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-11265

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many schools and early learning and childcare settings have volunteered to take part in a so-called recovery visit.

Taking the ongoing challenges settings and schools face in dealing with COVID-19 and stakeholder views into account, HM Inspectors of Education did not resume the routine early learning and childcare (ELC) and school inspection programme as originally planned last academic year.

HM Inspectors of Education invited ELC settings and schools to “self-select” to take part in recovery visits during the remainder of the academic year.

Overall, 164 settings and schools self-selected for a recovery visit. Due to local circumstances, including the impact of COVID-19, some recovery visits did not proceed as planned. Between March and July 2022, HM Inspectors of Education visited 148 schools and ELC settings.

The aim of the recovery visits was to learn from settings and schools about their own current priorities as they responded to the impact of the current pandemic, what was working well and the challenges education practitioners faced. The visits were tailored to the needs of each school or setting and included both online meetings and face-to-face activities.

Question reference: S6W-11362

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 20 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take to strengthen legislation in regard to improving the safety and welfare of racing dogs, particularly those involved in racing on any unlicensed, or so-called "flapper", tracks.

The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, ensures that action can be taken if the welfare needs of greyhounds are not being met. This applies whether the dogs are still racing or retired. Part 2 of the Act applies to all persons responsible for animals, including breeders, trainers and owners of racing greyhounds.

The Scottish Government strengthened this Act via the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 so those found guilty of cruelty offences now face up to five years imprisonment and unlimited fines.

The Scottish Government has gone further, announcing on 06 October (S6M-05949 – Greyhound Racing in Scotland ) that greyhound racing would be included in the planned consultation on extending licensing legislation to animal care services which may include dog training, walking and grooming services.

Question reference: S6W-11127

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 30 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to reduce waiting times for appointments to assess attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.

We provided an additional £9m to NHS Boards in 2021-22 to address waiting lists for Psychological Therapies. It is encouraging to see this reflected in a consistent and sustained reduction in waits of over 52 weeks over the past year and a more recent reduction in over 18 weeks waits in the most recent quarter.

In addition, we have commissioned the National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) to carry out a feasibility study to investigate a National Clinical Pathway to benefit adults diagnosed with ADHD. Adult Neurodevelopmental Pathways are being piloted in four Health Boards to support a single diagnostic pathway for ADHD and Autism. The pilot started in January 2022 and will run for 12 months.

Question reference: S6W-09413

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 5 July 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when the recommendations of the Ventilation Short-Life Working Group (a) were submitted to the Scottish Government and (b) will be published, and what the reasons are for any delay.

Question reference: S6O-01077

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress it has made in closing the attainment gap among school pupils.

Question reference: S6O-01042

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 April 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what work it is doing to support the revival of cultural and heritage institutions in Glasgow city centre, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question reference: S6O-00972

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 April 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the support it is providing to high streets and businesses.

Question reference: S6W-07215

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 24 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of reports of people facing long waiting times when contacting the Scotland's Census 2022 helpline, and, if so, what action it is taking to address this.

The Scotland’s Census 2022 contact centre experienced high volumes of calls in its first few days of operation and we are aware that some callers have experienced longer than average wait times at peak points during the day. National Records of Scotland apologise for any frustration this may have caused.

Callers to the Freephone helpline (0800 030 8308) are advised at the start of the call of current wait times and therefore have the opportunity to phone back at a less busy time. An automated option (option 1) is also provided for those wishing to order a paper form. This involves no wait time.

Additional resources have been placed into the contact centre to deal with periods of peak activity. Contact can also be made with the census team via web chat, e-mail or physical correspondence. Contact details can be found here: Contact us | Scotland's Census 2022 . Help and advice on a range of topics is also provided at www.census.gov.scot .

These changes continue to have had a positive impact, with general reductions in the average wait times in week 2 and beyond. There is ongoing active monitoring and management of the position to ensure that those that need help are able to speak to an agent.

Question reference: S6O-00902

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it is scheduled to meet with UK Government ministers to discuss the implementation of the Energy Company Obligation 4 scheme in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-03700

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 12 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 26 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to review its COVID-19 guidance to end the mandatory use of face coverings for people attending places of worship.

The Scottish Government is required by law to regularly review all protective measures that are currently in place, such as the mandatory requirement for the wearing of face coverings in most indoor settings, including places of worship. This measure will continue to be monitored and reviewed in relation to evidence on the four harms : the direct impact of COVID-19, other health impacts, societal impacts, and economic impacts.

After a recent review, during which there was careful consideration of all of the current evidence as well as the options available, Ministers determined that the regulations on face coverings remain proportionate and should not change for the present.

At this stage of the pandemic many of the more intrusive restrictions have been lifted, but the virus and the harms that it causes have not gone away. We still continue to see hospital admissions and deaths as a result of COVID and the impacts of long COVID can be significant. That is why it remains important to maximise the use of the remaining measures such as face coverings.

While the vaccination has significantly weakened the link between new cases and serious health harms, it has not been completely broken. It is therefore important that places of worship, along with many other indoor settings, continue their good practice to reduce the spread of the virus.

We are grateful to faith and belief communities for their important role in protecting their congregations and enabling everyone, particularly those at higher risk, to access worship safely.