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: S5O-05017

Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 February 2021
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the future use of hydrogen-powered trains on the Edinburgh–Dundee–Aberdeen main line.

Question reference: S5O-04897

Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 January 2021
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to help older people access essential requirements, including food, medical attention and prescriptions, under the current COVID-19 restrictions.

Question reference: S5O-04789

Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 November 2020
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on subject choice in the 2020-21 academic year.

Question reference: S5O-04752

Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 November 2020
Current Status: Awaiting answer

To ask the Scottish Government what input the Scottish tourism sector has had into its decision-making on COVID-19 restrictions.

Question reference: S5W-30967

Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 26 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to introduce or endorse social distancing badges or lanyards similar to those developed in Wales to support people who are at higher risk from COVID-19 to indicate to others that they need to maintain physical distancing in public places.

Question reference: S5W-30966

Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 13 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing social distancing badges or lanyards similar to those developed in Wales to support people who are at higher risk from COVID-19 to indicate to others that they need to maintain physical distancing in public places.

Physical distancing and good hand hygiene are the most effective measures in preventing the spread of Covid-19, and the Scottish Government is not considering introducing physical distancing badges or lanyards.

Although significant progress has been made in reducing the spread of the virus, The Scottish Government is clear that the risk to the public remains significant, especially for those in the higher risk and shielding categories. For this reason it is critical that everyone, but especially those in these high risk groups, follow our FACTS guidance, namely:

Face Coverings in enclosed spaces
Avoid crowded places
Clean hands and surfaces regularly
Two metre distancing; and
Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms

Question reference: S5W-30862

Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 12 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of private patients being allowed to access the full range of dental treatments from 13 July 2020, for what reason only a limited number of NHS treatments were made available.

In a letter to private healthcare providers on 1 June the National Clinical Director and the Chief Dental Officer highlighted the importance of the entire independent healthcare sector, including independent dentists, following the spirit of the route map and supporting key public health messages. We would encourage all independent dentists to follow the guidance that has been issued in order to protect patients and staff.

The health and safety of all patients and staff attending dental practices remains our primary consideration and in taking a phased approach we are seeking to balance the overall risk of infection with the needs of patients to be seen by dentists. Our overarching aim is to save lives.

NHS dentists are now permitted, under our route map for dentistry, to offer a range of treatments including aerosol generating procedures for patients in need of urgent dental care.

Question reference: S5W-30868

Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 12 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish updated guidance regarding the resumption of aerosol generating dental procedures for NHS patients.

We are not in a position to give a precise date on when this guidance will be published. The Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) is leading a 4 UK country group looking at all aerosol generated procedures (AGP) in dentistry examining each against the risks of transmission and their mitigation when they are reintroduced into practice.

COVID-19 has presented an unprecedented challenge for public health experts and governments. The over-riding concern of the Scottish Government has been and continues to be the prevention of further outbreaks and loss-of-life. As most dental procedures involve the generation of a fine spray of moisture droplets they are considered high risk procedures for the transmission of coronavirus. We have therefore taken a precautionary approach to remobilisation of NHS dental care in Scotland.

Throughout the pandemic NHS patients have continued to have appropriate access to urgent care with AGPs through 71 Urgent Dental Care Centres established at NHS Board level. As we continue to suppress the virus we have been able to reintroduce activity within dental practice, and from the 17 August dental practices will be able to provide certain types of AGPs on patients in need of urgent dental care.

Question reference: S5W-30657

Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 11 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to additional support for the oil and gas sector, in light of low oil prices caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The oil and gas sector in Scotland continues to be significantly affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decrease in oil prices. The Scottish Government are working with a range of partners to consider how short, medium and long term needs can be addressed.

We have committed, in line with industry’s asks of us, to invest £62 million in an Energy Transition Fund to support businesses in the oil, gas and energy sectors to grow and diversify and make significant progress on an energy transition as we move towards a net zero greenhouse gas emissions future. This fund will, we understand, potentially help lever in a total of more that £900 million investment, if the Sector Deal is supported by UK Ministers, as I anticipate it will be.

The investment will benefit the wider Scottish energy sector and broader supply chain, working with local businesses to maximise the economic benefits, support sustainable jobs and contribute to inclusive economic growth across the country. This fund was developed in consultation with the industry and we will continue to engage with the sector on projects as we go forward.

The Oil and Gas, and Energy Transition Strategic Leadership Group, which I chair, has also been refocused and is now meeting monthly and working with OGUK, OGA, trade unions and employers to identify practical actions to support the sector and its supply chain. In addition to an additional exceptional meeting held on 2 nd of April, four subsequent meetings of the refocused group have now been held, which have focused on the retention of talent and skills in the sector as well as projects and actions to support the recovery of the sector and the energy transition. These discussions have helped to inform the development of the Energy Transition Fund. The most recent meeting focused on development of support packages for the supply chain.

The Scottish Government will continue to engage with the UK Government and key stakeholders to ensure there continues to be a tripartite approach to supporting the oil and gas sector, including on the delivery of a sector deal.

Question reference: S5W-30784

Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 10 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates being able to relax the restrictions on attendances at weddings and wedding receptions.

With effect from 15 July, Scottish Ministers removed the restrictions in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 affecting attendance at marriage ceremonies and civil partnership registrations, subject to the need to maintain physical distancing within the couple’s chosen venue.

At present, we are advising that no more than 20 people should attend a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration, even where a larger number could be accommodated. This limit will be reviewed again on 20 August.

Receptions or other celebrations related to a marriage or civil partnership must continue to comply with the restrictions on public gatherings under the Health Protection Regulations.

We will continue to consider how to permit all marriage ceremonies and civil partnership registrations to take place, with improved hygiene and other precautions, during Phase 4 of our route map, taking account of medical and scientific advice. During Phase 4 we also anticipate that further relaxations on gatherings of family and friends will be possible.

The Scottish Government continues to keep the position under careful review. In relation to the Health Protection Regulations, as soon as the Scottish Ministers consider that a restriction or requirement in the Health Protection Regulations is no longer necessary to prevent, protect against, control or respond to the incidence or spread of the infection, the Scottish Ministers must end the restriction or requirement.