Part of Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:30 pm on 2 May 2024.
Ivan McKee
Scottish National Party
2:30,
2 May 2024
Direct freight routes are critical for Scotland’s export growth and economic resilience, and they can also reduce our carbon footprint. Most countries take an active interest in developing international trade links. For example, recently, Ireland worked with ports and the logistics sector to add additional routes to mainland Europe following Brexit.
What work is the Scottish Government doing with port operators and the sector to build that resilience and increase export routes for Scottish businesses?
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.
