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

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 2677 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S7W-00740

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the number of deaths involving synthetic opioids in Scotland reaching the highest level on record last year, whether any specific ministerial meetings have been held to discuss the threat posed by these substances and their increasing availability in Scotland.

The increased prevalence of new synthetic substances is of real concern, not only in Scotland but across the whole of the UK. We are working closely with partners to communicate vital information and advice. We have been able to identify and respond to new and emerging threats such as dangerous synthetic opioids thanks to the investments made in surveillance like our RADAR early warning system.

Ministers routinely meet with a range of stakeholders to discuss the ongoing threat of synthetic substances. Later this month, Public Health Scotland will host a summit with system leaders (including Scottish Ministers, COSLA and representatives from NHS Boards, Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, justice leaders and those with lived and living experience) to address the changing drugs landscape in Scotland and concerning trends in drug related harms.

In addition, a virtual meeting of all UK drugs ministers is scheduled for 24 June 2026. Scottish Ministers have requested that the topic of synthetic opioids be included on the agenda for discussion.

Question reference: S7W-00738

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the National Crime Agency's determination that there are currently no up-to-date national estimates of drug consumption in Scotland, and for what reason it has withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme, which is intended to provide such information.

As confirmed in the answer to S7W-00736 on 16 June 2026, the Scottish Government has not withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme.

The latest WAND programme report published by the Home Office – covering a period when Scottish sites were included – did not provide a national estimate of drug consumption for Scotland. The report is available here - Wastewater analysis - estimating drug consumption.

Public Health Scotland do publish statistics relating to drug prevalence in Scotland, the last publication was in March 2026 - Estimated prevalence of opioid dependence in Scotland.

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.

Question reference: S7W-00736

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has withdrawn from the Home Office and National Crime Agency Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme and, if so, for what reason.

Question reference: S7W-00737

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide any information, including expert advice or relevant data, that informed its decision to withdraw from the Home Office and National Crime Agency Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme.

As confirmed in the answer to S7W-00736 on 16 June 226, the Scottish Government has not withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme. This was a fully Home Office-funded programme, to which the Scottish Government has not contributed funding. The Home Office decided in late 2025 to withdraw funding for the Scottish sites due to budget constraints.

The Scottish Government was approached about contributing funding to reinstate the Scottish sites at this time. WAND was primarily useful for being able to provide estimates of drug consumption in the tested area. The conclusion reached by both the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland was that the specific added value of wastewater analysis remained uncertain when compared with the existing, extensive surveillance system, coordinated via RADAR. On this basis, the Scottish Government determined that it would not be an effective use of limited budget to contribute to the programme.

Question reference: S7W-00741

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the number of deaths from synthetic opioids recorded in Scotland reaching the highest level on record in 2025, what specific action it will take to combat the increasing availability of synthetic opioids in Scotland.

The Scottish Government fully recognises the need to tackle drug supply and organised crime groups. Police Scotland works with agencies in Scotland, the UK and internationally to take illegal substances, including synthetic opioids, off Scotland’s streets, and to dismantle the groups responsible and hold them to account. They continue to have notable success with the number of senior organised crime group members in prison indicative of operational success.

Our Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan, Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery aims to prevent harm from alcohol and drugs, promote recovery and save lives. Grounded in human rights, the Plan sets out a clear long term direction for addressing alcohol and drug harms through a public health, evidence informed approach. The Plan builds on the progress made throughout the National Mission, and sets out a renewed focus on prevention and early intervention, whilst continuing to support vital harm reduction measures and improving treatment and care pathways to support long term recovery.

In light of the changing drug trends and emerging threats, the Plan commits to strengthening surveillance and early response measures, and expanding the approach of what has been achieved through the Medication Assisted Treatment standards (currently primarily for opioid use) to cover all substances including alcohol.

Question reference: S7W-01043

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 15 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils have been excluded from school for possession of a knife or offensive weapon in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S7W-01042

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 15 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents involving possession of a knife or bladed article have been recorded in schools in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S7W-01053

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 15 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many youth workers (a) were employed in 2016 and b) are currently employed.

Question reference: S7W-01016

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 15 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints regarding the illegal use of (a) quad bikes and (b) off-road motorcycles have been recorded by Police Scotland in each of the last five years, broken down by local authority area.

Question reference: S7W-01017

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 15 June 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 13 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the illegal use of (a) quad bikes and (b) off-road motorcycles on rural communities.