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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-21698

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 5 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the safety of lithium-ion batteries used in electric micro-mobility vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters.

While product safety policy remains reserved, the Scottish Government fully recognises the harm that the misuse of lithium-ion batteries can bring to those using electric micro-mobility vehicles.

I met recently with Electrical Safety First and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to discuss the danger that these batteries can cause.

Raising awareness of the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries is particularly important as e-bikes become more popular. The Scottish Government strongly urges consumers to only buy products from reputable retailers that they know and trust.

It is currently illegal in Scotland to use an e-scooter unless on private property.

Question reference: S6W-21718

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 22 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 5 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what data it currently collects on fires related to lithium-ion batteries used in electric micro-mobility vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters, and, if this data is not currently collected, what plans it has to undertake such data collection in the future.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service utilises the Home Office Incident Recording System (IRS) to capture incident data.

Whilst there is currently no specific category to record incidents caused by lithium-ion batteries, this information can be recorded as “further information” and data can be collected and analysed via keyword search.

Work is ongoing to update the IRS to include more categories to reflect current and future needs in statistical recording and reporting.

Question reference: S6W-21490

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost would be of introducing 20mph zones across Scotland, and what analysis has been undertaken on the potential cost to the Scottish economy of introducing 20mph speed limits.

The Scottish Government have supported local road authorities with £1.4 million in funding to undertake the necessary roads assessments which will determine the number of roads affected and the financial implications of introducing the national strategy for 20mph speed limits. The findings from the road assessments will enable the multi-stakeholder 20mph Task Group to scope the next steps for implementation at their meeting in October.

Question reference: S6W-21384

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to keep pace with the EU Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation, particularly in relation to maximum distances between EV charging stations and hydrogen fuel stations.

The Scottish Government will implement all relevant regulation to improve consumer experience of public charge points for electric vehicles in Scotland.

In June 2023 Transport Scotland published A Network Fit For The Future: Vision for Scotland’s Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network, which sets out the ambition for a world-class public charging network that works for everyone regardless of their needs. It highlights the need for a well-designed, comprehensive and convenient network of public charge points. The Vision can be found at this web link: A Network Fit For The Future: Vision for Scotland’s Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network | Transport Scotland . Government is supporting the delivery of this Vision through the £60 million Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, which includes funding for Local Authorities to map out public charging needs in their areas through Strategy and Expansion Plans.

In addition, The Zero Emission Truck Taskforce, which includes Transport Scotland, is exploring the energy infrastructure required for HGVs, including consideration of hydrogen refuelling, and will publish an HGV Decarbonisation Pathway next year.

Question reference: S6W-21386

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 September 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 29 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether agreement has been reached to upgrade Ardrossan Harbour in order that it can facilitate the Glen Sannox ferry once it is complete.

Question reference: S6O-02569

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce a nationwide multi-modal smartcard.

Question reference: S6O-02495

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 September 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 September 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what cross-government consideration there has been regarding the use of tunnels to improve connectivity between the islands.

Question reference: S6W-19769

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 28 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the levels of funding have been for the operation of rail services in each of the last five years, and how that funding compares with the funding for bus services in the same periods.

The levels of funding associated with bus and rail operations can be found in Transport Scotland's annual accounts. Please note the annual accounts for 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 will be available later this year.

Links provided below for the five years as requested:-

Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2022

Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2021

Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2020

Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2019

Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2018

Question reference: S6W-19572

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ban the consumption of alcohol on the Caledonian Sleeper.

Question reference: S6W-19208

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a Rural Delivery Plan, as committed to in its publication, Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership – A fresh start.