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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-40189

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 9 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the implementation of the new Scottish Aggregates Tax, to what extent it has explored divergence from the UK Aggregates Levy.

In 2023, the Scottish Government consulted to inform the development of proposals for a Scottish tax to replace the UK Aggregates Levy. The consultation included questions on alignment with the UK Aggregate Levy and the tax rate.

Separately, in 2025, Scottish Government commissioned research on the role of alternatives to primary aggregates in reducing construction sector emissions examined how the tax rate could incentivise the use of such alternatives.

The Scottish Aggregates Tax will initially mirror key aspects of the UK Aggregates Levy, with flexibility to evolve in line with Scottish Government policy objectives.

Question reference: S6F-04275

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 September 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-04257

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 September 2025

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6W-39808

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 1 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what statutory power it used to give instructions to a reporter on 24 June 2025 in relation to the proposed Loch Lomond development by Flamingo Land (PPA-002-2021), having previously recalled the appeal for its own determination.

Question reference: S6W-39664

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 01 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 27 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the release of the minute of a meeting in June 2024 between the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and the Israeli Ambassador to the UK in which the cabinet secretary described Scotland and Israel as being "critical friends", whether it still holds this position and, if not, (a) when the position changed and (b) what subsequent discussions or correspondence it had with the Israeli Embassy regarding this matter.

Scottish Government Ministers regularly meet foreign diplomats and Ministers visiting Scotland. Agreeing to such meetings provides the opportunity to discuss international cooperation but also to express the Scottish Government's opinion on international issues. I accepted the Embassy of Israel’s request for this meeting as it was an opportunity for him to express the Scottish Government's clear and unwavering position in calling for an immediate ceasefire by all sides in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages and the opening of safe routes to allow more humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza, which is what he did. Recognising the strength of feeling generated by the meeting, he subsequently issued a statement on 19 August 2024, which can be found here: Meeting with Israeli Diplomat - gov.scot.

The meeting with the Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of Israel took place to express the Scottish Government's clear and unwavering position on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The Scottish Government received the meeting request and accepted on the basis it would provide an opportunity to convey our consistent position on the killing and suffering of innocent civilians in the region.

It is clear that, having now spoken direct to the Israeli Government and making them aware of our position on an immediate ceasefire, it would not be appropriate for Ministers to accept any invitation for a further meeting. This will remain our position until such time as real progress has been made towards peace, unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance is provided and Israel cooperates fully with its international obligations on the investigation of genocide and war crimes.

Question reference: S6W-39714

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 04 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 26 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost has been to SEPA of responding to the oil pipeline leak at Glen Fruin to date, and whether this cost will be recovered from the operator, Petroineos.

Question reference: S6W-39803

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 25 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government on what date a reporter was appointed to proceed work on the recalled appeal in relation to the proposed Loch Lomond development by Flamingo Land (PPA-002-2021).

Question reference: S6W-39802

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 25 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the document appointing a reporter to proceed work on the recalled appeal in relation to the proposed Loch Lomond development by Flamingo Land (PPA-002-2021), which was published by its Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) on 4 July 2025, appears to be signed and dated 24 June 2025 when the file uploaded was created on 4 July 2025.

A Minute of Appointment, following recall of this appeal, setting out the process by which Scottish Ministers considered the case should proceed, was received by DPEA on 24 June 2025 and dated as such. The Minute was published to the DPEA website on 4 July 2025.

DPEA deals with a number of appeals and other case types and receives a high volume of correspondence on a daily basis. It is not always possible for DPEA to process and upload all documentation received in its casework to the public website as soon as received.

Question reference: S6W-39663

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 01 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 20 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 3 March 2022, Stop trading with Russia, whether it remains its position that "Businesses in Scotland [should] withdraw from trading with Russia, following its invasion of Ukraine".

On 3 March 2022, when Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy, I wrote an open letter to business in Scotland asking them to review their links to Russia, however indirect, and to sever them, with due regard for the safety of any employees or individuals they may work with.

It remains the position of the Scottish Government that it, and its economic agencies, will not support trade and investment activity with Russia. This policy is additional to the UK government’s regime of sanctions against Russia.

We cannot however, force businesses to sever links if what they plan is otherwise lawful, including not breaching the UK sanctions regime. There may also be legitimate reasons why links cannot be severed, for example: if staff safety might be jeopardised; contractual reasons; and/or being prohibited from selling assets due to Russian law.

Question reference: S6W-39348

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 14 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) the Active Travel Infrastructure Fund for local authorities and (b) Sustrans funding for the National Cycle Network and embedded officers has been awarded for 2025-26, and, if not, when it anticipates it will be.

The Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF) to support the design, development, and delivery of active travel infrastructure measures across all 32 Local Authorities has been approved for 2025-26 with the settlement letter issued for £37.5 million. In addition, I announced in May over £26 million for ATIF construction projects with grant offer letters having been issued to the successful Local Authorities accordingly. Sustrans funding for the National Cycle Network and embedded officers has also been approved and will be awarded shortly. ATIF for design is yet to be awarded.