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-25566

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it holds any data on how many former prisoners who were held in custody as transgender men have de-transitioned since being released from prison.

Question reference: S6W-25570

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it holds any data on how many former prisoners who were held in custody as transgender women have de-transitioned since being released from prison.

Question reference: S6O-03171

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the reopening of the train line south of Ayr, in light of the fire at the Ayr Station Hotel.

Question reference: S6O-03119

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting culture outside of the Central Belt.

Question reference: S6W-24319

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 04 January 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to reduce any inequalities in pregnancy loss and baby deaths of Black and Asian babies in Scotland.

We are dedicated to tackling inequalities in maternity experience and outcomes. That is why we asked NHS Boards to prioritise the roll-out of continuity of carer in maternity care, that underpins The Best Start programme leading to improved outcomes, for women from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, as well as for women experiencing multiple social complexity.

In January 2023, we launched a programme of work with a focus on racialised inequalities in maternity, informed by data and evidence from reports, including MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK) confidential enquiries, audit reports, and third sector reports on the lived experiences of service users. We have established a short-life working group, bringing together third sector organisations, healthcare professionals, professional bodies and national networks to identify and take evidence-based actions addressing inequalities, with the voice of those with lived experience at the centre.

Question reference: S6O-03048

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve recruitment and retention of GPs and consultants, particularly in rural areas.

Question reference: S6O-03013

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 25 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the lives of disabled people.

Question reference: S6O-02969

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the finance secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the potential impact of the reduction in the funding allocation for Scottish universities in its proposed Budget on graduate skills development and employability.

Question reference: S6O-02926

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 January 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what feedback it has received from arts and culture stakeholders following its announcement of the Scottish Budget 2024-25.

Question reference: S6W-23065

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 December 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 20 December 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its policy of "working closely with the football authorities and clubs…to address unacceptable conduct by spectators", what its position is on whether the booing that was heard during the minute's silence at the Celtic v Aberdeen match held on 12 November 2023 was "unacceptable conduct", and what discussions it has had with (a) Celtic FC and (b) the Scottish Football Association regarding this.

We routinely speak to the Scottish footballing authorities on wide a range of topics, including the behaviour of fans. It should be noted that the majority of supporters across the country go to football to support their team in a safe and responsible manner and that incidents, such as booing during commemorative events, are the actions of a minority. Nevertheless we condemn such actions.

As this match falls under the auspices of the Scottish Professional Football League, it is for them to investigate any incidents and take any appropriate actions against the clubs. Any individuals identified as engaging in criminal behaviour during these investigations will be reported to the police. We have not spoken to either Celtic FC, the Scottish FA or the SPFL about this specific incident.

Clubs are taking action when they can and we welcome the decision by Celtic to ban sections of their fans who, despite numerous requests by the club, continued to demonstrate anti-social behaviour. We would support other clubs in taking similar actions where appropriate.