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: S6O-02391

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what action it takes to ensure that children and young people from across Scotland can visit their Scottish Parliament.

Question reference: S6O-02356

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it will next review the car parking arrangements for MSPs and staff.

Question reference: S6O-02390

Asked by: John Mason, MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will provide an update on the efficiency of the passholder secure entry system to the Parliament, in light of reports that passholders are experiencing difficulties in gaining access.

Question reference: S6O-02354

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the economic impact on businesses of the changes to the Deposit Return Scheme that it announced on 18 April 2023.

The deposit return scheme is a major undertaking for businesses, bringing very significant environmental and economic benefits. Accordingly, we have regularly consulted with a wide range of businesses, trade associations, the scheme administrator, and other organisations as part of the decision making process.

The suite of impact assessments has been updated to reflect the draft regulations laid in May 2023, and as part of this, the Scottish Government has produced a supplementary analysis to the Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment. This document includes the economic impacts of the amendments to the scheme announced in April. We will publish updated impact assessments in due course.

Question reference: S6O-02355

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address reported financial and staffing pressures in NHS Dumfries and Galloway.

The Scottish Government continues to prioritise investment in frontline services, providing an increase of over £730 million to NHS Boards in 2023-24 – investing over £352 million in NHS Dumfries and Galloway.

Under the SNP, staffing in NHS Dumfries & Galloway has increased by 19.7% since 2006.

We will continue to work with all Health Boards, including NHS Dumfries & Galloway, to address financial and workforce pressures across the system.

Our Sustainability and Value programme has been established to deliver essential reform and sustainable services that are fit for the future, whilst prioritising patient safety.

Question reference: S6W-18095

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to increase competition in the tenancy deposit scheme market, in light of there being currently only three companies, with one of them reportedly having almost 70% of the market share.

A review of the tenancy deposit schemes was undertaken at the end of 2018. It was clear from the findings that the current regulations continued to provide a robust regulatory and operational framework.

Following the review a number of revisions to the operating procedures were made under The Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019 . The schemes submitted revised procedures in October 2019 and were reapproved in November 2019.

Should any additional companies wish to operate a tenancy deposit scheme in Scotland they would be required to apply to Scottish Ministers for approval demonstrating they can meet the requirement of the Regulations before they can operate.

Question reference: S6W-18236

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates its "public-facing digital directory of organisations around the world affiliated with Scotland", as set out in the Scottish Connections Framework, will go live, and how it will be accessed.

A digital directory of organisations with a Scottish connection will launch in 2023. The directory will be hosted on the Scottish Government’s international-facing website www.scotland.org and will be available for all to access without registration.

The directory will include a range of diaspora or affiliated organisations – from traditional clan and St Andrew’s Societies, to established alumni groups and business networks. The directory will be reviewed and updated regularly.

Question reference: S6W-18295

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the current availability of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), in light of reports of supply issues.

There are over 70 HRT products available in the UK and supply issues are affecting only a small number of them.

The Scottish Government are aware that there have been continuing shortages across the UK due to a number of factors. The supply of medicines, including HRT products and the associated legislation, is a reserved matter for the UK Government. We continue to engage with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to seek a lasting solution.

A series of UK-wide Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) have been issued by DHSC, after consultation with the Scottish Government and other UK administrations, allowing community pharmacists to supply specific alternatives without needing to seek agreement from the prescribing doctor. An SSP is an additional tool to manage and mitigate medication shortages. This gives individuals the option to receive substitute products in a safe and effective way to ensure medication continues to be available to all.

Question reference: S6W-18238

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it anticipates it will launch its diaspora recognition award, as set out in the Scottish Connections Framework, and how many will be awarded each year.

The Scottish Government, in its Scottish Connections Framework, committed to launch a diaspora recognition award, marking the achievements of our diaspora, and that this would be launched over this parliament following its design with diaspora communities and the advisory panel.

The award will recognise the work of our diaspora around the world, either in service to their own communities or for Scotland’s reputation and interests.

Question reference: S6W-18237

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 8 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin its trial launch of Instagram channels in targeted international markets, as set out in the Scottish Connections Framework.

The Scottish Government, in its Scottish Connections Framework, committed to trial the launch of Instagram channels in targeted international markets. Adding Instagram channel capacity in specific locations will allow the Scottish Government to more closely engage with diaspora members in country and build on the audience base from existing social media channels.

The Scottish Government plans to launch at least one additional Instagram channel in a priority diaspora market by the end of 2023. A final launch date will be confirmed in due course in consultation with officials advising on this location.

Parliament dissolved ahead of election

Chamber and committees

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