Paul Sweeney

3 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered investing any revenues it collects from the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to the maritime sector to support the provision of infrastructure for Onshore Power Supply projects at Scottish ports.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Ports in Scotland are independent statutory bodies – each governed by their own local legislation – and are deemed commercial entities. The relevant port authority is thus responsible for day-to-day commercial decision-making including investments…

3 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered ringfencing any funds raised from the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to the maritime sector in order to support maritime decarbonisation projects.

Answer · Gillian Martin: All receipts from the UK ETS across all four nations accrue to the consolidated fund, and contribute toward funding government priorities, such as the net zero transition, where UK Government spending flows through Barnett consequentials.In Scotland we are al…

2 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the current pilot scheme that provides free bus travel for people who are seeking asylum and live in Scotland using the National Entitlement Card (NEC) will be extended beyond 31 March 2026.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The free bus travel pilot scheme will operate until 31 March 2026. We recognise that bus travel has the potential to be transformative for people seeking asylum, who are among the most vulnerable in society. The pilot scheme is providing important evidence of…

2 Feb 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what early discussions it has had with the newly appointed Traffic Commissioner for Scotland on their position and approach to supporting regional transport partnerships, such as Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, to implement regional bus franchises.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I welcome the appointment of Sharon Clelland to the role of Traffic Commissioner for Scotland and look forward to her starting the role on 6 April 2026. No discussions have taken place since Ms Clelland is not in post.The Traffic Commissioner for Scotland is …

31 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is on the removal or preservation of historic river barriers, including weirs, fish ladders and dams, and their potential for adaptive reuse in flood prevention or energy generation schemes.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Barriers in rivers have long been identified as a significant pressure on Scotland’s migratory fish populations, including our wild Atlantic salmon. Improving river connectivity by easing or removing these barriers is a priority action under our Wild Sa…

24 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ask Historic Environment Scotland to engage with the interim liquidator of Ballantine Castings Ltd, Johnston Carmichael LLP, to ensure that the foundry's proprietary pattern archive of around 250,000 designs, ranging from manhole covers and bollards to ornate railing…

Answer · Angus Robertson: Scottish Government officials asked Historic Environment Scotland about Ballantine Castings Ltd and whether it had engaged on this issue.I understand Historic Environment Scotland used its powers under the Historic Environment Scotland Act 2015 to carry out a…

23 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date the Cessnock and Kinning Park bridges over the M8, which were partially dismantled in July 2024 and  scheduled to reopen in December 2024, will now reopen.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The footbridges between Junctions 21 and 23 are complex structures, which have taken longer than expected to design repairs for. Once the suspended spans were removed, previously hidden defects in the concrete were discovered. This required further testing an…

22 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of both Scottish projects in the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 7 (AR7) securing strike prices above the current wholesale price of electricity, what its position is on whether electricity bills for households and businesses would be significantly lower in an …

Answer · Gillian Martin: As it is set by the UK Government, the Scottish Government has no power to influence the strike price for projects in Scotland.Independence would allow the Scottish Government to take decisions that would reduce electricity bills, including reforming our ener…

21 Jan 2026 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will explore the potential to stock Scottish wines in the Parliament for use in hospitality and retail.

Answer · Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB): The Scottish Parliament’s catering service partner has recently reviewed its beverage range and is expanding its Scottish offering. This includes introducing Scottish wines alongside a wider selection of Scottish-produced alcoholic and alcohol-free beve…

20 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the programme to build three Fleet Solid Support (FFS) ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is facing early disruption due to a cash flow shortage at Liberty Steel Dalzell in Motherwell, which has left the company unable to purchase steel slab to start…

Answer · Ivan McKee: I have recently spoken to senior management at the GFG Alliance, the parent organisation of Liberty Steel, about the restart of operations at Liberty Steel Dalzell. I have been advised that the restart is on track and that they have confidence that the contra…

19 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42791 by MairiGougeon on 13 January 2026, (a) what its position is on whether (i) nationalsecurity encompasses a wider scope than the matters reserved by Schedule 5,Section 9 of the Scotland Act 1998 and (ii) the recent Strategic DefenceReview, in p…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: National security and defence are matters reserved to the UK Parliament under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, (noting the exception of civil defence). The concept of national security does not extend devolved competence beyond those reserved matters. The…

16 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the ongoing investigation by the UK's National Cyber Security Centre in relation to “kill switches” in Chinese-manufactured buses, and how this has informed the design of the procurement regime of phase three of the Scottish Zero Emission B…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Vehicle safety and standards are reserved matters and fall under the responsibility of the UK Government and the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA). The Scottish Government is not responsible for, nor directly involved in, the investigation or regula…

16 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding phase three of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB3), whether it has instructed Transport Scotland to disregard any tenders from any specific non-treaty state suppliers, as defined by s19(3)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023. 

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: ScotZEB3 operates as a capital grant subsidy scheme and, as such, the Procurement Act 2023 does not apply.Awards under ScotZEB3 must comply with the UK subsidy control regime, including the Subsidy Control Act 2022. The scheme is required to operate in a mann…

16 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what social value percentage weighting will be applied to bids for phase three of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB3).

