John Mason

3 Jun 2024 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the NatureScot licensing review.

Answer · Jim Fairlie: NatureScot have recently published the terms of reference and outline timescales of the licensing review on their website at https://www.nature.scot/doc/species-licensing-review-terms-reference and https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas…

21 May 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact on the food and drink sector of reports that many food and drink businesses are owned and controlled from outwith Scotland.  

20 May 2024 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is regarding any implications for community safety to the events that occurred in Trongate, Glasgow, following Celtic Football Club’s league title win.

22 Apr 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its involvement in the proposals for Glasgow to potentially host the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

18 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport's recommendations for the future delivery of the regional bus network.

15 Mar 2024 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on printer maintenance and any other maintenance issues within the MSP block.

Answer · Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB): A recent audit of the Multi-function Devices (MFD) highlighted that there was an issue with this particular MFD and this was taken forward by BIT, who deal with software issues in the first instance. Additionally, there were five entries recorded for this MFD…

6 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what cross-government action it is taking to improve island connectivity, in order to support measures to increase the population of Scotland's islands.

17 Jan 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether a greater increase in the Scottish Child Payment or a Council Tax freeze will do more to help families in poverty.

11 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the costs of the licensing schemes contained within the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill will be covered by the licence fees.

15 Nov 2023 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will consider having a third exhibition area, in light of there being considerable demand for such spaces.

3 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will publish its research, conducted by Rocket Science, into vigils and protests that take place outside of hospitals and clinics offering abortion services.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The independent research which aims to examine the impact and scale of vigils and protests which take place outside of healthcare settings providing abortion services is ongoing. The research was commissioned by the former Ministerial-led working group on sa…

6 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further information regarding the Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group.

29 Aug 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential introduction of strict liability in Scottish football.

11 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent known level at which business rates begin to be paid for the rateable value of individual properties is in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with the level in (a) England and (b) Wales.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Budget delivered a package of reliefs for 2023-24 worth £749 million, including the Small Business Bonus Scheme which offers up to 100% relief for eligible individual properties in Scotland with a rateable value of up to £20,000. To improve the …

11 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the most recent known level of Income Tax paid at the UK median wage for all employees is in Scotland, and what information it has on how this compares with the level paid in the rest of the UK.

Answer · Shona Robison: According to the latest available data from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2022, the median wage for employees in the UK was £27,756 in 2022. At this level of income, and at the 2023-24 rates and bands of Scottish Income Tax, someone in Scotl…

13 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the future of community link practitioners working with GP practices, in particular in more deprived areas.  

12 Jun 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government plans to mark Clean Air Day.

7 Jun 2023 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on the efficiency of the passholder secure entry system to the Parliament, in light of reports that passholders are experiencing difficulties in gaining access.  

18 Apr 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider making proven and not proven the two available verdicts in the criminal courts.

23 Mar 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the introduction of its proposed Scottish Aggregates Levy Bill.

Answer · Tom Arthur: The Programme for Government 2022-2023 set out a commitment to introduce a Scottish Aggregates Levy Bill within this Parliamentary year. The Bill will set out key arrangements for a devolved tax on the commercial exploitation of aggregates in Scotland, includ…

21 Feb 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether current funding for colleges is fair, when compared to the funding received by universities.

15 Feb 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether housing associations should remain independent where possible, rather than being subsumed by larger organisations.

24 Jan 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether any increased number and cost of commissions and commissioners for which it is responsible will mean resources being diverted away from frontline services.

23 Jan 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the second round of the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund allocations in Scotland.

13 Dec 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the new North East Hub Health and Care Centre in Parkhead, Glasgow.

16 Nov 2022 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether MSPs and their staff are putting their rubbish in the correct bins for recycling or otherwise.

14 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Friends of the Earth Scotland report, Hydrogen’s Role in Scotland’s Climate Journey.

7 Nov 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role car clubs can play in reducing the number of private cars in Scotland's cities.

2 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether there are households that took on a pet during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now struggling to look after them, in light of the cost of living crisis.

22 Jun 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its latest assessment is of the impact of Brexit on the Scottish seed potato industry.