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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-08699

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is planning to extend the charitable status to state schools, in light of the resolution that was passed at the October 2016 SNP conference calling for this, and, if so, what (a) meetings and (b) discussions have taken place or are scheduled.

The number one priority of this Government is education and our focus is on raising attainment and closing the equity gap. We want to ensure that every child has an equal chance to fulfil his or her potential, deliver the best outcomes for all children while taking every opportunity to interrupt the cycle of deprivation and poverty which attacks the life chances of far too many children and young people in Scotland. The education system has many strengths and we need to build on them by reforming our approach to get the whole system pulling in the same direction. We need an integrated framework that meets the needs of all young people at every stage of their journey through life which can be achieved by building on our Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), Curriculum for Excellence and Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce policies.

The education landscape is complex. We regularly reflect on current practice and explore and listen to ideas for change. Any such ideas are given full consideration as to the implications they would have and the benefits they would bring to the children of Scotland. Our public services need to focus on delivering improved outcomes for children rather than organisational arrangements.

Question reference: S5W-08698

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 April 2017
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost to maintain the charitable status of private or independent schools in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S5W-08265

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 21 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to attract investment to the (a) Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and (b) East Kilbride constituency.

The Scottish Government is committed to promoting Scotland as an attractive place for business and innovation and helping all businesses to thrive, grow and create employment opportunities. Our substantial investment in infrastructure, regeneration and business support helps to deliver inclusive economic growth and resilience, helping to create and retain jobs in communities across South Lanarkshire, including in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, and East Kilbride constituencies.

For example, our £500million investment in the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvement Project will help to promote sustainable economic growth by improving access to facilities and employment areas for communities and businesses.

Specific examples of our recent support to businesses in each constituency can be shown by regeneration funding of £450,000 for a Community Resource Hub in Hamilton that will provide small and medium-sized enterprises, micro businesses and social enterprises with access to a range of specialist resources and training opportunities, and three Regional Selective Assistance awards to businesses in East Kilbride totalling £600,000 and creating or safeguarding 56 jobs.

Question reference: S5O-00894

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 April 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met the chair of the Scottish Police Authority.

Question reference: S5W-08264

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 19 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-22825 by Nicola Sturgeon on 27 October 2014, what estimate it has made of what the cost would be of holding a second independence referendum.

Question reference: S5O-00870

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve rail services in Central Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-08267

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Maureen Watt on 7 April 2017

To ask the Scottish Government which trade unions the Minister for Mental Health has met; when these meetings were held, and what issues were discussed.

Question reference: S5W-07666

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 16 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01459 by Shona Robison on 9 August 2016, how many women and girls have received treatment for menstrual-related conditions in each of the last five years; what type of treatments are available, and how much do these treatments cost.

Question reference: S5W-07665

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 02 March 2017
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01459 by Shona Robison on 9 August 2016, what proportion of the Scottish Welfare Fund it estimates is used by women on low incomes to access sanitary products.

Question reference: S5W-07234

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 13 March 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings of the YWCA Scotland Report, Status of Young Women in Scotland 2016, and what actions it will take as a result.

The Scottish Government welcomes the publication of YWCA Scotland's second Status of Young Women in Scotland report, and in particular the focus it gives to reaching diverse young women in Scotland and those who might have more limited opportunities to talk about their experiences. The report covers young women's views on a range of topics, such as: sex and relationships; gender bias, and politics, and it highlights that for some young women in Scotland issues such as gender based violence, sexual harassment and racism remain a reality. This is not acceptable, and the Scottish Government will continue to work hard to tackle and challenge these issues so that all young woman in Scotland can grow up in a society without fear and prejudice, and where young women are empowered to determine their own paths.

Our Programme for Government 2016-17: A Plan for Scotland, includes wide ranging commitments to women and girls' equality, including decisive action to improve the representation of women at senior levels; a range of activity to prevent and eradicate violence against women and girls, and the creation of an Advisory Council on Women and Girls to bring new and challenging voices to our work across the Scottish Government to realise gender equality.