Parliamentary questions
Fergus Ewing
2,894 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the (a) names and (b) occupations or roles of the members of the Zero Emission Social Housing Taskforce.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The names and affiliations of the members of the Zero Emission Social Housing Taskforce, and its technical sub-groups, are published on the Scottish Government website: Zero Emission Social Housing Taskforce - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .
2 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the oral evidence by representatives of the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) to the Economy and Fair Work Committee on 21 June 2023, what information it has on when the loan of £9 million from SNIB to Circularity Scotland was drawn down, including what sums were paid …
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government has routine and regular discussions with the Scottish National Investment Bank on a range of matters. However, the Bank makes independent decisions on individual investments and the terms attached to those investments following extensi…
2 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the oral evidence by the Chair of the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) to the Economy and Fair Work Committee on 21 June 2023, in which he referred to SNIB's "notes" on its engagement with the UK Government on the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, whether it wi…
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Operational decisions of the Scottish National Investment Bank are made independently of Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Government does not hold any information regarding notes held by the Chair of the Scottish National Investment Bank relating to the Inte…
2 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to sue the UK Government in respect of any losses that the (a) Scottish Government and (b) Scottish National Investment Bank incurs as a result of the Deposit Return Scheme not proceeding.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government has no plans to sue the UK Government in relation to the Deposit Return Scheme. Operational decisions of the Scottish National Investment Bank are made independently of Scottish Ministers.
2 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it stating that the UK Government is responsible for the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland not proceeding, which will reportedly result in an estimated loss of £9 million of public funding, whether, following the completion of the liquidation of Circularity Scotland, it will…
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Operational decisions of the Scottish National Investment Bank are made independently of Scottish Ministers. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to recover losses resulting from investments made by the Scottish National Investment Bank. T…
2 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the most recent estimate of the sum available to be distributed to creditors of Circularity Scotland from the liquidators, from the assets held at the time of the liquidation, which were reported to be £2.1 million, and what information it has received on the t…
Answer · Gillian Martin: The administration of Circularity Scotland Ltd is a matter for its administrators, Interpath Advisory. Information on the administration of Circularity Scotland Ltd is available on Interpath Advisory’s website.
2 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what security, guarantee or other assurance was provided to Biffa in relation to its obligations under the contract that it entered into with Circularity Scotland, and whether it will publish the full details of these, including any letters or other written documentation.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The contract between Biffa and Circularity Scotland Ltd was a contract between two private companies. The Scottish Government provided no security, guarantee or other assurance to Biffa in relation to its obligations under the contract that it entered into wi…
2 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister's attendance at the meeting of the Conveners Group on 27 March 2024, and his statement that, if the details of some of the cases in Scotland were made public, people would be "horrified" if these convictions were overturned, whether it will detail which spe…
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government cannot comment on individual cases. The Post Office Horizon scandal is a unique situation requiring urgent action to ensure those wrongly convicted can finally access justice. That is why we are bringing forward legislation to ensure …
2 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister's attendance at the meeting of the Conveners Group on 27 March 2024, and his statement that, if the details of some of the cases in Scotland were made public, people would be "horrified" if these convictions were overturned, whether it will publish any (a) …
Answer · Angela Constance: In line with longstanding practice, the Scottish Government does not publish advice to Ministers.
2 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the consultants, Deloitte, provided evidence to the Post Office in 2017 suggesting that errors in the Horizon IT system or remote tampering could have caused the financial losses that were being investigated, what its position is on whether any convictions in Sc…
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government believes that the Post Office Horizon scandal is a unique situation requiring urgent action to ensure those wrongly convicted can finally access justice. Whilst the determination of innocence or guilt in criminal cases is usually right…
25 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the proposals for minimum energy efficiency standards and deadlines to be imposed from 2028 under the forthcoming Heat in Buildings Bill, what its response is to reports that the proposals could have the effect of forcing existing landlords to withdraw properties from the…
Answer · Patrick Harvie: We are aware of the important role privately rented homes play as part of Scotland’s housing stock, and the wider pressures on this sector. We will continue to engage with the sector on our proposals, taking account of the wider environment in which it operat…
25 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commission independent advice regarding whether the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill could adversely impact upon the mortgage market.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government has commissioned research through ClimateXChange to investigate the potential impact of the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill on the Scottish Housing Market. The scope of this project includes an investigation into the impact on the mort…
25 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the proposals included in the forthcoming Heat in Buildings Bill, whether it has received any representations regarding whether (a) they could adversely impact upon the mortgage market, (b) mortgage valuation assessments could have to be changed for Scotland as a result o…
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government recently consulted on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill, this consultation closed on 8 March 2024. We are currently analysing all responses received. This analysis will inform the further design of policy provisions together with …
18 Mar 2024 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider its decision to pause capital funding for NHS Highland in respect of completion of the refurbishment of Grantown Health Centre, in light of reports that these works were nearly completed and that the pause of the contract may lead to additional costs in exc…
13 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill, which aims to exonerate people who were wrongfully convicted as a result of the reported issues with the Post Office accounting system, Horizon, not applying to Scotland, what action it will take to ensure that the exoneration …
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has repeatedly made it clear to the UK Government that the best way to ensure that there is a quick, fair and equal solution for all affected sub-postmasters is for a UK-wide Bill. It is not too late for the UK Government to change the…
19 Feb 2024 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister, regarding the delivery of the Scottish Government's recently published depopulation action plan, what will be different about this approach, which is described as "local by default, national by agreement", particularly towards the approval of new developments supported by local communities.
