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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: S5W-31763

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 22 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the scientific evidence used to inform its decision to restrict the playing of background music in hospitality venues.

Factors such as background sound that may lead to raised voices or cause people to lean-in close to others to be heard are a risk factor in the transmission of coronavirus. This is recognised by a wide body of scientific evidence in relation to the role of aerosols in the transmission of viruses. The current position of no background sound, including low level music and audio from television, is a measured and cautious approach to reduce risk. It is being kept under review and government continues to work with industry experts to consider how guidance can be developed to allow low level background sound to be managed safely.

Question reference: S5W-31765

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered changing the criteria for accessing the Private Rent Sector Landlord COVID-19 Loan Scheme to allow landlords in all categories to apply.

The PRS Landlord (non-business) Covid19 Loan Support loan fund is being extended in line with the anticipated extension of notice periods within the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act.

During the first six months of the scheme we have listened to landlords and stakeholders and the extension will expand the number of let properties a landlord can apply for assistance in respect of, from one property to up to three. Additionally the repayment period will now be set at 24 months. The existing limit of support to landlords who are not registered as businesses and have 5 or less let properties will remain.

Question reference: S5W-31762

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 18 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to update the guidance for hospitality venues regarding the playing of background music.

Question reference: S5W-31761

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 18 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government on what basis it decided to restrict the playing of background music in hospitality venues, specifically where this music may not affect ambient noise levels.

Factors such as background sound that may lead to raised voices or cause people to lean-in close to others to be heard are a risk factor in the transmission of coronavirus. The current position of no background sound in hospitality, including low level music and audio from television, is a measured and cautious approach to reduce risk. It is being kept under review and government continues to work with industry experts to consider how guidance can be developed to allow low level background sound to be managed safely.

Question reference: S5O-04576

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 September 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential benefits of improving transport links between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Question reference: S5W-31073

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 August 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 26 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects ten-pin bowling facilities to reopen as part of the easing of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, and what financial support it is offering to these facilities while they remain closed.

The First Minister outlined in her statement on 20 August the date for the reopening of indoor bowling facilities was Monday, 31 August with physical distancing and enhanced hygiene measures in place.

The Scottish Government have produced new guidance for the opening of indoor sport and leisure facilities with physical distancing and hygiene measures. This new guidance, created in collaboration with the sport and leisure sector will provide staff and customers with the confidence that it’s safe to return. To view the guidance please visit the Scottish Government website .

Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak the Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government and private and public sector partners to develop a range of support mechanisms for businesses. Information on all available support for businesses can be found on Find BusinessSupport . The website is regularly updated with information on any new support packages or changes to existing ones.

Question reference: S5O-04504

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the constitution secretary's comments to the Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee on 18 June, whether it has revisited planning for a second independence referendum.

Question reference: S5W-30539

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 30 July 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when grassroots and amateur football teams will be permitted to resume training.

The Scottish Government and sport scotland are committed to working with stakeholders, including the Scottish FA, to undertake the necessary planning and risk assessments so full contact football training can resume in a healthy and safe way and in line with current guidance and best practice.

Since 13 July 2020, children and young people have been able to play outdoor sport in an organised setting, where there is sport specific guidance in place from the relevant governing body. The Scottish FA has agreed guidance with sport scotland, including information on strict hygiene measures and the ability to contact trace participants as required by sport scotland’s overarching guidance.

Non-professional adult outdoor contact sport is expected to resume in Phase 3 of the route map, but not before 31 July 2020 at the earliest and only when it is safe to do so. We envisage guidance will be provided at that point to enable people to play safely.

Teams can undertake limited training providing they follow the restrictions in place for the general population. Following the First Minister’s statement on 9 July 2020, a group of up to 15 people from five different households can meet up outside to take part in physically distanced activity. This would mean that they can now meet up in small groups but should maintain two metres apart at all times.

The Scottish FA has also launched a 'Return to Football Hub' which provides resources for all its National Affiliated Associations’ leagues, clubs and facilities to use to return to football safely in accordance with the Scottish FA and Scottish Government regulations.

Question reference: S5W-30538

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 30 July 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on offering support for businesses that are trading in a shared space in which the premises remains under construction and has not been issued with a rateable value.

The Small Business Grants, including those for businesses occupying premises for which the landlord is the ratepayer, closed to new applications on 10 July. Whilst the eligibility criteria in such cases required the applicant to have a lease confirming that their landlord is the ratepayer, local authorities have discretion to award a grant where the occupied premises is not on the non-domestic rates valuation roll, provided they are satisfied of the validity of the application and that other eligibility criteria are met.

Question reference: S5W-30540

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 July 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the National Trust for Scotland regarding (a) preventing staff redundancies and (b) reopening its venues, and what progress has been made.