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-15274

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the recommendation of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review for the act of a GP completing a power of attorney (POA) certificate to be included as an NHS-funded service, whether it plans to implement the recommendation, and, if so, within what timescale, and whether any financial support will be made available to people who apply for a POA certificate prior to implementation.

The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report on 30 September 2022 and set out over 200 proposals for reform. The report recommendations are complex and wide-ranging, and cross-government work is underway to consider them and assess their implications. The Scottish Government intends to set out its initial Scottish Government response to the Review report, including priority actions that will be taken forward, by summer 2023.

Currently financial help is available, through legal aid for those who qualify to assist people who might not be able to afford the cost of a solicitor to draw up a power of attorney. A fee exemption is also available for registering the power of attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian for people who qualify.

Question reference: S6W-15278

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to increase awareness of the importance of a power of attorney, particularly for those who may benefit more from having a power of attorney, as highlighted by the Scottish Mental Health Law Review.

The Scottish Government is supporting 29 Health and Social Care partnerships in their national media campaign of actively raising awareness of the importance of taking out a power of attorney with their local communities.

We will consider the recommendations In the Scottish Mental Health Law Review carefully and decide how we can further promote and highlight the need for every adult in Scotland to consider appointing an attorney whilst they have capacity to do so.

Question reference: S6W-14858

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to research conducted by Common Weal and published in its report, ScotWind: Privatising Scotland's Future Again, which reportedly indicates that the ScotWind auction has resulted in Scotland potentially missing out on £60 billion of revenue.

We are clear that ScotWind promises to be transformational in delivering wider economic supply chain benefits to help power Scotland’s green recovery in communities across Scotland. The Supply Chain Development Statements set out ScotWind developers’ initial commitments to the Scottish supply chain, with more than £28bn across the 20 ScotWind offshore wind projects. Government and its agencies continue to work closely with developers and those at the top of the supply chain to ensure that local suppliers in Scotland have a realistic opportunity to compete for key manufacturing contracts.

Question reference: S6W-14815

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support maritime apprenticeships and training schemes for people seeking a career in the rapidly expanding sectors of (a) windfarm, (b) aquaculture and (c) marine construction projects.

Question reference: S6W-14711

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 06 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will issue guidance to stakeholders on how they should express their interest for inclusion in the Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group.

The Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group will be made up of a core membership of external delivery partners and key agency representation. The first iteration of our National Planning Framework 4 Delivery Programme, published November 2022, confirmed that we will issue invitations to a range of stakeholders from across sectors to sit on the advisory group, with the flexibility of inviting speciality input as and when required. We intend to invite a range of stakeholders with appropriate expertise and experience.

Question reference: S6W-14600

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 03 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the (a) affordability and (b) accessibility of reusable nappies, including support for meeting costs associated with laundry care.

Our Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment helps eligible low-income families with expenses associated with pregnancy or with having a new child. Families can use this payment to best meet their needs which could include buying reusable nappies and meeting the costs associated with laundry care. Information on benefits and one-off payments that are available to parents can be found on our ParentClub website.

To further support the affordability and accessibility of reusable nappies, Scotland's Baby Box includes a voucher that offers a free reusable nappy kit, which comprises of a waterproof wrap and five pads. A further discounted package is available should the family wish to continue with reusable nappies.

The Nappy Voucher contained within the Baby Box also signposts families to our ParentClub website which highlights the benefits of using reusable nappies as well as signposting families on where to seek advice and support with using them. Ready Steady Baby , which is given out at antenatal appointments, also highlights the benefits of reusable nappies.

Question reference: S6W-15277

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken regarding the recommendation of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review that the development of support, training and guidance for attorneys should include "consideration of ways in which access to granting a power of attorney may be eased".

The Scottish Government encourages everyone to arrange power of attorney so that their needs and wishes can be met in the unfortunate event that they cannot make decisions for themselves.

The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report on 30 September 2022 and set out over 200 proposals for reform. The report recommendations are complex and wide-ranging, and cross-government work is underway to consider them and assess their implications. The Scottish Government intends to set out its initial response to the Review report, including priority actions that will be taken forward, by summer 2023.

Question reference: S6W-15144

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Royal Bank of Scotland’s latest PMI report, published on 13 February 2023, in light of reports that Scotland experienced the sharpest pace of contraction in incoming new business of the 12 monitored UK regions in January 2023.

Economic conditions across the UK are extremely challenging but the Scottish economy remains resilient and is outperforming the UK on employment, unemployment, and economic activity. Latest GDP data show that the Scottish economy grew 5% in 2022 and the UK economy grew 4% over the same period. Looking ahead, the International Monetary Fund is forecasting that the UK economy will be the only major international economy to contract in 2023 – a devastating indictment of the UK Government’s economic mismanagement. In the face of this, the Scottish Government is doing everything it can with the powers it has to deliver sustainable, greener, and fairer economic growth in Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-01991

Asked by: Michelle Thomson, MSP for Falkirk East, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when the final report of the National Autism Implementation Team’s adult neurodevelopmental pathway trials, which were conducted within four NHS board areas, will be available.

Question reference: S6O-01995

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 March 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing legislation in Scotland similar to the UK Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill.