Parliamentary questions
Douglas Lumsden
1,891 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the freedom of information release FOI/202500459761 of 29 April 2025, what information it holds regarding the 26 February 2025 meeting on zonal pricing under the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, including (a) the agenda, (b) any briefing papers provided to its (i) m…
Answer · Gillian Martin: The purpose of the meeting on 26 February 2025 was to update myself and the Minister for Climate Action on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, the reform options being considered by UK Government, and the potential impact of those options for Scotl…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what criteria it applies when deciding whether to withhold advice under section 29(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 in relation to electricity market policy development.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The purpose of the meeting on 26 February 2025 was to update myself and the Minister for Climate Action on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, the reform options being considered by UK Government, and the potential impact of those options for Scotl…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its procedure is for reviewing whether to publish advice that was initially withheld under section 29(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, and how frequently such reviews are undertaken.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government endeavours to provide information in response to requests wherever possible. The provisions of section 29(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy) or other exemptions under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 …
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the cost was of complying with Freedom of Information request reference FOI/202500459761, including a breakdown of (a) staff time, (b) legal advice and (c) any external costs.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The purpose of the meeting on 26 February 2025 was to update myself and the Minister for Climate Action on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, the reform options being considered by UK Government, and the potential impact of those options for Scotl…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the potential impact of zonal electricity pricing on renewable generation projects located on island communities in the last 10 years, and what the conclusions were.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what further submissions officials were instructed to provide following the 26 February 2025 meeting on zonal electricity pricing, broken down by (a) subject matter, (b) directorate responsible and (c) expected completion date.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The purpose of the meeting on 26 February 2025 was to update myself and the Minister for Climate Action on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, the reform options being considered by UK Government, and the potential impact of those options for Scotl…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a summary of the key points of the advice that was withheld under (a) section 29(1)(a) and (b) section 30(b)(i) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 in relation to FOI/202500459761.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The purpose of the meeting on 26 February 2025 was to update myself and the Minister for Climate Action on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, the reform options being considered by UK Government, and the potential impact of those options for Scotl…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Ofgem regarding the interaction between zonal electricity pricing and transmission network use-of-system charges in the last three years, including the (a) date of each discussion, (b) level of representation and (c) main points raised.
Answer · Gillian Martin: We have had extensive engagement with stakeholders to ensure we understand all perspectives in this debate and represent this in our engagement with the UK Government. The Scottish Government has not had specific discussions with Ofgem on the interaction betw…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with consumer representative groups to assess any perceived fairness issues in relation to the potential introduction of zonal electricity pricing in Scotland, and what timeline it has set for any such engagement.
Answer · Gillian Martin: We have had extensive engagement with stakeholders – including consumer organisations such as Consumer Scotland – to ensure we understand all perspectives in this debate and represent this in our engagement with the UK Government.
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the workforce and skills requirements associated with the potential implementation of zonal electricity pricing reforms in Scotland, broken down by skills category.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has supplied to the UK Government to inform the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements on the specific circumstances of Scotland’s electricity network and generation profile.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what internal correspondence it holds between the Energy Strategy and Markets Unit and the Directorate for Budget and Public Spending regarding the potential fiscal implications of zonal electricity pricing, since 1 January 2024, and whether it will publish a summary of any such correspo…
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the total staff (a) time commitment, expressed in full-time equivalent days and (b) cost has been for work relating to zonal electricity pricing under the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements since 1 June 2021.
Answer · Gillian Martin: All members of staff working on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements are also responsible for wider energy strategy and policy development. In line with usual practice, detailed breakdown of individual tasks carried out by civil servants in relation …
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of any distributional impacts of zonal electricity pricing in Scotland across (a) geographic regions, (b) income deciles and (c) protected characteristic groups, and what the findings were of any such work.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what potential zonal boundaries for electricity pricing have been considered by its officials, and what criteria were used to define each such boundary.
Answer · Gillian Martin: We understand that no potential boundaries have been formally brought forward by the UK Government.
