Parliamentary questions
Richard Leonard
963 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to publish the names of candidate operators expressing interest in the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract before the invitation to tender is published in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 will be competitively procured via the restricted procedure in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Transport Scotland has no plans to publish the names of interested parties before the issue of…
12 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, with reference to the Prior Information Notice published on 4 March 2026, whether it plans to exercise powers under Regulation 29(8) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 to set a time limit on the receipt of tenders for the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIF…
Answer · Jim Fairlie: Transport Scotland will set a time limit which is proportionate and appropriate for this competition. This will be applied consistently to all invited bidders and will exceed the minimum time limit of 30 days set out by Regulation 29(6).
12 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the cost to the public purse of delivering the full tender process for the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract, and whether it anticipates to make savings through the use of the Restricted Procedure under Regulation 29 of the Public Contracts (Sc…
Answer · Jim Fairlie: Transport Scotland is committed to undertaking a complete procurement via the Restricted Procedure. Due attention is being given to the cost to the public purse as the specification is being developed, the impact of which will be limited by an effective tende…
12 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prepare a public sector bid for the the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 (NIFS4) contract, which is due to start on 1 July 2028, in line with Regulation 29 (Restricted Procedure) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government does not intend to prepare a public sector bid for the Northern Isles Ferry Services 4 contract. Candidates invited to submit a tender will be selected using the Single Procurement Document process in accordance with the Public Contrac…
11 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and audit checks and (b) other risk assessments Scottish Forestry carries out of applicants for forestry grants.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Full details of how the Scottish Government undertakes these checks and risk assessments can be found on Scottish Forestry’s website. Forestry Grant Scheme guidance on financial eligibility is set out on the How to apply page. Information on the support…
11 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will establish an enforcement powers working group for the (a) passenger ferry, (c) bus and tram and (c) taxi sector, similar to the rail enforcement powers working group that was established in 2025.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The safety of staff and passengers across Scotland’s transport network is a clear priority for the Scottish Government. Transport Scotland officials are assessing the Rail Enforcement Powers Working Group’s recommendations and as part of this they…
11 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what purpose Scottish Forestry has awarded grants to Jahama Highland Estates, which is part of the GFG Alliance group.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Jahama Highland Estates own two large areas of land, the western estates of Mamore and Killiechonate at Fort William and Glenshero in the upper Spey.The latest Forestry Grant Scheme award will support a landscape scale project near Fort William focused on dee…
11 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list the grants that Scottish Forestry has awarded to Jahama Highland Estates, which is part of the GFG Alliance group.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The table shows the Scottish Forestry grant awards to SIMEC Lochaber Hydropower 2 Ltd. since they purchased the Jahama Highland Estate in 2016.YearReference No.Project NameGrant Value(£ millions)Activity Description202525FGS89079Mamore & Killiechona…
11 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing the recommendation of the rail enforcement powers working group that it explores the introduction of new primary legislation to create greater legal protections for rail workers, including what discussions have taken place between its Transport…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government recognises that there is a desire for enhanced legal protections for rail workers, and sees the merit in exploring future legislative option, which is why I have accepted the recommendations included in the report delivered by the Rail…
10 Mar 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is content with the governance, accountability and delivery of both Scotland’s water supply and wastewater treatment services.
5 Mar 2026 · SPCB Oral Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will reinstate the bust of Michael "Mick" McGahey previously displayed in the Garden Lobby.
25 Feb 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is confident that the changes to the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff will be fully implemented by 1 April 2026.
19 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of severe weatherconditions in Scotland on (a) port infrastructure and (b) the road networksupporting private ferry services operated between Scotland and NorthernIreland, since 1 November 2025 to date, and whether it will raise these matters wit…
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has not made an assessment of the impact of severe weather conditions in Scotland on the port infrastructure supporting private ferry services operated between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Port authorities across Scotland continue to…
19 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to monitor the effect of recent severe weather conditions on the resilience of Scotland’s rail infrastructure, and when it last met officials from Network Rail Scotland to discuss these matters.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Transport Scotland officials meet regularly with Network Rail to discuss and monitor the resilience of Scotland’s rail infrastructure, especially in the context of our changing climate.The Scottish Government is committed to the continued investment in …
19 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a list of the (a) delays to and (b) cancellations of (i) Western Ferries and (ii) Pentland Ferries services as a result of severe weather conditions since 1 November 2025 to date.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. The member may wish to request this information directly from Western Ferries and Pentland Ferries which are both privately owned and operated companies.
