Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 1463 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S7W-03456

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 21 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 2 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether Ferguson Marine has ordered a new panel line from Pemamek and, if so, when it will be (a) installed and (b) commissioned for steel fabrication at the shipyard.

Question reference: S7W-03050

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Hannah Mary Goodlad on 2 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what specific statutory powers it would rely upon to prevent the construction of a small modular reactor (SMR) or advanced modular reactor (AMR) with a generating capacity of less than 50MW, in light of such installations not requiring consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 from Scottish Ministers and being ordinarily determined by the local planning authority.

Question reference: S7W-03433

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 2 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the contribution that Scotland’s civil nuclear sector could make to developing the next generation of skilled workers, including through apprenticeships and opportunities for young people.

The Scottish Government has not made a specific assessment of the sector’s future role in skills development.

We recognise that apprenticeships play a vital role in giving young people a pathway into a rewarding career and providing a way for employers to invest in their workforce and we are committed to expanding our modern and graduate apprenticeship offer.

Engineering and energy-related frameworks accounted for 7.5% of new apprenticeship starts and 15.7% of all Modern Apprenticeships in training during 2025–26.

The Scottish Government provided around £198 million to support around 25,500 new Modern Apprenticeships (MA), 5,000 new Foundation Apprenticeships and 1,500 new Graduate Apprenticeships in 2024-25. We have also committed to supporting more than 150,000 apprenticeship opportunities over the course of this Parliament and to introducing an Apprenticeship Accelerator Grant.

Question reference: S7W-03434

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 1 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the role that the 851 civil nuclear workers at Torness play in supporting Scotland’s energy security.

Question reference: S7W-03435

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 18 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Gethins on 1 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential for new nuclear development at Torness to increase employment beyond the 851 civil nuclear jobs currently supported at the site.

Question reference: S7O-00363

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 October 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to embed the principle of subsidiarity into its proposed public sector reform.

Question reference: S7W-03342

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Dalzell’s role in UK and Scottish defence, shipbuilding and infrastructure supply chains, and what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the designation of the mill as a public-interest steel asset under the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026.

Question reference: S7W-03340

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish its latest contingency analysis relating to Dalzell and Clydebridge to enable Parliament to scrutinise the options being considered.

Question reference: S7W-03346

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the economic impact on Motherwell, Cambuslang and the wider Lanarkshire supply chain should the Dalzell plate mill close permanently.

Question reference: S7W-03345

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 29 September 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the suitability of GFG Alliance as the long-term owner of Scotland’s last plate mill, and what evidence underpins its position.