General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 19 December 2024.
Jackie Baillie
Labour
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether Dumbarton castle is an important cultural asset. (S6O-04141)
Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party
The Scottish Government recognises Dumbarton castle’s historical significance and its protection as a scheduled monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
We are proud that Historic Environment Scotland, our lead public body that investigates, cares for and promotes Scotland’s historic environment, continues to look after the many important cultural assets in our care, including Dumbarton castle. That is why we have allocated more than £74 million in the 2025-26 budget for Historic Environment Scotland’s invaluable on-going work.
Jackie Baillie
Labour
Dumbarton castle does not receive even a tenth of the money that goes to Edinburgh castle or Stirling castle. Scaffolding has been up for years, the castle is sometimes closed for no apparent reason, and its collection is scattered to other castles across Scotland.
The castle’s importance in Scottish history is not in any doubt: it has been home to kings and queens, including James IV of Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots, and it has the longest recorded history of any stronghold in Scotland. However, there is not a single mention of Dumbarton castle in the Historic Environment Scotland annual report for 2023-24.
What will the Cabinet secretary do to ensure that Dumbarton castle is restored to its former glory? I wonder whether I could invite him to come on a visit.
Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party
Jackie Baillie is correct to highlight the importance of Dumbarton castle. For those who are interested, I commend “Vanished Kingdoms”, an excellent book by Norman Davies, who dedicates a whole chapter to the kingdom of the rock Alt Clut. I am happy to take up the invitation to visit.
Given the importance of Historic Environment Scotland’s invaluable work in relation to Dumbarton castle and hundreds of sites around the country, I hope that Jackie Baillie will vote for the budget early next year.
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.
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It is chaired by the prime minister.
The cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes, despite any private doubts that they might have.
Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
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War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
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The cabinet normally meets once a week in the cabinet room at Downing Street.
