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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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-15356

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 9 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of people from a BAME background accessing patient clinical trials.

The Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office (CSO) along with partners in the UK Clinical Research Recovery, Resilience and Growth programme considers it important that clinical trial populations reflect the populations that could benefit from the treatments as closely as possible. For this reason, a theme of this programme is the widening of opportunities for people to participate in clinical research. CSO is working with partners on the UK-wide Be Part of Research initiative and invests in the Scottish Health Research Register and Biobank (SHARE) with this aim. CSO is also funding a research project looking at ways to support ethnic diversity in clinical trials populations.

Question reference: S6W-14771

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of debt collectors acting on behalf of British Gas breaking into customers’ homes, whether it is aware of any such instances having taken place in Scotland, and if this is the case, how many such instances it is aware of, and what discussions it has had with British Gas about this issue.

The Scottish Government has been made aware of incidents of force-fitted installations of prepayment meters across different suppliers, although it does not hold information on the number or nature of those incidents. While policy on energy markets is a matter reserved to the UK Government and the responsibility for supplier guidance sits with Ofgem, the Scottish Government opposes the forced installation of prepayment meters, which increases the risk of self- rationing and self-disconnection. The additional costs associated with prepayment meters also lead to increased debt.

We are engaging with Ofgem regarding its request to suppliers to immediately halt forced installations and remote switching to prepayment meters until 31 March 2023, as well as its consultation on the rules and guidance on the use of prepayment meters by suppliers. We will use this engagement to ensure that the rights and interests of Scottish consumers are fully considered.

Question reference: S6W-15489

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 March 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 9 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what the total budget of the Independent Living Fund is for 2022-23.

The published budget for 2022-23 was £53.3 million. ILF Scotland’s Grant-in-Aid allocation for 2022-23 was £52.72 million. Of this, £48.45 million was allocated to the Independent Living Fund and £4.27 million for the Transition Fund which was launched in December 2017. Funds are provided in response to need and therefore there can be a difference between published budget and final spending.

Question reference: S6W-15400

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 9 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support women with endometriosis, in light of reports of long waiting times for surgery and medication being unavailable.

We know that endometriosis can have a significant impact on people’s lives, and that support for those with the condition is required while we work to improve waiting times.

To ensure those with endometriosis are receiving consistent and appropriate care we will help support The Modernising Patient Pathways Programme (MPPP) to implement the new Integrated Endometriosis Referral Care Pathway for NHS Scotland, which has now been approved and will be circulated to all NHS Scotland health boards this year.

We have invested in research into endometriosis, which is vital to help us achieve better care for those with the condition. We are jointly funding a £250,000 endometriosis research project with Wellbeing of Women and the recipient of the grant will be announced later in March. The research aims to develop improvements into treatment and management options for the condition.

To ensure that people with endometriosis have access to the most accurate and relevant information and links to further support, we updated the NHS Inform endometriosis page. This includes videos to support those with the condition and to provide information about symptoms and treatment options available.

The supply of medicines is a reserved matter for the UK Government. Scottish Government officials are regularly updated on any supply disruptions which may arise and will provide advice to the NHS in Scotland on options to address any shortages.

Question reference: S6W-15413

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 9 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-14295 by Lorna Slater on 7 February 2023, what the (a) median and (b) average financial loss for all local authorities is anticipated to be between the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme in August 2023 and when the anticipated 90% capture of single use drinks containers is achieved by 2025.

Question reference: S6O-02021

Asked by: Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 March 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that key sectors, such as engineering, are allocated sufficient numbers of modern apprentices.

Question reference: S6O-02022

Asked by: Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 March 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in STEM teacher recruitment.

Question reference: S6O-02024

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 March 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to increase employment opportunities within the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, in light of the recent Fraser of Allander Institute report, The economic contribution of the Pharmaceuticals Sector in Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-02026

Asked by: Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 March 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is for the migration strategy in an independent Scotland, including how it could address any workforce and recruitment challenges resulting from the withdrawal from the European Union.

Question reference: S6O-02020

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 March 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support families whose children have died as a result of illegal drugs.