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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-27698

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 31 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26254 by Tom Arthur on 27 March 2024, by what date it expects to have completed its analysis and feasibility exercise regarding a Community Wealth Building Bill.

Question reference: S6W-27732

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered expanding the number of salmon rivers that are classified as category 3, in light of the record low salmon catch recorded in the Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics for 2023.

Scotland has a regime of statutory salmon conservation orders in place which are refreshed annually. Salmon caught in rivers in poor conservation status, classified as category 3, are not allowed to be retained, thus ensuring the protection of the species where it is at greatest risk.

We will soon be consulting on the latest conservation assessment for salmon which takes account of the most recently available catch return statistics in assessing the status for 173 rivers and river groupings.

Question reference: S6W-27702

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with alcohol and drug partnerships regarding the proposed early release of prisoners, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.

Following the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024, the Director of Justice in the Scottish Government wrote to Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), to make them aware of the Cabinet Secretary’s statement.

The letter committed to keeping ADPs informed regarding plans for emergency release and other measures as they continue to be developed.

The Scottish Government, with the Scottish Prison Service, has established an Operational Delivery Leads Group, to support planning and delivery in relation to emergency release. Representatives from ADPs will be invited to join the group.

In addition to this, we are working with health boards to ensure that the impact on prison healthcare teams is understood and considered within decision-making and, to support these teams respond to the current high levels of the prison population, whose needs are increasingly complex. Following the statement, a network of Executive-level leads from all Health Board areas and national and local SPS representatives met to discuss the prison population increase and will continue to correspond on all significant developments, meeting whenever necessary.

Question reference: S6W-27456

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB) on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body when it last reviewed its flag-flying policy.

Question reference: S6W-27527

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed Education Bill, as set out in its Programme for Government 2023-24.

The Scottish Government is committed to implementing the system and culture change required to improve outcomes and support professionals in classrooms and education settings all over Scotland. As part of this work, a Bill will be laid before parliament this year which will underpin the establishment of a new qualifications body and an independent officeholder for education inspection, to be in place in the Autumn of 2025.

Question reference: S6W-27457

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Claire Baker (on behalf of the SPCB) on 30 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how it will mark Pride Month, which takes place between 1 and 30 June 2024.

Question reference: S6W-27567

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 29 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) guidance and (b) policies are in place to safeguard against any unpaid individuals being deployed to perform duties and roles that would normally be undertaken by NHS employees.

NHS Boards have a responsibility for ensuring they have the right workforce in place at all times to provide safe and high quality patient care.

There is a long history of volunteer services in NHS Scotland, and we are thankful to those who chose to volunteer. Volunteer services are not however there to replace the core workforce, and we expect all NHS Boards to have policies and procedures in place to ensure that volunteers are used appropriately, and only specifically for volunteering services. Volunteers are subject to the same safety checks as NHS staff, including PVG and Disclosure.

Question reference: S6W-27365

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of women for whom it would be clinically helpful to access a placental growth factor (PlGF) based test can currently do so, and what targets it has set to increase this proportion, in light of reports that the equivalent figure in England is currently 90%.

The Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards to ensure the SHTG recommendations on PLGF-based testing published on 23 March 2023 are implemented effectively and consistently. However, NHS Boards have reported that there are some capacity and infrastructure challenges to effectively implement their plans.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care wrote to NHS Boards on 22 May, World Pre-Eclampsia day, to re-emphasize the importance of PLGF-based testing and to request an update on implementation plans within boards.

Question reference: S6W-27463

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on better defining and capturing data on miscarriage nationally, in light of the findings in the Lancet series, Miscarriage Matters.

Question reference: S6W-27477

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 29 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to mark World Environment Day.

I’ll be marking World Environment Day by visiting the Claypits Green Infrastructure Strategic Intervention project which will change a 10 hectare derelict site into an accessible local nature reserve and will include a canal pedestrian bridge linking Maryhill and Woodside communities with the Clay Pits and linking Hamiltonhill and Possilpark with Woodside and Maryhill. The project also provides the surface water drainage solution for the regeneration of key vacant and derelict sites by managing the water level in the canal to provide flood storage.

This year’s World Environment Day theme is land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. It is clear to see the effect climate change is having on the natural environment around the world and it is important we play our part in tackling the climate emergencies. In Scotland we are taking action to restore 250,000 hectares of degraded peatlands by 2030 as it provides many benefits including capturing and storing carbon, supporting nature, reducing flood risk and improving water quality.

For World Environment Day, Scottish Government Net Zero social media channels will encourage individuals and organisations to take action to help the planet. This includes highlighting the importance of driving less and exploring new routes to work by public transport, walking and wheeling. It also includes sharing real-life, inspiring stories of people exploring sustainable ways of living and doing business in Scotland. We have also encouraged organisations to share their climate commitments to inspire their communities to take action to tackle climate change.