Parliamentary questions
Tim Eagle
1,487 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
28 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39818 by Jamie Hepburn on 28 August 2025, which Scottish Minister was in receipt of the gifted print in 2023.
Answer · Graeme Dey: As Minister for Higher Education, Further Education & Minister for Veterans, I was gifted a framed piece of ceramic artwork in June 2023 and a lithograph in May 2025. The framed ceramic artwork was included in my proactive release entry for June 2023, and…
28 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on the subject of gene editing, within devolved competence, following the agreement of the new trade deal between the UK and EU.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: Scottish Ministers have long argued for a comprehensive Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) deal with the EU, and have therefore welcomed the commitment made at the UK - EU summit of 19 May 2025 that the UK Government and European Commission should work towards …
28 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on gene editing.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: Scottish Government policy on genetic modification has not changed and our position is clear: we are opposed to the cultivation of GM crops in Scotland. We are aware of the current debate around new genomic techniques, such as gene editing, and how these rela…
27 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care last met with the Chief (a) Executive of NHS Grampian and (b) Officer of Health and Social Care Moray.
Answer · Neil Gray: I last met with the Interim Chief Executive of NHS Grampian on 3 September 2025. I attended the Collaborative Response and Assurance Group on 2 June 2025 which the Chief Officer of Health and Social Care Moray attended.
27 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing last met with the Chief (a) Executive of NHS Grampian and (b) Officer of Health and Social Care Moray.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Since my appointment to this post in June I have not had a meeting with the Interim Chief Executive of NHS Grampian. I last met with Integration Authority Chief Officers, including the Chief Officer of Health and Social Care Moray, on 7 August 2025.
27 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport last met with the Chief (a) Executive of NHS Grampian and (b) Officer of Health and Social Care Moray.
Answer · Maree Todd: Since taking up this role in June I have not had a meeting with the Interim Chief Executive of NHS Grampian. I attended the Collaborative Response and Assurance Group on 11 August 2025 which the Chief Officer of Health and Social Care Moray attended.
27 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Public Health and Woman’s Health last met with the Chief (a) Executive of NHS Grampian and (b) Officer of Health and Social Care Moray.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I last met with the Interim Chief Executive of NHS Grampian on 7 February 2025 and met with the Chief Officer of Health and Social Care Moray on 8th January 2025.
27 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-39896 by Angus Robertson on 27 August 2025, whether it will provide the information requested regarding whether the topic of Scottish independence was discussed in the meeting between the First Minister and the President of the European Commission o…
Answer · Angus Robertson: As previously noted to Mr Eagle, the First Minister and President Von der Leyen met on 26 July, holding a cordial and substantive discussion on Scottish and European interests. A minute of this meeting is available at: First Minister meeting with President of…
27 Aug 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how growth deals are growing the economy of the Highlands and Islands region.
26 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many civil servants are employed in its AI policy team.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government currently employs four civil servants in its AI Policy Team, with plans to increase this number in the coming weeks. However, this Team does not represent the full range of staff who currently work on, or have an interest in AI. This c…
26 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has paid consultants related to its work to support (a) the introduction and development of AI across the public sector and (b) staff training on the use of AI.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government does not hold information on payments to consultants for (a) the introduction and development of AI across the public sector or (b) staff training on the use of AI.However, the Scottish Government has prioritised building internal capa…
26 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to integrate AI into its Rural Payments and Services website, and if so, how it will do this.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: At this time, there are no defined plans to incorporate AI into the RP&S platform. The Agriculture Reform Programme is currently leading the development of a Future Operating Model for ARE which is carefully considering the capabilities required to delive…
25 Aug 2025 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will consider flying the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day 2025, and in future years, as is presently the case with Scottish Government buildings.
