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

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Question reference: S5W-14438

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, when it was made aware of the PIRC's concerns that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which the investigation team has been able to complete its work".

Question reference: S5W-14442

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how the one-off £100,000 that was given to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) in November 2017 was calculated, and what its position is on whether this was sufficient for the PIRC to meet its business demands.

Question reference: S5O-01838

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how the proposed changes to the roles of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel will impact on retained fire stations.

Question reference: S5O-01782

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 8 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when it next plans to meet the leadership of Orkney Islands Council.

Question reference: S5F-02036

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 February 2018

To ask the First Minister on what date funds from the Saltire Prize for marine energy will be distributed.

Question reference: S5W-14108

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 31 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice receiving the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland’s report on undercover policing report on 2 November 2017, for what reason it has not yet been published, and when it will be laid before the Parliament.

Question reference: S5O-01716

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 24 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides on the standard of comfort and dignity that patients transferring to and from hospital appointments can expect.

The Scottish Governments Charter of Patient's Rights and Responsibilities sets out what can be expected from patient's accessing NHS services, including patient transport.

The Charter states that, when using NHS services and receiving NHS care, patients can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and in a way which takes their needs, understanding and culture into account.

In addition, the Scottish Government published its Health and Social Care standards in June 2017 to take effect from April this year. Dignity, respect and compassion are a key component of these standards which set out what high quality care and support should look like in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-13802

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that relevant bodies work together to share information with regard to the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-13803

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of disclosures being made at the discretion of the police, what measures are in place to ensure that Right to Ask requests are assessed fairly across Police Scotland.

The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) is a Police Scotland scheme and its operation is a matter for Police Scotland.

Police Scotland have advised that disclosures under the DSDAS scheme are agreed at a multi-agency Decision Making Forum and it is important to recognise that this decision to disclose, or otherwise, does not rest solely with Police Scotland.

Police Scotland have advised that they monitor the use of the scheme nationally and regularly discuss it with external partners at the National Domestic Abuse Forum, which sits quarterly and enables any observations or concerns to be raised. In addition, in December 2017, the Police Scotland Domestic Abuse Working Group commenced a review of the process, seeking to share best practice from areas of the country where there are more requests for information. They are also considering the levels of disclosures made across each local policing division to ensure it remains consistent and equitable.

To ensure transparency and fairness in the process, individuals identified in Police Scotland who either manage applications or attend Decision Making Forums, receive training which sets expectations of them. The inclusion of partner agencies as part of the Decision Making Forum further ensures transparency and fairness.

Question reference: S5T-00881

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 22 January 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure everyone in police custody can exercise their right to legal advice from 25 January 2018.