- Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 26 February 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Siobhian Brown on 5 March 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has held any conversations with canine trainers or behaviourists regarding the support that may be needed to allow owners of XL Bully-type dogs to muzzle train their dogs.
Answer
The Scottish Government previously engaged with key dog control interests in Scotland, including canine trainers and behaviourists, to help assess the principle of introducing new safeguards for XL Bully dogs, and we continue to regularly engage with a wide range of stakeholders to consider the impact of the new safeguards and to consider whether any additional support is needed
The Scottish Government understands the concerns expressed by dog owners about the impact that the new controls may have on their dogs. The Scottish Government takes animal welfare very seriously and is committed to the highest possible welfare standards. There is however a balance to be struck between protecting animal welfare and protecting public safety.
Helpful and practical support and guidance has been published on the Mygov.scot website ( XL Bully dogs in Scotland - mygov.scot ) to ensure owners are made aware of how to comply with the new safeguards on XL Bully dogs.
That Mygov.scot webpage contains links to the support available from both the Dogs Trust and PDSA to assist with muzzle training XL Bully dogs.
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to people with optic discs showing signs of papilloedema, whether cancer pathways exist in all NHS boards for optometrists to refer patients directly to secondary care.
Answer
Community optometrists across Scotland will normally refer patients who require secondary care directly to the hospital eye service in the relevant Health Board. Patients with suspected papilloedema require an emergency referral in common with some other ophthalmic conditions. Pathways for direct emergency referrals from community optometrists exist in all Health Boards in Scotland and are used regularly.
- Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 5 March 2024
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to publish its report following the consultation on draft guidance on the Delivery of relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education in Scottish schools.
Answer
The responses to the consultation on the draft guidance on the Delivery of relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education are currently being analysed ahead of the report being prepared for publication. The Scottish Government expects to publish a report on the consultation analysis in Spring 2024.
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking now to plan and prepare for maintaining hepatitis C elimination once it has been achieved, in light of the acknowledgement in its recent Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Action Plan of the importance of working to maintain elimination once it has been achieved.
Answer
Public Health Scotland is responsible for ongoing surveillance of hepatitis C and will monitor achievement and maintenance of the elimination target in Scotland. This intelligence, combined with expert advice such as through the Scottish Health Protection Network’s Viral Hepatitis Group, will be used to inform an effective, flexible and evidence-based approach to maintaining elimination. It should also be noted that some of the key interventions for hepatitis C elimination, such as such as injecting equipment provision, will continue to be important for preventing other blood borne viruses and health outcomes.
- Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 20 February 2024
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Current Status:
Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to mesh survivors in Scotland, whether it supports the recommendations in The Hughes Report: Options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to the question S60-03094 on 21 February 2024. All answers to Oral questions are available on the Official Report, for which can be found at Meeting of the Parliament: 21/02/2024 | Scottish Parliament Website
- Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 March 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported claims by the director of Shelter Scotland that it is "gaslighting" the country on housing when its budget "condemns 10,000 children to lives trapped in the homelessness system".
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2024
- Asked by: Audrey Nicoll, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 March 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2024
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the announcement by Aberdeen City Council that residents of approximately 500 homes in Torry face relocation as a result of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2024
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 March 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2024
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what steps it is taking to resolve industrial action in the further education sector.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 5 March 2024
- Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 March 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2024
To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to reduce waiting times for children referred for a neurodevelopmental assessment.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2024
- Asked by: Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 04 March 2024
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2024
To ask the First Minister, in light of International Women's Day on 8 March, what steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle gender-based violence.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2024