Parliamentary questions
Douglas Lumsden
1,891 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the greenhouse gas emissions attributable to transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) by road to the bunkering point for the MV Glen Sannox, including (a) the total CO2-equivalent emissions per tonne of LNG transported and (b) a comparison with the emission…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: In 2014, Transport Scotland, supported by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL), set out the case to procure two new dual-fuel vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry network which included analysis of fuel emissions and estimated opera…
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what modelling it has undertaken of the whole-life greenhouse gas emissions arising from the combined use of marine diesel and liquefied natural gas by the MV Glen Sannox, and how these projections compare with the emissions profile of a comparable conventional diesel-only ferry operatin…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-37241 on 13 May 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-co…
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Aberdeen City Council remains in compliance with conditions attached to Scottish Government grant funding for the hydrogen-bus project, and what action it can take in the event of non-compliance.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: All Scottish Government grants are managed in line with the terms of the relevant grant offer letter and the Scottish Public Finance Manual.
24 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, since the MV Glen Sannox entered operational service, what information it has on the (a) total volume of (i) marine diesel and (ii) liquefied natural gas consumed and (b) number of road-tanker deliveries of liquefied natural gas made to the vessel in that period.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: MV Glen Sannox has consumed 683m3 of marine diesel and 369 metric tonnes of LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) since she entered service. This has involved sixteen separate LNG deliveries by road tankers.
15 Apr 2025 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will publish the outcome of the latest A96 corridor review.
7 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what economic analysis it has conducted of the potential impact of (a) new oil and gas licences being issued and (b) the National Energy System Operator (NESO) report, Beyond 2030, on the economy of (i) Scotland, (ii) Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and (iii) Angus.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is committed to an evidence-based approach to the energy transition. In support of our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, we commissioned and published (in March 2023) a programme of independent analysis on Scotland’…
7 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland report, Investigation into the care and treatment of Mr TU, published in March 2023, what the findings were of any assessment it has carried out on the impact of a lack of continuity in senior medical staffing on patient care.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government has not undertaken any specific assessment in regards to the impact of a lack of continuity in senior medical staffing on patient care. However, we regularly engage with Boards at official level to ensure they are providing a safe, hig…
1 Apr 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many households in fuel poverty have had a whole home retrofit, as set out in the December 2021 document, Tackling Fuel Poverty in Scotland.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Government funds two programmes targeting households living in or at risk of fuel poverty, Warmer Homes Scotland and Area Based Schemes. Since 2022 these programmes have adopted a `whole house retrofit’ approach based upon national retrofit…
26 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is using AI to expedite the collation and publication of responses to its consultations.
Answer · Ivan McKee: We are very aware of the significant opportunity which AI presents in relation to the delivery of better and more efficient public services, and work in this area has been on-going since the launch of Scotland’s AI Strategy in 2021.We also have a long s…
25 Mar 2025 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will publish its Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.
20 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what authority Police Scotland has to publiclyannounce the conclusion of investigations without further proceedings beinginitiated by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS); what itsposition is on whether it is appropriate for Police Scotland to state publiclythat an indi…
Answer · Dorothy Bain: As head of the system of prosecutions in Scotland, I have primary responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences in Scotland.I have, along with Procurators Fiscal, who hold commissions on my behalf, legal authority to instruct the p…
20 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what role the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Servicehas in directing Police Scotland regarding the continuation or conclusion ofcriminal inquiries.
Answer · Dorothy Bain: I would refer to the answer provided in respect of S6W-36157 on 2 May 2025 as regards my role as head of the system of prosecutions in Scotland and direction of the police.All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s …
20 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland could reopen a concluded investigation if additional evidence became available, or it was instructed to do so by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and, if this is the case, under what circumstances this could occur.
Answer · Dorothy Bain: As is referenced in the answer to S6W-36157 on 2 May 2025, instruction and direction may be issued in relation to specific matters in the context of ongoing liaison between the police and Procurators Fiscal who can instruct the police during the course of inv…
20 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has the ability to reopen inquiries or initiate proceedings if additional evidence arises after Police Scotland has announced the conclusion of an investigation.
Answer · Dorothy Bain: As head of the system of prosecutions in Scotland, I have primary responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences in Scotland.I have, along with Procurators Fiscal, who hold commissions on my behalf, legal authority to instruct the p…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the potential environmental impact, whether it has raised or plans to raise any concerns with Ofgem regarding the adequacy of the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment standards, particularly the minimum height requirement for overhead power lines in areas of prime a…
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks regarding the potential hazards associated with agricultural irrigators near high-voltage overhead power lines, and how these have influenced project design.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek assurances from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks that the design of the Tealing to Kintore upgrade project will adequately address any future increases in the size of agricultural machinery.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that electricity infrastructure projects receiving public funding, such as the Tealing to Kintore upgrade project, comply with safety standards that adequately protect those working in the agriculture sector.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that any public concerns raised during consultations on electricity infrastructure projects are transparently addressed, and how it will monitor this in relation to the Tealing to Kintore upgrade project.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether safety standards, including minimum overhead clearance heights for new electricity infrastructure, should exceed the statutory minimum requirements to anticipate future developments in agricultural machinery.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential economic impacts on farming businesses from safety restrictions required due to the construction of overhead power lines along prime agricultural land.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents have occurred in each of the last three years involving agricultural machinery making contact with overhead power lines, and what assessment it has made of how the Tealing to Kintore upgrade project could impact these figures.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will seek assurances that any safety risks identified by agricultural stakeholders are fully addressed in the final planning application for the Tealing to Kintore upgrade project.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, as part of planning considerations for major electricity infrastructure projects, whether it will introduce requirements for comprehensive risk assessments of farming operations to be carried out and taken into account at the design stage.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the design criteria for electricity infrastructure projects prioritise cost and visual impact at the expense of agricultural safety, and what representations it has made to regulators or electricity network companies regarding this issue.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it expects Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks to undertake with farmers and agricultural contractors regarding the safety impacts of overhead power lines, before the design freeze stage of the Tealing to Kintore upgrade project.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken or plans to undertake an independent review of the safety aspects and any agricultural impacts of the route selected for the Tealing to Kintore upgrade project.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any requests from landowners or farming stakeholders for design changes to the Tealing to Kintore upgrade project on safety grounds, and how any such requests have been addressed.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-36103 on 15 April 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-committees…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether proposed minimum safety clearance heights for overhead power lines should be adjusted in response to the increasing size of modern agricultural machinery used across Angus and Aberdeenshire.
Answer · Alasdair Allan: Responsibility for the delivery of the transmission network infrastructure including compliance with safety standards, sits with the transmission owner working within a regulatory framework overseen by Ofgem and other relevant regulators such as the Health an…
19 Mar 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on EY's forecast that Aberdeen is expected to be the only UK location where average annual gross value added (GVA) growth will be below 1% between 2025 and 2028.
Answer · Kate Forbes: There is significant uncertainty in the economic outlook and economic forecasts can be subject to revision. The Scottish Fiscal Commission provides the official forecasts for the Scottish economy. Their latest forecast from December projects Scotland’s …