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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 MSPs 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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-44065

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 12 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the forthcoming long-term location policy supports, rather than disadvantages, rural and island communities, and whether it will consult with affected staff and trade unions, including the PCS Highlands and Islands Branch, before finalising the long-term location policy.

The Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government has responsibility for the operational running of the organisation, including matters relating to workforce location policy.

The Scottish Government is committed to working in partnership with our recognised trade unions. The decision on the revised hybrid working policy was informed by a working group that included trade union representatives. As part of the implementation process, the organisation has committed to establishing a formal location policy. I understand that work will include consideration of any impacts on colleagues in rural and island communities and will be informed by consultation with staff networks and recognised trade unions via the Council of Scottish Government Unions. Work to finalise the location policy is expected to conclude later in 2026.

I would encourage the member to direct any further questions on this matter to the Permanent Secretary.

Question reference: S6O-05678

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its environmental strategy and responsibilities, what evaluation it has made of the UK Government’s Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security, published in January 2026.

Question reference: S6W-44182

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in the interest of helping to ensure the sustainability of fishing activity in Scottish waters, whether it has any plans to call on other fisheries administrations that are responsible in adjacent waters to align with Scotland’s remote electronic monitoring requirements for relevant pelagic boats.

Question reference: S6W-44181

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm that all EU-flagged pelagic freezer trawlers that have operated in Scottish waters in the last year are now compliant with Scotland’s remote electronic monitoring requirements for relevant pelagic boats.

Question reference: S6W-44129

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 March 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 23 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve evidence gathering and support for Police Scotland in wildlife crime cases, in light of reports that 22% of received cases resulted in no action being taken, primarily due to insufficient evidence.

Question reference: S6W-43989

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 12 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding bioaerosols in the salmon sector, what assessment it has made of their prevalence or impact in the farming industry, including any implications for workers’ health and safety, and what discussions it has had with the Health and Safety Executive regarding the monitoring and regulation of their use.

Question reference: S6W-43942

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 11 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to provide access to NHS dentists across the Highlands and Islands.

Question reference: S6W-43830

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether people can raise objections to the Energy Consents Unit by email, and, if not, what consideration it has given to the accessibility of the Energy Consents Unit online submission portal for people in rural and island communities with slow or unreliable broadband, and what alternative arrangements are available for members of the public who cannot reasonably use the portal.

Question reference: S6W-43845

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports that the Scottish salmon industry recorded 1,274 weekly sea lice counts exceeding the industry’s Code of Good Practice guidelines in the last year, and whether it considers that the current regulatory framework for sea lice management is adequate.

Question reference: S6W-43566

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 17 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Home Office regarding its plans for Cameron barracks in Inverness, including clarifications on the expected duration of use, operational arrangements and impacts on local services, and whether it will provide details of any representations it has made.

I met Alex Norris, UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, on 4 November and 15 December 2025 to seek clarity on Home Office plans to use Cameron Barracks as asylum accommodation.

The Scottish Government has pressed for clear and timely communication with delivery partners, including a timeline for arrivals, public information for the local community, and assurances that any additional costs incurred by NHS Highland and The Highland Council will be met by the UK Government.

An Operational Working Group has been established by the Home Office, involving the Scottish Government, NHS Highland, The Highland Council, and Police Scotland.

Despite repeated requests, the Home Office has not provided a timeline for arrivals, nor confirmed that a final decision on the use of the site has been taken.