Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-29062

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 26 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the topic of Scottish independence was discussed in the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and MEPs from the European Parliament’s Culture and Education (CULT) Committee on 24 January 2024.

Question reference: S6W-29063

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 26 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the topic of Scottish independence was discussed in the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and the Minister-President of Flanders on 25 January 2024.

Question reference: S6W-29066

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 26 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the topic of Scottish independence was discussed in the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and the Ambassador of Austria to the EU on 25 January 2024.

Question reference: S6W-29064

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 26 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the topic of Scottish independence was discussed in the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and the Ambassador of Norway to the EU on 25 January 2024.

Question reference: S6W-29034

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 26 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has commenced the process of appointing Scotland’s next Makar, in light of the term time having been reduced from five years to three years, and, if so, whether it can provide details of the process.

The First Minister recently met with Kathleen Jamie at Bute House to mark her term and thank her for her stellar work over the last three years as Scotland’s fourth modern Makar, as an ambassador for poetry, in Scotland and overseas.

The next National Makar will again be appointed by the First Minister. The Scottish Government is considering the process and will share more detail in the coming months.

Question reference: S6W-29039

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 26 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints have been made to NHS non-Executive Whistleblowing Champions in each year since 2019, also broken down by NHS board.

Question reference: S6W-29035

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 12 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 26 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been allocated to support the work of Scotland’s Makar in each year since 2021.

Question reference: S6W-28967

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle any stigma associated with symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, such as facial hair growth and male pattern baldness.

The Women’s Health Champion, Professor Anna Glasier, has highlighted the impact of polycystic ovarian syndrome and its effect on women as one of her priorities.

Given the impact PCOS can have on women’s lives, and in particular the way in which symptoms such as these can affect relationships, work, education and mental health, we have ensured that our Women’s Health Platform on NHS Inform provides accurate and comprehensive information about PCOS including the options for care, treatment and support.

The Platform also offers a wide range of information to support people with their mental health including a self-help guide focussed on menstrual health and mental health.

Question reference: S6W-28930

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will share what clinical outcomes data it has gathered on the proposed reconfiguration of services outlined in The Best Start: A Five-Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland.

Neonatal clinical outcomes data is gathered from neonatal units in Scotland and routinely published by Public Health Scotland on their Scottish Pregnancy, Births and Neonatal Data Dashboard. The National Neonatal Audit Programme run by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health also provides a further level of detailed comparable neonatal clinical outcomes data for units in England, Scotland and Wales on their Data Dashboard, and in their annual reports.

Question reference: S6W-28966

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 06 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 August 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent studies have been carried out to assess the potential effects of polycystic ovary syndrome in the workplace in Scotland.

The health and wellbeing of women at work is an important element of fair work. Our policy approach is informed by evidence and findings from a range of expert stakeholders. This includes the 2023 survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) which recommends employers provide appropriate workplace culture, environments and support that are menstruation friendly. These can increase employee attendance, and also legitimise absence where this is needed.

In addition, we have worked in partnership with the University of Glasgow on the ground-breaking study "Advancing Menopause and Menstrual Health in Organisations (AMMInO): A National Study of Employees in Health and Social Care".

Over 6,000 NHSScotland staff responded to the staff survey which informed the NHSScotland Menopause and Menstrual Health Workplace Policy, launched in October 2023. This policy and accompanying supporting resources are available on the National Wellbeing Hub which is accessible to the public.