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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-16989

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to mark MS Awareness Week, which takes place from 24 to 30 April.

We understand how distressing and debilitating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be, and we want to ensure that all people living with the condition in Scotland are able to access the best possible care and support.

The Scottish Government has committed £1.95 million to the ‘Precision-MS: Integrating precision metrics of brain health into early treatment of Multiple Sclerosis’ study. The NHS Research Scotland Neuroprogressive Network are currently supporting 11 MS Research studies - to date 258 patients have been recruited to these.

We are working hard to deliver the commitments of our Neurological Care and Support Framework 2020-25 to ensure everyone with a neurological condition can access the care and support they need to live well, on their own terms.

Through the Framework we have invested over £300k in projects specifically to improve the health and wellbeing of people with MS in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-16933

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15206 by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023, when it expects the National Dashcam Safety Portal to undergo trials and become fully operational for public use.

Police Scotland is reviewing the project’s timings as part of their wider planning for 2023/24 and beyond.

My predecessor met with the Assistant Chief Constable on 9 February on this matter, and whilst all those involved with delivering the National Dashcam Safety Portal remain committed to implementing this important safety initiative, I have asked my officials for an urgent update from Police Scotland on this matter.

Question reference: S6W-16961

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15794 by Patrick Harvie on 22 March 2023, on what date SafeDeposits Scotland first implemented the estimated response time, including in relation to automatic replies to emails, of over five working days; when that estimated response time was reduced, and when all “teething issues with system functions” had been resolved and user journeys described as “back to normal”.

The Scottish Government's role is to monitor the Schemes' compliance with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme Regulations 2011 and is not involved in the business operations of the Schemes. The Scottish Government therefore does not hold information on when SafeDeposit Scotland (SDS) first implemented the estimated response time. SDS monthly reporting call centre activity data indicates improvements in response times to both calls and emails from November 2022 onwards. Latest monthly reporting for March 2023 gives the average answer time for calls as 10 seconds, and 8 minutes for emails.

Question reference: S6W-17154

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many homes have been returned to use with support from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership since 2022, and whether it can provide a breakdown of the information by local authority area.

Question reference: S6W-16790

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how its domestic abuse policies are informed by research from the Scottish Sentencing Council.

Several recently published research reports support our understanding of the experiences of those affected by domestic abuse, including 'The sentencing of offences involving domestic abuse’, a literature review published by the Scottish Sentencing Council in June 2022, which can be found at https://www.scottishsentencingcouncil.org.uk/media/2231/20220624-domestic-abuse-final-report-as-published.pdf .

These will play a key role as we further develop and assess our policy approach to tackling domestic abuse. Both the research into the implementation of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 which can be viewed at https://www.gov.scot/publications/domestic-abuse-scotland-act-2018-interim-reporting-requirement/ and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of ‘Constabulary for Scotland’s Thematic Review of Domestic Abuse which can be viewed at https://www.hmics.scot/publications/hmics-thematic-inspection-domestic-abuse-phase-1 found that challenges exist in preventing domestic abuse and protecting those who are vulnerable from its harmful effects.

We will continue to take relevant research and information into account as we work with partners to prevent and address domestic abuse.

Question reference: S6W-16791

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the funding provided, or that is planned to be provided, to each victim organisation through the Victim Centred Approach Fund, in each financial year from 2021-22 to 2024-25.

Question reference: S6W-16993

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-15794 by Patrick Harvie on 22 March 2023, what recent discussions the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights has had with Safe Deposits Scotland regarding staffing levels, including staff turnover, following reportedly high response times to customers in 2022.

There have been no recent discussions between the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights with SafeDeposits Scotland regarding staffing levels and staff turnover. Officials engage with each of the approved schemes on a regular basis as part of monitoring compliance with the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 and discuss a range of matters. Measures being taken by SafeDeposits Scotland in relation to customer response times following the introduction of a new IT system in July 2022 was a part of recent engagement.

Question reference: S6W-16792

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether any court closures will take place during the current parliamentary session.

There are no plans for any court closures during the current parliamentary session. The current court model provides appropriate access to justice for Scotland’s communities.

The management of the court estate is an operational matter for SCTS. SCTS have stated that there is no current evidence to support any further court closures following the most recent court closures in 2015.

Court locations can only be closed following the approval of the Scottish Parliament.

Question reference: S6W-16789

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects purposeful activity levels in Scottish prisons to be restored to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS is using learning from the pandemic to reshape its delivery model for purposeful activity as part of our 5-year Corporate Plan which is due to be published in Summer 2023.

Although purposeful activity hours have increased since the pandemic, focus will now shift to qualitative improvements rather than quantitative improvements. SPS recognise the importance of an individual's rehabilitation and reintegration and will structure pathways to support progress towards release.

Question reference: S6W-17425

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 April 2023
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 2 May 2023

To ask the Scottish Government which local authorities do not currently have Empty Homes Officers; how long these positions have been vacant for, and whether it will provide an update on whether it still plans for Empty Homes Officer support to be available across all of Scotland.