Mark Ruskell

15 Jul 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions and correspondence it has had with the UK Government and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) regarding the impact of driving test waiting times on access to work, education, healthcare and other services in Scotland.

6 Jul 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-31971 by Gillian Martin on 12 December 2024, whether it still plans to bring forward proposals to improve water, wastewater and drainage policy, and if so, by what date it will do so.

24 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S7O-00110, S7O-00114 and S7O-00115 by Gillian Martin on 24 June 2026 and S7F-00023 by John Swinney on 25 June 2026, what plans it has to provide a formal definition of a green data centre and, in the absence of such a definition, how it will develop g…

Answer · Hannah Mary Goodlad: Scottish Ministers are giving active consideration to whether we should provide stronger planning guidance, including to balance the potential economic opportunities from the creation of data centres, with concerns raised by communities, and our national ener…

24 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S7O-00110, S7O-00114 and S7O-00115 by Gillian Martin on 24 June 2026 and S7F-00023 by John Swinney on 25 June 2026, what action it is taking to assess the cumulative electricity demand and energy-security impact of all the proposed hyperscale AI data …

22 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-36424 by Fiona Hyslop on 25 April 2025, what further assessments it has carried out regarding traffic options to enable safer pedestrian access on the A84 at Bridge of Teith.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: As previously stated, Transport Scotland and our operating company BEAR Scotland have held discussions with various local stakeholders regarding the A84 Teith Bridge and options for active travel improvement between Doune and Deanston. Transport Scotland is w…

22 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action it is taking to ensure that all care-experienced children who require CAMHS receive timely and appropriate treatment and support.

Answer · Maree Todd: The National CAMHS Specification establishes a consistent national standard, requiring Boards to ensure all children and young people receive timely support appropriate to their needs, including care-experienced children.The Specification explicitly recognise…

22 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the needs of care-experienced children in accessing neurodevelopmental pathways and support, and what action it is taking to address any barriers to such support.

Answer · Maree Todd: We recognise that care-experienced children and young people can be more likely to experience a range of health, wellbeing and developmental challenges and that they may face additional barriers to accessing services and support including neurodevelopmental s…

17 Jun 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what national assessment it has made of the climate impact associated with hyperscale AI green data centres.

3 Jun 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether planning authorities have adequate guidance on how to assess proposed hyperscale AI data centres.

1 Jun 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review its Planning Advice Note 50, which provides advice on controlling the environmental effects of surface mineral workings, and associated annexes.

Answer · Hannah Mary Goodlad: The Scottish Government has no current plans to review Planning Advice Note 50.

22 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when operators of the proposed Rosyth-Dunkirk ferry service will be able to apply for the Waterborne Freight Grant.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: An application for Waterborne Freight Grant has been received by the operators of the proposed Rosyth to Dunkirk ferry service. This is being assessed and a decision will be made shortly.

22 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what legislative amendments are being made to establish a functioning Border Control Post that can enable freight to use the proposed Rosyth-Dunkirk ferry service.

Answer · Gillian Martin: I can confirm that the Scottish Government has recently amended the Minimum Requirements for the Location of a Border Control Post through The Official Controls (Location of Border Control Posts) (Scotland) Regulations 2026.This amendment came into force on 2…

21 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review Section 40 of the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is giving further consideration to the issues raised in the last session of the Parliament about the offence introduced by section 40 of the Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and related matters.

20 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance has been agreed to facilitate the installation of EV charging cables across public pavements.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) by ensuring that charging infrastructure is comprehensive, convenient, and accessible to all. I understand the importance of enabling those without access to off stre…

20 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to support the trial introduction of side road zebra crossings.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: Transport Scotland officials will engage with interested local authorities, and proceed with shared discussions to consider the potential risks, benefits and opportunities of trialling and ultimately introducing side road zebra crossings in Scotland. Transpor…

20 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to improve pathways to specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatments for patients with anaphylaxis.

