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-07525

Asked by: Mercedes Villalba, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ash Regan on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the comments by the Minister for Community Safety, during a debate in the Parliament on 10 February 2022, that “an independent Scottish Government analysis is under way to look at lessons that have been learned internationally about implementing laws to challenge men’s demand [for prostitution]”, who is carrying out this independent analysis, and whether that individual or organisation has previously publicly expressed views as to their preferred model for implementing such laws.

An evidence review on international approaches to challenging demand is being carried out by Scottish Government’s Justice Analytical Services (JAS), and will be published later this year as an official social research report.

As is the case with all Analytical Services Divisions within the Scottish Government, JAS provide impartial evidence-based advice to support policy development - with all social research needing to comply with the Scottish Government’s ethical principles. These principles specifically require researchers to consider and address ethical risks to protect against distortion and bias in the interpretation of findings.

This analysis will support the development of a model for Scotland which effectively tackles and challenges men’s demand for prostitution, whilst taking into account Scotland’s unique legal and societal landscape.

Question reference: S6W-07623

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government (a) whether and (b) how any impact on the routine vaccination programme in NHS boards that (i) have had code black status declared and (ii) are in more rural areas has been different from any impact in other NHS boards.

The routine immunisation programmes have continued in Scotland throughout the COVID-19 pandemic despite code black status being declared in some NHS Boards.

Uptake rates for routine programmes have remained consistently high across Scotland. Maintaining the best possible uptake of immunisations is a priority for the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland, and this reflects the hard work and commitment of our colleagues within the NHS.

The latest statistical releases from Public Health Scotland can be found here: Publications - Public Health Scotland

Question reference: S6W-07628

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards and protections have been put in place for school students who may be unable to sit their examinations due to having COVID-19.

An exam exceptional circumstances service will be available for learners who miss their exam due to, for example, illness which would include being ill with Covid-19.

This service is based on SQA’s established annual process. If a candidate is eligible for exceptional circumstances, their centre will provide appropriate assessment evidence gathered during the course of the year. The SQA will review this, along with any exam script and coursework, against the national standard to award appropriate grades.

Question reference: S6W-07618

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that there are enough invigilators for examinations, in light of reports of increasing numbers of staff absences due to COVID-19.

Question reference: S6W-07518

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend rates relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, in light of reports that businesses are struggling following the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

We are extending the retail, hospitality and leisure relief by offering 50% relief for the first three months of 2022-23, capped at £27,500 per ratepayer. This follows 100% relief for retail, hospitality and leisure premises for the past two years without any cap. We are also maintaining a competitive package of reliefs, including the UK’s most generous Small Business Bonus Scheme which takes over 111,000 properties out of rates altogether.

Throughout the pandemic we have consistently delivered more direct support to business than we have received in consequentials and recognise the difficulties the necessary additional public health measures brought for businesses including retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

In December we announced a £375m support package for firms impacted by the necessary measures introduced to control the spread of Omicron.

We also announced an £80m Covid Economic Recovery Fund for local authorities to support local economies and cities recover from the pandemic. This fund empowers councils to consider the needs of local businesses, communities and households and to target support to maximise economic recovery in their areas.

Question reference: S6W-07532

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what pre-exposure prophylactics (PrEP) are available for immunocompromised patients in relation to COVID-19.

The Scottish Government closely monitors all emerging evidence on COVID-19 treatments and their clinical effectiveness.

On 17 March 2022, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that it had granted a Conditional Marketing Authorisation for Evusheld in Great Britain . The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is carrying out further testing on the treatment’s effectiveness against Omicron and its sub-variants. As part of the additional testing being undertaken by the UKHSA, an assessment of the most appropriate patient groups which could potentially benefit, as well as the deployment and administration process for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is also being considered. Once completed, these results will help inform any decisions on next steps for this treatment, including whether this medicine is procured and made available to patients. The Scottish Government will therefore closely monitor the outcome of this additional testing to ensure that any decisions to make Evusheld available to patients in Scotland are based on the best available evidence.

Question reference: S6W-07534

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to procure pre-exposure prophylactics (PrEP) as a COVID-19 treatment for severely immunocompromised patients, and, if so, when this will take place.

Question reference: S6W-07505

Asked by: Paul McLennan, MSP for East Lothian, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the most recent levels of average Council Tax Band D in Scotland, and how that compares with (a) England and (b) Wales.

Question reference: S6W-07510

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made and action it has taken to ensure that former Hong Kong residents who resettle in Scotland are not subjected to racism or discrimination.

The Scottish Government is committed to upholding and advancing the rights of those that choose to make their life here in Scotland, including former Hong Kong residents. Racism and discrimination are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

The Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government, COSLA, Police Scotland and third sector partners to understand the needs and requirements of former Hong Kong residents to support their integration into our communities.

As well as publishing a dedicated British National (Overseas) welcome pack, in both English and Cantonese, we have also provided funding to COSLA, who have a dedicated online Hong Kong Welcome Hub intended for Hong Kong BN(O) migrants arriving in Scotland and Council Officers supporting their integration. Both resources include information on what to do if someone is the victim of racism or discriminatory practices.

We encourage anyone subjected to racism or discrimination to report it to the relevant authorities.

Question reference: S6W-07529

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ash Regan on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it last reviewed the use of confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements, and whether it has any plans to update the guidance and legislation on these in (a) general and (b) relation to sexual harassment, victimisation and assault cases.

Non-disclosure agreements (NDA) are used for a variety of purposes and may be included in a number of different contractual and settlement arrangements. The Scottish Government has no plans to review the use of NDAs at this time. In an employment context, the UK Government consulted on measures to prevent the misuse of NDAs in situations of workplace harassment or discrimination in 2019 and further information can be found here . Responsibility for employment law is a reserved matter.