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-22276

Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when authorised mobile phones for prisoners are due to be withdrawn by the Scottish Prison Service.

Question reference: S6W-21970

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the 30 police buildings that Police Scotland plans to dispose of, as detailed in its proposals submitted to the Scottish Police Authority.

The Police Scotland Estate Strategy seeks to deliver modern, fit for purpose police buildings which are co-located with strategic partners, and which meet the needs of 21st century operational policing. To date over 60 co-locations have been delivered.

Overall responsibility for managing the police estate is for the Chief Constable under Scottish Police Authority (SPA) scrutiny. As approved by the SPA it is for Police Scotland to consult on the details of its planned estate changes.

Question reference: S6W-22345

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government with which organisations it has consulted regarding the development of a Green Industrial Strategy, as committed to in its Programme for Government 2023-24.

There will be an extensive programme of consultation as the Green Industrial Strategy is developed in line with our commitments within the New Deal for Business. We have already engaged with a number of organisations including Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC), Confederation of British Industry (CBI Scotland), Scottish Council for Development & Industry (SCDI), Federation of Small Business (FSB), Institute of Directors (IoD) and Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE). We will continue to engage with stakeholders through our New Deal for Business Group and other mechanisms in order to shape the strategy.

Question reference: S6W-22134

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many drones have been detected at HMP & YPI Grampian in each of the last three years, and what measures the Scottish Prison Service is taking to prevent drones from being used to smuggle drugs and weapons onto the prison estate.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

There have been no drones detected at HMP & YOI Grampian in each of the last three years.

The Scottish Prison Service recognises the negative impact of drones being used to introduce illicit items (including drugs and weapons) into the prison estate and are currently considering a technological solution to support the identification of drones within SPS airspace.

Question reference: S6W-22403

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what objectives it set for the funding it provided to Big Hearts Community Trust in 2022.

During Phase 5 of the CashBack for Communities (CashBack) programme (2020 – 2023), funding was awarded to the Scottish Professional Football League Trust (SPFL Trust). Their ‘Off the Bench’ project worked to provide young people in need of support with opportunities to access education, employment and build better futures.

The SPFL Trust provided onward funding to the Big Hearts Community Trust to support 23 young people in 2022. The main objectives set for Phase 5 CashBack projects were to:

• Support people, families and communities most affected by crime

• Support those most at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending into positive destinations

• Support young people most at risk of entering the justice system

• Provide intergenerational support for parents, families and children impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences

All CashBack projects are evaluated against their objectives. The independent evaluation of Phase 5 of the CashBack for Communities programme is due to be published by December 2023.

Question reference: S6W-22254

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 16 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what measures have been implemented to manage non-native gamebird releases where there is potential for highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission from infected gamebirds to (a) native wild birds, (b) other wildlife, (c) dogs and (d) the shooting community.

The Scottish Government works closely with the game sector to encourage best practice biosecurity measures by keepers of poultry and other captive birds. Advice has been issued frequently through a number of formats including webinars, emails, regular interface with stakeholders such as game industry representatives, and publication of online guidance.

A Scottish Avian Influenza in wild bird Task Force was established in 2022 to coordinate a joint response to the outbreak in wild birds. On 11 August Ministers launched the Wild Bird HPAI Response Plan that sets out how the Scottish Government and its partners will respond to any further outbreaks of HPAI in wild birds in Scotland.

Communications have also included guidance on gov.scot for pet dogs and working dogs. Scottish Government has also worked with the game industry to develop standing guidance on avian influenza and game birds.

Question reference: S6W-22347

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 23 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a timeline for when it expects to deliver the First Minister's commitment to "invest up to £500 million to anchor a new offshore wind supply chain".

Question reference: S6W-22069

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 06 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what further action it can take to ensure that women are not harassed when travelling to abortion services, in light of reports that the anti-abortion group, 40 Days for Life, has resumed protests outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Women should be able to access abortion services without fear of intimidation, harassment, or unwanted influence. That is why the Scottish Government has been supporting Ms Gillian Mackay MSP to draft and develop the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill.

I am delighted that Ms Mackay introduced the Bill into Parliament on 5 th October, and I will continue to work closely with her during the Bill’s parliamentary passage.

Question reference: S6W-22175

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many patients with underlying health conditions have died as a result of norovirus or had norovirus listed as a contributory cause of mortality, in each year since 2015, also broken down by NHS board.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. Public Health Scotland (PHS) monitors and publishes weekly prevalence and surveillance management information data on laboratory confirmed reports of norovirus. All published reports can be found here .

PHS also publish a dashboard by board detailing the number of hospitals and wards closed due to norovirus. The latest dashboard can be found here .

Question reference: S6W-21987

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 October 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 30 October 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent hospitals from discharging substance users from medical care when they are still under the influence of substances.

Clinical decisions taken in NHS Scotland hospitals are not a matter for the Scottish Government.

Decisions must be taken in line with established professional accountabilities which are in place for NHS Scotland.

Decisions to discharge any patients from medical care in a hospital setting are subject to individual clinical decisions based on an appropriate risk assessment. The wishes of the patient must be considered with regards to informing relatives of their reason for admission.

However, Scottish Government does have an expectation that vulnerability is taken into account prior to discharge and that where appropriate known family is contacted.

Parliament dissolved ahead of election

Chamber and committees

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