Questions and answers

Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for ��˿�� to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S5W-09140

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 17 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what contact it (a) has had and (b) plans with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that the Great Repeal Bill takes account of the devolved aspects of environmental protection.

The Scottish Government has held discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, alongside the other Devolved Administrations, on the UK leaving the European Union. The discussions have covered a range of issues, with an update provided by the UK Government on its published Great Repeal Bill White Paper at the recent Ministerial meeting which took place on the 20 April 2017.

To date, the UK Government has engaged in very limited discussions with the Scottish Government on the Great Repeal Bill and the Scottish Government continues to seek greater clarity from the UK Government on the detail of their legislative planning for the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

Question reference: S5W-09139

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 17 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to uphold all EU laws, including preambles of such legislation, that impact on devolved aspects of environmental protection, including bringing forward any (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation that might be required following Brexit.

The Scottish Government will seek to continue to play a key role in contributing to EU-wide environmental policies, including leadership on climate change, and has committed we maintain, protect and enhance our environment. Membership of the European Union has delivered considerable environmental benefits for individuals, businesses and communities across Scotland.

Many matters relating to the environment and climate change are within the devolved competence of the Scottish Parliament. EU obligations in these matters are implemented in Scotland in a way designed to meet conditions in Scotland. When the UK leaves the EU, the Scottish Government expects to exercise full competence across devolved areas such as environmental policy.

The Scottish Government would welcome clarification from the UK Government of its intentions for the future development of environmental policy, and how this will relate to trading arrangements with the EU and other trading partners. The UK Government has engaged in very limited discussions with the Scottish Government on the Great Repeal Bill. Without greater engagement from the UK Government on the detail of legislative planning for EU withdrawal, it is difficult to set out the amount and type of legislation required to ensure we achieve our ambitions for Scotland's environment.

Question reference: S5W-09148

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 16 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of toxic fly ash being deposited on West Fife villages following the draining of the Valleyfield ash lagoons.

Ash clouds have affected the local communities near the Valleyfield ash lagoons; a situation which has been exacerbated by recent very dry weather. In responding to the situation SEPA have undertaken enforcement action with the site operator to support the resolution of this issue. In particular additional dust suppression measures have been put in place to avoid repetition and SEPA have established additional environmental monitoring and put in place a daily staff presence at the site.

Question reference: S5W-08974

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 11 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported damage to flame shell beds in Loch Carron, which are not protected in law, when it will publish a timetable for the proposed Inshore Fisheries Bill as part of the Inshore Fisheries Strategy, which committed to consider measures "to facilitate spatial management measures, devolve local management and give greater responsibilities to coastal communities, or tackle long standing management challenges".

Question reference: S5O-00984

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 May 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many planning appeals determined under ministerial direction in the last year have been contrary to local development plans.

Question reference: S5W-08971

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 10 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many vessels will be licensed as part of the controlled trial of electrofishing for razor clams, and on what basis they will be selected.

Question reference: S5O-00957

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 May 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the effects of noise pollution on public health.

Question reference: S5W-08851

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 2 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government which ministerial powers conferred by the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 have not yet been used, and which of these are for making orders or regulations by statutory instrument.

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, which is available at , sets out the powers conferred on Scottish Ministers. This website also contains all legislation using powers under the 2009 Act, enabling identification of ministerial powers that have not been used for making provision by orders or regulations. Sections 51, 52 and 87 of the 2009 Act confer ministerial powers that have not been used for making provision other than by orders or regulations.

Question reference: S5W-08853

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 2 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government which sections of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 have not yet commenced.

Question reference: S5W-08969

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 2 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consult (a) local community groups and (b) other non-fishery stakeholders prior to the designation of the geographical study areas for the controlled trial of electrofishing for razor clams.