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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 48973 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6O-02780

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 23 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of HPV home testing and plans to prevent and eradicate cervical cancer.

The Scottish Government continues to progress work towards the elimination of cervical cancer in Scotland, in line with the targets set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This work has included the introduction of a one-dose schedule of the HPV vaccine, increasing screening uptake and continued investment in treatment.

In 2024, the UK National Screening Committee is expected to make a recommendation on the use of cervical self-sampling in the screening programme. In Scotland, a working group is assessing potential models and understand any changes that would be required to the screening programme to support an initial roll-out. This work continues to be informed by the wider UK and global research.

Question reference: S6O-02746

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christine Grahame (on Behalf of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body on 23 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what discussions it has had regarding support for children and young people from rural areas to visit the Scottish Parliament.

The SPCB provides a free school engagement programme.

Our Education Services staff deliver sessions and tours at the Parliament, online, and visit schools across Scotland.

Digital and outreach education sessions are popular and especially appreciated by those who don’t want to travel to Edinburgh or who find coming to Edinburgh to be too challenging.

Last school year, we reached schools in 69 out of 73 constituencies, and we are continuing work to grow our engagement with schools.

In June, the SPCB commissioned a review into how best to deliver our education services in the most effective and inclusive way post Covid.

As part of this review, our education team is engaging with schools from across Scotland to fully understand their barriers to accessing our services.

Evaluations from the last school year show that the barriers include cost but also things like time and staff availability.

The SPCB will consider the matter again early in 2024.

Question reference: S6O-02790

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christine Grahame (on Behalf of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body on 23 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what consideration it has given to allowing events to start in the Parliament building while Members' Business debates are ongoing.

To enable all Members to take part in events and recognising that parliamentary business needs to take precedence, events do not take place at the same time as parliamentary business in the chamber.

However, the SPCB recognises that events involve a great deal of advance planning and that individuals may travel some distance and give up their time to be able to attend.

So when business runs late, parliamentary officials will work with the event organisers to ensure refreshments are served to event guests and they can go to the room where the event is taking place and meet with Members, where possible. However, speeches should only take place once parliamentary business is concluded so all Members have the opportunity to hear them.

This pragmatic approach appears to be working but we continually keep this under review.

Question reference: S6O-02787

Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jackson Carlaw (on Behalf of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body) on 23 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what mental health support it has in place for SPCB and MSP staff, and what work it has done to promote available resources.

The SPCB takes very seriously its responsibility for the wellbeing of its staff. That’s why it approved a Positive About Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy which applies to MSPs, their staff and SPCB staff. In support of this policy the SPCB has put in place a number of measures including our Employee Assistance Programme and online resources, self-assessment tools and intranet links to external resources. Our People and Culture team support MSPs, their staff and SPCB staff to access the help that they need, when they need it.

Question reference: S6O-02782

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maggie Chapman (on Behalf of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body) on 23 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when the most recent energy efficiency assessment of the Scottish Parliament building was completed, and what the results were.

The Parliament’s Energy Performance Certificate was last updated in 2019 and is renewed every 10 years. The Energy Performance Certificate is displayed at the Visitors Desk and is available on the Parliament’s website. The Parliament achieved a C rating which is a good score but leaves room for improvement. Measures are being adopted to improve the energy efficiency of the building as part of the Carbon Management Plan.

Question reference: S6O-02786

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 November 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jackson Carlaw (on behalf of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body) on 23 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it will make a decision on the Staff Cost Provision uprating for the financial year 2024-25.

Question reference: S6O-02828

Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with East Lothian Council regarding the future of local public service provision in the area, including in relation to the Loch Centre in Tranent.

Question reference: S6O-02826

Asked by: Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is providing for regeneration and economic renewal projects in the south of Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-02823

Asked by: Evelyn Tweed, MSP for Stirling, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to local authorities to ensure that any subsidised bus routes are maintained.

Question reference: S6O-02822

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 November 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 November 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is in relation to employment-based routes to teacher training.

Parliament dissolved ahead of election

Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Filter your results Hide all filters

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer

Answer