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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-31457

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 with the Aberdeen Harbour Board to fix any damage to the harbour.

Scottish ports are deemed to be commercial entities; therefore, it is not possible for the Scottish Government to dictate business decisions made by a harbour authority on how best to manage its harbour or utilise its resources. It is the responsibility of the Port of Aberdeen Board to determine when and where to invest in their facilities and to ensure that the Port remains in good working order.

Question reference: S6W-31458

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 with the Aberdeen Harbour Board to enhance connectivity with Orkney and Shetland.

Transport Scotland, CMAL and NorthLink have regular ongoing engagement with Aberdeen and other port operators regarding existing services and future plans. The introduction of new vessels involves all of the respective ports to which they operate. Each of the 3 ports on the Northern Isles routes are fully aware of the project to replace the MV Hildasay and MV Helliar with larger vessels. These new vessels will not only support the economies of Orkney and Shetland but also add resilience in terms of additional passenger capacity that can be utilised as required.

CMAL and NorthLink continue to liaise with all three port authorities. Discussions with the Port of Aberdeen, including the Pilots have already commenced and this work will continue as the project progresses. Detailed modelling work and simulations have also been undertaken.

Question reference: S6W-31450

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 local authorities.

The Scottish Government works closely with all ports and harbours, and recognises the significant contribution they make to the economy of Scotland. Ministers and officials meet with ports regularly to discuss challenges and opportunities for the sector. Transport Scotland also administers the Harbour Revision Order process, to enable ports to adapt and modernise their facilities to changing demand and to facilitate new investment. However, ports are deemed to be commercial businesses, and decisions on how best to utilise their resources are the responsibility of the port authority.

Question reference: S6O-04071

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with Police Scotland to increase law enforcement resources in Scotland’s cities.

Question reference: S6T-02209

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is preparing for winter, in light of widespread weather-related disruption over the weekend due to Storm Bert.

Question reference: S6W-31048

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 25 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the introduction of a licensing scheme in Scotland for the sale of vaping products would help tackle youth access to, and illicit imports of, vaping products.

In line with Tobacco and Vaping Framework, work is underway to improve the technical infrastructure of the existing register of tobacco and nicotine vapour product retailers, which has been welcomed by stakeholders. We plan to continue to review the register going forward.

At this time the Scottish Government’s view is that introducing a licensing scheme would put undue pressure on local authorities and the retail sector.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, if passed, will expand Scotland’s existing registration scheme to include retailers selling herbal smoking products and nicotine products.

The purchase of vaping products is age restricted. It is illegal to sell to, or buy them for, anyone under the age of 18. In Scotland, local authorities already have powers to issue fixed penalty notices to retailers and individuals who commit offences related to the age of sale.

We work with the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland on enforcement of existing legislation, including around underage sales and illicit tobacco and vapes. We also work with HMRC and Border Force who undertake intelligence led action to tackle the import of illicit tobacco and vaping products at the border.

Question reference: S6W-31047

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the introduction of the UK Government Tobacco and Vapes Bill on 5 November 2024, what plans it has to introduce (a) a licensing scheme and (b) regulations regarding the sale of vaping products by retailers in Scotland, to tackle youth access and ensure that any poor-quality, illicit and illegal imports of vaping products can be restricted.

Scotland has a long-established and functioning register of tobacco and nicotine vapour product retailers. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, if passed, will expand Scotland’s existing registration scheme to include retailers selling herbal smoking products and nicotine products.

The Scottish Government’s view is that introducing a licensing system at this time would put undue pressure on local authorities and the retail sector. In line with our Tobacco and Vaping Framework, the technical infrastructure of the register is being improved, which has been welcomed by stakeholders.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, if passed, will ban the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of vapes including non-nicotine vapes and nicotine products that are currently not captured in a similar way to existing restrictions on the advertisement of tobacco products. The Bill, if passed, will also ban the free distribution, nominal pricing and substantial discounting of vapes to anyone of any age. This will ensure that retailers do not use this as an alternative way to promote their products.

The Bill, if passed, will also provide a number of powers to Scottish Ministers to regulate the display of vaping products and their prices, as well as the display of empty retail packaging or anything that represents the products, in retailers in Scotland. Further consultation will be undertaken before making regulations under this power.

Additionally the Bill, if passed, also provides powers for the Secretary of State to make regulations about the quality, safety and product standards to be met for production, sale or importation of vaping products, as well as their packaging, the features, and their flavours. These powers can only be exercised to make regulations containing devolved provision if the Secretary of State obtains the consent of the Scottish Ministers.

Question reference: S6O-04020

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support mental health services across NHS Lothian.

Question reference: S6O-03878

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the UK Government’s decision to reform agricultural property relief on the future of family farms in Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-03872

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the £12.5 million of funding that it plans to provide for education in Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia was set out in the Budget for 2024-25.