Part of Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am ar 19 Mehefin 2024.
Mairi Gougeon
Scottish National Party
Graham Simpson has raised some important points. I completely understand and agree with him about the importance of the work. I recognise and admit that it has not progressed as quickly as any of us would have liked it to progress, which I fully appreciate, because the work that we have been taking forward has been focused on the biodiversity strategy and its delivery plan. That work has been very complex, because it involves a range of organisations that have interests in delivery of the strategy.
I am completely aware of the importance of providing a national register of ancient woodland and I offer the assurance, now that we are through the first stage of the strategy and are moving into the delivery phase, that that work will be prioritised in order to help us to ensure that our important ancient woodlands are protected. I would be more than happy to keep Graham Simpson informed, as we progress that work.
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.
