contact centre experienced high volumes of calls in its first few days of operation and we are aware that some callers have experienced longer than average wait times at peak points during the day. National Records of Scotland apologise for any frustration this may have caused.

Callers to the Freephone helpline (0800 030 8308) are advised at the start of the call of current wait times and therefore have the option to phone back at a less busy time. An automated option (option 1) is also provided for those wishing to order a paper form. This involves no wait time.

Additional resources have been placed into the contact centre to deal with periods of peak activity. Contact can also be made with the census team via web chat, e-mail or physical correspondence. Contact details can be found here: Contact us | Scotland's Census 2022 . Help and advice on a range of topics is also provided at www.census.gov.scot .

These updates continue to have a positive impact, with general reductions in the average wait times in week 2 and beyond. There is ongoing active monitoring and management of the position to ensure that those that need help are able to speak to an agent.

Question reference: S6W-07173

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address any challenges associated with digital poverty in relation to Scotland's Census 2022.

Everyone living in Scotland is included in the census and we understand that not everyone will be able to, or wish to, complete their census online. That is why paper copies are available upon request by anyone who needs them, either by calling our helpline on 0800 030 8308 or by visiting our website www.census.gov.scot . Assistance in completing the census, either digitally or on paper, is also provided through these channels.

Consistent with other parts of Scottish Government, Scotland’s Census 2022 has been designed to be Digital First as set out in the Scottish Government’s Digital Strategy. We have worked hard to assure that the online census questionnaire is modern, usable and more accessible, while meeting the expectations and standards of a modern government service.

The online questionnaire can be accessed though the most common range of internet-enabled devices, such as laptops, mobile phones and tablets. This digital service has been extensively tested reflecting a range of user needs and has met the Scottish Government Digital First standards.

We recognise that digital exclusion (and other barriers to participation) may prevent people from being able to complete online, or it may be their preference to complete on paper. That is why paper copies are available upon request by anyone who needs them either by: calling our helpline free on 0800 030 8308; or requesting online at www.census.gov.scot/request/paper . Copies of the paper questionnaire can also be ordered via the free helpline automated service, without needing to wait to speak to an agent (option one).

Copies of the paper questionnaire will be sent with a freepost return envelope. It should not cost anyone to complete Scotland’s Census 2022. Help and support is also available from a wide network of organisations. We have worked with a range of stakeholders, partners, communities and third sector interfaces to develop relevant support materials.

Question reference: S6W-07308

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to address any rising costs associated with the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to the Ayrshire Growth Deal and supports all the projects included within it. To that end, the £103 million commitment from the Scottish Government to the Ayrshire Growth Deal is secure.

We recognise that construction costs have increased globally as a result of international market forces primarily related to the global pandemic, over which government has very little control. This is an issue which is not unique to Ayrshire but felt across Scotland and internationally.

As the Deal is a partnership between Scottish Government, UK Government, and Local Authorities, we are working collectively to explore regional responses to these global challenges, and will continue to support regional partners as they develop their preferred solutions.

Question reference: S6W-07410

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 23 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates its Global Affairs Framework will be published.

Question reference: S6W-07193

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 22 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports in Private Eye (Art News, No. 1567) that 1,577 art works are missing from Aberdeen's City Council's art collection.

Question reference: S6O-00898

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

To ask the Scottish Government how its policies and actions across government will support South Ayrshire to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question reference: S6W-07194

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 16 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many of Historic Environment Scotland's properties are being left, as has been reported, to "gracefully die".

As reported on 21 January 2022, Historic Environment Scotland introduced new measures to manage the impact of climate change on Scotland's national heritage sites. Whilst I can confirm that inspections and analysis of some affected sites continue, let me assure you that no properties are being left without care. Historic Environment Scotland is considering all options available to best protect the 336 nationally significant properties in care, and is continuing the vital conservation and protection work which it is internationally recognised for, especially as we seek to build resilience into the heritage sector’s recovery from the pandemic.

It is important however that we recognise that climate change effects have been accelerating, and the increased rainfall and variations in temperature have continuing impacts on both Scotland's natural and built heritage. I will continue discussing future potential approaches with Historic Environment Scotland as we continue our work to make our heritage safe, and accessible to all, so we can better understand our past, to best inform our future.

Question reference: S6W-06875

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 25 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 11 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether decisions related to common good assets should include councillors, regardless of political party, given their role as trustees for such assets in their locality.

Question reference: S6W-06531

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 11 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its new global affairs framework.

Question reference: S6W-06943

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 11 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what support it (a) can offer and (b) is offering to the people of Ukraine through any means.

The Scottish Government is taking a range of immediate steps to help Ukrainian families fleeing conflict, through financial humanitarian aid and medical equipment. We have committed £4 million in humanitarian aid through aid agencies to help provide basic humanitarian assistance, including in health, water and sanitation, and shelter for those fleeing Ukraine; this includes £2 million to the DEC Appeal for Ukraine. We are also working with the Ukrainian Government to provide medical supplies from stocks we hold, worth around £2.9 million, and are coordinating with other UK nations to ensure that these supplies get to where they are needed as quickly as possible; a total of three donations of medical equipment, valued at approximately £1.6 million has shipped to date.

The UK Government’s current proposals are insufficient, and the Scottish Government continues to call on the UK Government to develop a comprehensive resettlement programme and to fully waive visa requirements for Ukrainian nationals so those who have been displaced can be offered immediate refuge.

Scotland has a proud history of welcoming refugees and people seeking asylum. The Scottish Government and Scotland’s local authorities stand ready to welcome and support people with the safety and security they need to rebuild their lives.