Chamber and committees

The three Accredited Endometriosis Specialist Centres in Scotland provide coordinated, multidisciplinary treatment to individuals with complex symptoms of endometriosis and to those requiring complex surgery. Understanding the potential capacity of services such as the Specialist Endometriosis Centres will be a central aspect of the National Gynaecology Plan.

Gynaecology waits of over 52 weeks reduced by 44.6% for new outpatients and by 21.8% for inpatient/day-case between 31 July 2025 and 31 January 2026 as a result of the almost £13 million additional funding we allocated to health boards in 2025-26 for gynaecology services.

The 2026-27 Budget provides almost £22.5 billion investment in health and social care services.

NHS Board planning for 2026-27 is underway, and dedicated funding will support the continuation of the progress delivered this year. However; NHS Boards are responsible for deciding the distribution of funding that they receive from the Scottish Government across the services they manage, including any funding directed towards laparoscopic diagnostic surgery and multidisciplinary care.

The Report on the Roles and Functions of the Scottish Law Officers sets out the findings of the research commissioned by the Scottish Government and carried out by Malcolm McMillan, former Chief Executive of the Scottish Law Commission. As specified in the terms of reference, the research analyses the history of the Law Officers’ roles and why and how they have developed to the current position; examines their current functions in detail (including the legal bases for those functions); considers examples of arrangements for Law Officers and prosecuting authorities in a number of other jurisdictions; and sets out the constitutional and legislative competence requirements for any reforms to the Law Officers’ roles in Scotland.

The research was not intended to make recommendations for any model or approach: rather, its purpose was to provide a detailed, robust foundation to inform any future consultation on the Law Officers’ roles. Decisions on that will be a matter for the next administration.

Following the publication of “How safe are our hospitals?” I convened a meeting with the relevant cross party group on 21 May. The Member who submitted this question was invited to attend and sent apologies, with Carol Mochan MSP attending in her place.

The scheduling and management of cases is a matter for the Chamber and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service.

There are multiple factors which can impact the timescales for cases to be heard, such as the volume and complexity of legal issues or evidence to be considered.

The Scottish Government understands that the Housing and Property Chamber is receiving a high volume of applications and correspondence which is resulting in longer than usual waiting times.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service in respect of wait times generally but cannot impinge on the independence of the Tribunal.

The Ministerial element of Ministers' pay will be voluntarily frozen in 2026-27 at 2008-09 levels. I have voluntarily kept both the MSP and Ministerial elements of his pay frozen at 2008-09 levels. In declining to accept their full salary entitlement since 1 April 2009, Ministers will have collectively made approximately £2.39 million available for public spending from their own pay packets up to 31 March 2026.

Decisions on the Ministerial pay freeze for after the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May 2026 will be for the First Minister of the next administration.

We have held recent discussions with OSCR regarding concerns from stakeholders in the third sector about incidents of hostility that charity staff and volunteers have faced.

As OSCR is independent of government, it is for them to develop any guidance it feels would be appropriate for charities operating in Scotland. We are happy to work with OSCR and other partners on this matter.

Health Board Area Drug and Therapeutics Committees (ADTCs) are responsible for providing governance and oversight of medicines use, ensuring that local prescribing policies and practices are safe, effective and evidence-based.

Provisions within the Housing (Scotland) Act, section 7, require Ministerial guidance on reports following assessments of rent conditions to be issued within 9 months of the coming into force date of 1 April 2026. This will also include Ministerial guidance on assessments of rent conditions.

As previous answers indicated, COPFS advise Shelagh McCall KC has been instructed to independently consider reports of criminal conduct relating to the Rangers prosecutions to ensure any allegations are considered fairly and objectively. COPFS has also advised as the investigation by Shelagh McCall KC is being progressed independently of COPFS, the timescale for concluding the investigation is a matter for Shelagh McCall KC.

We fully appreciate the concerns being raised by the third sector about the rise in confrontational behaviour towards charity staff and volunteers. Officials in volunteering and in safer communities policy are working together with Police Scotland, local authorities and the third sector to identify and provide guidance and support.

While we are committed to upholding the rights to peaceful public assembly and freedom of expression, instances of hate, violence, or intimidation towards others will not be tolerated. We fully support Police Scotland to take appropriate action in response to criminal behaviour against charities and other voluntary organisations.