Parliamentary questions
Douglas Lumsden
1,891 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what role the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy’s attendance at the Handelsblatt Energy Summit will play in strengthening Scotland’s renewable energy supply chain.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34080 on 13 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-a…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent analysis it has carried out on how the use of pagers potentially impacts on NHS staff efficiency and response times in emergencies.
Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34097 on 12 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-c…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the objectives were for the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy’s attendance at the Handelsblatt Energy Summit in Berlin, in January 2025.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The objectives for my visit were to raise the profile of Scotland’s energy offer in Germany, with a view to future trade and investment possibilities; to position Scotland as a leading player in the energy transition, with valuable learning to share wit…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what commitments were made during the Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy’s recent meetings with German energy companies to support Scotland’s just transition to renewable energy.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34080 on 13 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-a…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what costs are associated with maintaining and operating NHS-issued pagers, and whether it has estimated the comparable cost of any alternative communication technologies.
Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34097 on 12 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-c…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is considering to align public energy policy with the reported findings of the True North survey on domestic energy production and import dependence.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33259 on 11 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-a…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research it has undertaken into any alternative communication systems that could replace the use of pagers in the NHS.
Answer · Neil Gray: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34097 on 12 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-c…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33090 by Ivan McKee on 16 January 2025, what other equipment has been purchased in each of the last five years for use in net zero messaging, including non-conventional means of transport such as scooters and skateboards.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The only other equipment that has been purchased in the last five years for use in net zero messaging has been a refurbished iPad, which was purchased in financial year 2023-24 at a cost of £500.
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33090 by Ivan McKee on 16 January 2025, what procurement process was followed to buy each bicycle, and whether it will confirm each bicycle's (a) make, (b) model, (c) cost and (d) country of origin.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The bicycles were not purchased by the Scottish Government, but by the Energy Saving Trust. Details of the two bicycles are:Bicycle 1: a) Make: Urban Arrow b) Model: Flatbed XL Cargo Line 500Wh with Flight Case c) Cost: No cost to Scottish Government, as it w…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported findings of the True North survey showing that 71% of respondents in Scotland want North Sea oil and gas to meet energy demand.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33259 on 11 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-a…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported findings of the True North survey that 53% of respondents in Scotland support the Clean Power 2030 target but only 35% believe that it is achievable.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-34075 on 18 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-a…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the effectiveness of the Scottish Government Resilience Room’s (SGoRR) responses to emergencies is evaluated, and what improvements have been implemented in the past 10 years as a result.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGORR), like any other part of Scotland’s resilience system, conducts regular debriefs following activations, gathers feedback from stakeholders on its effectiveness, and works with partners to identify notable p…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the True North survey reportedly finding that less than a quarter of respondents in Scotland believe that the windfall tax is achieving its aim of reducing household bills.
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government has no functions in relation to the windfall tax. The oil and gas fiscal regime - including the Energy Profits Levy or "windfall tax" - are wholly reserved to the UK Government, as are decisions on how to spend the revenues raised.
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times in each of the last five years it has met BBC Scotland executives; who attended; what was discussed; whether it will publish any formal minutes that were taken, and what plans it has to next meet.
Answer · Angus Robertson: Information on Ministerial engagements is routinely published on the Scottish Government website and can be found at: Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot. Minutes of Ministerial meetings are not published routinely.I last met with the BBC on …
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the True North survey’s reported findings regarding public attitudes toward managing the transition away from oil and gas while protecting jobs and investment.
Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-33259 on 11 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-a…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33142 by Neil Gray on 21 January 2025, what the cost was of training Foundation Year 1 doctors in each of the last five years.
Answer · Neil Gray: Details are as follows:Foundation Year 12020-212021-222022-232023-242024-25* £28,924,288£31,574,152£35,835,274£40,205,639£45,928,712*The final two months of 2024-25 are based on forecasts.
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33142 by Neil Gray on 21 January 2025, what the cost was of training Foundation Year 2 doctors in each of the last five years.
