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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-06062

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the reported £700 million revenue from the ScotWind offshore wind leasing auction is projected to be received in the financial year 2022-23.

Budget allocations are agreed and published as part of the annual Scottish Budget process, with option fee income expected to be recognised over a number of years, to a maximum of ten years in line with the lease period.

To date a prudent estimate of ScotWind fees has been included in the 2022-23 budget of circa £41 million. The total figure will be finalised once leasing payment recognition has been confirmed.

These monies support the 2022-23 budget and underpin projects set out within the budget in line with the Programme for Government commitment to invest some of the ScotWind revenues to help tackle the twin crises of biodiversity and climate change as we transition to Net Zero.

Question reference: S6O-00782

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it can take to encourage dentists to continue treating NHS patients.

Question reference: S6W-05782

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 28 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to tanning salon operators whose business was affected by the recent COVID-19 restrictions on the hospitality sector.

The Scottish Government is aware of the impact the necessary public health restrictions has had on businesses, including tanning salon operators.

We recently announced £375m of support for businesses impacted by measures introduced to control the spread of Omicron and have provided details on how £266m of this will be allocated. This includes £19m for close contact businesses.

This £19m for close contact businesses is targeted at those who have been the most affected by the updated public health guidance introduced from 9 December 2021 to 24 January 2022. Beauty services, hairdressers and wellness services that provide spray and application tanning are eligible, however retail businesses utilising sunbeds are not in scope at this stage.

Decisions on the allocation of the remaining funds will be confirmed following further analysis and consultation with affected sectors on how it can best be targeted.

Question reference: S6W-05369

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 25 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm if the format of the paper and downloadable versions of the COVID-19 vaccine certificate, which reportedly only include details of the two most recent COVID-19 vaccinations in the case of those who have also received a third, as a booster vaccination, is acceptable for international travel to countries that require proof of three vaccinations.

Booster information was made available on paper/pdf certificates from 13 December. Only the 2 most recent vaccine doses are included.

The certificates have been developed in line with the standards set by the EU on 17 November. The EU set a deadline for all members of the EU DCC scheme to have aligned with this standard by 31 December.

This change will allow those travelling to the small number of countries that are seeking evidence of more recent doses to provide evidence of their booster or third vaccination.

Question reference: S6W-05370

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 25 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is the case that the format of the paper and downloadable versions of the COVID-19 vaccine certificate only include details of the two most recent COVID-19 vaccinations in the case of those who have also received a third, as a booster vaccination, and if this is the case, for what reasons has the decision been taken.

Question reference: S6O-00682

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what resources will be provided to ensure that all students have equitable access to revision support ahead of any exams.

Question reference: S6W-05246

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 17 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it will provide to compensate for the impact that recent temporary emergency COVID-19 restrictions have had on airports.

Question reference: S6O-00646

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the culture minister has had with ministerial colleagues regarding culture-led regeneration of town centres.

Question reference: S6W-05245

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the decision to remove all countries from the international travel red list, whether it plans to review the requirements for passengers to undertake (a) a pre-departure test, (b) self-isolation until a negative "day 2" test result, (c) a "day 2" PCR test instead of a lateral flow test and (d) other temporary emergency restrictions.

In response to the Omicron variant, travel restrictions were reintroduced to limit importation of the virus into Scotland and across the UK. Following four nations discussions on 5 January 2022, the decision has been taken to remove these measures.

From Friday 7 January, travellers who are fully vaccinated or under the age of 18 are no longer required to take a pre-departure Covid test or self-isolate until they've received a negative ‘day 2’ test result upon arrival. Additionally, the day 2 test can now be a lateral flow device (LFD) test rather than a PCR test from Sunday 9 January. Anyone who tests positive on their lateral flow test will need to isolate and take a free confirmatory PCR test.

There are no changes to travellers who are not eligible under the fully vaccinated travel policy. These individuals must take a pre-departure test, self-isolate upon arrival into Scotland for 10 days and take two PCR tests on day 2 and day 8. People travelling to Scotland should check the guidance before making their journey, as rules can change at short notice: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/pages/overview/ .

Question reference: S6T-00415

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 10 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an explanation of its decision not to proceed with the sale of Glasgow Prestwick Airport at the present time.