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: S6F-00196

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 30 August 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2021

To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet.

Question reference: S6W-01809

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 02 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 30 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what recent communication it has had with the UK Government regarding Hong Kong residents moving to Scotland.

Scotland is a welcoming nation and those who decide to come to Scotland from Hong Kong and elsewhere will be welcomed for the positive contribution they will bring to our communities, economy and society. The British National (Overseas)visa scheme was launched on 31 st January and as of the end of March 2021 a total of 34,300 have applied for the visa.

Scottish Government has been engaging with UK Government to clarify the numbers of individuals coming to Scotland. through this visa route. This information will be key in ensuring the availability of relevant information and advice. Scottish Government has prepared an online welcome pack for individuals arriving in Scotland via the British National (Overseas) visa scheme which will be linked to our Moving to Scotland resource.

We will continue to press the UK Government for further information on numbers.

Question reference: S6W-02039

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 02 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 26 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reports regarding Queens consent, whether it will provide details of (a) the procedure for this and (b) its impact.

Question reference: S6O-00094

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 August 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its programme for mental health within the NHS Recovery Plan.

Question reference: S6W-01448

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to introduce COVID-19 vaccine passports in domestic settings.

Question reference: S6W-01810

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 02 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 22 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to support Hong Kong residents who are moving to Scotland.

Scotland has a long history of welcoming people of all nationalities, including those from Hong Kong. We recognise the positive contribution that they make to society. They are assets to our communities: sharing their culture, building businesses, working in our public services, volunteering their skills and making friendships. We are committed to supporting their integration into our communities and are confident that Scotland will benefit from their presence.

The Chinese Government’s decision to implement the National Security Law in Hong Kong is of deep concern to the Scottish Government. This action seriously undermines the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, which guarantees Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy, and will irreversibly diminish the rights and freedoms of its people.

We support the UK Government’s commitment to providing a bespoke pathway to citizenship for British National (Overseas) citizens from Hong Kong and their dependants and we welcome those who have chosen to move to Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-02052

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce the amount of plastic waste exported to other countries.

It is vital that waste is managed responsibly and sustainably, and we want to be able to manage more of our own waste within Scotland. A large majority of Scotland’s waste is managed within Scotland, but around 14% is currently processed elsewhere, representing a lost economic opportunity. Our Deposit Return Scheme will significantly increase the quantity and quality of in-scope materials recycled and reduce litter. It would also create economic opportunities, such as attracting investment into reprocessing capacity in Scotland, on which we are actively working with potential investors on.

While waste export legislation is a matter for the UK Government, we will continue to work closely with them to ensure that all waste is managed responsibly and sustainably. We are working with the other governments of the UK on reform of the packaging producer responsibility system to provide greater incentives for domestic reprocessing.

SEPA routinely carry out proactive inspections at Scottish ports and loading sites to ensure compliance with the strict Waste Shipment Regulations. SEPA will continue to prioritise the regulation of plastic waste exports from Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-02087

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what conditions will require to be met to allow bagpipe lessons to resume in primary schools.

In line with the updated guidance on reducing risk in schools and the move to Level 0, children and young people can now engage in all music activities in schools, indoors and outdoors. Safety mitigations, for example good ventilation and enhanced hygiene, should continue to apply in relevant settings where these activities are taking place.

The guidance can be found at the link below:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Question reference: S6W-01860

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 26 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 12 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what projects the Scottish National Investment Bank has supported since its creation.

Question reference: S6W-01457

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 11 August 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that milk will be provided to pupils in rural areas, should smaller contractors not have the resources to do so under the new Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01456 on 11 August 2021. In addition, the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme has been costed using the best available data including feedback from dairy suppliers and an uplift was applied to the funding model to take account of uncertainties such as market variation and potential sensitivities around milk supply in rural Scotland.

Through the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme we aim to embed the habit of regular consumption of high-quality dairy produce and fruit and vegetables from an early age. The Scottish Government will use Year 1 to gather and review evidence, including via an implementation group consisting of key partners, to ensure the Scheme is meeting policy objectives. Should evidence suggest otherwise, we will consider whether action is required as we look ahead to Year 2 and beyond.

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 .