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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-00651

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 14 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 1 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans for NHS Scotland to combine medical records in a database shared with third parties, similar to proposals set out by NHS Digital for England.

The Scottish Government has no plans similar to those set out by NHS Digital for England.

The national data opt-out policy applies to NHS England, and not NHS Scotland data. In England, there is legislation by which personal identifiable data, which would otherwise be subject to the Duty of Confidentiality, can be used for research purposes by default.

The Scottish Government recognises the value of data used for trustworthy research in the public interest to improve the health and lives of our population. In Scotland, personal identifiable health data subject to the Duty of Confidentiality is not used for research by default. Any use of personal data for research purposes is subject to rigorous independent scrutiny on a case-by-case basis, and accompanying evidence that the data is used fairly, lawfully and securely. As such, when processing relies on permission from the individual, Scotland operates under an opt-in model.

However, if individuals currently living in Scotland have previously resided in England, and used NHS England services during that period, they will have the opportunity to opt-out by the September 1 st 2021 deadline.

Question reference: S6W-00906

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 18 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 28 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-00406 by Jamie Hepburn on 17 June 2021, whether it plans to match the timeframes announced by the Welsh Government in establishing an alternative model of international exchange.

The Scottish Government will be able to provide more detail about a Scottish exchange programme in due course. The programme will be developed based on what would deliver the best value for Scotland and on the needs of Scotland and those of our learners and institutions.

In the meantime, we are engaging with the European Commission and European institutions in line with our commitment for Scotland to remain close to the Erasmus+ programme.

Question reference: S6W-00720

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 24 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-00307 by Ivan McKee on 7 June, whether it will provide an update on whether dancing is permitted at weddings in level 0 protection areas.

Dancing is not permitted at weddings in level 0 of the levels framework.

When we move beyond level 0, and out of the levels framework, almost all COVID restrictions will be removed for businesses and individuals. This will mean that dancing and singing at weddings will be able to resume at this time. In addition, businesses can reopen and can operate without restrictions on physical distancing or caps.

Some baseline measures will remain, including good hand hygiene and surface cleaning and continued compliance with Test and Protect. More guidance on these baseline measure will be provided prior to moving beyond level 0.

Question reference: S6W-00406

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 04 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 17 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken to establish a new programme of international exchange; when it expects such a programme to be established, and for what reason this was not included in its plans for the first 100 days of the parliamentary session.

We do not support the UK Government’s refusal to participate in Erasmus+. Although we are working on a new programme, this will not be able to replicate in full the benefits of Erasmus+.

In-line with our manifesto commitments, we remain committed to both Erasmus+ and to international exchange. In the interim to securing our place back in Erasmus+ we have begun to consider options regarding a Scottish mobility programme. We are currently undertaking the necessary analysis that will inform our decisions relating to such a scheme.

Our view is that people across Scotland, in all education pathways, should have access to the benefits that international exchange provides. We will announce further steps in due course.

Question reference: S6O-00061

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to schools to enable them to hold modified sports events that can be attended by parents and carers.

Question reference: S6W-00497

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 04 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the timeline for the Islands Connectivity Plan.

Question reference: S6W-00468

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, to bring them in line with other forms of travel, what consideration it has given to reviewing social-distancing requirements on board ferries.

Physical distancing has been an important element in controlling the spread of COVID which is key to keeping our economy open and moving forward to recovery from the impacts of the virus.

Much work has been undertaken by operators in order to safely maximise capacity on ferries. The exemption from 10 July 2020 to allow 1 metre distancing on ferries, with appropriate risk mitigations, significantly increased passenger capacity, and continues to ensure that ferry services can support the reopening of the tourism sector that is so essential for the sustainability of island and rural economies, as well as enabling islanders to travel to the mainland.

The Scottish Government is reviewing physical distancing including its impact on transport, and an announcement of the outcome of this review is due shortly. Sectoral guidance will be updated to reflect the outcome of the review. Physical distancing has been an important tool for controlling the virus but, as with all restrictions, we will only have this in place as long as is necessary.

Question reference: S6O-00028

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with island tourism representatives regarding proposed legislation to regulate short-term lets.

Question reference: S6W-00010

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 7 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a bursary for student paramedics in time for the start of the 2021-22 term.

Question reference: S6W-00135

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 4 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the sport pathways for disabled people (a) nationally and (b) in the Highlands and Islands region, and what plans it has to improve existing pathways.

As the National Agency for Sport, sport scotland is committed to inclusion underpinning everything it does, understanding the barriers people face and proactively addressing them so everyone has the opportunity to get involved in sport and physical activity. sport scotland works with national and local partners to understand, deliver and strengthen sporting pathways for people with disabilities.

Nationally, sport scotland works with, invest in and supports Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), the Scottish governing and co-coordinating body of all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

Across the Highlands and Islands, sport scotland works with all local authorities, leisure trusts, local sports clubs and community organisations, as well as SDS and the Scottish Sporting Governing Bodies, to develop local and regional opportunities and pathways in sport for people with disabilities.