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 843 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S7W-00560

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent inspection report of HMP Kilmarnock, the first inspection of a prison in Scotland transferred from private to public sector operation, which found that standards at the prison have declined since the previous inspection.

The Scottish Government welcomes the His Majesty’s Inspector of Prisons Scotland (HMIPS) report on HMP Kilmarnock and the important work by HMIPS to assess the treatment and care of those in custody.

We note the report’s recognition of the positive and respectful relationships between staff and those in the care of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and that the transfer from private into public ownership was done in a safe and controlled manner.

The report makes a number of recommendations for improvement and since the inspection which was undertaken in May 2025, SPS have progressed work to address many of the points raised, recognising the need for continuous improvement.

The impact of the high prison population in Scotland is felt within HMP Kilmarnock, and across the prison estate. The inspectorate acknowledges there are opportunities for the future under the transition.

Question reference: S7W-00561

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 9 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to recent findings from the HMP Kilmarnock inspection report, which found that 223 cells designed for single occupancy had been converted to double occupancy due to overcrowding, and on 22 May 2025, 38 of these cells were being shared by convicted and remand prisoners, contrary to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).

I welcome the report on HMP Kilmarnock from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS), in particular their acknowledgement of good practice and that the transfer from private into public ownership was done in a safe and controlled manner.

I recognise that, faced with the context of the current prison population, HMP Kilmarnock has experienced challenges as seen across the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) estate. All SPS establishments have been required to make operational decisions that maximise available space in order to accommodate a rising and complex prison population.

The wellbeing of those in SPS’ care remains paramount, and in all instances, consideration is given to factors such as social care needs, risk presentation and the classification of prisoners.

Question reference: S7W-00879

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 22 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent report by Carers Week, Building Carer Friendly Communities, which found that 45% of people currently caring in Scotland do not feel that their role as an unpaid carer is understood or valued by their community, what action it plans to take to encourage communities to be more carer friendly.

Question reference: S7W-00880

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 22 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent report by Carers Week, Building Carer Friendly Communities, which found that schools were seen as the least carer-friendly organisation/service in Scotland, what action it plans to take to improve the support available for carers in schools.

Question reference: S7W-00877

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 22 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is working with local authorities to ensure that unpaid carers are supported and involved in their communities.

Question reference: S7W-00878

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 22 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the 2026 report by Carers Week, Building Carer Friendly Communities, which found that 38% of respondents in Scotland have provided unpaid care at some point, how it plans to recognise and support unpaid carers throughout the current parliamentary session.

Question reference: S7W-00857

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 05 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the £20 million investment in the 2026 Summer of Sport programme has been allocated to support young people’s access to bowling.

Question reference: S7W-00856

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 05 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what support has been provided to bowling clubs and local authority bowling greens to encourage greater participation among young people in lawn bowling.

Question reference: S7W-00858

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 05 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding the disposal of sharps bins for injectable medicines purchased privately, including GLP-1 medicines, and what action it is taking to ensure that these medicines are being disposed of safely.

Question reference: S7W-00206

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Current Status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 5 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the aerospace firm, Aeralis Ltd, and/or its representatives following the company entering administration, including what impact this might have on promised investment and jobs at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

The Scottish Government has not had any direct engagement with Aeralis Ltd, or its representatives, following the company entering administration.

Scotland has a significant defence manufacturing base. Delays to the UK Defence Investment Plan continue to contribute to ongoing uncertainty for Scottish industry, where clarity and certainty are critical to investment and planning decisions.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with partners, including Scottish Enterprise, to monitor developments and assess any implications for investment and employment, including at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.