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-17105

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has, in the last two years, been made aware of any changes to SafeDeposits Scotland’s scheme rules, and, if so, what these changes were, and (a) when and (b) for what reason any such changes were made.

A review of the tenancy deposit schemes was undertaken at the end of 2018. It was clear from the findings that the current regulations continued to provide a robust regulatory and operational framework.

Following the review a number of revisions to the operating procedures were made under The Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2019 . The schemes submitted revised procedures in October 2019 and were reapproved in November 2019.

There have been no further significant changes to the revised scheme or original proposal referred to the Scottish Government for approval. Any considered changes would be discussed as part of routine monitoring discussions.

Question reference: S6W-17144

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022, whether it can provide a (a) list of projects that have successfully applied to the Islands Heritage and Culture Project and (b) breakdown of how much funding has been allocated to each project.

To support delivery of the National Islands Plan, through the Islands Heritage and Culture Project the Scottish Government has supported the delivery of the following six projects:

The Orkney Digitisation Project, delivered by Orkney Islands Council;
The Angus Og Project, delivered by the Highland Archive Service and High Life Highland;
The Shetland Culture and Heritage Hub, delivered by Shetland Amenity Trust;
Outer Hebrides Heritage Trails, delivered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar;
The Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark, delivered by Arran Geopark; and
Opportunities for the Argyll Islands and Increased Visitor Footfall, Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly

Each project received a grant allocation of £40,000 with the exception of the Orkney based project, which had a slight overspend, taking their allocation to £42,000.

Question reference: S6W-16962

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide any data that it holds regarding response times by SafeDeposits Scotland to its customers.

SafeDeposits Scotland has a duty to provide a quarterly performance report of the scheme’s performance measured against the key performance indicators (KPIs) in the Schedule to the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 .

The latest quarterly performance report indicates all KPIs have been met, with the average call response time was 12 seconds and email response time was 8 minutes.

Question reference: S6W-17225

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what involvement it has had with the proposed Scottish Power Energy Networks Glenmuckloch to Glenglass Reinforcement Project; whether it has carried out any environmental and nature impact assessment, and whether it assessed the feasibility of undergrounding the project, either in part or in full.

Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) submitted an application for consent for the Glenmuckloch to Glenglass Overhead Line (OHL) Reinforcement Project to Scottish Ministers on 16 January 2023.

The application was accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) which assesses the significant environmental effects of the project and contains the consideration of alternatives to the chosen route (including undergrounding).

This is a live application and therefore it would not be appropriate for Scottish Ministers to take any views on it.

Question reference: S6W-17234

Asked by: Pam Duncan-Glancy, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Natalie Don on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Additional Support for Learning Review Action Plan – Update November 2022, whether the development and trialling of the Association for Real Change (ARC) Principles into Practice programme will be completed by April 2023.

The Association for Real Change (ARC) Scotland’s Principles into Practice trial programme, which was conducted in ten participating Local Authority areas, concluded on 31 March 2023. The revised Principles into Practice Framework will shortly be made available on ARC’s dedicated website, along with Compass - an online tool developed in partnership with young people and parents and carers during the trial programme, to help them, and the professionals who support them, to navigate the transition to young adult life.

Over the next two years ARC Scotland will continue the work of the Scottish Transitions Forum, including supporting the wider implementation of Principles into Practice across Scotland, through funding from the Scottish Government’s Children, Young People, Families and Adult Learning Third Sector Fund.

Question reference: S6W-17116

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment in the Women's Health Plan 2021-24 to improve access to "speedy diagnosis" for endometriosis, in light of reports that the current average diagnosis time is eight and a half years from the onset of symptoms.

We are committed to delivering on the priority in the Women's Health Plan (WHP) to improve access for women to appropriate support, speedy diagnosis and best treatment for endometriosis.

There has been substantial progress since the publication of the Women’s Health Plan and our first report on progress, published on 26 January 2023, sets this out in more detail.

We will support the Modernising Patient Pathways Programme to raise awareness of the Endometriosis Pathway for Scotland. The pathway was approved in January 2023 and will be distributed to all NHS Boards for implementation. It provides a streamlined, integrated pathway across primary, secondary and tertiary care that aims to provide a holistic approach and timely care for those with endometriosis and endometriosis-like symptoms.

We will also continue to work with our Endometriosis Advisory Group and Lived Experience Forum to support and inform our policy actions to deliver on the priorities within the plan.

Question reference: S6W-16963

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15794 by Patrick Harvie on 22 March 2023, what information it holds on the number of SafeDeposits Scotland customers who were impacted by the “teething issues” with the new system.

Question reference: S6W-17021

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to develop a strategy for patients living with endometriosis.

The Women's Health Plan : A Plan for 2021-2024, published in August 2021, outlines our ambition to improve access for women to appropriate support, speedy diagnosis and best treatment for endometriosis.

The Plan sets out actions which aim to ensure that the average diagnosis time for endometriosis is reduced, that women are able to access the right support and effective treatment for endometriosis, and that women can access a specialist endometriosis centre if required.

There has been substantial progress since the publication of the Women’s Health Plan. The Women's Health Plan Report on Progress , published in January 2023, sets this out in more detail.

Question reference: S6W-16820

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential public health implications of the closure of the charity, HIV Scotland, including any impact on the Scottish Government’s target to achieve zero HIV transmissions in Scotland by 2030.

HIV Scotland, along with all our third sector organisations, have made a significant contribution to Scotland’s goal of eliminating HIV Transmissions by 2030.

We were saddened to hear of the decision to close the organisation, and thank HIV Scotland for their support for people living with HIV in Scotland, and their valuable input across the sector.

Whilst their contribution will be missed, Scotland has a number of other excellent third sector organisations who share our ambition to eliminate HIV transmission within Scotland by 2030, and to improve the lives of those living with HIV. By working in partnership, I remain confident that we will meet those goals.

As one example, HIV Scotland were previously funded to lead the HIV self-test pilot which expands testing services so people can order a test in the privacy of their own home. Terrance Higgins Trust will now be funded to provide the service and mitigate any risk to the at-home testing service.

Question reference: S6W-16679

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 April 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has developed an "educational programme for Urology Nurse (non-medical) Advanced Practitioners with cystoscopy skills", as committed to in the Endoscopy and Urology Diagnostic Recovery and Renewal Plan, published in November 2022, and, if so, how many practitioners have completed the programme to date.