Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 178 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6O-04181

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to strengthen Scotland’s ferry fleet over the coming year.

Question reference: S6W-32282

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 13 December 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 10 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much Transport Scotland has spent on Project Neptune to date.

Question reference: S6W-31932

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 11 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-23717 by Jenni Minto on 19 December 2023, what progress it has made in identifying areas where there is the potential to further explore or support aspects of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) service development and the resource required to do this.

In May 2023 we published an analysis of survey data of health boards’ arrangements for the care and support of individuals with ME/CFS, with the aim of establishing a clearer picture of variations in service provision around Scotland.

We have since gathered updated information on ME/CFS care from every health board in Scotland and published this on 20 November 2024.

Subject to approval, the 2025-26 budget includes new investment of £4.5 million to deliver new specialist support across the country for Long Covid, ME/CFS, and other similar conditions.

This important investment will support people with these conditions across Scotland, and we are asking Parliament to unite behind the Budget to ensure this funding reaches the people who need it.

Question reference: S6W-31908

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 11 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it first received the A96 Corridor Review before it was publicly released on 28 November 2024.

I received initial advice from Transport received on the emerging outcomes of the Corridor Review in February 2024 followed by comprehensive advice on the outcomes from the Review’s appraisal and assessment work including full details of the magnitude of the Review’s associated reporting in July 2024.

I then received a hard copy of the full Corridor Review’s Transport Appraisal Report on 28 August 2024 which set out the outcomes of the Transport Appraisal of the Review. Following consideration of the advice from Transport Scotland officials, the reporting from the Corridor Review was published on 28 November 2024 in draft for consultation. A copy of the reports published for consultation are available from the Transport Scotland website at https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/strategy/a96-corridor-review/.

Feedback from members of the public and key stakeholders will be vital in helping inform the Scottish Government’s final decision on how best to take forward improvements to the A96 whilst also balancing the demands of the challenging economic climate and the climate emergency and will inform our timescales going forward.

Question reference: S6W-31456

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to work with CMAL to fix any damage to harbours.

Question reference: S6W-31452

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its latest engagement with PeelPorts regarding Ardrossan Harbour.

Peel Ports Group is a partner of the Ardrossan Harbour Project. Transport Scotland has regular engagement with Peel Ports and other partners through the project Steering Group Meetings. We have also been engaging with Peel Ports, on the Commercial and Legal Agreement aspects of the project.

Transport Scotland officials continue to work closely with all of the project partners to complete work on the business case and cost exercise review.

Question reference: S6W-31453

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with P&O Ferries Group to enhance connectivity at Cairnryan ferry port.

P&O’s ferry services at Cairnryan Port are commercially operated and in a competitive environment. The Scottish Government has no locus to intervene in such situations.

However, Transport Scotland through its operating company manages and maintains the A75, A751 and A77 trunk roads which provide direct road-based access to the port.

Long term investment plans for improving access to both ports at Cairnryan are set-out in Recommendation 40 of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Question reference: S6W-31454

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with Scotland’s different harbour owners to achieve a joined-up approach to the ferry network.

We continue to work with CMAL and a range of other port owners including Local Authority, Trust Port, and Private operators, to invest in essential infrastructure required to maintain and enhance the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles routes. The Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP) sets out the Scottish Government’s long-term objectives and policies for ensuring necessary and sustainable transport links for our islands.

As a key element of the ICP, the Vessels and Ports Plan provides detail on the Scottish Government’s objectives for the Clyde & Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) and Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS).

The ICP consultation report and responses were published on 3 September – there was overall support for our proposals and some suggestions for improvement. We aim to use the consultation responses to inform the final versions of the Strategic Approach and the Vessels and Ports Plan.

Question reference: S6W-31455

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 4 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to improve the harbours that CMAL owns.

The Scottish Government works closely with CMAL in relation to improvements and upgrades to its ports and harbours as required. Ministers and officials meet with CMAL regularly to discuss challenges and opportunities for the sector and how these can be considered in future funding and business plans.

The Scottish Government also provides grant funding to support CMAL to adapt and modernise their ports and facilities to changing demand and to facilitate new investment. Regular maintenance of harbour facilities are the responsibility of CMAL as Harbour Authority and this aspect of work is led by them.

The Vessels and Ports Plan outlines the need for significant and sustained funding to achieve its delivery as an integral part of progress towards establishing a secure and sustainable long-term financial foundation for our ferry networks, as set out in our Strategic Approach paper.

Question reference: S6W-31451

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working to improve the harbours that are owned by trusts and independent authorities.