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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-11806

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 15 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to making the monoclonal antibody Evusheld available on prescription to NHS patients in Scotland.

The Scottish Government continues to closely monitor the outcomes of further research to ensure that any decisions to make Evusheld ® available to patients in Scotland in the future are based on the best available evidence. The RAPID C-19 group is a collaborative UK-wide partnership between the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) and others. To date, the RAPID C-19 group and the COVID-19 UK expert panel have both considered a full range of evidence, including clinical trial data, in vitro (in the laboratory) analysis and observational studies and have advised that there is insufficient evidence available at this time to support the procurement and deployment of Evusheld ® .

The RAPID C-19 group is keeping this position under active review, including through monitoring any emerging data. Building on the work of the RAPID C-19 group, the SMC is exploring the potential for collaboration with NICE on a single technology assessment (STA) of tixagevimab–cilgavimab (Evusheld ® ) for the prevention of COVID-19. In order to gain further evidence, consideration is also being given to establishing a clinical trial as a route to answering outstanding questions on the link between in vitro tests and clinical outcomes for current and future variants, which is currently not known. The trial may also assist with evaluating the effectiveness and safety of a higher dose of 600mg, which is now being used in a number of countries, which have previously purchased Evusheld®, as this was not tested in the company’s randomised controlled trials.

I have recently written to the UK Government supporting the establishment of a clinical trial and stating my wish to see individuals in Scotland included.

Question reference: S6O-01552

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 November 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its proposed consultation on the separation of the functions of Scotland’s Law Officers.

Question reference: S6W-11622

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 9 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to S6W-02086 by Graeme Dey on 31 August 2021, which stated that "Transport Scotland is...considering four possible route options for the A9 Dualling Pass of Birnam to Tay crossing section, all of which improve access to Dunkeld and Birnam station", whether there are any plans to update Birnam and Dunkeld railway station.

Following the A9 Dualling Co-Creative Process and other consultations Transport Scotland is currently progressing design and assessment work to identify a preferred route option for the Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing section of the A9 Dualling. It is expected that a preferred route option will be announced in the coming months, with all four options currently under consideration improving access to Dunkeld and Birnam station. If the option selected impinges or interferes with the operation of the station then we will also look to improve accessibility for road and rail users.

As previously stated Rail accessibility is a reserved matter for the UK government and the criteria for selection for an accessibility scheme is set by the Department for Transport and assessed by them via the Access for All scheme:- Access for All: funding to improve accessibility at rail stations - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ). Currently, Dunkeld and Birnam station does not meet the UK government’s criteria for accessibility investment. At this moment in time, there are no plans to update the railway station.

Question reference: S6W-11435

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 4 November 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02276 by Graeme Dey on 13 September 2021, whether any further measures have been employed to improve road safety at the A9 Birnam and Dunkeld junctions.

The works to resurface the A9 around the A822/A923 junction at Dunkeld were completed in late 2021, including changes to road markings to prohibit overtaking through the junction. Illuminated road studs were also installed as part of these works to provide better definition of the junctions during darkness. Solar powered illuminated bollards were also installed at five junctions between the B867 and Dalguise.

In advance of future dualling works Transport Scotland is currently considering further short-term improvements for the A9 between Perth and Inverness, which includes the Birnam and Dunkeld junctions. Officials met with community representatives from the area on 31 October to discuss road safety performance and the scope for short term improvements.

Question reference: S6W-11419

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to attract new businesses to locate at the site of the former Longannet Power Station in Fife.

Question reference: S6W-11418

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 07 October 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 19 October 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Talgo in relation to any investment in the site of the former Longannet Power Station in Fife.

The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with Talgo with regards to its proposed investment at Longannet, which was tied to its bid to construct trains for HS2.While Talgo was one of the shortlisted potential suppliers of HS2 trains in a procurement competition run by HS2 Ltd (over which the Scottish Government had no control), it was subsequently excluded from the competition removing the underpinning reason for Talgo’s investment. Team Scotland is open to having discussions with Talgo regarding any potential investment at Longannet, or indeed anywhere in Scotland, and Scottish Enterprise remain engaged with Scottish Power (owners of Longannet) around enquiries about potential development of the site.

Question reference: S6W-10942

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 08 September 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 21 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether guest houses with planning consent under Class 7 are defined as short-let premises for the purposes of the short-term let licensing scheme.

Question reference: S6W-10342

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what studies it has carried out into any impact of COVID-19 vaccines on individuals with skin conditions.

Question reference: S6W-10341

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what studies it has carried out into any side effects of COVID-19 vaccines on individuals with autoimmune deficiencies.

Vaccine safety is of the utmost importance and we continue to follow the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidance. All vaccines available in Scotland have been approved by the MHRA as safe and effective.

The MHRA operates the Yellow Card scheme which collects and monitors information on suspected concerns or incidents involving vaccines and publishes a summary of this online.

Question reference: S6W-10270

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 5 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the policy that prohibits blood donations from those who received a blood transfusion after 1980.