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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: S5W-14438

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, when it was made aware of the PIRC's concerns that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which the investigation team has been able to complete its work".

Question reference: S5W-14439

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the letter from the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, in light of the PIRC's comment that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which the investigation team has been able to complete its work", on what dates the commissioner (a) raised concerns regarding resouces and (b) requested additional resources, broken down by (i) how much was requested on each occasion, (ii) the reason given for each request and (iii) its response to each request.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) budget for 2017-18 was set out in a letter to PIRC on 31 March 2017.

Discussion around demand and resources took place at the regular Sponsorship meetings between PIRC and the Scottish Government on 22 March, 9 August and 7 November 2017. PIRC provided written submissions seeking increases to the annual budget. In June 2017 they requested an increase of £472,202, in August a further £248,678 and in December a total of £1,067,765; there followed an exchange of correspondence in December and January about timing and quantum.

The submissions and correspondence were considered as part of the 2018-19 budget process, the outcome of which reflects the PIRC’s December 2017 submission bringing their total budget to £4,254,000, an increase of 33.5% on their 2017-18 budget.

In recognition of the increasing demand placed on PIRC in 2017, the Scottish Government was also able to offer an additional £100,000 on 6 November on a non-recurring basis, to be spent by 31 March 2018.

Question reference: S5W-14441

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 10 January 2018 (Official Report, c. 17), in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that that the timeframe for the investigation by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) into the chief constable was "within its gift" and would "take as long as is required", what its response is to the letter from the commissioner to the Convener of the Justice Committee on 5 February 2018, which stated that the organisation was "stretched to the limit" and that "the shortage of resources throughout 2017 has undoubtedly impacted on the speed at which the investigation team has been able to complete its work".

Question reference: S5W-14442

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how the one-off £100,000 that was given to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) in November 2017 was calculated, and what its position is on whether this was sufficient for the PIRC to meet its business demands.

Question reference: S5O-01838

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how the proposed changes to the roles of Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel will impact on retained fire stations.

Question reference: S5O-01782

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 8 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when it next plans to meet the leadership of Orkney Islands Council.

Question reference: S5F-02036

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 February 2018

To ask the First Minister on what date funds from the Saltire Prize for marine energy will be distributed.

Question reference: S5W-14108

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 31 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice receiving the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland’s report on undercover policing report on 2 November 2017, for what reason it has not yet been published, and when it will be laid before the Parliament.

Question reference: S5O-01716

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 24 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides on the standard of comfort and dignity that patients transferring to and from hospital appointments can expect.

The Scottish Governments Charter of Patient's Rights and Responsibilities sets out what can be expected from patient's accessing NHS services, including patient transport.

The Charter states that, when using NHS services and receiving NHS care, patients can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and in a way which takes their needs, understanding and culture into account.

In addition, the Scottish Government published its Health and Social Care standards in June 2017 to take effect from April this year. Dignity, respect and compassion are a key component of these standards which set out what high quality care and support should look like in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-13802

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 23 January 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that relevant bodies work together to share information with regard to the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland.