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-42240

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 10 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to introduce routine prostate cancer screening for (a) the whole population and (b) people in higher risk groups.

The Scottish Government, along with all other UK nations, takes advice from the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). The UK NSC does not currently recommend prostate screening for the whole population. The UK NSC will consider whether to extend their recommendation for prostate screening should evidence support this, including from existing trials like TRANSFORM. The Scottish Government will consider any future recommendations made by the UK NSC in this regard.

Evidence shows that prostate cancer is both more common and aggressive in men with BRCA variants compared to the general population. Following a recent review of evidence, the UK NSC has launched a public consultation which focuses on the UK NSC’s draft recommendation to offer a targeted national prostate cancer screening programme to men with confirmed BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene variants every 2 years, from age 45 to age 61. The consultation will close on 20 February 2026, following which, the UK NSC will consider the results and agree a final updated recommendation.

In anticipation of a potential recommendation for targeted prostate cancer screening, a clinician-led short-life working group, chaired by the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, will assess Scotland’s readiness to respond to any future advice from the UK NSC on prostate screening.

Question reference: S6O-05273

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 December 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much it will allocate in its forthcoming Budget to local authorities to provide financial support to those affected by RAAC, including businesses.

Question reference: S6O-05254

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 December 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has given any further consideration to initiating a consultation on the establishment of a kindergarten phase for children in Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-05215

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to potential social security implications, what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding compensation for Women Against State Pension Inequality.

Question reference: S6W-41592

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 17 November 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will work with criminal justice stakeholders to develop standards that set out what must happen when someone with an alcohol use disorder comes into contact with the criminal justice system.

The Scottish Government is engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including those involved within the criminal justice system on the creation of a new approach to care and support for people impacted by alcohol. That new approach will include plans for a national specification setting out the interventions required to reduce harm as well as improved standards for implementing those. Standards for alcohol care and support in the criminal justice system are the same as standards in the community.

The Scottish Government has oversight groups in place to help provide national and local leadership with a clear steer on the services which need to be in place in all settings.

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-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: 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.