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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-11455

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 10 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 20 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason planning permission is required for obtaining a short-term lets licence for flats, but not houses.

In a control area, change of use of a dwellinghouse, which is not a host's only or principal home, to provide short-term lets will always require planning permission. This applies to both houses and flats. In a control area, it is a mandatory condition of licence that planning permission has been obtained or an application is in progress.

Outwith a control area, planning permission may be required where local planning authorities determine a proposed change of use is material, on a case-by-case basis.

In all cases, each planning application will be determined on its individual planning merits in line with local development plan and policies unless there are material planning considerations that would justify a departure from the development plan.

Question reference: S6W-11362

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 20 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to strengthen legislation in regard to improving the safety and welfare of racing dogs, particularly those involved in racing on any unlicensed, or so-called "flapper", tracks.

The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, ensures that action can be taken if the welfare needs of greyhounds are not being met. This applies whether the dogs are still racing or retired. Part 2 of the Act applies to all persons responsible for animals, including breeders, trainers and owners of racing greyhounds.

The Scottish Government strengthened this Act via the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 so those found guilty of cruelty offences now face up to five years imprisonment and unlimited fines.

The Scottish Government has gone further, announcing on 06 October (S6M-05949 – Greyhound Racing in Scotland ) that greyhound racing would be included in the planned consultation on extending licensing legislation to animal care services which may include dog training, walking and grooming services.

Question reference: S6O-01472

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether independent fiscal forecasts should be published alongside significant fiscal policy events.

Question reference: S6O-01470

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on the progress that has been made on a Deposit Return Scheme.

Question reference: S6O-01474

Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what the implications will be for its budget of recent changes in the UK Government's fiscal policy.

Question reference: S6O-01468

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on whether it anticipates meeting its target to have over 50% of buses running on hydrogen or electric by the end of 2023.

Question reference: S6O-01471

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what resources are available to protect important equipment within the health sector in the event of incidents such as fire or floods.

Question reference: S6O-01473

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given in its planning policy to the role of mixed energy generation methods.

Question reference: S6O-01475

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the People's Plan for Action published earlier in October by the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Poverty Alliance, Living Rent and a number of other groups.

Question reference: S6O-01444

Asked by: Karen Adam, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 October 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the reported ongoing political instability within the UK Government impacts on the timing of its plans to ask the constitutional question of whether Scotland should be an independent country.