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-43877

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 6 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether any NHS boards have discontinued the supply of nasal naloxone, and, if so, which boards, and what the reasons are for this in each case.

The Scottish Government is unaware of any NHS Board having discontinued the supply of nasal naloxone.

All NHS Boards in Scotland have access to both nasal and injectable formulations of naloxone as part of Scotland’s national harm-reduction approach. The exception is NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which has historically utilised injectable naloxone within its services and did not introduce nasal naloxone into routine clinical provision. As such, nasal naloxone has not been discontinued in that Board area, as it was not previously adopted.

Decisions regarding formulation reflect clinical practice, service delivery models and operational considerations, while maintaining alignment with national policy to ensure timely access to life-saving overdose reversal medication across Scotland

Question reference: S6W-43878

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 6 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of the provision of nasal naloxone in tackling drug-related deaths.

The Scottish Government considers the provision of nasal naloxone to be an essential harm-reduction measure in tackling drug-related deaths. Naloxone is the recognised emergency antidote for opioid overdose, and both nasal and injectable formulations are central to preventing fatal overdoses.

Nasal naloxone enables rapid, easy-to-use overdose reversal, particularly for individuals without clinical training. Its availability increases access by allowing police officers, community members, families and bystanders to respond quickly in an emergency. The national rollout across Police Scotland further demonstrates its value in providing immediate, life-saving intervention.

Overall, the provision of nasal naloxone significantly strengthens Scotland’s public health response and supports the National Mission to reduce harm and save lives.

Question reference: S6W-43920

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 5 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the National Child Mortality Database finding that one in 14 children who die in England have closely related parents, and whether it plans to review Scottish marriage law to ban first-cousin marriage as a result.

Question reference: S6W-43963

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 5 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to (a) expanding four-day working week trials, (b) moving towards a 32-hour working week within the public sector and (c) promoting fair working time practices, as part of its wider commitment to wellbeing and sustainable development.

Scottish Government committed to a Four Day Working Week pilot in the public sector to explore the wellbeing and productivity benefits that a shorter working week could bring. The pilot was delivered in partnership with The Autonomy Institute and identified several examples of more efficient and innovative working practices at Accountant in Bankruptcy and South of Scotland Enterprise. The pilot formally concluded on 03 November 2025 and the evaluation report can be accessed here - Four day working week pilot - Public sector pay - gov.scot

Whilst there are no plans for any further trials or a broader move to a 32-hour week across government, the learnings from the pilot will be integrated into the Public Service Reform Programme to inform future productivity improvements. Scottish Government continues to support flexible working arrangements that enhance wellbeing and operational efficiency, including the recent move to a 35-hour working week framework.

While the legal powers governing flexible working are currently reserved to Westminster, the Scottish Government is committed to working with employers to explore ways of promoting and encouraging flexible, agile and inclusive workplaces that benefit all workers and employers. Since 2020/21, we have provided over £1.5m in funding to help promote and support employers and workers across Scotland to adopt flexible workplace practices.

Question reference: S6W-43921

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Kaukab Stewart on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when the Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020 will come into force, and what its position is on whether there would be less instances of female genital mutilation if it had been brought into force in 2020.

The Scottish Government’s intention is that the Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020 will be commenced by December 2026. Work is progressing with necessary partners towards this deadline.

FGM has been illegal in Scotland since 1985 and there is no evidence to indicate that it is taking place in Scotland. The Act will strengthen the existing legislative framework offering extra protection to women and girls through statutory guidance and protective orders, which allow the courts to impose conditions which will prevent someone from taking a girl abroad for FGM.

While the Act is not yet in force, existing legislation and measures and child protection orders, remain available to protect any child who may be at risk.

Question reference: S6W-43919

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will require NHS Scotland to issue guidance on any potential genetic risks associated with children born to parents who are first cousins.

Couples who are first cousins need, and want, to be supported and empowered to understand the potential genetic risks within their families and the potential impact on any children. Clinical services and guidance are currently available within the NHS to cope with the current level of demand for those aware of genetic risks within their families or with children already suspected of having an inherited genetic condition.

Question reference: S6W-43926

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 3 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care last met with residents in Calton to discuss any impact associated with the Thistle drug consumption facility.

I have not held a meeting with residents in Calton specifically to discuss the impact of the Thistle drug consumption facility. However, Scottish Government officials continue to engage regularly with local partners, including Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, to monitor delivery of the service and any identified community impacts.

In addition, an independent evaluation is under way. This evaluation will assess a range of outcomes, including community impact and any unintended consequences, and will inform future decisions regarding the service.

Question reference: S6W-43925

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 3 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care last met with Police Scotland to discuss any impact associated with the Thistle drug consumption facility.

I have not held a meeting with Police Scotland specifically to discuss the impact of the Thistle drug consumption facility. However, Scottish Government officials maintain regular engagement with Police Scotland and local partners to monitor the delivery of the service and any identified community impacts.

Operational policing of the facility and surrounding area remains a matter for Police Scotland, which retains operational independence. In addition, an independent evaluation of the pilot is under way and will assess a range of outcomes, including community impact and any unintended consequences, and will inform future decisions regarding the service.

Question reference: S6O-05584

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what renewed action it will take to improve tree equity in Scotland’s urban areas.

Question reference: S6W-43680

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 February 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of any funding that it has provided in the last five years to the Scottish Drugs Forum in reducing drugs deaths.

Over the past five years, the Scottish Government has funded SDF to support delivery of the National Mission to reduce drug deaths and improve lives. The National Drugs Mission Plan (2022–2026) sets out the approach being taken, including investment to strengthen the workforce, improve data and surveillance, embed lived and living experience, prevent the development of problem drug use, and reduce harm for people who use drugs.

SDF has been funded to deliver projects that contribute directly to these outcomes, including harm reduction initiatives, lived and living experience engagement, improvements in workforce capability, and national data and surveillance support.

As a grant-funded organisation, SDF is required to report regularly on progress against agreed objectives. The Scottish Government is satisfied with the progress made, with objectives adjusted over time to respond to emerging priorities.

It is not possible to attribute a specific number of prevented deaths to individual projects. However, the Scottish Government considers that reductions in drug deaths depend on the collective impact of system-wide interventions. Harm reduction work (including naloxone distribution), strengthening of the MAT Standards, improved non-fatal overdose responses, expanded lived experience engagement, and workforce development have all been essential to Scotland’s ability to prevent fatalities.

Scotland’s capacity to prevent drug deaths would be significantly weakened had this work not been undertaken.