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: S6F-03185

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2024

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports of a National Crime Agency warning about synthetic opioids being linked to rising numbers of deaths.

Question reference: S6F-03168

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-03170

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-03169

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 May 2024

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6W-27897

Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-27641

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it ceased the Mode Shift Revenue Support scheme.

Question reference: S6W-27574

Asked by: Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing mandatory HIV awareness training and education for health and social care staff.

As part of the HIV Transmission Elimination (HIVTE) Delivery Plan, the Scottish Government has committed to developing a proposal to address HIV awareness across the health and social care sector. Funding has already been provided to NHS Education for Scotland to develop training materials for healthcare practitioners in non-HIV specialist roles and a specialist educator post has been funded to support the provision of training across Scotland. The HIVTE plan recognises that this work may require further expansion. We will work with relevant authorities to maximise uptake of training, and will consider whether NHS and local authorities should be encouraged to make this mandatory.

Question reference: S6W-27604

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its long-term labour market strategy.

Helping people into fair, sustainable jobs is central to delivering on the ambitions set out in Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

We are taking action to address labour and skills shortages, including better aligning the education and skills system with the needs of employers and the economy.

Our No One Left Behind approach to employability support is an all-age, place-based, person-centred model to support people further removed from the labour market to move towards, into and to remain in work.

While employment law is reserved, through our Fair Work Action Plan we are helping to create fairer workplaces, address structural inequalities, and enhance workers’ rights, so that Scotland’s labour market offers good quality and rewarding jobs for everyone.

All of this supports the interconnected priorities this government is working towards - of growing a fair, green economy, to invest in sustainable public services, tackle the climate emergency and eradicate child poverty.

Question reference: S6W-27536

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in situations where wayleaves cannot be satisfactorily concluded with landowners, what processes are in place to overcome any such issues, and what is considered a reasonable period within which to conclude such negotiations.

Scottish Ministers have no role in the conclusion of voluntary wayleaves in relation to electricity infrastructure and are only able to act on applications made by licence holders for Necessary Wayleaves under the Electricity Act 1989.

Telecommunications is a reserved matter to the UK Government and the framework for wayleaves is legislated for in Schedule 3A of the Communications Act 2003 (The Electronic Communications Code). The Code gives Code operators rights to apply for a wayleave agreement to be imposed by the courts if one cannot be reached voluntarily with a landowner.

Question reference: S6W-27603

Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last reviewed the free school meal allowance for secondary school pupils, in light of the varying rates across local authority areas.

The responsibility for the delivery of free school meals is a matter for local authorities. This duty under Section 53 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 sets out that local authorities must provide, or secure the provision of, a school lunch free of charge to pupils who meet the eligibility criteria set out within that Act. The national eligibility criteria for free school meals is available through the following web link: Free school meals - mygov.scot .