Answer · Neil Gray: Details are as follows:Foundation Year 22020-212021-222022-232023-242024-25* £37,340,530£38,348,970£42,435,820£52,519,956£58,652,644*The final two months of 2024/25 are based on forecasts.
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33161 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025, how much has been spent on upgrading the 2,297 street lights on the A90 in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Please see the following table which provides the costs of upgrading the 2297 streetlights on the A90.Activity2020-212021-222022-232023-242024-25Upgrading/Refurbishment£152,661.01£472,649.31£153,868.18£208,247.81£11,355.70Transpo…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what resources and facilities are available within the Scottish Government Resilience Room to support decision making during emergencies.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGORR) provides Scottish Ministers and senior officials with situational awareness, enabling them to make informed strategic decisions on the Scottish Government’s response to civil contingencies emergencies. SGO…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) plastic, (b) paper, (c) metal and (d) glass straws it has procured in each of the last 10 years, and what the average cost was.
Answer · Ivan McKee: As part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to reducing single use plastics, the use of plastic straws was discontinued in Scottish Government buildings in February 2018.Since August 2022, there has only been one purchase of 1,500 paper straws in 20…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33168 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025, what specific criteria are used to determine that all 140 overbridges and overpasses on the A90 are in an “acceptable condition.”
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Bridges are inspected in accordance with the National Standard CS 450 Inspection of Highway Structures and the condition is ranked and prioritised in accordance with the requirements of The Inspection Manual for Highway Structures Volume 1 and the Transport S…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria are used to determine when the the Scottish Government Resilience Room should be activated.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGORR) is the Scottish Government’s central co-ordination mechanism for responding to civil contingencies emergencies. SGORR activates when and for as long as the severity and complexity of an emergency is such t…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33168 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025, how many inspections were carried out on the overbridges and overpasses on the A90 in each of the last three years, and what the main findings of these were.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: A total of 102 inspections were undertaken between 2022 and 2024, broken down as follows:2022 – 18 Inspections2023 – 52 Inspections2024 – 32 InspectionsThe inspections indicated that all of the bridges are in an acceptable condition. There a…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33168 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025, what the expected (a) timeline and (b) costs are for completing ongoing repairs to the A90 Finavon Bridge, which was damaged during Storm Babet.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The current estimated costs are £716,432.40. However, this may increase as the investigation and design for the permanent works progresses.Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of September 2025. However, investigations and permanent wor…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a list of Energy Consent Unit decisions made in the last year, and which of its ministers made each determination.
Answer · Gillian Martin: All the decisions made by the Energy Consents Unit and determinations made by Scottish Ministers are publicly available on our Energy Consents website: https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationSearch.aspxMinisters whose responsibilities included making dete…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how often exercises or drills are conducted to test the effectiveness of the Scottish Government Resilience Room’s crisis response capabilities.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGORR) takes part in a number of exercises every year to test its response protocols and overall effectiveness, train its staff and ensure a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities with partners. These exerc…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to questions S6W-33478 and S6W-33530 by Neil Gray on 22 January 2025, whether it will contact the chief executive of NHS Grampian to request the information asked for in the questions.
Answer · Neil Gray: This is a matter for NHS Grampian. The information requested is not held centrally.
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33161 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025, how many of the 2,297 street lights on the A90 are fitted with LED bulbs.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: 2296 of the 2297 streetlights on the A90 are fitted with LED bulbs.
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for coordinating with local authorities and public bodies through the Scottish Government Resilience Room during emergencies.
Answer · Angela Constance: During the response to a civil contingencies emergency, the Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGORR) will usually engage with resilience partnerships formed by relevant categorised responder agencies (e.g. local authorities and other public bodies relevant…
23 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-33168 by Fiona Hyslop on 22 January 2025, what funding has been allocated for maintenance and repair work on the A90 overbridges and overpasses over the last five years.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-33160 on 22 January 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committe…