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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-19962

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will instruct Scottish Water to address any defects with the (a) structural condition, (b) external paintwork and (c) architectural lighting installations at the (i) Cranhill, (ii) Craigend and (iii) Garthamlock water towers.

Question reference: S6W-20443

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 07 August 2023
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 14 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in exploring how Scottish higher education institutions can continue to benefit from Erasmus+ and pre-existing good relations with European higher education institutions following the UK's exit from the European Union.

As autonomous bodies, Scottish universities continue to strengthen pre-existing relationships with European higher education institutions through all available channels.

The Scottish Government is committed to addressing one of the most damaging consequences of Brexit for our universities and colleges – the fact that UK students can no longer take part in the Erasmus+ Programme.

Over the summer, the Scottish Government will work with partners to develop a 1-year Scottish Education Exchange test and learn pilot programme, to commence in 2023-24.

Question reference: S6W-20147

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 21 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 10 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can instruct Network Rail Scotland to prioritise Springburn railway station for step-free access improvement works, as part of the Access for All scheme.

The Access for All scheme is a UK Government scheme and as such is managed by the UK Department for Transport (DfT).

The Scottish Government has made a case for Springburn railway station to be nominated for Access for All scheme funding for Control Period 7 (2024-2029). We will continue to make representations to the UK Government on this matter.

The Department for Transport is expected to announce which stations will be prioritised for funding through the Access for All scheme this Autumn.

Question reference: S6W-20070

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 9 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with (a) AGS Airports Limited and (b) International Airlines Group, regarding the proposed expansion of British Airways Maintenance Glasgow (BAMG) through the construction of a new hangar facility to undertake maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the entire narrow-body aircraft fleet across the International Airlines Group.

Question reference: S6W-19961

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 7 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there should be an agreed standard for the wearing by Police Scotland of dress uniforms for passing out parades at the Scottish Police College and for high-profile public events, and whether it can instruct the Chief Constable of Police Scotland to adopt such a standard, in light of such policies reportedly being adopted by other police forces in the UK.

Uniform and appearance standards for Police Scotland are a matter for the Chief Constable. It is vitally important that the Chief Constable has the flexibility, subject to risk assessment, as to the appropriate uniform for specific events.

Police Scotland have a Standard Operating Procedure in place which states that dress uniforms shall only be worn on formal occasions or as directed by the Chief Constable, for example at passing out parades at the Scottish Police College. The Standard Operating Procedure can be found at: [ Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Review Template (scotland.police.uk) ]

Question reference: S6W-19501

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Emma Roddick on 1 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the factors that it considers are driving population decline in the west of Scotland, relative to the east of Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s 2021 Population Strategy sets out the factors driving population decline in some parts of the west of Scotland, recognising the different demographic challenges that individual communities face. It shows that areas are each uniquely shaped by natural change (births minus deaths) and net migration. We know that specific local factors influence population outcomes and that no single solution will apply to all communities.

We are assessing a range of factors affecting population outcomes in parts of the west of Scotland as we develop the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan, including: housing; transport and digital infrastructure; local and regional economic development; and public service provision and accessibility. Following this assessment, we will apply a place-based approach within the Action Plan and set out action at a national, regional and local level to address population decline and meet the discrete needs of communities.

Question reference: S6W-20043

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 1 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider making an offer to the Commonwealth Games Federation for Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, in light of the withdrawal of the Australian state of Victoria as hosts.

Question reference: S6W-19912

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Emma Roddick on 1 August 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what specific provisions it is making for people from Hong Kong who have been granted leave on the British National (Overseas) visa to settle and integrate in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the integration of former Hong Kong residents into our communities. We have published a dedicated British National (Overseas) welcome pack, in both English and Cantonese, on our website.

We continue to provide significant levels of funding to a range of organisations supporting the integration of migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum. This includes supporting organisations, such as COSLA, the Scottish Refugee Council and British Red Cross. We aim to ensure that all arrivals to Scotland are welcomed and supported to integrate into Scottish society from day one of arrival. This work will continue.

Question reference: S6W-19803

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 31 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how much money was allocated to the Pain Management Task Force and the associated Short Life Working Groups in the 2023-23 financial year, and how much has been allocated for 2023-24 financial year.

No funding has been specifically allocated to the Pain Management Task Force and associated Short Life Working Groups for either the 2022-23 financial year or the 2023-24 financial year.

The Pain Management Task Force is comprised of Scottish Government employees and external members, including NHS employees who are on Service Level Agreements (SLA) to develop and deliver work outlined in the Framework for Pain Management Service Delivery - Implementation Plan.

There has only been one active Short Life Working Group (SLWG) so far and there were no separate costs to Scottish Government for this.

Question reference: S6W-19861

Asked by: Paul Sweeney, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 07 July 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 31 July 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many employers have used the Healthy Working Lives digital platform since its launch in 2022.

The Scottish Government recognises improving population health as a key priority and invests in a range of initiatives to support people with health conditions to sustain or return to work, including Healthy Working Lives (HWL). HWL is a programme delivered by Public Health Scotland (PHS) and statistics on the online platform is a matter for PHS. The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.