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: S7W-01145

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 23 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support leukaemia patients in remote and rural areas.

Scottish Government wants people diagnosed with cancers such as leukaemia to be treated as close to home as clinically possible. We continue to work with NHS Boards, to limit the need for travel where possible and clinically appropriate. This includes through increased use of digital and technological solutions such as Near Me, to improve flexibility of care.

However, some treatments require delivery in specialist centres to ensure the best outcomes. Where travel is necessary, patients in rural areas should be fully supported in accessing these.

The Scottish Government provides the overall guidance to NHS Boards for patient travel expenses reimbursement, with NHS Boards responsible for local arrangements. In addition, the Highlands and Islands Travel Scheme (HITS) reimburses the travel costs of eligible patients who need to travel longer distances for care.

We are also committed to supporting patients to deal with the financial, emotional, and physical health effects of cancer, including those living in a rural area. We are currently working in partnership with Macmillan to deliver the Transforming Cancer Care Programme, which ensures that people affected by cancer in Scotland have access to a specialist key support worker, who can provide and signpost to emotional, financial, and practical support.

Question reference: S7W-01143

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 23 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure earlier diagnosis of leukaemia.

Earlier diagnosis improves outcomes, which is why we continue to invest in our Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme. The programme works closely with the Scottish Cancer Coalition, including Leukaemia Care and Blood Cancer UK, to support awareness raising efforts and joint messaging where possible.

Detect Cancer Earlier’s ‘Be The Early Bird’ campaign launched in March 2023 aims to reduce fear of cancer and empower those with possible symptoms to act early.

In addition, the Scottish Referral Guidelines (SRGs) for Suspected Cancer support primary care clinicians to identify those with symptoms suspicious of cancer and identify those who require urgent assessment by a specialist.

Further, our Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDS) provides primary care with access to a new fast-track diagnostic pathway for people with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer, such as weight loss and fatigue, both of which are relevant for leukaemia.

Question reference: S7W-01204

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how much in savings might be generated if the proposals in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Service Delivery Review were implemented.

Question reference: S7W-01195

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many transgender prisoners are currently in the women’s prison estate.

Question reference: S7W-01202

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether an equality impact assessment has been made of the proposal to downgrade fire services by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Service Delivery Review.

Question reference: S7W-01198

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what meetings have taken place with (a) Cabinet Secretary for Justice and (b) Minister for Victims and Community Safety and the Fire Brigades Union since the start of this parliamentary session.

Question reference: S7W-01196

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) arrangements are being made and (b) timetable is in place to relocate transgender women out of the women’s prison estate, in light of the conclusion of the case, For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers regarding the accommodation of transgender prisoners.

Question reference: S7W-01203

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish data on response rates for firefighter call-outs involving personnel on on-call duty at (a) evenings and (b) weekends, and on any resulting delays in incident response times.

Question reference: S7W-01197

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of any current cases where it is defending its policies and actions in the courts.

Question reference: S7W-01201

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that all consultation responses to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Service Delivery Review are published in full before any decisions are taken on proposals to downgrade services.