Parliamentary questions
Graham Simpson
867 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
16 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the A96 Corridor Review, and for what reason it has been delayed.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government remains committed to improving the A96. This is despite stark challenges we face as a result of the severe budgetary restrictions imposed by the UK Government including an almost 9% cut in our capital budget. The current plan is to fu…
16 Apr 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26533 by Fiona Hyslop on 15 April 2024, when it will develop an implementation plan to deliver its vision for the public electric vehicle (EV) charging network, in line with the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliam…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: In 2023, SG published its Vision for Scotland’s Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network , highlighting the need for a transition towards a public charging network that is largely financed and delivered by the private sector. In late 2024 we will publish an…
28 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much the temporary relocation of the interim chief executive of Ferguson Marine will cost, and who will be responsible for paying for any such costs.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The new interim chief executive of Ferguson Marine is not entitled to relocation expenses. His remuneration package includes a travel and subsistence allowance and Ferguson Marine will pay any such costs properly incurred.
28 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the business plan for the future of Ferguson Marine, Port Glasgow.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Ferguson Marine Board shared their new business plan with Scottish Government on 5 April 2024. This is now being considered and an update will provided in due course.
28 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to subsidised bus travel for people in employment.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Fair Fares Review, published on 22 March 2024, considered the range of discounts and concessionary schemes which are available across all modes including bus, rail and ferry. On bus travel, the Review maintains existing eligibility to the National Conces…
28 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a decision on the proposals to reduce journey times between the Central Belt and Aberdeen by 20 minutes.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26336 on? 11 April 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-committe…
28 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason bus travel reportedly receives less funding than rail travel when it is the most popular form of public transport, according to the Scottish Transport Statistics 2023.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The nature of Scottish Government funding for bus and rail sectors is fundamentally different. Funding provided to the bus sector is primarily through reimbursement for concessionary travel schemes which provides free bus travel for eligible passengers, and t…
28 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it plans to meet its target of achieving a 20% reduction in car kilometres travelled by 2030, in light of 34% of people having driven every day in 2022, according to the Scottish Transport Statistics 2023.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26609 on 17 April 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…
28 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it plans to meet its target of achieving a 20% reduction in car kilometres travelled by 2030, in light of 47.4 billion vehicle kilometres having been travelled in 2022, according to the Scottish Transport Statistics 2023.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26609 on 17 April 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…
28 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it plans to meet its target of achieving a 20% reduction in car kilometres travelled by 2030, in light of 2022 having seen the highest recorded level of licensed motor vehicles, according to the Scottish Transport Statistics 2023.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Notwithstanding the fact that licensed motor vehicles, including cars, are at highest levels both in terms of number and age, we are committed to finding ways to make alternative travel modes more attractive, and supporting people to take fewer journeys by ca…
28 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it plans to meet its target of achieving a 20% reduction in car kilometres travelled by 2030, in light of road traffic having increased overall by 9% in 2022-23, according to the Scottish Transport Statistics 2023.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26609 on 17 April 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…
27 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its key goals for bus patronage are, and how these are different to the UK Government's goals, as set out in its National Bus Strategy: 2024 Bus Service Improvement Plans.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government’s vision and priorities for Scotland’s transport system, including bus patronage, are set out in the National Transport Strategy which was published in February 2020. The Scottish Government will continue to explore opportunities to ma…
27 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what elements of the UK Government's National Bus Strategy: 2024 Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs), regarding the approach to the preparation of BSIPs by English local transport authorities, it has rejected as a model for local transport in Scotland.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: It is important to clarify the difference between Bus services improvement partnerships (BSIPs) in the Scottish and UK context. BSIPs in Scotland are partnerships between local transport authorities and bus operators to improve bus services in their areas, an…
27 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how its approach to Bus Service Improvement Partnerships (BSIPs) differs to the equivalent plans of the UK Government.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The UK Government’s equivalent to Bus Services Improvement Partnerships (BSIPs) in Scotland are “Enhanced Partnerships”. Both models take a similar approach to partnership working, ensuring that operators and local transport authorities collaborate to achieve…
27 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what capacity grant funding it has provided to local authorities to support their plans for Bus Service Improvement Partnerships (BSIPs).
