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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-12363

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 5 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11596 by Jenny Gilruth on 15 November 2022, when it will announce successor arrangements for the continued provision of Caledonian Sleeper services.

Question reference: S6O-01661

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 December 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether a vote in favour of strike action by over 80% and over 90% from members of the UCU and EIS trade unions respectively is a democratic mandate for strike action.

Question reference: S6W-12058

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07663 by Jenny Gilruth on 27 April 2022, when it will engage with (a) trade unions and (b) the public regarding the National Rail Conversation.

Question reference: S6W-12057

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 24 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07663 by Jenny Gilruth on 27 April 2022, whether it will publish the programme of activities for the National Rail Conversation.

After initial planning work with transport partners and stakeholder, Transport Scotland officials are engaged in finalising the programme for the National Rail Conversation, including the first significant public phase, of external stakeholder engagement. This will see key stakeholders, including rail staff representatives, invited to a number of events in the New Year. These sessions will enable those taking part to offer their views on the National Rail Conversation. Further details of the programme will be provided at these even and announced in due course.

Question reference: S6W-11594

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 October 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 22 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11363 by Jenny Gilruth on 5 October 2022, what its position is on appointing a privately owned company to operate the Caledonian Sleeper franchise from June 2023.

In accordance with the requirements of the Railways Act 1993 and the Scottish Ministers’ Franchising Policy Statement, consideration is being given to the successor arrangement for the continued provision of Caledonian Sleeper services.

The Scottish Ministers have to work within the relevant current legislation, principally the Railways Act 1993, which neither they nor the Scottish Parliament have powers to change.

I will of course update Parliament on my decision on the successor arrangement once the required statutory process has been completed.

Question reference: S6W-11949

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 07 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 17 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11240 by Michael Matheson on 18 October 2022, whether it has considered how Scotland’s steel industry will need to change as offshore wind construction increases.

We wish to see a sustainable future for the Scottish steel sector, building on the long and proud heritage of steelwork in Scotland. We can see real opportunities for the steel sector in the move to a net zero economy, with Zero Waste Scotland commissioning a series of reports looking at the circular opportunities for the energy transition in Scotland to help inform efforts in this area.

The Scottish Government is determined to maximise the economic opportunity for the Scottish supply chain from our offshore wind potential. That is why we asked Crown Estate Scotland to introduce the Supply Chain Development Statement as part of the ScotWind leasing round to demonstrate how serious the Scottish Government is about holding developers to account if they do not honour their supply chain commitments and create green jobs.

Question reference: S6W-11948

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 07 November 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 17 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11240 by Michael Matheson on 18 October 2022, whether it has considered the role that decommissioning and recycling of Scottish wind turbines could play in Scotland’s offshore wind turbine manufacturing.

The majority offshore wind projects in Scotland have not reached decommissioning stages as of yet with many in pre-development stages, compared to onshore wind, which is more developed. However, the onshore wind decommissioning and recycling of wind turbines will be used to guide the approach in offshore wind.

The Scottish Government fully supports, and encourages, the use of recycled and refurbished turbines, recognising the enormous potential to strengthen the Scottish supply chain, reduce waste, utilise more of our local skills and capabilities and improve costs for the onshore wind sector. For example Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) is working to improve the circularity of the energy sector and provide support and advice to businesses looking to develop more circular business models, including the renewable industry. Its 2021 report ‘ The Future of Onshore Wind Decommissioning in Scotland’ estimates that as many as 5,600 onshore turbines could be decommissioned between now and 2050 and presented a range of recommendations to both the industry and to Government which would support a thriving circular economy in Scotland.

Furthermore, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is supporting the creation of a low carbon manufacturing base in Scotland by helping manufacturers adopt greener materials and innovative new technologies that help reduce waste during decommissioning through recycling and remanufacturing. NMIS, SSE Renewables and Renewable Parts are collaborating to secure a world leading UK-wind circular economy sector deal and reduce waste from wind farms at the end of their life.

Question reference: S6O-01588

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assets currently in public ownership it plans to privatise.

Question reference: S6W-11597

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 October 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11363 by Jenny Gilruth on 5 October 2022, whether all jobs, including the current terms and conditions, will transfer to the new operator of the Caledonian Sleeper when the current franchise terminates in June 2023.

As the member knows, in accordance with the requirements of UK Railway legislation – namely, the Railways Act 1993, and the Scottish Ministers’ Franchising Policy Statement, consideration is being given to the successor arrangement for the continued provision of Caledonian Sleeper services. It is our firm intention, should it be required, that all current jobs and post holders will transfer, should they wish to.

Question reference: S6W-11595

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 October 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11363 by Jenny Gilruth on 5 October 2022, whether the Caledonian Sleeper will continue to provide at least the same level of service frequency as it does at present, when it the Franchise Agreement with Serco is terminated in June 2023.