19 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of emergency legislation to quash wrongful convictions in Scotland of sub-postmasters and mistresses that were based on evidence from the Post Office’s Horizon computer system, and, if it is the case that it prefers an alternative approach, whether it will…
Answer · Angela Constance: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-25624.on 18 March 2024. 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-committee…
19 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the potential issues arising from the Post Office’s Horizon computer system in Scotland, what its response is to the comments of former sheriff Kevin Drummond KC that an approach to resolving the potential issues “could be done tomorrow… by the Crown Office and Procurator…
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is aware of this proposal. During the Lord Advocate’s statement to Parliament on 16 January 2024, I am aware there was discussion of this issue. The Lord Advocate explained that: ‘… It is misleading to suggest that I could simply atte…
19 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the potential issues arising from the Post Office’s Horizon computer system in Scotland, whether it will publish any correspondence that it has had with the UK Government, including any related documents, regarding the method by which the sub-postmasters and mistresses wh…
Answer · Angela Constance: The First Minister's letter to the Prime Minister of 10 January was published on the Scottish Government website at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/first-minister-letter-prime-minister-post-office-horizon-cases/ Letters I sent to the Secretary of State …
19 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it will ensure that all sub-postmasters and mistresses whose wrongful convictions in Scotland were based on evidence from the Post Office’s Horizon computer system will be identified, and all such convictions quashed.
Answer · Angela Constance: On 13 March 2024 the UK Government introduced the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill which, if passed, will automatically quash on coming into force any convictions which fall within the scope identified on the face of the Bill. Details of the UK Bill…
19 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will update the Parliament on any progress being made in relation to the exoneration of sub-postmasters and mistresses whose wrongful convictions in Scotland were based on evidence from the Post Office’s Horizon computer system.
Answer · Angela Constance: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-25624 on 18 March 2024. 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-committee…
19 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the potential issues arising from the Post Office’s Horizon computer system in Scotland, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding whether it plans to proceed with emergency legislation in order to quash wrongful convictions of sub-postmasters and mistr…
Answer · Angela Constance: I refer the Member to the answer to PQ S6W-26520 on 18 March 2024 for information about correspondence between myself and UK Government Ministers on this matter. The UK Government announced on 22 February that they will introduce legislation to reverse only …
19 Feb 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the potential issues arising from the Post Office’s Horizon computer system in Scotland, what its response is to the reported comments by the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales regarding the use of legislation to quash wrongful convictions of sub-postmasters and mist…
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is aware of the reported comments by the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales. Any expedited process for hearing appeals is a matter for the judiciary, who are independent of Scottish Ministers. This process would also only be able…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Decision 004/2023 of the Scottish Information Commissioner, whether it will list the (a) name and (b) job title of each of its civil servants that were appointed to the secretariat that assisted James Hamilton in his investigation into whether the former First Minister h…
Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government seconded one individual to provide a Secretariat function to the Independent Advisor on the Ministerial Code while he conducted his review. Ahead of publication, Mr Hamilton requested additional secretariat support. Four additional per…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any record of correspondence, notes, emails, text or WhatsApp messages, as well as the documents themselves, in the month of March 2021, between or on behalf of James Hamilton and civil servants or Scottish Government ministers, regarding the redactions made t…
Answer · Shona Robison: Mr Hamilton’s report was published on 22 March 2021. In his letter, which is published alongside the report, Mr Hamilton makes clear that redactions were necessary in order to comply with the court orders in place (made by Lord Woolman and Lady Dorrian), in o…
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide full details of the timetable leading up to the redacted version of the Hamilton Report being issued to the public on 22 March 2021, including (a) when the report was delivered to it by James Hamilton, (b) when information was redacted from the report and (c) …
Answer · Shona Robison: In preparation for issuing Mr Hamilton’s report, civil servants seconded to the Secretariat applied draft redactions in the period 15 to 21 March 2021. The Scottish Government received Mr Hamilton’s final report on 22 March 2021 at 00:02. The report was then …
31 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government under whose ministerial direction the redactions to the Hamilton Report were made; whether it will provide the name of the lead official in charge of such redactions; how many civil servants were involved in the process of redaction; whether it will provide, where possible, the (a) names…
Answer · Shona Robison: No ministerial direction was made in relation to the redactions to the Hamilton Report. The Ministerial Code sets out the appropriate process for any referrals by the First Minister to the independent advisors. In accordance with that process, the former Depu…
30 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed introduction of a non-domestic rates public health supplement on retailers, as set out in its Budget for 2024-25, whether it has estimated the level of additional retail sales that would be required each year by retailers to offset the cost of the surtax.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24444 on 22 January 2024. 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-committ…
30 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed introduction of a non-domestic rates public health supplement on retailers, as set out in its Budget for 2024-25, whether it will provide further details of what its position is on whether the introduction of such a levy is consistent with the New Deal for Busin…
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24498 on 23 January 2024. 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-committ…
30 Jan 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the proposed introduction of a non-domestic rates public health supplement on retailers, as set out in its Budget for 2024-25, whether firms that are liable for the surtax would be subject to the highest non-domestic rates of any properties levied in the UK.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24444 on 22 January 2024. 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-committ…