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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-14899

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 8 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to mark the centenary of the Forestry Commission in 2019.

During 2019 the Scottish Government will support a range of activities celebrating achievements in the one hundred years since the introduction of the UK Forestry Act in 1919 – including the establishment of the Forestry Commission .

Plans are currently being developed, involving the wider forestry sector and in collaboration with colleagues across the UK. Detailed plans are not yet available, but are expected to include activities to celebrate Scotland’s Trees, Woods and Forests and their contribution to our people, economy and environment. The celebrations will concentrate on recognising past achievements in public and private forestry, and on the opportunities presented by new Scottish forestry legislation to build on that legacy and encourage further significant growth in forestry in Scotland for the next one hundred years.

Question reference: S5O-01891

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 March 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle health inequalities, and what role having access to arts and culture can play in this.

Question reference: S5W-14774

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many criminal trials in each of the last 10 years have been abandoned with the presumption that they could be heard at a later date (deserted pro loco et tempore), and how many were subsequently held later, also expressed as a percentage.

Question reference: S5W-14222

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 27 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for applying for a temporary Blue Badge, and how long this takes.

The rules are the same for people with permanent and substantial disabilities or temporary and substantial disabilities however, any temporary and substantial disability must be expected to last at least 12 months in order for a Badge to be issued. The application process is the same: online at www.mygov.scot or using a paper form obtainable from the local authority. The Blue Badge scheme is administered by local authorities, therefore the time it will take to make a decision on an application will vary.

Officials in Transport Scotland continue to review the operation of the Blue Badge scheme in Scotland. This involves engagement with disabled people, local authorities, health and social care professionals and others. It includes assessing whether the Blue Badge eligibility criteria for people with temporary and substantial disabilities are appropriate to facilitate independent living.

Question reference: S5F-02086

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 February 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 March 2018

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to train and recruit more nurses.

Question reference: S5O-01803

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 February 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 22 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when 100% of premises in the Scottish Borders will have access to superfast broadband.

Question reference: S5W-14224

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 7 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when the guidance based on the Human Medicines (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 was issued to (a) education authorities, (b) schools and (c) NHS boards in Scotland.

The Scottish Government published Guidance on Supporting Children and Young People with Healthcare Needs in Schools on 20 December 2017. This includes guidance on schools' powers to hold salbutamol inhalers and, more recently, adrenaline auto-injectors for use in emergency situations. The guidance is available on the Scottish Government's website through the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/12/3694/0.

Question reference: S5F-02026

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 05 February 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 February 2018

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government will take to protect politicians and candidates from abuse.

Question reference: S5W-13990

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 5 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on asking retailers to sign up to a voluntary ban on acid sales to people under 18.

There was a recent UK-wide consultation on new statutory proposals in relation to corrosive substances which, at the request of the Scottish Government, extended to Scotland. This consultation ended in December 2017 and the views offered will inform consideration of next steps for Scotland. Legislation in this area would likely touch on both reserved and devolved matters with decisions on next steps being a matter for both the Scottish Government and the UK Government.

The Scottish Government understands that a number of UK retailers have applied the voluntary ban in Scotland as well as England and Wales and this action has the support of the Scottish Government.

Question reference: S5O-01755

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 January 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 February 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when the Berlin and Brussels trade hubs are expected to open.