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: S6W-05351

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 20 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that adequate transport links to the Isle of Harris are maintained during (a) 2022 and (b) the shoulder months while the Uig Harbour upgrade takes place.

The existing Uig-Tarbert ferry timetable will be maintained in 2022, with formalised deployment of the mezzanine decks to ensure the timetable can be delivered within the operational challenges. We have asked CalMac to continue to closely monitor the route and maximise the use of space on the vessel.

CalMac has revised the initial proposals and these represent the best available options to maximise capacity on the Skye Triangle routes for Summer 2022.

The planned upgrade of Uig Harbour by The Highland Council is required to ensure continuity of ferry services to Harris. The closure is essential to allow major investment in replacing life expired infrastructure and improving the resilience of Uig harbour for the benefit of the Skye Triangle routes. This follows the significant recent investment in the upgrade of Tarbert harbour on Harris. The works have been scheduled out with seasonal peaks, however we regret any associated disruption.

CalMac recently undertook community consultation, including at Tarbert (Harris) Community Centre, on plans to introduce an alternative ferry service while work at Uig is underway. The consultation closed on 7 January and community feedback will be presented to Transport Scotland and Scottish Ministers for careful consideration prior to any final decision on this matter.

Question reference: S6O-00658

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 20 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what it is doing to ensure that islanders are represented on the boards of David MacBrayne Ltd, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and CalMac Ferries Ltd.

As Alasdair Allan is aware, since becoming Transport Minister, I have been determined to ensure the views, knowledge and experience of island residents informs the delivery of ferry and other relevant transport services. I am clear that I would very much favour an island-based presence on the boards of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and David MacBrayne Ltd. I understand the disappointment that the most recent round of appointments did not address such concerns therefore I have tasked the new Chair of the David MacBrayne board with exploring how we might achieve this, as one of his first priorities.

Question reference: S6O-00684

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is offered to patients and authorised escorts who need to travel significant distances for medical appointments.

Question reference: S6W-05235

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 24 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that only a small amount of people have engaged a local provider to apply for their R100 interim voucher, what communication it has made with eligible households in the Western Isles to inform them of the impending deadline for doing so.

The interim voucher portion of the Reaching 100% Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme (R100 SBVS) has been extended by three months, taking the closure date from 31 December 2021 to 31 March 2022. This extension was announced via a news release and Digital Scotland social media accounts on 1 December 2021, and was subject to positive coverage across local and national news outlets. I also publicly announced the extension during Portfolio Questions on 9 December 2021.

All information on the Scotland Superfast website, including FAQs, has subsequently been updated. Officials have also briefed Scottish Local Authorities – including Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – on this.

We are planning further promotional activity in early 2022 to make members of the public aware of the impending deadline.

Question reference: S6W-04548

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 22 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government by what date its review of arrangements for the provision of financial support for patient travel will commence.

Question reference: S6O-00606

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what work is being undertaken to change electricity levy schemes to tackle fuel poverty in rural and island areas of the north of Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-04871

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 20 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how a commissioning model for the National Care Service would account for a situation where the majority of services available to commission are those provided by one organisation, for example, by a local authority.

The consultation on the National Care Service closed on 2 November 2021. We are currently analysing the consultation responses and will develop specific policy proposals, including on commissioning, once that analysis has been completed.

There is a commitment to co-design of a future National Care Service with people with lived and living experience of social care support, including those who access care, carers and care workers. The geography and demography of Scotland, including the unique circumstances of islands, will need to be central to that future co-design process.

Question reference: S6W-05101

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 10 December 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Angus Robertson on 13 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Cardiff.

On 19 November 2021, the Welsh Government hosted a summit meeting of the British-Irish Council. The meeting was attended by Ministers from all of the Member Administrations with Guernsey joining virtually, and was chaired by the First Minister of Wales. The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy represented the Scottish Government in person, and I attended virtually.

The meeting focused on Indigenous, Minority and Lesser Used Languages (IML) with particular regard to Early Years learning. The use of these languages was encouraged at the summit with First Minister Drakeford speaking in Welsh for large parts of the proceedings. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy gave an update on Scotland’s Economic Recovery from Covid in Gaelic, with simultaneous translation being provided for those present.

A meeting between portfolio ministers of the BIC administrations took place on the topic of IML ahead of the summit on Wednesday 17 November where the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills represented the Scottish Government.

The Council reflected on the latest political developments across their jurisdictions, and took the opportunity to engage on a number of topics of mutual interest, including the economy, trade, ongoing relations with the EU and the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). Ministers discussed the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the progress of post-pandemic recovery programmes.

The Communiqué that was issued by the British-Irish Council after the meeting can be found on its website at:

Question reference: S6W-04632

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 8 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what areas of activity of David MacBrayne Ltd and CalMac Ferries would typically be considered appropriate for an Island Communities Impact Assessment under the duties of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.

Question reference: S6W-04589

Asked by: Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 3 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it can make to the UK Government in response to reports that some businesses in Scotland are facing difficulties supplying smoked salmon direct to customers in the EU via mail order, with shipments, sometimes with accompanying health certificates, being delayed or rejected by customs officials, in light of reported assurances by the UK Government that such certificates should not be required for shipments of up to 20kg.

The Scottish Government has a number of ways to engage with UK Government on trade matters and has championed the interests of Scottish seafood exporters throughout the EU exit and trade negotiations process. That work continues through the Scottish Seafood Industry Action Group.

The issue of delayed or rejected smoked salmon consignments has not been raised with the Scottish Government directly. I wrote to the member on 2 December 2021 to seek further information and to put the affected business(es) in touch with my officials directly.