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Community Bus Fund is intended to support local transport authorities to improve local public transport in their areas. This can include exploring the full range of options set out in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, including Bus Services Improvement P…
27 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the recommendations in the Climate Change Committee’s 2023 Report to Parliament, how it plans to align its climate targets with the UK Government's targets, and, if it has no such plans, what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government continues to decarbonise faster than the UK average and is absolutely committed to reaching net zero by 2045 – five years ahead of the UK. The Scottish Government has no intention of delaying our net zero target date of 2045, in recogn…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that "the 20% [reduction in car kilometres] target is not achieved at the cost of exacerbating van traffic, particularly in urban areas", in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government wants a just transition to a fairer, greener transport system for all in Scotland. The final version of the route map to achieving a 20% reduction in car km will be published in the coming months. The draft route map recognised the nee…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will explore options to address the reported rise in van traffic, which "has risen faster than that of any other vehicle type in the past 20 years", in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government is grateful for the latest advice from the Climate Change Committee and remains fully committed to delivering net zero by 2045. As published alongside the statement to the Chamber on the Climate Change Bill, we will develop measures to…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will set out the impact of achieving its 20% car kilometres reduction target on the road building plans set out in its 2023-24 Programme for Government, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The future investment in our transport network will be set out in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) Delivery Plan. This will align with the sustainable mode and investment hierarchies. New roads projects will normally only be taken forwar…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a clear strategy on how a 20% reduction in car kilometres travelled will be achieved by 2030, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Our 2023 Programme for Government included a commitment to publish a final version of the route map to achieving the 20% car kilometre reduction this year, and we look forward to publishing this in the coming months.
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will address any challenges around decarbonising rail freight, especially on less busy lines "where network electrification is unlikely to be cost-effective", in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Freight transported by rail (whether hauled by diesel or electric locomotives) is an environmentally friendly mode of transport and a significant proportion of Scottish rail freight is already electrically-hauled. The Scottish Government’s leadership in suppo…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will conduct a "comprehensive assessment of the suitability of deploying shore power and electric recharging infrastructure at all Scotland’s major ports", in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has invested significantly in vessels and key ports and harbours to support lifeline ferry connections. Shore side power upgrades across the lifeline ferry network are planned for the introduction of new and current vessels. However, …
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a plan for meeting its commitment for 30% of Scottish Government-managed ferries to be low-emission by 2032, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-26543 on 17 April 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…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the Islands Connectivity Plan in full, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Islands Connectivity Plan Strategic Approach paper and the updated Vessels and Ports Plan were published for public consultation on 1 February 2024. One of the Priorities of the Plan is Low Carbon and ensuring that ferry services take action to reduce th…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will assist Scottish airports in developing the infrastructure required for aviation decarbonisation, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government’s Aviation Statement, which will be published shortly, will set out actions that the Scottish Government will take to help achieve our aviation emissions reduction targets. Our Hydrogen Innovation Scheme previously provided £150,000 of…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure greater low-carbon connectivity to Scottish airports, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government’s Aviation Statement, which will be published shortly, will set out actions that the Scottish Government will take to help achieve our aviation emissions reduction targets. Additionally, we have already set out 45 recommendations for …
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to provide details on how it will purchase low-emission aircrafts, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government will consider whether to buy low emission aircraft for use on the Glasgow to Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra air services, to replace the current Highlands and Islands Airports Limited owned aircraft, when such aircraft become commerciall…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to implement Air Departure Tax, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The introduction of Air Departure Tax (ADT) was deferred due to state aid issues raised in relation to the Highlands and Islands exemption. In January 2023, the UK Government replaced EU state aid rules with its own subsidy control regime. We continue to exp…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to set out how the aviation sector will decarbonise in line with Scotland’s emissions targets, while managing technology risks, in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government’s Aviation Statement, which will be published shortly, will set out actions that the Scottish Government will take to help achieve our aviation emissions reduction targets. As noted in the Climate Change Committee’s report, aviation de…
26 Mar 2024 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to work with the UK Government to co-develop "appropriate regulatory strategies for enabling operators to switch to zero-emission options", in light of the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation in its 2023 Report to Parliament.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government, working alongside the UK Government and the other devolved administrations, introduced the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes at the start of 2024. These schemes put legal obligations on car and van manufacturers to sell new zero emiss…