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding (a) zonal electricity pricing and (b) the proposed reformed national market under the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, broken down by (i) date, (ii) minister or official leading the representation and (iii) format …
Answer · Gillian Martin: We meet regularly with the UK Government to discuss the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) and welcome the constructive engagement we have had with them – I last met with Minister Michael Shanks MP on 23 April 2025. In addition, I have for…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which stakeholder organisations its ministers and officials have met to discuss zonal electricity pricing since 1 January 2024, broken down by (a) organisation, (b) date of meeting, (c) attendees and (d) purpose of discussion.
Answer · Gillian Martin: We have had extensive engagement with stakeholders – including consumer organisations such as Consumer Scotland – to ensure we understand all perspectives in this debate and represent this in our engagement with the UK Government.
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its latest understanding is of the timetable for UK Government decisions on zonal electricity pricing, and what preparatory work it is undertaking in response to this.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The UKG have committed to publish a decision on REMA in the summer ahead of the CfD allocation round 7 commencing.
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact of zonal electricity pricing on electricity generation projects that were awarded under the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round, AR6, and what the findings were.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of any additional capital cost of transmission network reinforcements required under each zonal electricity pricing scenario modelled by its officials.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what its position is on any proposal to introduce zonal electricity pricing, and what evidence underpins that position.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what modelling assumptions it has used when assessing the potential impact of zonal electricity pricing on (a) renewable generators, (b) network constraint costs and (c) consumer bills in Scotland.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential implications of zonal electricity pricing for fuel poverty levels in Scotland, including any projected distributional impacts by income decile.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
30 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the compatibility of potentially introducing zonal electricity pricing with the objectives of its forthcoming Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.
Answer · Gillian Martin: Decisions on the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) are reserved to the UK Government. The UK Government has published impact assessments and is updating its analysis ahead of a final decision this summer. We are awaiting sight of this updated m…
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when a decision will be made on reallowing alcohol at certain times on ScotRail services.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The First Minister announced to the Scottish Parliament on 6 May 2025 that we intend to remove the ban on alcohol on trains and replace it with new restrictions which will allow alcohol consumption between from 10am to 9pm every day. ScotRail will reserve the…
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the comments made by the ScotRail managing director, Joanne Maguire, at the meeting of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on 29 April 2025, that, in relation to the ban on alcohol on ScotRail trains, ScotRail staff “cannot enforce it" and that "it is not a ma…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: On Monday 2 June the alcohol ban on ScotRail trains was lifted and replaced with new rules, allowing alcohol consumption at certain times.The ban was upheld by Railway Byelaw 4 (2) which states that a passenger with intoxicating liquor can be prevented from e…
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the MV Glen Sannox, what estimates it has made of the (a) annual consumption of (i) marine diesel and (ii) liquefied natural gas (LNG) and (b) proportion of the vessel’s total propulsion energy that it expects to be provided by LNG in the first full year of schedule…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has not made any estimates or assumptions around the level of fuel consumption by MV Glen Sannox as this is a matter for CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) as the operator.CFL have confirmed, however, that total marine diesel consumption is esti…
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to (a) monitor and (b) publish data on the (i) actual volumes of marine diesel and liquefied natural gas consumed by the MV Glen Sannox once it is in service and (ii) associated fuel-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Under the CHFS (Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service) contract, the Scottish Government monitors fuel consumption by all vessels operating on the CalMac network. However, there are no plans to publish this data at present.The Scottish Government does not monitor …
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Aberdeen City Council and (b) hydrogen suppliers regarding securing alternative fuel supplies for the hydrogen-bus project while life-extension works are carried out at Kittybrewster and Cove, and what the outcomes were of any such discussions.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: Scottish Government and Aberdeen City Council officials undertake regular engagement relating to hydrogen in Aberdeen. This has involved discussions relating to the city’s bus fleet, including in the context of the Energy Transition Fund grant to the Ab…
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the (a) expected number of road-tanker deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) that will be required each year to supply the MV Glen Sannox, (b) loading terminals from which these deliveries will depart, including the country of origin of the LNG, and (c) arr…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) expect around 80 deliveries of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to be required per year to supply MV Glen Sannox. Delivery of LNG will come by road from the Isle of Grain terminal in Kent. The country of origin can vary depending on the gl…