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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: S6W-25843

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 12 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been convicted of livestock worrying since the increased penalties were introduced in November 2021.

The worrying of livestock by dogs is completely unacceptable and is something the Scottish Government takes very seriously and recognises the distress and the serious welfare and financial implications it may cause.

From November 2021 to September 2023, 21 accused have been convicted with, at least one, protection of livestock from dogs charge. In all the cases, the charges were under the dogs (protection of livestock) act 1953 section 1(1)&(6).

Question reference: S6W-25733

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent steps have been taken to improve diagnosis times for those affected by brain tumours.

The Scottish Government published our ten year Cancer Strategy for Scotland 2023-2033 along with an initial three year Cancer Action Plan ( Cancer Plan for Scotland 2023 – 2026 ) in June 2023.

Over the next 10 years, our strategic aim is to improve cancer survival and provide excellent, equitably accessible care. The Strategy and Plan take a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care. We continue to place an emphasis on the less survivable cancers, including brain cancer, and improving their outcomes.

As part of this strategy, we developed a new Earlier Cancer Diagnosis Vision.

The vision includes continuing to deliver our Detect Cancer Earlier Programme, working with primary care clinicians to ensure they have direct access to diagnostic tests and quality education sources, as well as developing public campaigns to educate and empower those with possible symptoms of cancer to act early.

In addition to this work and in order to support radiology diagnostic capacity, we have funded mobile scanners to provide additional capacity for MRI and CT supporting cancer patients across NHS Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-25734

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to people with optic discs showing signs of papilloedema, whether cancer pathways exist in all NHS boards for optometrists to refer patients directly to secondary care.

Community optometrists across Scotland will normally refer patients who require secondary care directly to the hospital eye service in the relevant Health Board. Patients with suspected papilloedema require an emergency referral in common with some other ophthalmic conditions. Pathways for direct emergency referrals from community optometrists exist in all Health Boards in Scotland and are used regularly.

Question reference: S6W-25732

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 4 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether any consideration has been given to expanding the referrals criteria that are used by healthcare professionals in primary care to refer patients to Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services.

Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services are a useful addition to how cancer can be diagnosed in Scotland. They provide primary care with access to a new fast-track diagnostic pathway for patients with non-specific symptoms suspicious of cancer, such as weight loss and fatigue.

The University of Strathclyde published a final evaluation report on 29 February 2024 reflecting on the first two years of RCDSs operating in NHS Scotland. This work was commissioned to inform roll-out, including optimal components. Following its release, we’ll work with Boards across Scotland to consider the findings and ensure learning is embedded.

Meanwhile, a clinical refresh of the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer is underway to help ensure those with symptoms suspicious of cancer are put on the right pathway at the right time. These guidelines have been developed for primary care clinicians to aid clinical decision making and support. Referrals are closely monitored to ensure capacity and support is available for those on an Urgent Suspicion of Cancer (USC) pathway.

Question reference: S6W-25708

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 23 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 4 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to Rape Crisis Scotland in each financial year since 2020-21, and how much it will provide in the financial year 2024-25.

Please see below the funding that has been provided to Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS) in each financial year since 2020-21. Please note for 2023-24, we have provided the total committed spend for the current financial year, which may change by April 2024.

We cannot confirm the amount of funding which will be provided to RCS for the financial year 2024-25 at this time. However, we can confirm that RCS will receive funding through the Children, Young People and Families Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities fund, through ‘100 days’ funding and the Delivering Equally Safe fund amongst others in 2024-25.

Please note that, in addition to funds provided to Rape Crisis Scotland, we also provide funding to local Rape Crisis Centres through the Delivering Equally Safe fund. Additionally, some of the funds provided to Rape Crisis Scotland are distributed by them to local Rape Crisis Centres.

Financial Year 2020-21 - £3,342,646

Financial Year 2021-22 - £5,654,322

Financial Year 2022-23 - £4,587,738

Financial Year 2023-24 - £4,557,276* (committed spend for financial year)

Question reference: S6W-25427

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 29 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to tackle the reported encroachment of feral pigs in Scotland.

It is an offence under Section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to release any type of pig, including wild boar. It is also an offence to allow them to escape from captivity.

The primary responsibility for controlling feral pig populations in the wild lies with land managers who should work in partnership with local communities.

Further information on feral pigs can be found on the NatureScot website at Managing feral pigs in Scotland | NatureScot .

Question reference: S6W-25426

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 29 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the occupied range of feral pigs in Scotland, and the extent of any damage being caused by the pigs.

NatureScot commissioned the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to prepare a non-native species risk assessment as part of their feasibility study into options for controlling feral pigs in Scotland.

APHA completed the risk assessment in 2015 and was published in 2022 in NatureScot Research Report 876 - Preliminary assessment completed in 2015 of the feasibility of maintaining, limiting or eradicating feral pigs in Scotland | NatureScot Massei G. & Ward A. 2022.

Following a peer-review of the risk assessment by the Scottish Government Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks (EPIC), NatureScot updated and published the report ‘Updated non-native species risk assessment of feral pigs in Scotland. NatureScot Research Report 1288’. A copy of the report, which includes information on the distribution and potential impacts of feral pigs in Scotland, can be found on NatureScot’s website at NatureScot Research Report 1288 - Updated non-native species risk assessment of feral pigs in Scotland | NatureScot .

Question reference: S6O-03169

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Bus Partnership Fund, including what the spending plans are for the £473.1 million that is reportedly unspent to date, and when the fund will be resumed.

Question reference: S6W-25424

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the occupied range of muntjac deer in Scotland, and the extent of any damage being caused by the species.

There is no established population of muntjac in Scotland. There have been sporadic sightings of muntjac in Scotland, most of which are unverified. Any confirmed sightings of muntjac have been captured or culled.

In the past 30 years, only five muntjac records have been accepted as correct, based on photographic or physical evidence and all of these are believed to have escaped from captivity nearby.

We encourage land managers and members of the public to continue to report sightings of muntjac via the reporting page on Scotland’s Environment Website or directly to NatureScot, for NatureScot to investigate.

Question reference: S6W-25425

Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 09 February 2024
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 28 February 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what actions are being taken to tackle the reported encroachment of muntjac deer in Scotland.

While there is no established population of muntjac in Scotland, NatureScot are cognisant of concerns around their potential impact should that change.

We recognise that the two main risks are that either existing populations in other parts of Britain may expand their range into Scotland, or that captive muntjac may escape into the wild and establish populations.

Any suspected sightings of muntjac should be reported to NatureScot directly or through the invasive non-native reporting tool on Scotland’s Environment Website . NatureScot follow up all reported sightings. Between three and ten reports a year are investigated, by interviewing witnesses and following up credible sightings with trail cameras and night vision surveys. NatureScot considers nearly all of these have been unlikely to be muntjac based on witness statements.

It is already an offence to keep muntjac in captivity without a licence, and land managers must inform NatureScot without delay if they suspect the presence of muntjac on their land. It is also an offence to transport, use or exchange, breed or permit a muntjac to reproduce.

Since 2021, the Non-Native Species Inspectorate has been carrying out inspections of zoos and private animal collections on behalf of the Scottish Government. The Inspectorate gathers evidence of non-compliance and passes cases on to Police Scotland to investigate, or NatureScot to resolve through licensing. NatureScot has issued two licences to keep muntjac at visitor attractions in the last ten years.