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 40988 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-08374

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines are in place for NHS boards regarding the use of GP DACS (General Practice Digital Asynchronous Consultation Systems) that are available, such as Near Me and AskMyGP.

Question reference: S6W-08375

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much each NHS board has spent on GP DACS (General Practice Digital Asynchronous Consultation Systems) in each of the last three financial years, and how much does each NHS board anticipate it will spend on these systems in the (a) current and (b) next financial year.

Question reference: S6W-08382

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to help to expand the Men’s Shed Movement in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has supported the men’s sheds movement in Scotland since 2016 with sustained core funding provided to the national support organisation, the Scottish Mens Sheds Association (SMSA), which has enabled them to grow the men’s sheds movement here in Scotland year on year.

We are aware of their contribution to the preventative health agenda, tackling social isolation and loneliness, and their impact on our wider community empowerment ambitions, and that is why we continue to support the growth of men’s sheds.

Scottish Government is currently working with the SMSA and their Executive Officer Jason Schroeder, to agree the necessary support for this year that will help them continue to grow the movement here in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-08372

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how patient confidentiality is ensured in connection with the use of GP DACS (General Practice Digital Asynchronous Consultation Systems), in light of some NHS Scotland GP practices reportedly using such systems.

As outlined in my reply to your letter dated 28 April 2022, I can assure you that the Scottish Government takes the security of patient information and data extremely seriously. I can confirm that there are robust Digital Security and Governance procedures that apply to any procurement activity within the NHS. Local NHS boards or practices are responsible for compliance in the form of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) and System Security Policy (SSP).

I can also advise that all Health Boards in Scotland have been advised of the national approach being taken to the provision of a 'once for Scotland' GP DACS. Boards are aware that a national steering group is overseeing this development and has established a ‘pathfinder’ approach to better understand the level of demand, market maturity and benefits and impact before seeking to agree a national approach. Guidance will be developed and issued as part of the pathfinder programme.

As part of the pathfinder programme guidance will developed and issued to NHS Boards on GP DACS. However, I should clarify that Near Me is not an asynchronous model (as it only provides real-time video consultations) and that AskMyGP has been procured at a local level and does not fall under the remit of the national programme.

The expenditure on local adoption of GP DACS is not currently monitored at a national level given the variation in different approaches and systems that are currently in use for online triage and asynchronous consultations. We expect to develop a clearer picture of this as we develop the approach to national GP DACS.

Question reference: S6W-08340

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07520 by Michael Matheson on 25 April 2022, whether it will provide the information requested in the final part of the question regarding by when it plans to replace the 20.3% of nuclear-generated energy in Scotland with energy generated by renewables in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-08351

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing new ScotRail services to Lockerbie Station following its move into public ownership.

Question reference: S6W-08336

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many hill tracks constructed under permitted development rights have been built on peatland since 2014.

Question reference: S6W-08335

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions between 2014 and 2021 (a) prior notification has been submitted, (b) prior approval has been granted and (c) planning authorities have required full applications to be made for the construction of hill tracks for agriculture or forestry purposes.

Question reference: S6W-08334

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to consult on amending permitted development rights in relation to hill tracks, and what the scope of its consultation will be.

The Scottish Government is currently undertaking a review of permitted development rights (PDR) as part of its wider planning reform programme. The review is being taken forward on a phased basis, with each phase focussing on specific types of development.

We intend to consult on proposals relating to private ways (sometimes referred to as ‘hill tracks’) through phase 3 of the review. The detailed scope and timing of the phase 3 consultation is currently under review.

Question reference: S6W-08329

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 17 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it anticipates will be made available for the Scottish Council on Global Affairs in addition to the £27,000 secured for its first year.