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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: S4W-29141

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 January 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 13 January 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what powers it has to regulate the number of staff employed in betting shops with fixed-odds betting terminals and to ensure that the terminals are placed in sight of staff desks.

Question reference: S4W-29137

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 January 2016
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 13 January 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact of problem gambling on health and communities, whether it will (a) commission independent research on the impact of fixed-odds betting terminals and (b) review the planning regulations regarding the (i) provision and (ii) licensing of betting shops.

As the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate to regulate gambling or fixed-odds betting terminals in Scotland, the Scottish Government has no current plans to commission specific research on the impact of fixed-odds betting terminals.

In the absence of appropriate powers to regulate gambling being devolved in the Scotland Bill, it is our intention to amend legislation to extend planning controls on changing premises into betting shops. Planning powers cannot however control betting shop activities to the extent possible under powers to regulate gambling.

Question reference: S4F-03149

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 January 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 January 2016

To ask the First Minister what discussions the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the proposed referendum on EU membership.

Question reference: S4O-05191

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 December 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 December 2015

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the planning review panel to complete its work.

Question reference: S4O-04915

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 December 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 December 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the introduction of fiscal measures to promote oil and gas exploration.

Question reference: S4W-28119

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 October 2015
Current Status: Answered by Aileen McLeod on 16 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it would consider varying the permitted noise levels or times as set out in the Antisocial Behaviour (Noise Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.

Question reference: S4W-28117

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 October 2015
Current Status: Answered by Aileen McLeod on 16 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government when it (a) last reviewed and (b) will next review the permitted noise levels set out in the Antisocial Behaviour (Noise Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2005.

The Scottish Government published a call for evidence to support a policy review of the noise regime under Part 5 of the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 on 7 May 2014. This included a review of the permitted noise levels.

We sought evidence from a wide range of people across Scotland. There was a broad consensus that the current permitted levels are appropriate. We will review them again if there is strong evidence to suggest alternatives.

Question reference: S4W-28120

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 October 2015
Current Status: Answered by Aileen McLeod on 16 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government under what circumstances it would consider setting permitted noise levels based on areas or descriptions of areas as set out in the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004.

Part 5 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 gives discretionary powers to local authorities to adopt the noise provisions for such times and for such areas they consider appropriate. The provisions complement noise nuisance enforcement legislation and complement police powers. There has been and continues to be consensus that these permitted levels should be the same across Scotland.

Question reference: S4W-28100

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 October 2015
Current Status: Answered by Alex Neil on 10 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons private student accommodation complexes are exempt from non-domestic rates.

Question reference: S4W-28103

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 October 2015
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 5 November 2015

To ask the Scottish Government how it will monitor the impact on (a) passenger safety and (b) adherence to licensing law of app-based hire car companies entering the Scottish market.

Any individual or company operating in the taxi or private hire car trade is required to work within the existing licensing regime. For example all drivers, as well as vehicles, must be licensed otherwise they will be committing a criminal offence.

We will consult on the impact of modern technology such as smartphone apps, and if required amend the relevant legislation to address concerns over passenger safety and compliance.

The provisions included within the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 will further strengthen the ability of local Licensing Authorities to address concerns, for example by allowing them to limit the number of private hire car vehicle licences in their area, and the creation of the role of Civic Licensing Standards Officer, to supervise compliance, provide information and mediation to resolve disputes.

Licensing authorities have extensive powers available and we would expect them, together with Police Scotland, to take robust action regarding any failure to comply with the existing licensing law or public safety concerns. However, we will continue to liaise with them both to monitor the position.