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-41695

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 November 2025
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 13 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what protocols and guidance are in place for local authorities that are reporting graffiti which could be considered as a hate crime to Police Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-05164

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support is being provided to groups and people to make use of the Community Asset Transfer Scheme.

Question reference: S6W-41591

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 10 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring that prisoners with alcohol problems are able to access the treatment and support that they need.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The SPS Alcohol & Drug Recovery Strategy aims to ensure that people in our care have access to appropriate support and a range of interventions and services which are similar to those delivered within our communities.

Working collaboratively with key stakeholders, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), we offer a range of mutual aid support groups to share skills, knowledge and resources designed to reduce and prevent the harm caused from alcohol use.

In addition to this, NHS and SPS Staff continue to promote and support access to the Prison to Rehab Pathway to ensure people in our care are aware of the residential rehabilitation options and structured programmes available to them as part of planning for their liberation.

Question reference: S6W-41443

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 5 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to (a) review progress of the current Children and Young People’s Cancer Strategy (2021-2026) and (b) ensure that a new strategy is in place from 2026, building on learnings and progress of the current strategy.

I refer the member to the answer to questions S6W-34295 and S6W-34294. on 10 February 2025

The implementation of the Collaborative and Compassionate Cancer Care The Cancer Strategy for Children and Young People in Scotland 2021–2026 is managed by the Managed Clinical Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MCN CYPC). They are responsible for its implementation and the evaluation of the current ambitions and actions.

Scottish Government is working with the MCN CYPC to consider future approaches that best support improved outcomes for children and young people with cancer.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Question reference: S6W-41442

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 5 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, what action it is taking to improve earlier and faster diagnosis in children and young people with cancer, given that national initiatives such as Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services often exclude under-18s, and what data it plans to publish on (a) waiting times and (b) routes to diagnosis for under-25s.

The Collaborative and Compassionate Cancer Care: The Cancer Strategy for Children and Young People in Scotland 2021–2026, is a dedicated cancer strategy for children and young people, in Scotland.

The strategy sets out our ambitions and actions to provide the best possible treatment and care, as early as possible, to children and young people with cancer. There are several actions that specifically relate to an early, precise diagnosis of cancer. The Managed Clinical Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MCN CYPC) are responsible for the implementation and evaluation of the Children and Young People’s cancer strategy.

We published the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer on 6 August this year, with updates on supporting a diagnosis of cancer in children and young people specifically. This includes considerations for non-specific symptoms of cancer for under-18s, like those considered for Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services.

The Scottish Government does not hold data for diagnostic waiting times and routes to diagnosis for children and young people presenting with potential cancer symptoms.

Question reference: S6W-41277

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 5 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported recent fire incidents at recycling facilities, including one at S. Morton & Co recycling facility in Glasgow East, what safety regulations and enforcement measures are in place to protect public safety and nearby communities.

The following regulations apply to waste and recycling facilities in Scotland.

Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004
Building (Scotland) Act 2003 (and associated legislation)
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations 2012
Waste Management (Scotland) Regulations 2011

The following table covers the various organisations involved in authorising the creation and operation of waste and recycling sites, including their responsibilities and enforcement duties.

Organisation	Responsibilities
Site operators (Dutyholder)	Fire – There is a requirement under the Fire Scotland Act 2005 to ensure a competent fire risk assessment is carried out and dutyholders should ensure all actions and requirements of the Fire Risk Assessment are completed.
SEPA	Licence or permit waste management sites to mitigate the environmental and public health risks from waste activities, through the provision of Waste Management Licences and Waste Management Licence exemptions, or Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) Permits. In making determinations on Waste Management Licences or PPC permit applications, will consider Site Management Plans, which could include storage conditions for example. Undertakes enforcement activities, including site inspections, to ensure relevant compliance with Waste Management Licence and PPC permit conditions and the conditions of waste management licence exemptions. Key Agency in the Land Use Planning system in Scotland, SEPA a consultee on applications for Environmental Impact Assessment development, and all National Developments.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service	Provides fire safety advice when required to all relevant (non-domestic) sites (including waste sites). Where concerns are raised SFRS can provide fire safety advice and where the risk is deemed high a fire safety audit may be carried out. Following a fire incident, SFRS will carry out a post fire audit or investigation where required and may enforce any required actions from the audit. Relevant partners may be notified where necessary.
Health & Safety Executive	National Regulator for Health and Safety. Enforce the relevant health and safety regulations
Local Authority (Planning departments)	Determine planning applications for waste management facilities (land use suitability)
Local Authority (Building standards)	Responsible for administering and enforcing the Scottish building standards system.

Question reference: S6O-05113

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with North Lanarkshire Council regarding the reported coal spoil fire in Shawhead, Coatbridge, and any assurances that can be given to the public.

Question reference: S6W-41449

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6O-05028

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support libraries within local communities.

Question reference: S6W-40560

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 1 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to graduates in (a) immunology and (b) pharmacology to find employment in their chosen field.

Although we are not aware of any bespoke programmes aimed at supporting graduates in immunology or pharmacology to find employment, graduates of all disciplines have access to careers support from a variety of sources.

Although the exact provision will depend on the institution, graduates from university will normally have access to the university careers service for a period of time after they graduate. This typically includes digital resources; appointments with careers advisers; assistance finding and applying for jobs; attendance at employer events; and access to webinars and workshops. Graduates are encouraged to make use of their university’s resources to help find employment in their chosen field.

In addition, careers advice and support is available to all individuals, including graduates, from Skills Development Scotland. Careers advisers are based in locations throughout Scotland and can be contacted by phone, digitally or in person at a local careers centre.