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: S4W-21716

Asked by: Hanzala Malik, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 19 June 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of the risks of hepatitis C among communities of (a) eastern European and (b) south Asian origin.

The Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework includes a number of priorities around awareness raising, including education for young people, and that work to promote awareness and understanding of hepatitis C should continue locally, regionally and nationally.

The Scottish Government funds Hepatitis Scotland to provide information and raise awareness on viral hepatitis across Scotland. In the course of its work Hepatitis Scotland recognises the needs of specific communities and minority groups. In March 2013 Hepatitis Scotland, in partnership with HIV Scotland, held a free international conference on minorities, communities and blood borne viruses to look at these issues.

There are many other more targeted activities being taken forward locally across Scotland to raise awareness in particular risk groups, but these will be in response to local need and will vary from area to area.

Question reference: S4W-21682

Asked by: Hanzala Malik, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 09 June 2014
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 18 June 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the prevalence of hepatitis C among communities of (a) eastern European and (b) south Asian origin.

Research into the prevalence of hepatitis C among people of south Asian origin in Glasgow was undertaken during the Hepatitis C Phase II Action Plan, and funded by the Scottish Government. This research estimated the prevalence of hepatitis C amongst the South Asian community in Greater Glasgow and Clyde to be 3%(The prevalence of hepatitis C virus among people of South Asian origin in Glasgow, O’Leary, 2013). This prevalence is in line with estimates generated from surveys conducted in England.

Specific research has not been carried out amongst the eastern European population in Scotland but other studies have been published in the international literature which estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C in eastern Europe to be in the region of 2-3% (Mohd Hanafiah et al. Hepatology 2013).

Question reference: S4O-03291

Asked by: Hanzala Malik, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 May 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 May 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what action has been taken to resolve issues causing duplicate registrations in the Management Information and Dental Accounting System so that overpayments do not occur in the future.

Question reference: S4O-03255

Asked by: Hanzala Malik, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 21 May 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to young people from economically-deprived areas who want to apply to the Commonwealth Youth Fund and the Commonwealth Apprentice Initiative.

These initiatives are funded by Glasgow City Council to help young people from that area into apprenticeships or other employment.

Across Scotland, Opportunities for All ensures that every 16 to 19 year old is guaranteed the offer of a place in training or education, while Activity Agreements provide a first-step for those furthest from the labour market, including access to a wide range of learning opportunities in the community and third sector. Within the Glasgow City Council area this will include referral to these initiatives where appropriate.

Through our own £5 million Legacy 2014: Young Persons’ Fund, we will support 2,500 young people to help them progress toward and into employment, education or training. To date, over 1,600 young people have been supported into an apprenticeship or volunteering opportunity though our Legacy 2014 Employer Recruitment Incentive and Scotland’s Best initiative.

Question reference: S4O-03152

Asked by: Hanzala Malik, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 April 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 April 2014

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing last met representatives of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to discuss dentistry.

Question reference: S4O-03143

Asked by: Hanzala Malik, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 April 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 April 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that the number of college and university places offered to fee-paying foreign students does not limit the number offered to Scottish students.

Question reference: S4O-02942

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S4O-02835

Asked by: Hanzala Malik, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 January 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports people who are retired who care for older people.

I acknowledge the tremendous work of Scotland’s unpaid carers who care for their families, friends and neighbours.

The Scottish Government is providing unprecedented levels of support to carers. This includes through our manifesto commitment at least £46 million between 2012 and 2015 of the Reshaping Care for Older People Change Fund. This is supporting carers of older people, including carers who are older themselves, to continue to care.

Subject to the outcome of consultation and to parliamentary approval, the Scottish Government also intends to bring forward new legislation to support carers, including those carers who are retired.

Question reference: S4O-02732

Asked by: Hanzala Malik, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what stakeholders have contacted the Minister for Housing and Welfare regarding the white paper on independence.

Question reference: S4O-02515

Asked by: Hanzala Malik, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 October 2013

To ask the Scottish Government how the recent report by the Carbon Disclosure Project on the climate performance of FTSE 350 companies impacts on Scotland.