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: S6F-03871

Asked by: Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 03 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 March 2025

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on how the Scottish Government is working to tackle Islamophobia in Scotland, in light of reports that anti-Muslim hate incidents across the UK reached record levels in 2024.

Question reference: S6F-03867

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 March 2025

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will mark International Women’s Day, and its theme of "Accelerating Action" to reach gender equality.

Question reference: S6F-03870

Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 03 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 6 March 2025

To ask the First Minister what plans the Scottish Government has to tackle the reported rising number of cases of drug-driving.

Question reference: S6W-35349

Asked by: Emma Harper, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 February 2025
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Neil Gray on 3 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of the Scottish Hospital’s Inquiry’s investigations into the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Edinburgh.

The Scottish Hospitals Inquiry concluded its hearings on the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Edinburgh (RHYCP/DCN) last summer. Today, the Chair of the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, Lord Brodie, published his interim report. I would like to thank Lord Brodie and all the members of the Inquiry for their dedication in delivering this report and I am extremely grateful to the many witnesses, especially patients and families, who have provided evidence to the Inquiry’s hearings. I welcome the progress made by the Inquiry in delivering this report. In line with the requirements of the Inquiries Act 2005, the report has been laid in Parliament.

The report totals more than 370 pages and makes 11 recommendations. It is now important that the Scottish Government takes the time to reflect on the findings of the report and to consider and respond to each of its recommendations. Subject to the agreement of Parliament, I will make a statement to Parliament on the report soon.

The Scottish Government also recognises that this report does not represent the conclusion of the Inquiry. Its investigations into the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow (QEUH) continue with further hearings due to start in May 2025. It is vital that the work of the Inquiry continues so that patients, families and all those affected have the answers that they deserve.

Question reference: S6W-35068

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reported concerns of HM Chief Inspector of Railways about “systemic” failings by Network Rail in ensuring the safety of bridges, tunnels, and stations, and how any such concerns may apply to Scotland’s rail infrastructure.

The safety of the rail network is a reserved matter under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998. The rail infrastructure in Scotland is owned and managed by Network Rail. The Scottish Government has fully funded Network Rail to meet its obligations as specified by the independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and Scottish Ministers expect Network Rail to manage the rail infrastructure in a manner which provides a safe and reliable railway for the people of Scotland.

Senior Officials from the ORR and the Managing Director of Network Rail Scotland have confirmed to senior officials at Transport Scotland that this matter is being addressed within Scotland, a point also reflected in the Chief Inspector’s recent letter to Network Rail on this matter:

“…..Scotland can substantiate a recovery of examinations and structural assessments within [2024-29]” Control Period 7, CP7.

The letter itself can be found here: Non-compliance with structure examinations - Letter to Network Rail dated 11 February 2025

Question reference: S6W-34819

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 3 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been referred for transgender chest surgery, including masculinising mastectomies, in each of the last five years, also broken down by how many were aged (a) 17 to 25 and (b) 26 and over.

This information is not collected centrally by the Scottish Government and is an operational matter for NHS National Services Scotland, National Services Division (NSD).

Gender reassignment surgeries, as a treatment option for assessed gender dysphoria, are highly specialised and are carried out within the framework of a four-nations contract managed by NHS England. This contract is managed on NHS Scotland’s behalf by NSD.

Question reference: S6W-35111

Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 3 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Services in Scotland: An updated analysis of Health Board survey data as of July 2024, which was published in November 2024 and (a) suggested that there was a lack of services for children and young people with ME/CFS and (b) noted that only one NHS board reported any provision for children and young people with ME/CFS.

We recognise the importance of good quality care for children and young people living with ME/CFS.

The Scottish Budget 2025-26 includes £4.5 million to deliver specialist support across the country for long COVID, ME/CFS and other similar conditions. We are carefully considering how this new investment can best benefit people with these conditions across Scotland.

ME/CFS can present a broad range of symptoms, and we know there is no ‘one-size fits all’ response. Children and young people with ME/CFS who require investigation or input from secondary care specialities may access this via an appropriate GP referral, according to their needs.

We have funded the dissemination of an online learning module on ME/CFS for GPs and health professionals in Scotland, which is improving participants’ ability to diagnose and manage ME/CFS. NHS Education for Scotland have also published a Practice Based Small Group Learning module about ME/CFS for GPs and Primary Care professionals.

There are a number of national policy and strategic drivers which aim to ensure children and young people receive the best quality care & support. The Maternal and Child Health page on the Scottish Government website outlines the latest pieces of work towards our priorities in supporting children and young people.

The Health and Social Care Standards set out what we should expect when using health, social care or social work services in Scotland. We have also set out guidance regarding health and social care and supporting disabled children, young people and their families.

We want every child and young person in Scotland to reach their full potential. All support and planning for children and young people with ME/CFS should be underpinned by Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) - the national approach in Scotland to supporting the wellbeing, and to improving outcomes, of our children and young people.

Question reference: S6W-34510

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 3 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish an updated memorandum of understanding between the Parole Board for Scotland and the Scottish Ministers, in light of reports that its publication is five years late and it previously stating that it would be published by the end of 2024.

The Memorandum of Understanding is a jointly drafted and agreed document between the Parole Board for Scotland (PBS) and Scottish Ministers. The MOU defines the relationship and interaction between Parole Board for Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The MOU is set to be rebranded as a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and is now reaching finalisation. Once agreed by both the Parole Board for Scotland and the Scottish Government, the document will be available and in the public domain, including via publication on the PBS website.

Question reference: S6W-35109

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 3 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its reported position that remedial works to address the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in NHS buildings should come out of the capital budgets of NHS boards.

Question reference: S6W-35079

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 February 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 3 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to continue the 2025 summer timetable service frequency between Ardrossan and Brodick into the (a) winter 2025-26 and (b) summer 2026 timetable.