Part of Topical Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am ar 4 Mehefin 2024.
Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party
Much like Liz Smith did, the member fails to understand how the scheme works. When partners receive money from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Government allocates the funding and then claims reimbursement. Therefore, the risk sits entirely with the Scottish Government. It is not the case that grant funding comes to the Scottish Government and then is allocated by the Scottish Government. I appeal to members across the chamber to understand how the scheme works.
The final expenditure figures will not be known until 2025. Yes, they will be published. In fact, they will be published openly and transparently, and they will reveal to Scottish people just how much money they have benefited from by being associated with the European Union. The Scottish people will also realise how disappointing it is that no party that is likely to form the next UK Government—including the Labour Party—will in any way restore that funding to them.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
