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-02295

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the law in relation to the management of seagulls.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 requires that all wild birds are protected. NatureScot has responsibility for the issuing of General Licences under Section 16(1) of the Act, which authorise the killing and taking of certain wild birds including their eggs for one or more of several reasons including public health and safety.

NatureScot held a consultation on General Licences between August and October 2019. Following this consultation, they removed several species, including herring, lesser black-backed and great black-backed gulls, from the 2020 General Licences either on the basis that there was insufficient evidence of the damage they caused; there are other alternative non-lethal solutions; or there are conservation concerns over their population status. Although some species have been removed, authorised persons will still be able to apply to NatureScot for a specific licence to control them or undertake lethal control, including nest and egg destruction.

The Scottish Government does not plan to review the law in relation to the management of seagulls because it is viewed as striking the correct balance between preserving public health and conserving the species.

Question reference: S5O-02295

Asked by: John Scott, MSP for Ayr, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 June 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the death rate from drug abuse in Ayrshire, in light of reports that this has more than trebled since 2010.

Question reference: S5W-02295

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 02 September 2016
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 12 September 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what fee payment rate has been paid to Scottish Qualifications Authority invigilators for a standard four-hour session in each year since 2007.

Question reference: S4O-02295

Asked by: Margaret Mitchell, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 June 2013

To ask the Scottish Government what provision is made in local authority schools for access to educational psychology services.

Question reference: S4W-02295

Asked by: Siobhan McMahon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 August 2011
Current Status: Answered by Nicola Sturgeon on 14 September 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with asthma have received a medication review since the introduction of the Chronic Medication Service.

Question reference: S3W-02295

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Edinburgh Central, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 20 July 2007
Current Status: Answered by Stewart Stevenson on 7 August 2007

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1420 by Stewart Stevenson on 20 July 2007, whether bus and tram options will be considered in the planning work for a new Forth crossing.

Question reference: S2W-02295

Asked by: Mr Brian Monteith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 01 September 2003
Current Status: Answered by Tom McCabe on 9 September 2003

To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to address any national shortage of audiologists in the NHS.

Question reference: S1W-02295

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 November 1999
Current Status: Answered by Rhona Brankin on 22 November 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any element of its contribution of #2 million to the Hampden Park rescue package has been paid to AR Ltd or Austin Reilly in connection with the National Stadium project.