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Phase 3 of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB3) is delivered as a capital grant scheme and does not apply a single standalone social value percentage weighting.Applications are assessed against four published criteria:FinancialDeliverabili…

14 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help local authorities develop best practice for the conservation of badgers.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: NatureScot provides comprehensive standing advice on badgers in relation to development and planning, which is directly relevant to the responsibilities of local authorities. This guidance is publicly available at: https://www.nature.scot/doc/standing-advice-…

14 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the development of an updated National Performance Framework.

Answer · Kate Forbes: We are making good progress on the National Performance Framework (NPF) reform project.The most recent update to Parliament was 28 November 2025, in response to the Social Justice and Social Security committee’s request for evidence to stage 1 of the We…

13 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership on the extension of the operating hours of The Thistle safe drug consumption facility pilot in Glasgow, in light of a reported shift in drug use from heroin to cocaine at the facility.

Answer · Maree Todd: Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) has confirmed there is currently no proposal to extend the operating hours of The Thistle service. Any extension would require approval from the Glasgow Integration Joint Board, as it would involve additional …

13 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the amendment of legislation to enable a smoking and inhalation space at The Thistle drug consumption facility pilot in Glasgow.

Answer · Maree Todd: In November 2025 Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership approved the development of a business case for an inhalation/smoking space within The Thistle. Glasgow HSCP are now developing that business case, and have been engaging with the Scottish Government…

12 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to children on CAMHS waiting lists who risk ageing out of being eligible for treatment prior to receiving a diagnosis.

Answer · Tom Arthur: We continue to see sustained progress on waiting times for CAMHS. The 18-week CAMHS standard has been met throughout the last year, with 91.5% of children and young people starting treatment within 18 weeks of referral, reflecting the commitment and hard work…

9 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to NHS Scotland in relation to utilising its greenspaces, parks and woodlands to improve patients' mental health through nature immersion.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting NHS Scotland to improve patients’ mental health through a range of different resources, including the utilisation of greenspaces.We are supporting NHS Boards – in their role as ‘Anchor insti…

9 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress NHS Scotland has made to meet its target of using renewable heating systems for all NHS-owned buildings by 2038.

Answer · Neil Gray: In March 2025, NHS Orkney became the first Health Board to complete the installation of renewable heating in all of its buildings.The top 20 emitting NHS sites produced more than 60% of NHS Scotland’s total building energy emissions in 2024-25. NHS effo…

9 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the 3-30-300 vision for tree coverage in Scotland, and whether this is a useful mechanism for cities to envisage increased tree coverage.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government welcomes visions that promote the appropriate expansion of tree and woodland coverage across Scotland. We recognise the value of the 3-30-300 rule, alongside other mechanisms for identifying urban areas with low tree cover, as a means …

9 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support is available to those whose mental health is affected by climate anxiety due to the reported ongoing climate crisis. 

Answer · Tom Arthur: We recognise that concern about climate change can affect mental wellbeing.Mental health support is available to anyone experiencing anxiety about any issue, by phone, online and in-person. Talking to others can help and in addition to support available throu…

7 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the overbridge that carried Gourlay Street over the railway at Cowlairs in Glasgow was removed without replacement in 2016 as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) electrification works, and whether it will instruct Network Rail Scotland to commission…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The overbridge at Gourlay Street in Cowlairs was removed by Network Rail, as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme, as it did not have sufficient clearance for the installation of Overhead Line Electrical Equipment.Network Rail sought the necess…

5 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has taken place with the development of a Product Stewardship Plan, as set out in the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030. 

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has committed to bring forward a product stewardship plan in 2026 that sets out how we will tackle the environmental impact of priority products.The draft circular economy strategy, which was published for consultation in October 2025,…

5 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has taken place in the creation of a model for regional Scottish hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets, as set out in the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030. 

Answer · Gillian Martin: Zero Waste Scotland is leading on the work to support the development of a model for regional Scottish hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets.They are working with a consortium of European partners to undertake an EU Horizon proj…

5 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what options have been developed with stakeholders regarding the mandatory reporting for food waste and surplus by businesses. 

Answer · Gillian Martin: As set out in the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map, the Scottish Government will establish an expert advisory group to help develop the most effective way to implement mandatory public reporting for food waste and surplus by businesses, with the intention…

2 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will initiate discussions with Glasgow City Council on jointly acquiring the site of the former ABC venue on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow to facilitate the implementation of the Vision and Delivery Plan for the Golden Z prepared by Stantec, Threesixty Architecture and Kevin M…

Answer · Shona Robison: The proposed redevelopment of the site is subject to a live planning application which has been called in for determination by Scottish Ministers. As such, it would not be appropriate to comment while this case is under consideration.

1 Jan 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider emulating the practice adopted by the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, which is building an entirely open-source, digitally sovereign ecosystem for its public sector to reduce vendor lock-in, enhance interoperability and improve data security.

Answer · Ivan McKee: We aware that various countries and regions are actively considering this issue and will continue to monitor the issue.

30 Dec 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any procurement procedure for the design and build of a new class of marine protection vessel (MPV) and marine research vessel (MRV) to replace the two existing vessels, MPV Minna and MRV Scotia, will be directly awarded to a UK-based shipbuilding firm, or limited to a UK-only co…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Shipbuilding is a highly competitive global market and is classified as sensitive under the UK Subsidy Control Act. Any direct award must therefore comply fully with both procurement and subsidy control legislation, as these frameworks operate independently b…