Answer · Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB): The SPCB has a Flag flying policy.The Flag flying policy is managed on behalf of the SPCB by the Facilities Management Office and they are guided by the SPCB on the appropriateness of any flags, which have been requested to be flown, on a case-by-case basis.T…
25 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland has issued any penalties to Amey as a result of any delays to the completion of work on the A96 Union Bridge at Keith, and, if so, whether it will provide details of this.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Under the North East Operating Company contract, there are no Payment Adjustment Factors applicable to delays to completion of work for unforeseen events outwith the control of the contractor, such as un-charted services and environmental/ecological issues. A…
23 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether NatureScot held any direct discussions with (a) NFU Scotland and (b) Scottish Land and Estates regarding its recent decision to grant licences for the release of six beaver families at two sites in the River Beauly catchment, and, if so, whether it will provide details of this.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: NatureScot did not hold any direct discussions with (a) NFU Scotland and (b) Scottish Land and Estates regarding its recent decision to grant licences for the release of six beaver families at two sites in the River Beauly catchmentThe main engagement for con…
23 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether NatureScot produced an environmental impact assessment prior to its recent decision to grant licences for the release of six beaver families at two sites in the River Beauly catchment, and, if so, whether it will provide details of this.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: NatureScot consulted on and produced an Environmental Report on the principle of beaver translocation to the river Beauly catchment in 2022. A copy of the report can be found on NatureScot’s website athttps://www.nature.scot/doc/beaver-translocation-con…
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the total cost of any penalties issued by Transport Scotland to (a) Amey and (b) BEAR Scotland was in each year since 2021.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Between January 2021 and July 2025 a total of £2,463,260.88 of Payment Adjustment Factors (PAFs) have been applied to our Trunk Road Maintenance Contracts. The table below provides and annual summary and totals.UnitContractContractor2021-222022-232023-2…
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what work the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh does to support (a) further and (b) higher education institutions.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: This is an operational matter for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.Some of this information can be found in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh‘s (RBGE) Annual Reports and Accounts: A…
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assistance is available to allow people in the Highlands and Islands region who reside outside Inverness to utilise the Nevis House rehabilitation service.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government provided £2.4m to support the development of Nevis House, as part of our aim to increase residential rehab capacity – particularly for areas outside the Central Belt.Nevis House will provide six beds, equating to up to 22 p…
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many parents who have been offered a Baby Box declined to take one, in each year since their introduction.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government’s universal Baby Box programme, the only one in the UK, opened for registration on 15 June 2017 and nationwide delivery of Baby Boxes began on 15 August 2017. Every baby born and resident in Scotland is eligible for a Baby Box.To…
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many members of the public have visited the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in each year since 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: This information can be found in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh‘s (RBGE) Annual Reports and Accounts: Accounts | Corporate Information | What We Do | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many vacancies there are at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh as of 31 July 2025.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: As of 31 July 2025, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has 8 live vacancies.
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has spent on diversity, equality and inclusion (a) officers and (b) training in each year since 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: This is an operational matter for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Changing Places toilets there are in the Highlands and Islands region, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government has been working closely with Promoting A More Inclusive Society (PAMIS) to develop the Changing Places Toilet Scotland Fund, which launched on 7 August 2025. PAMIS monitor the number and location of active Changing Places Toilets acro…
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many members of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh there have been in each year since 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: This information can be found in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh‘s (RBGE) Annual Reports and Accounts: Accounts | Corporate Information | What We Do | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much the Scottish Land Commission has spent on diversity, equality and inclusion (a) officers and (b) training in each year since 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Land Commission has not incurred any expenditure on diversity, equality and inclusion officers in any year since 2021.The Scottish Land Commission has not incurred any expenditure on diversity, equality and inclusion training in any year since 20…
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many new spaces for community growing have been created in each year since 2021 as a result of direct funding.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: Whilst the Scottish Government does not provide direct funding to create community growing sites, since 2012 we have awarded nearly £2.5 million to expand and encourage food growing skills and access to community growing sites across the country. This i…
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in each year since 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Information on funding provided to the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE) is available, within published annual reports and accounts. These are available at Accounts | Corporate Information | What We Do | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what funding schemes are available to communities that want to establish new allotments.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting communities across Scotland to access land for growing food. While there is no dedicated national funding stream specifically for community established allotments, given the cross-cutting benefits delivered b…
22 Aug 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) full-time equivalent, (b) part-time equivalent and (c) temporary roles there are currently within the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: (a) Total FTE – 281.4, which includes (b) Part-time staff 64.4 FTE; and (c) 59 temporary roles.It is important to note that as a registered charity, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh receives multiple income streams that contribute towards its headcoun…