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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-28348

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 15 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish an official body tasked with carrying out regular audits and inspections of private (a) first aid event cover companies and (b) ambulance providers, such as those that exist in both England and Wales.

Scottish Government is currently undertaking work with Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) to consider commencement of their functions in relation to the regulation of independent ambulances as part of the next phase in the regulation of independent healthcare.

Should these functions be commenced then, as an independent healthcare service, any service falling within the definition of an independent ambulance service could be inspected using the powers in the Healthcare Improvement Scotland (Inspections) Regulations 2011.

An official body to carry out audits and inspections will be specifically considered as part of any work on the potential regulation of private first aid companies.

Question reference: S6W-28347

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 15 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to consult stakeholders, including (a) first aid providers, (b) independent ambulance organisations, (c) the Scottish Ambulance Service and (d) representatives of the hospitality and events sector, with a view to regulating private (i) first aid companies and (ii) ambulance providers.

Question reference: S6W-28346

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 15 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-18113 by Jenni Minto on 5 June 2023, what specific engagement its officials have undertaken with (a) Healthcare Improvement Scotland and (b) other stakeholders to determine whether there are any concerns in relation to the regulation of private (i) first aid event cover companies and (ii) ambulance providers, which supply medical cover at events across Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-28344

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 15 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider bringing forward a consultation on the regulation of private (a) first aid event cover companies and (b) ambulance providers as part of its 2024-25 Programme for Government.

The Programme for Government will be presented to Parliament at the earliest opportunity following the UK General Election.

Provision for the regulation of independent ambulance services already exists in the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978, but Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s (HIS’) functions in relation to independent ambulance services have not yet been commenced. The commencement is being considered as part of the next phase in the regulation of independent healthcare.

Scottish Government is engaging with HIS on this topic and stakeholder engagement will be undertaken to gather first hand insight into the requirements for effective regulation of private ambulances. Additionally, the definition of an ‘independent ambulance service’ within the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 may need revised to ensure it meets current needs.

Stakeholder engagement will also be undertaken to consider appropriate and proportionate next steps, in the potential regulation of independent first aid services.

Once the scope of further regulation has been developed, a public consultation will be required.

Question reference: S6W-28364

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 12 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what precautionary advice and training is given by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to firefighters sent to tackle outbreaks of fire at (a) recycling centres and (b) electronic recycling centres.

Question reference: S6W-28367

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 12 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the impact of fires at (a) recycling plants and (b) electronic recycling plants on the (i) workload and (ii) health of firefighters.

Question reference: S6W-28366

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 10 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, of any fires that occurred at recycling centres or electronic recycling centres in the past five years, what information it holds on how many were caused by (a) batteries, (b) battery devices and (c) electronic devices.

Of the 40 fires detailed in the answer to S6W-28365 on 10 July 2024, the number confirmed as being caused by batteries, battery devices, or electronic devices within the last five years is 9.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Question reference: S6W-28365

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 10 July 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many fires have occurred at (a) recycling centres and (b) electronic recycling centres in the past five years, broken down by location.

Over the past five years, 40 fires have been reported to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

The following table breaks down these incidents by centre type and location:

Type of site and location	Number of fires
Battery Recycling Centre	3
Kilwinning	3
Electronic Recycling Centre	5
Alness	1
Paisley	1
Perth	3
Recycling Centre	32
Aberdeen	1
Ayr	1
Bargeddie	2
Bathgate	1
Blantyre	5
Carberry	1
Cardenden	1
Castle Douglas	1
Cupar	1
Dumfries	1
Dundee	1
East Kilbride	3
Glasgow	1
Invergordon	3
Lochinver	1
Paisley	1
Polmont	1
Rutherglen	1
Stornoway	1
Strathaven	1
Thornton	1
Wallyford	1
Westhill	1
Total	40

Question reference: S6O-03651

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 June 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a further update on plans for the redevelopment of Ardrossan Harbour.

Question reference: S6W-28085

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 07 June 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 19 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the pilot to reduce the number of police officers routinely on duty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.