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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-32212

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 December 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 9 January 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what solutions it is exploring to scale up the private finance needed for the clean heat transition.

Question reference: S6W-31790

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Current Status: Answered by Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB) on 3 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what action it is taking to ensure that all parts of the parliamentary estate will be able to maintain a reasonable temperature for the wellbeing of staff, during the winter months.

The SPCB can confirm that temperatures will be maintained to allow building users to work comfortably within their specific work areas.

We are aware that the temperature in the building recently was below comfortable levels.

We are currently undertaking a major replacement project for the Building Energy Management System (BEMS) which controls and monitors the heating, ventilation, and cooling throughout the building. The outside temperature had taken a sudden dip; this was the first time the new controls were stress tested. We had expected the building to react more quickly to the drop in temperature; clearly this was not the case. The parameters have now been adjusted to take this into account and a faulty external sensor has been re-calibrated.

Question reference: S6O-04058

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how the planned review of Creative Scotland will improve compliance with fair work principles in the culture sector.

Question reference: S6F-03566

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 November 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-03492

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 November 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6O-03862

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce energy consumption from the built environment.

Question reference: S6W-30267

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 27 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 9 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the possibility of designating Scottish bodies, including Creative Scotland, as endorsing bodies for the Global Talent Visa.

While immigration is reserved, the Scottish Government is committed to seeking to work collaboratively with the new UK Government to ensure that the UK immigration system reflects Scotland’s distinct demographic, cultural and economic needs. The First Minister made this clear in his meeting with the new Prime Minister on Sunday 7 July and this was reinforced during an introductory meeting between the Home Secretary and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice on 29 September.

In relation to Creative Scotland, Arts Council England currently endorse applications for the Global Talent Visa for the culture sector on a UK-wide basis. Creative Scotland is not currently seeking to become an endorsing body. Creative Scotland has a good working relationship with the international team at Arts Council England around mobility matters and engages with them on the process on an ongoing basis.

Question reference: S6F-03411

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 October 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6W-30046

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what role (a) SEPA, (b) local authorities and (c) other bodies have or might be given in setting or enforcing controls regarding the release of non-biodegradable materials, including electronic components, into the environment at events such as so-called lantern festivals.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (“the EPA’’) regulates waste management, including the handling and disposal of non-biodegradable waste. SEPA and local authorities both have statutory enforcement functions under the EPA. Any event that results in waste generation, such as lantern festivals, must ensure proper disposal of waste to avoid environmental harm.

In addition, under section 87 of the EPA it is an offence to throw down, drop or otherwise deposit, and then leave, litter in an area which is open to the air and to which the public has access. Local authorities have powers to issue fixed penalty notices if they have reason to believe a littering offence has been committed. Section 89 of the EPA places duties on certain organisations to keep land free from litter, as far as is practical. The 2018 Code of Practice on Litter and Refuse gives practical guidance on fulfilling these duties.

Many Local Authorities have put restrictions in place to prevent the release of sky lanterns and helium balloons on Council owned property and land and when an event is supported by the local authority.

The Duty of care: code of practice for managing controlled waste sets out duties of care for disposal of waste and specific information for waste producers. This includes complying with special requirements for the disposal of waste batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment which are covered by producer take back schemes.

Question reference: S6W-30047

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what environmental regulations control the release of non-biodegradable material, including electronic components, at events such as so-called lantern festivals.

There are no environmental regulations which specifically control the release of non-biodegradable material in sky lanterns. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 includes the offences of littering and offences relating to waste management, including the handling and disposal of non-biodegradable waste. Any event that results in waste generation, such as lantern festivals, must ensure proper disposal of waste to avoid environmental harm. These offences may be relevant where the release of lanterns was determined to have met the statutory definitions for those offences, which would be determinable on a case-by-case basis.

Organisers of public events, like lantern festivals, are required to ensure waste materials are collected and disposed of in a manner that minimises environmental impact. The Duty of care: code of practice for managing controlled waste provides statutory guidance on the duties that must be complied with by anyone who produces, keeps, imports or manages controlled waste in Scotland.

Organisers of events, including lantern festivals, must comply with the legislation, and will be subject to enforcement if offences are committed. Zero Waste Scotland’s guide “How to Plan and Deliver Environmentally Sustainable Events” provides guidance for event organisers and suppliers. This is available at https://www.visitscotland.org/events/advice-materials/sustainability#sustainable.