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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.

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Question reference: S6W-06160

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 16 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential need for a public awareness campaign on the symptoms of heart valve disease.

The Scottish Government has not carried out an assessment of any potential need for a public awareness campaign on the symptoms of heart valve disease.

However, the Heart Disease Action Plan, published in 2021, clearly sets out our strategic direction to minimise preventable heart disease and ensure that everyone with suspected heart disease in Scotland has timely and equitable access to diagnosis, treatment and care. This includes prioritizing the awareness of risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Further, we have made commitments in the Women’s Health Plan to improve information and public awareness of heart disease symptoms and risks for women.

Question reference: S6W-06112

Asked by: Tess White, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 16 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any discussions it has had with the UK Government in relation to the delivery of freeports in Scotland; when it anticipates that freeports will be established in Scotland, and where these will be located.

We announced on 14 February an agreement with the UK Government to deliver two Green Freeports in Scotland, working on an equal partnership basis. A package of reserved and devolved support will be available in the selected Green Freeports ensuring that Scotland can build globally competitive industrial clusters in the green industries of the future, deliver a just transition to net-zero, and create new high-quality, well-paid employment opportunities delivering Fair Work, including payment of the real living wage.

A competitive bidding process will be launched soon, with the winners to be announced later this year. As this will be a competitive, open and transparent process, I cannot prejudge this by commenting on possible locations.

Question reference: S6W-06185

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it became aware that KPMG had withdrawn from bidding for UK Government contracts.

Question reference: S6W-06184

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when the contract was awarded to KPMG for it to construct the business case for the National Care Service.

Question reference: S6W-06183

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has suspended the contract that was awarded to KPMG to construct the business case for the National Care Service, which is reportedly worth in excess of £500,000.

Question reference: S6W-06187

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there is any conflict of interest in the Head of Social Care and NCS Finance reportedly being a former employee of KPMG, in light of the contract with KPMG to construct the business case for the National Care Service.

There is no conflict of interest between existing Scottish Government Civil Servants and the specialist consultancy services procured from KPMG in a fair and open procurement exercise. The Scottish Government has a clear contract award and management processes in place to prevent conflicts of interest and to support the delivery of fit for purpose outcomes. This includes clear requirements for separation of duties between finance and procurement decisions.

Question reference: S6W-06186

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 16 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether the contract with KPMG to construct the business case for the National Care Service was awarded under the Crown Commercial Service Management Consultancy Framework Three.

Question reference: S6W-05941

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what correspondence it has had with (a) NatureScot, (b) Country Sports Scotland and (c) other stakeholders regarding action to address reported concerns about the rapid decline of ptarmigan.

Question reference: S6W-05940

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 15 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect ptarmigan, currently classed under the UK Red List for birds, from further decline.

There are a range of factors which may contribute to a decline in a species’ population or a contraction of species’ range. It is likely that one of the main drivers of population decline in ptarmigan is habitat loss caused by climate change. The Scottish Government is determined to end our contribution to climate change by 2045 and prevent further climate related deterioration of habitat from climate pressure. We are taking action across the board to achieve this (as set out in our Climate Change Plan update) and are providing financial support for projects that restore and protect habitats, safeguard wildlife and tackle causes of biodiversity loss.

Other drivers of population decline may include increased recreational activity in montane habitats and grazing pressures. Ptarmigan are also a quarry species, listed on Schedule 2 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Where there is evidence that shooting is causing declines we will consider action to remove a quarry species from Schedule 2.

Question reference: S6W-06263

Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 04 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 15 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how displacement is being measured when considering applications to the Young Company Capital Investment Grant being administered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.