Parliamentary questions

Dean Lockhart

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

1 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it first became aware of potential issues with the dual-fuel engines ordered from the Finnish company, Wärtsilä, for the delivery of two ferries for the CalMac fleet.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government are aware the warranty on the engines for vessels 801 & 802 has lapsed. Discussions with CMAL and Ferguson Marine are ongoing on how to accommodate this.

1 Mar 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Finance, (b) Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport and (c) Minister for Transport last met representatives from Ferguson Marine to discuss the delivery of ferries for the CalMac fleet, and what specifically was discussed at an…

Answer · Kate Forbes: I have responsibility for Ferguson Marine and the vessels under construction there. I meet with the yards management on a fortnightly basis to drive faster progress, as well as receiving detailed monthly reports. Our last meeting was on 14 March 2022. I am a…

23 Feb 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report showing that Scotland lost on average four shops a day in 2021.

22 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the total cost of bringing the private rented sector up to an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C or above by 2025 for new tenancies and 2028 for all, and how much funding it will be providing to assist the private rented sector to comply with th…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: Modelling undertaken using the National Household Model (NHM), and by applying a minimum cost approach to achieving EPC C, indicates that it could cost up to £1.7bn to retrofit the private rented sector housing (PRS) stock to an EPC C, or as near to this stan…

22 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce the proposed regulations requiring the private rented sector to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C or above by (a) 2025 for new tenancies and (b) 2028 for all, and how the regulations will be enforced.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Heat in Buildings Strategy commits to introducing a Bill in the current session of the Scottish Parliament which, amongst a range of powers, will enable the application of minimum energy efficiency regulations in the private rented sector (PRS) from 2025.…

22 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what exemptions it anticipates will be included in the regulations requiring the private rented sector to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C or above by (a) 2025 for new tenancies and (b) 2028 for all.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: We plan to consult over the next year on our proposals for minimum energy efficiency regulations in private rented homes (and owner occupied homes). This consultation will include details of any proposed exemptions within the regulatory system and matters rel…

15 Feb 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans for a flexible skills and education system that can help meet net zero targets, as referred to in its Programme for Government 2021-22.

8 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown by (a) social, (b) local authority and (c) private-occupied housing of the number of domestic dwellings that will be covered by the Heat in Buildings Strategy and require upgrades on energy efficiency or new low-emission heating technologies.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Heat in Buildings Strategy is the foundation for delivering the heat transition in Scotland. It makes clear the Scottish Government’s intention to use regulation as part of a policy package that will ensure all buildings reach a good standard of energy ef…

8 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the reserves of an independent Scottish central bank would be funded entirely from an independent Scottish budget.

Answer · Kate Forbes: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05684 on 28 January 2022. 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…

8 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the proposed National Public Energy Agency will be operational; how many full-time dedicated staff it will employ; what its annual budget will be, and when it anticipates that the virtual agency will move to being a standalone organisation.

Answer · Michael Matheson: As set out in the Scottish Government's A Fairer, Greener Scotland: Programme for Government 2021-22, published on 7 September 2021, we made a commitment to create a National Public Energy Company. We will work to have a virtual agency established this year, …

25 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Green Heat Finance Taskforce was created; how many people it employs, and what its annual budget is.

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in October 2021, committed to establishing a Green Heat Finance Taskforce. This taskforce was created in December 2021 and will operate until September 2023. Taskforce members are participating …

19 Jan 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Stirling Council and what was discussed.

12 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many instances of (a) poaching and (b) coursing were recorded in (i) the Forth Valley, (ii) Fife and (iii) Perth and Kinross, in each of the last five years.

Answer · Keith Brown: Information on the number of offences recorded by Police Scotland of coursing (a. hunting with dogs) and poaching (b. poaching and game laws, including deer-related offences), from 2016-17 to 2020-21, is provided in the table below. Table 1. Offences of poac…

12 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle incidents of hare coursing across the Mid Scotland and Fife region.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Operation Wingspan, a Police Scotland led partnership operation which ran from October 2020 – October 2021, was a year-long commitment to raising awareness of wildlife crime priorities, including hare coursing. Police Scotland also contributed to Operation Ga…

12 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review sentences given to people found guilty of hare coursing under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Animals and Wildlife, Penalties, Powers and Protections (Scotland) Act 2020 recently introduced higher penalties for a range of wildlife crime offences including offences related to hare coursing. The Act increased the maximum penalty for killing or injur…

11 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reserves that would be required for an independent Scottish central bank.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government will bring forward a prospectus for an independent Scotland, including the arrangements for a central bank, in good time before the independence referendum to allow people to make an informed choice over their future.

16 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported policy of the Scottish Green Party that work on a new Scottish currency should start straight after any vote to agree to an independent Scotland.

Answer · Kate Forbes: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-05254 on 25 January 2022. 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…

16 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has adopted, as part of its plans for an independent Scotland, the terms of the motion reportedly passed at the SNP conference 2021 to establish a Scottish Central Bank and a new Scottish currency as soon as possible in an independent Scotland.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The pound sterling is Scotland’s currency and will continue to be on independence until it is judged that conditions are suitable for individuals and businesses to move to an independent Scottish currency. An independent Scotland will establish a Scottish Ce…

16 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it remains committed, in an independent Scotland, to retaining the pound sterling within a formal monetary union with the rest of the UK unless certain tests are met, and, if so, whether it will provide a breakdown of what those economic tests are.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Scotland will continue to use the pound sterling at the point of independence, establishing an independent Scottish currency as soon as practicable through a careful, managed and responsible transition when an independent Scottish parliament chooses to do so.…

16 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, under its plans for an independent Scotland, whether it will provide a detailed timetable for establishing a Scottish Central Bank and a new Scottish currency.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government will bring forward a prospectus for an independent Scotland in good time before the independence referendum to allow people to make an informed choice on their future.

16 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether, according to the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2020-21, taxes generated are greater or less than total public expenditure.

Answer · Kate Forbes: Information on the levels of tax and expenditure in the Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2020-21 publication is set out at: Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland 2020-21 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

15 Dec 2021 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the total value of applications received from local authorities was, as part of the £32 million Local Bridge Maintenance Fund.