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-04818

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 17 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that people in Scotland who have not yet registered a donation decision with the NHS Organ Donor Register are able to do so.

The Scottish Government takes action to ensure that people in Scotland who have not yet registered a donation decision with the NHS Organ Donor Register are able to do so as follows:

An annual summer public awareness campaign using TV, radio, newspaper, social media, posters in pharmacy windows and on bus shelters and partnership with Health Boards, stakeholder organisations and employers.
Participation in UK national Organ Donation Week in September each year using radio, newspaper, social media and partnership with third sector organisations and employers.
Ongoing partnership with Kidney Research UK, who train peer educators to raise awareness of donation in south Asian communities in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Letters to young persons reaching aged 16 to inform them of the law on donation and how to make a donation decision.
The Organ Donation Scotland Website, which provides information on deceased and living donation including information in accessible formats and languages and on faith and donation
Ongoing social media and additional newspaper media throughout the year using case studies, for example a focus on living kidney donation in the lead up to Christmas.

Question reference: S6W-04802

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Dorothy Bain on 17 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will publish its annual report on the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme for 2020-21.

Question reference: S6W-05251

Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-05243

Asked by: Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 December 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by John Swinney on 16 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.

Regulations amending the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 were made today.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment (No.5) Regulations 2021 amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Requirements) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (“the principal regulations”) and will take effect on 17 December 2021.

The Amendment Regulations expand the existing requirement in regulation 4 to have regard to guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers about measures to minimise risk of exposure to coronavirus. The new provision also requires the taking of such of the measures as are reasonably practicable.

These Regulations also extend the distance from 1 metre to 2 metres where an exemption from wearing a face covering applies in certain indoor settings. This includes in the workplace; when leading an act of worship; rehearsing or performing or in certain parts of a marriage ceremony.

The Regulations have been published at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ssi/2021/475

Question reference: S6W-05194

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 December 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 16 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to Scotland’s Climate Assembly’s recommendations.

I am pleased to inform Parliament that the Scottish Government has today laid its response to Scotland’s Climate Assembly.

The Assembly has been a truly historic process resulting in recommendations which are already guiding the future of our country. Our response has been a cross-Government effort and we have set out the actions that we are taking in response to each recommendation.

These actions include the roll-out of support for a new network of sharing libraries across Scotland, work with Scottish landowners to increase woodland creation and peatland restoration, and integrating emissions and emission reduction topics into education programmes across the country, ensuring people of all ages are supported to learn about and act on climate change.

We have been clear where action is already underway, and where we need to explore the feasibility of proposals or consult further. As we work towards net zero, we will ensure the Assembly's recommendations continue to guide decision-making. We will also take relevant recommendations to the UK Government to urge them to act in areas that would enable Scotland to reach its full emissions reduction potential.

As you will know, the Climate Assembly worked closely with the Children’s Parliament, ensuring that for the first time, children have directly been involved in such a process. The responses to their calls to action have been integrated into our main response. Additionally, we will respond directly to the Children’s Parliament.

I look forward to hearing the outcome of the eighth and final meeting of the Assembly and will make a statement to Parliament following this.

Scotland’s Climate Assembly, as representatives of our nation, told us what they want to see to meet net zero, and I am delighted to support this package of recommendations.

Question reference: S6W-05191

Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 December 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Keith Brown on 16 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide an update on the progress of implementation of recommendations from Dame Elish Angiolini’s review of complaints handling, investigations and misconduct in relation to policing in Scotland.

I am pleased to confirm the publication today of the Scottish Government’s second thematic report on implementation progress following Dame Elish Angiolini’s Final Report.

The thematic progress report showcases the significant steps partners have taken to implement Dame Elish Angiolini’s recommendations, as well as highlighting our commitment to consult next year on legislative proposals in advance of bringing forward primary legislation.

I commend Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland for the collaborative working and progress to date. As set out in the last report, this second report features updates from all partners, with tables to record progress against every recommendation grouped under the following themes:

Rights & ethics
Jurisdiction & powers
Governance & accountability
Transparency & accessibility
Equality, diversity & inclusion
Conduct & standards
Training & HR
Efficiency & effectiveness
Audit & review

The report can be accessed here: http://www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781802017168

Question reference: S6W-04748

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to purchase any additional rolling stock for the ScotRail fleet.

ScotRail Trains Limited will be responsible for operating services from 31 March 2022 and it is currently finalising plans for its future fleet requirements, including the new emission free vehicles needed to deliver the Scottish Government’s Rail Decarbonisation Action Plan.

Further information on the Decarbonisation Action Plan can be accessed via the following link:-

Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan (transport.gov.scot)

Question reference: S6W-04754

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what formal discussions have been held with ScotRail employees about the arrangements for the nationalisation of ScotRail.

Question reference: S6W-04755

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Office of Rail and Road about the arrangements for the nationalisation of ScotRail.

Question reference: S6W-04764

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it plans to confirm rail fares for 2022; whether rail fares will increase, and, if so, what the increase will be.