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-02627

Asked by: Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 August 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Angus Robertson on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when the Registrar General for Scotland will publish the annual report for 2020.

Question reference: S6W-02629

Asked by: Kaukab Stewart, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 August 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the OECD’s comparative paper on assessment and qualifications published today, and whether it will provide an update on the work regarding the OECD’s recommendations on the Curriculum for Excellence as outlined on 22 June.

I welcome Professor Stobart’s paper on the future of qualifications and assessment.

It is important to note that this paper has not produced recommendations but looks at approaches taken around the world, outlining a number of possible options for Scotland to consider as part of a wider conversations on any future changes to its qualifications and assessment system.

These options include:

the development of a Senior Phase qualification system based on a combination of teacher assessment and exams
the simplification of S4-5 assessment by “de-cluttering” the historical diet of exams
the increased use of online exam resources and oral presentations as an assessment format
the inclusion of pupils views in decisions around assessment
enhancing the role of vocational qualifications

Working with stakeholders across the education sector, including learners, we will give full consideration to the options that Professor Stobart has outlined.

I will update Parliament on how this work will be taken forward and on the on-going implementation of OECD recommendations on Curriculum for Excellence in due course.

Question reference: S6W-02630

Asked by: James Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 August 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Clare Haughey on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of COVID-19 on the financial sustainability of childcare providers in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has today (31 August) published the Financial Sustainability Health Check of the Childcare Sector in Scotland .

This exercise has collected evidence on the sustainability of the childcare sector, in particular in light of the impacts of COVID-19. The Health Check has been informed by evidence and analysis from: detailed surveys of childcare providers; in-depth case study interviews with a range of providers; discussions with provider representative bodies; and analysis of trends in registration data. A supporting Analysis and Evidence paper has also been published.

As part of this exercise we have also collected updated information from all local authorities on the sustainable rates that they have set for providers in the private, third and childminding sectors to deliver funded early learning and childcare.

The Health Check sets out a range of actions that we will now work with the sector and delivery partners to progress. The actions will build on the substantial targeted financial support made available to the sector since March 2020, actions already being progressed, and aligning, where possible, with economy-wide support measures.

Question reference: S6W-02103

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 09 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a means by which neurodiverse school pupils could be exempted from the requirement to have a negative PCR test before returning to school, after being identified as a close contact of a pupil or teacher who has tested positive for COVID-19.

As outlined in the Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools guidance, published 16 August 2021, from 9 August our approach to contact tracing and self-isolation for close contacts aged under 18, including those attending schools, has changed. Close contacts aged under 18 who are identified by Test and Protect as requiring to do so will be asked to self-isolate and book a PCR test. If this is negative they can end self-isolation provided they remain asymptomatic.

Exemptions from PCR testing apply to close contacts who are aged under 5, or who for medical reasons are unable to be tested or are exempt. Parents or carers should seek advice from their GP or the local Health Protection team to obtain this exemption if their child is unable to get tested. For these groups, a PCR test will not be required to end self-isolation.

The approach to children aged under 5 reflects the lower risks of infection and transmission in this age group, and the fact that younger children may find it harder to tolerate testing. However, children under 5 who are close contacts remain encouraged to take a PCR test where possible.

Question reference: S6W-02402

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 23 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates in 2020 and 2021 the Mobilisation Recovery Group has met, and by what date the (a) minutes of and (b) names of attendees at each meeting will be published.

Question reference: S6W-02125

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on carrying out inspections of the historic sites cited as being closed as a precautionary measure by Historic Environment Scotland on 7 June 2021.

Historic Environment Scotland is conducting inspections at present with an initial phase to be completed by the first week in September as per its inspection programme. A number of properties have been assessed to date and the next steps are currently being considered. Decisions will be taken by the appropriate technical specialists and with a primary focus on the health and safety of staff, contractors and visitors.

Question reference: S6W-02303

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of women who were given diethylstilbestrol (DES) in Scotland and went on to develop cancer.

Question reference: S6W-01630

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that documents confirming that COVID-19 vaccinations have been received in countries other than the UK are not being accepted for the purpose of granting visitors to Scotland an exemption from quarantining; whether it (a) can and (b) will issue guidance on the recognition of COVID-19 vaccination programmes and certification from other countries, and, if so, by what date.

People who have been fully vaccinated in the EU or the US will be able to travel to Scotland from amber list countries without quarantining from Monday (2 August).

"Fully vaccinated" means that it has been at least 14 days since receiving the final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

To count as fully vaccinated, travellers must also have been vaccinated in one of these countries:

the UK, including as part of a UK vaccine rollout overseas - with an NHS approved vaccine.
an EU member state - with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City - with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the Swiss vaccination programme.
the USA - with a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

they must also:

declare that you have been fully vaccinated on the passenger locator form
take a COVID-19 test before travelling to Scotland – if they are travelling from Spain, it is recommended that they choose a PCR test before departure
book and pay £68 for a COVID-19 PCR test – they should take this test within 2 days of arriving in Scotland and must book the testing kit using the CTM Booking Portal

The accepted documentation referenced is the EU Digital Covid Certificate and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s white card – known as a CDC card. We have updated our international travel guidance on the Scottish Government website to reflect this change. The most up to date information is available here : Coronavirus (COVID-19): international travel and managed isolation (quarantine) - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Question reference: S6T-00112

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 August 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of the joint statement by the World Health Organization and UNICEF on the need to prioritise in-person classroom-based learning as efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic continue.

Question reference: S6T-00106

Asked by: Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 30 August 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the preparation and planning being undertaken to support people fleeing Afghanistan who may be resettled in Scotland.