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-20486

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 28 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposals for safe drug consumption facilities include further facilities outside the one proposed for Glasgow.

The Lord Advocate provided specific parameters, which were set out in a statement on 3 November 2021, it stipulated in order for a new proposal to be considered it would need to be precise, detailed and specific, which was underpinned by evidence and supported by those who would be responsible for policing such a facility, and by Police Scotland.

The current proposal, as developed by Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, is only for a site within Glasgow.

Question reference: S6W-20484

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Elena Whitham on 28 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government which organisations had input into its proposal for safe drug consumption facilities that was sent to the Lord Advocate.

Question reference: S6W-20418

Asked by: Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 04 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 28 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to provide an initial progress update on its Scams Prevention, Awareness and Enforcement Strategy 2021-24.

The Scottish Government’s Scam Prevention, Awareness and Enforcement Strategy 2021-24 states that an initial update would be published at an appropriate time within 18-24 months of its publication in March 2021. However, our response to the cost of living crisis has meant refocusing resource to ensure that the urgent help and advice required by consumers was delivered as quickly as possible.

We intend to provide a progress update to the Scottish Parliament by the end of this calendar year.

Question reference: S6W-20357

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19649 by Jenni Minto on 28 July 2023, on what date it expects to publish its Tobacco Action Plan.

The Scottish Government continues to make progress on drafting the refreshed Tobacco Action Plan and this is due to be published in Autumn 2023.

The Plan will renew our focus on meeting our ambitious target of a Tobacco-Free Scotland by 2034. We are considering a range of evidence, including the latest international evidence, and are working closely with stakeholders, including Smoking Cessation Co-ordinators, ASH Scotland, the Poverty Alliance, Trading Standards and PHS to deliver actions that will further reduce the smoking rates.

Question reference: S6W-20345

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 28 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the GP IT programme that is outlined in Care in the Digital Age: Delivery Plan 2022-23, whether all NHS boards are on schedule to have selected an accredited system by the end of January 2024, ahead of roll out to GP practices by June 2026.

The rollout of the new National GP IT system is being delivered by the national ‘GP IT’ re-provisioning programme and is now fully underway with the first 4 NHS Health Boards(NHS Tayside, Lanarkshire, Lothian and Grampian). To date there are 110 GP practices currently live with the new system. We expect all Health Boards to enter into agreements with the Supplier by mid-2024, and full rollout completed by 2026. More information is available in our refreshed delivery plan of the Digital Strategy: Care in the Digital Age: Delivery Plan 2023-24 (www.gov.scot)

Question reference: S6W-20607

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 25 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it tracks the participation of children aged 10 to 15 in cultural activities, including theatre, drama, music and sport.

Question reference: S6W-20592

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 25 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been provided to local authorities from the Ukraine Longer Term Resettlement Fund.

Question reference: S6W-20336

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 25 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness of the reported greater levels of effectiveness of ground-source heat pumps compared with air-source heat pumps.

The suitability of Zero Direct Emission Heating Systems is dependent on a number of factors, including, for example: the age of the property, its location, available space, and any energy efficiency improvements that have already been installed or are required to support the efficient operation of a zero direct emissions system.

Home Energy Scotland (HES), administered by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government, is a domestic advice service that acts as a single point of access for free, bespoke, impartial advice on energy efficiency, renewable heating and fuel poverty support in Scotland. HES provides in-depth support to householders on low and zero emissions heating technologies, other domestic renewables and more complex energy efficiency improvements.

Later this year we will publish our Heat in Buildings Public Engagement Strategy, outlining how we will work with stakeholders to increase public awareness and understanding of the need to transition to renewable heating, the different technological options available to achieve this and how to access existing advice and support.

Question reference: S6W-20319

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to questions S6W-16562 and S6W-18739 by Maree Todd on 21 April 2023 and 19 June 2023, whether it plans to establish a swimming pool fund, and, if so, what specific actions it has taken in relation to such a fund.

The Scottish Government places great importance on sport and leisure facilities, they are vital in supporting the physical and mental health of the nation.

sport scotland, our national agency for sport, is working with Scottish Swimming to undertake a review of the facilities estate. This will improve the understanding of the current swimming pool facilities provision and help to predict the landscape in the short, medium and long term to ensure the sustainability of these important facilities. This review will contribute to a better understanding of how we can best support facilities in Scotland.

In the interim, it is vital that all partners at a local level work together to explore all avenues and approaches, to ensure that local clubs and communities have access to sport and leisure facilities.

Question reference: S6W-20353

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any discussions it has had with representatives from the care sector, in light of reports that care homes are closing at a rate of one per week.