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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-40216

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 25 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, since the inception of (a) the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and (b) the NatureScot guidance regarding the grounds permitted for granting licences, how many (i) applications and (ii) grants have been made for licences to control mountain hares.

Question reference: S6O-04946

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that the worst wildfires ever recorded in Scotland affected the areas around Dava, Lochindorb and Carrbridge this summer, what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding potentially commissioning an independent review of wildfire management practices.

Question reference: S6W-40117

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Friday, 05 September 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 8 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many orders for witness anonymity under common law and section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, similar to those imposed by Lady Dorrian in the case HMA v Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond, have been imposed in each year since 2015; in which cases they were imposed; whether it will provide details of the nature of the crimes involved in these cases, and whether there have been any other cases since 2015 where a similar type of order ensuring witness anonymity has been imposed under different provisions.

Question reference: S6W-40217

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 September 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether all persons or businesses conducting peat restoration work are expected by Nature Scot to apply for a licence to control mountain hares, and, if so, under what permissible ground under the applicable Nature Scot guidance.

Question reference: S6W-40218

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 02 September 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 17 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what evidence it has obtained since the passage of the amendment of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 regarding the population size of mountain hares in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-39947

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 August 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 1 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government in relation to any funding grant, whether it will require the applicant body to sign and confirm that it will abide by and observe the principle that in its operations it will observe as an absolute right, freedom of expression within the law, and that any breach or failure to observe this requirement will result in the immediate withdrawal of funding and an obligation to repay any sum awarded.

In accordance with the Scottish Public Finance Manual, Scottish Government Grants are made subject to legally binding agreements. A model offer template sets out standard terms and conditions, which include standard clauses covering default and recovery of a grant. There is no specific reference to freedom of expression but there is a standard clause requiring grant recipients to ensure that “in relation to the project/programme, they and anyone acting on their behalf shall comply with the relevant law, for the time being in force in Scotland”

Question reference: S6O-04888

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the future award of any grants or loans to arts or public performance venues, whether it or any public authority, including Creative Scotland, will require applicants to observe and respect freedom of expression under the law in order to be eligible for financial support, and that failing to do so will require any funding provided to be repaid.

Question reference: S6W-39674

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Thursday, 31 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what risk assessments have been carried out on the possible effects on patients if there is any further removal of NHS specialist treatments for chronic pain services.

Decisions about the planning and delivery of NHS services, including specialist pain treatments, are the responsibility of individual Health Boards. Boards are expected to consider the available evidence, local population needs and clinical advice when making decisions.

The Scottish Health Technologies Group is currently undertaking an independent review of certain specialist interventions for chronic pain. Their findings, expected on 28 November 2025, will support informed decision-making across NHS Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-39673

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Thursday, 31 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 26 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government who has been appointed to the Evidence Review on Chronic Pain, which is being handled by the Pain Management Task Force; what the remit of the review is, and when the findings will be published.

The review for specialist interventions for managing chronic non-malignant pain in adults was commissioned by Scottish Government but is being led by the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG), part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS). HIS and SHTG operate independently and neither the Pain Management Taskforce or the Scottish Government have a role in undertaking the review.

SHTG provides evidence-based advice to NHSScotland on health technologies to support informed decision making that improves health and care for people in Scotland. Its advice is underpinned by Health Technology Assessment (HTA) methodology which is a formal, internationally recognised, systematic and transparent process that considers the best available evidence. This includes clinical effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness, and the views of patients, healthcare professionals, and wider system implications.

SHTG have determined that they will make recommendations on the following four questions:

1. Is radiofrequency denervation effective, safe and cost effective for treating chronic non-malignant joint pain in adults?

2. Are injections (spinal axial blocks, sacroiliac joint injections, facet joint injections) with or without steroids effective, safe and cost effective treatment options for adults with chronic non-malignant pain?

3. Are lidocaine intravenous infusions effective, safe and cost effective for treating chronic non-malignant pain in adults?

4. What are patient views and experiences of chronic pain treatment in specialist secondary care settings?

The findings will be published on their website and are currently anticipated to be published on 28 November 2025. You can find more information here: Specialist interventions for managing chronic non-malignant pain in adults | Scottish Health Technologies Group.

Question reference: S6W-39925

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Independent
Date lodged: Monday, 18 August 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 15 September 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported declarations made by Summerhall Arts in Edinburgh regarding its policy on politicians appearing on stage at the venue, what its position is on the declarations, and whether it will continue to provide any public funding to the venue.