Parliamentary questions

Graham Simpson

867 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

20 Nov 2023 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the chief executive of Ferguson Marine is still entitled to a bonus despite the First Minister saying that he thought the practice should end.

15 Nov 2023 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what consideration it has given to allowing events to start in the Parliament building while Members' Business debates are ongoing.

Answer · Christine Grahame (on Behalf of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body: To enable all Members to take part in events and recognising that parliamentary business needs to take precedence, events do not take place at the same time as parliamentary business in the chamber. However, the SPCB recognises that events involve a great de…

10 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To as the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to evaluate the outcomes of Project CAVForth, and what its anticipated next steps are for autonomous buses.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland's involvement in Project CAVForth demonstrates the Scottish Government's belief that a modern transport system is fundamental to sustainable and inclusive economic growth and has the potential to deliver economic and societal benefits. Tra…

7 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to change the reference point for mobile home pitch fees from retail prices index (RPI) to consumer prices index (CPI), in light of the UK Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Act 2023.

Answer · Paul McLennan: Following the necessary consultation , the Scottish Government confirmed in June 2023 that it intends to update the Mobile Homes Act 1983 to change the presumed basis of pitch fee uprating from the Retail Prices Index to the Consumer Prices Index, for both …

7 Nov 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to carry out its commitment to put community audiology services on a par with free community eye care services.

31 Oct 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported problems with affordability and low awareness of home energy upgrades and retrofit schemes.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: We provide a range of funding schemes to provide advice and financial support to help households install energy efficiency upgrades and clean heating. This includes our Warmer Homes Scotland scheme which provides a fully funded, full installation service to t…

31 Oct 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve awareness of home energy upgrades and retrofit schemes, in light of reported data from the Chartered Institute of Buildings, which found that two in five residents cannot afford these upgrades and that 39% of those surveyed had not heard of any Scottis…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Our home energy upgrade and retrofit schemes provide high levels of support. For example, eligible households can access up to £15,000 in grants and interest free loans to install clean heating systems and energy efficiency measures. Up to £18,000 is availabl…

17 Oct 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it has ensured that the manufacture of the MV Glen Sannox fully meets classification society rules.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Construction and certification of the MV Glen Sannox in accordance with the contract as a passenger vessel with the relevant classification and safety certificates is the responsibility of the ship builder, Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd (FMPG). Both Scot…

22 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what data it currently collects on fires related to lithium-ion batteries used in electric micro-mobility vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters, and, if this data is not currently collected, what plans it has to undertake such data collection in the future.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service utilises the Home Office Incident Recording System (IRS) to capture incident data. Whilst there is currently no specific category to record incidents caused by lithium-ion batteries, this information can be recorded as “f…

21 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the safety of lithium-ion batteries used in electric micro-mobility vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters.

Answer · Tom Arthur: While product safety policy remains reserved, the Scottish Government fully recognises the harm that the misuse of lithium-ion batteries can bring to those using electric micro-mobility vehicles. I met recently with Electrical Safety First and the Scottish F…

19 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce a nationwide multi-modal smartcard.

16 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the estimated cost would be of introducing 20mph zones across Scotland, and what analysis has been undertaken on the potential cost to the Scottish economy of introducing 20mph speed limits.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government have supported local road authorities with £1.4 million in funding to undertake the necessary roads assessments which will determine the number of roads affected and the financial implications of introducing the national strategy for 2…

13 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether agreement has been reached to upgrade Ardrossan Harbour in order that it can facilitate the Glen Sannox ferry once it is complete.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Procurement of the upgrade works at Ardrossan has been paused. Please refer to my letter to Task force members dated 15 August 2023 informing them of the decision. Minister for Transport – Letter to Task Force members August 2023 | Transport Scotland And a…

13 Sep 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to keep pace with the EU Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation, particularly in relation to maximum distances between EV charging stations and hydrogen fuel stations.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government will implement all relevant regulation to improve consumer experience of public charge points for electric vehicles in Scotland. In June 2023 Transport Scotland published A Network Fit For The Future: Vision for Scotland’s Public Elec…

5 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what cross-government consideration there has been regarding the use of tunnels to improve connectivity between the islands.

3 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the levels of funding have been for the operation of rail services in each of the last five years, and how that funding compares with the funding for bus services in the same periods.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The levels of funding associated with bus and rail operations can be found in Transport Scotland's annual accounts. Please note the annual accounts for 1 April 2022 – 31 March 2023 will be available later this year. Links provided below for the five years as…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ban the consumption of alcohol on the Caledonian Sleeper.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: There are currently no plans to ban the consumption of alcohol on Caledonian Sleeper services.

14 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a Rural Delivery Plan, as committed to in its publication, Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership – A fresh start.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: As committed to in the Policy Prospectus ‘Equality, opportunity, community: New Leadership - A Fresh Start’, the Scottish Government will publish the Rural Delivery Plan within the lifetime of this parliament. It will set out how all parts of the Scottish Gov…

13 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support grassroots sport in Scotland.

29 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to add National Entitlement Cards to ScotRail ticket machines as an option to access concessionary train tickets for the card holder and their companions.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Local authorities subsidise the range of existing rail concession schemes and as such require ScotRail to sell tickets via stations and on train only to avoid fraudulent activity. ScotRail advise it is working with partners to identify cost effective solutio…