Chamber and committees

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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

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Question reference: S6W-43142

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Friday, 16 January 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6O-05362 by Kate Forbes on 14 January 2026, by what date before the end of the current parliamentary session the Cabinet Secretary for Transport will provide an update on the procurement method for the dualling of the section of the A96 between Inverness and Auldearn and the Nairn by-pass, and what the timetable is for its construction.

The position of the Scottish Government has not changed: we support fully dualling the A96 and we are already starting the dualling process from Inverness to Nairn, including a Nairn Bypass.

The commitment to progressing A96 dualling is included in the Scottish Spending Review 2026 along with the Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline 2026, both of which were published on 13 January 2026.

Investment in the trunk road network over the four year Capital Spending Review period to 2029/30 will allow us to make further progress on dualling the A96 between Inverness and Nairn, including the Nairn Bypass.

With the land acquired for the scheme in 2025, funding is included in the 2026-27 draft Budget to commence the delivery of advanced works. This will include vital archaeological investigation works and other key environmental and ecological measures, along with significant work to facilitate complex Public Utility diversions.

In parallel to the advanced works, this investment in 2026-27 will also allow Transport Scotland to continue to take forward the work to determine the most suitable procurement option for delivering this scheme and further develop the Business Case.

The Scottish Government’s preference would be to deliver the A96 Dualling Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) as one project. However, due to the continued fiscal challenges, it is planned that we will take forward a phased approach to delivery, starting with the Nairn Bypass, followed by the remaining sections of the scheme, from Seafield, east of Inverness, to Balloch and then on from Balloch to the Nairn Bypass.

Completion of the preparatory work, including approval of the Business Case, will enable a firm timetable for delivery to be set as part of the annual budget setting process, with a view to commencing procurement of the main works contract for the Nairn Bypass within this capital spending review period.

The Capital Spending Review allows for the commencement of the construction of the Nairn Bypass in 2029-30, subject to business case approval and confirmation of funding beyond the spending review period. We also expect to commence the delivery of advanced works for the Seafield to Balloch section of the scheme during this capital spending review period.

Question reference: S6W-43510

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it currently expects to commence section 10 of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022.

Question reference: S6W-43517

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with (a) Scottish Athletics and (b) Scottish Schools Athletics regarding the consumption of caffeinated chewing gum, including discussion on any potential health risks that it poses for young people participating in athletics.

Question reference: S6W-43516

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review any health risks associated with young people in Scotland consuming caffeinated chewing gum, in light of the warning issued by the Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards department on 9 October 2025 regarding such products.

Question reference: S6W-43513

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-42757 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 15 January 2026, for what reason the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is not made in advance of, or at the outset of, winter.

Question reference: S6W-43520

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect the genetic, ecological and morphometric forms of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Loch Laidon.

Question reference: S6W-43505

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for Healthcare Infection Incident Assessment reports, and under what circumstances ministers are notified of these.

Question reference: S6W-43502

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many Healthcare Infection Incident Assessment reports were received from (a) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, (b) NHS Lothian and (c) other NHS boards, broken down by hospital, between 2015 and March 2018, also broken down by how many were red alerts and notified to ministers, and what action was taken in each case.

Question reference: S6W-43507

Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what funding has been allocated in 2025-26 to support local authorities to develop Good Food Nation plans, and when local authorities will be formally notified of their individual allocations.

Question reference: S6W-43518

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 February 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 16 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commission research into any impact of fast release caffeine products on children and young people, including caffeinated chewing gum, in particular for those who participate in athletics, sport and physical activity, to determine whether their use by under 18s should be banned.

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