General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 25 April 2024.
James Dornan
Scottish National Party
To ask the Scottish Government what role the Housing (Scotland) Bill will play in achieving a more sustainable private rented sector. (S6O-03351)
Paul McLennan
Scottish National Party
The Housing (Scotland) Bill includes a package of rented sector reforms that will provide additional rights and protections for tenants that aim to improve their experience of renting a home. A fairer and well-regulated rented sector is good for tenants and responsible landlords. The measures that we have introduced in the bill will support tenants while considering the needs of landlords and will help to drive and deliver a thriving sector that delivers good-quality, affordable options for those who rely on it for a home.
James Dornan
Scottish National Party
Will the Minister outline how the policies in the Housing (Scotland) Bill can benefit tenants by securing them an affordable, quality home and, at the same time, benefit landlords who seek to reinvest in their property?
Paul McLennan
Scottish National Party
A thriving and fair rented sector allows landlords to provide good-quality homes at a reasonable cost for tenants, which is vital for meeting Scotland’s housing needs. I will be taking forward the housing bill and will continue to discuss it with the sector and other stakeholders.
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.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
