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: S5W-19952

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to publicise the latest Muirburn Code to land managers in advance of the current moorland burning season, and what future steps are planned.

Following the launch of the revised Muirburn Code last year, publicity appeared in the relevant trade press and on social media, and land managers were directly notified by the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Division. The current Muirburn season began on 1 October and ends on 15 April, with an extension period until 30 April. The vast majority of Muirburn takes place in late winter and early spring, and it is considered that publicity about the Code is best focused on this period rather than autumn.

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform announced last year that the Scottish Government would to set up an independently-led group to examine how to ensure grouse moor management is sustainable and compliant with the law. The group, chaired by Professor Alan Werritty, is examining the environmental impact of grouse moor management practices such as Muirburn. The Group will report back to the Cabinet Secretary in Spring 2019, including recommendations on whether further regulation of grouse moors is required.

Question reference: S5W-19950

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prevent an outbreak of large moorland wildfires similar to those in spring 2018.

The Scottish Government is working with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF) to develop a wildfire risk scenario for Scotland. This will support individuals and agencies in planning for and responding to wildfire events.

The Scottish Government is also currently funding a project which will provide a Fire Weather Index system for Scottish conditions. This project, which is due to be completed in 2021, will allow the development of a reliable Fire Danger Rating System for Scotland. This will reduce both the incidence and impact of wildfire through increasing awareness of risk and enhancing response preparedness.

Question reference: S5T-01355

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 26 November 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Question reference: S5W-19999

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 16 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 26 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what remuneration GPs receive for carrying out six-week post-natal checks.

Question reference: S5W-20001

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 16 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 23 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on including a self-assessment questionnaire regarding (a) pelvic health and (b) incontinence in the bowel screening kit sent to people aged 50 and over.

The Scottish Government would not support the inclusion of self-assessment questionnaires into the invitation issued by NHS Scotland’s Bowel Screening programme. The programme has tailored invitations, offering key information to support individuals in making an informed decision about participating in screening. The inclusion of additional, non-related requests, could detract and deter invitee’s from participating in screening.

Question reference: S5W-20005

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 16 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 23 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on including a self-assessment questionnaire regarding incontinence when issuing invites to attend a mammogram.

The Scottish Government would not support the inclusion of self-assessment questionnaires into the invitation issued by NHS Scotland’s Breast Screening programme. The programme has tailored invitations, offering key information to support individuals in making an informed decision about participating in screening. The inclusion of additional, non-related requests, could detract and deter invitee’s from participating in screening.

Question reference: S5W-19885

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19297 by Kevin Stewart on 24 October 2018, how the repayment of the loan to Hearthstone affected the quantity of housing stock due to be delivered by Edinvar Castle Rock.

Hearthstone provided initial private finance loan investment to Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association (CRE) to enable delivery of social rent homes through this scheme. CRE subsequently repaid the loan to Hearthstone but continue to work with the local authority partners to develop the originally planned social rent homes. The repayment of the loan to Hearthstone did not have a direct effect on the quantity of housing stock to be delivered.

Question reference: S5W-19884

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19297 by Kevin Stewart on 24 October 2018, for what reason it did not answer the question that was asked, and whether it will now confirm the time period of the loan.

Question reference: S5W-19886

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-18230 by Kevin Stewart on 4 September 2018, which body initially received the £6 million investment it made that was referred to in its news release of 8 June 2015.

Question reference: S5W-19883

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 November 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 22 November 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-19300 by Kevin Stewart on 24 October 2018, what it considers to be the period in which the loan was repaid to Hearthstone.