19 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a list of the (a) delays to and (b) cancellations of (i) CalMac Ferries, (ii) Serco NorthLink Ferries and (iii) Orkney Ferries services as a result of severe weather conditions since 1 November 2025 to date.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: A table has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (BIB Number 66507) that provides delays and cancellations of CalMac Ferries and Serco NorthLink Ferries.Weather related cancellation and delay figures for CalMac Ferries have been provided …
19 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the (a) delays to and (b) cancellations of (i) ScotRail and (ii) Caledonian Sleeper services as a result of severe weather conditions since 1 November 2025 to date.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This is an operational matter for ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper. The member may wish to contact them directly for the information.In addition, the ORR publishes statistical information on performance data regularly. Information can be accessed here: Passeng…
17 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce interim national safeguards to empower healthcare staff as well as patients, their families and carers, to trigger an urgent clinical review where there are concerns that a patient’s condition is deteriorating, pending the recommendations of the short-term…
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland has fair and reliable access to the protections offered by Martha’s Rule, which empowers patients and families to escalate concerns about care.The right to request a second opini…
17 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what specific lessons learnt, if any, it has taken from the pilot of Martha’s Rule initiative across 143 hospital sites in NHS England, and for what reason it considers it necessary to duplicate the pilot process prior to introducing a similar initiative in Scotland.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government has considered the learning from NHS England’s pilots and recognised that there is opportunity to further embed the principles of Martha’s Rule alongside the Essentials of Safe Care approach that already forms part of the S…
17 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what rights patients, their families and carers currently have to secure an urgent review when they consider that a patient’s condition is deteriorating and their concerns are not being acted upon.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Charter of Patient Rights and Responsibilities (Patient Charter) was established by the Patient Rights(Scotland) Act 2011 which enshrined the right to request a second opinion. It works along with the Scottish Patient Safety Programme’s work in the …
17 Feb 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that public transport workers can go to work without the fear of assault.
11 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take steps to establish the number of (a) Network Rail Scotland full-time equivalent employees and (b) Network Rail Scotland supply chain contractors allocated to drainage works on track infrastructure in Scotland since 2024 to date.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This is a matter for Network Rail. The Member may wish to contact this organisation directly.
11 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many additional full-time equivalent employees have been employed by Network Rail Scotland in each year since 2024, including tier 1 and 2 contractors in Network Rail Scotland’s supply chain.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-43658 on 18 February 2026. 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…
11 Feb 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take steps to establish Network Rail Scotland’s actual spend on drainage works to date in Control Period 7, and what percentage this represents of the total Control Period 7 budget for drainage works on Scotland’s rail infrastructure to 2029.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Network Rail is responsible for the delivery of these works; and it is held to account by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The Member may wish to approach these organisations directly for further details.
3 Feb 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to ensure that seasonal workers can expect to be provided with accommodation, which meets agreed standards during their stay in Scotland.
30 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the inquest into the death of former professional Scotland footballer Gordon McQueen and the findings by the senior coroner, Jonathan Heath, that “on the balance of probability that repeatedly heading footballs contributed to his developing chronic traumatic encephalop…
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: As outlined in the response to PQ S6W-43490 on 6 February 2026, the Scottish Government wants to ensure that Employment Injury Assistance better meets Scotland’s needs than the current UK Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) which is why longe…
30 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation and involvement it has had with trade unions in the development of Employment Injury Assistance.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the involvement of trade unions in the development of Employment Injury Assistance. A public consultation was held in 2024 on the next steps for the delivery of Employment Injury Assistance. This consultation w…
30 Jan 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline the work that is being done in the development of Employment Injury Assistance to consider whether all current qualifying prescribed conditions for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit will remain and if other conditions will be added.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government is prioritising longer-term reform so that Employment Injury Assistance best meets Scotland’s needs. This approach was backed by the largest number of responses to our consultation in 2024.As set out in the consultation response,…
20 Jan 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the United States Consul General in Edinburgh to discuss Scotland’s international strategy.
12 Jan 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it has entered into with the Scottish Information Commissioner regarding the publication of the controlling interests of recipients of payments made under the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024.