Answer · Angela Constance: The planning and delivery of services sits with NHS Boards, who are responsible for ensuring appropriate pathways are in place for assessment, diagnosis and treatment based on the needs of their local populations.The Scottish Government supports NHS Boards th…

20 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to increase the number of adult anaphylaxis clinics, in light of the reported growing need for services and increasing pressure on the West of Scotland Anaphylaxis Service.

Answer · Angela Constance: In considering the provision of specialist services, NHS Boards are expected to plan capacity in line with population need and service demand, supported by regional and national collaboration where appropriate.We are aware of pressures within some specialist …

19 May 2026 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, further to the answer to question S6W-44327 by Jackson Carlaw on 9 April 2026, whether it will provide an update on when it will conclude its work to review the provision of paternity and partner leave for MSP staff.

16 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding is available to local authorities for the rollout of 20mph speed limits in 2026-27.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: The Scottish Government is working closely with local authorities to understand their delivery plans, associated costs and implementation timelines to complete their roll out of 20 mph speed limits on appropriate roads. This collaborative process will inform …

16 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the national 20mph implementation group last met and what it discussed.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: A national 20 mph Task Group was established to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to the implementation of 20 mph speed limits across Scotland. The group last met on 24 January 2024 and guidance to support the rollout can be viewed at: The Implement…

16 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider the evidence base for the licensed killing of gannets on Sula Sgeir, in light of reports that no license has been applied for in 2026.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: Since the lodging of the members question, NatureScot have now received a licence application to permit the taking of gannets on Sula Sgeir.In determining an application for a licence, NatureScot must consider whether the hunt is sustainable, in that it would…

15 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to community speed watch initiatives.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: The Road Safety Framework to 2030 sets out Scotland’s ambition to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 50% and to have the best road safety performance in the world by 2030.To support this ambition, the Scottish Government is investing £41 millio…

15 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the roll-out of 20mph speed limits on all appropriate roads by local authorities.

Answer · Stephen Flynn: 12 local authorities have completed their rollout of 20 mph speed limits on appropriate roads with a further 4 due to complete by September. Officials are working closely with the remaining local authorities to support delivery across Scotland.

15 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with the roll-out of 20mph speed limits on roads managed by Transport Scotland

Answer · Stephen Flynn: The Scottish Government committed to implement 20mph speed limits on those roads where it is appropriate to do so across Scotland. Assessment criteria were prepared in conjunction with the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), Polic…

14 May 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of World Migratory Bird Day on 9 May 2026 and the reported decline in the number of swifts in recent years, when it plans to consult on the changes to building regulations required to bring into force the requirement for swift bricks included in the Natural Environment (Scotlan…

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of supporting biodiversity, including addressing the decline in species such as swifts, and acknowledges the significance of initiatives such as World Migratory Bird Day.The Natural Environment (Scotland) Act …

17 Mar 2026 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential public health impact of silica air pollution. 

12 Mar 2026 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what progress has been made towards reviewing allowances for paternity and parental partner leave for all staff.

Answer · Jackson Carlaw (on behalf of the SPCB): The SPCB is responsible for setting the minimum terms and conditions on which staff must be employed. The SPCB works in partnership with its recognised trade unions to agree terms and conditions for Scottish Parliamentary Service staff. Any changes …

10 Mar 2026 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of NHS Tayside having stopped accepting referrals for children without co-existing mental health disorders in March 2025, what further action it has taken to support children in accessing timely autism spectrum disorder assessments.  

10 Mar 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what funding will be available to local authorities that are still undertaking the roll out of 20mph zones to move forward, in light of the targeted £4 million funding not continuing beyond the fiscal year 2024-25.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government allocated £4 million in 2024-25 to support road authorities in the development and implementation of 20 mph speed limits on appropriate roads. A further £10 million was available in the current financial year, reflecting th…

10 Mar 2026 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress that Transport Scotland has made towards changing the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph on appropriate roads for which it is the transport authority.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is committed to introducing 20mph limits on appropriate roads across Scotland by the end of March 2026. Of the 75 locations on the trunk road network that were assessed as being appropriate for a reduced speed limit. Good progress has …