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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-39200

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 07 July 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 29 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government on what dates the Scottish Screening Committee met since January 2023, and on what dates it will publish the minutes for any such meetings.

Question reference: S6W-39549

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 25 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 22 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the PV2 assessment process remains an appropriate methodology for considering new pedestrian crossings.

Question reference: S6W-39197

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 July 2025
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 25 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-37919 by Neil Gray on 5 June 2025, whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of the digital dermatology pathway to (a) GPs and (b) NHS boards, including how many GP practices are currently participating in the system.

Question reference: S6W-39081

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 30 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 24 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase policing and police presence in communities with a high level of bike theft.

The operation of Police Scotland, including the deployment of staffing, is a matter for the Chief Constable, who is supported by the Scottish Government to shape the workforce in response to operational needs. The latest official statistics show there were 16,553 FTE police officers in Scotland on 31 March 2025.

There are already a wide range of effective actions currently available to Police Scotland to prevent and reduce bike theft, empowering officers to lawfully pursue and tactically engage thieves, where it is deemed necessary. Theft is a criminal offence under Scots law, which has developed over centuries through operation of the courts rather than being provided for in statute.

Question reference: S6W-37254

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 23 July 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will conduct an immediate strategic audit of any potential implications for (a) public bodies, (b) infrastructure and (c) energy systems in Scotland of (i) Chinese investment in offshore wind and (b) the use of Hikvision cameras by public sector bodies.

The UK Government is responsible for national security, the regulation of international trade, elements of critical national infrastructure including energy, and the application of the National Security and Investment Act.

It is a priority for us to secure inward investment where it is possible to do so. We are engaging closely with the UK Government to understand the progress it is making in considering the security implications of Chinese and other potential foreign investment in energy-related infrastructure.

Regarding the use of Hikvision cameras by public sector bodies, councils and public bodies are separate from the Scottish Government. Therefore, as long as they act lawfully, each public body is accountable for its own decisions in relation to day to day business, including procurement competitions.

Public procurement regulations specifically allow for companies to be excluded from tendering, where it can be demonstrated by appropriate means that they are guilty of grave professional misconduct. The Scottish Government expects all public sector bodies to undertake appropriate due diligence on companies in receipt of public money. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of public sector bodies to make decisions on how best to deliver services to their communities.

Question reference: S6W-39439

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government when (a) the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and (b) its officials last met the (i) Royal College of Ophthalmologists and (ii) College of Optometrists.

Question reference: S6W-39444

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with delivering a replacement Edinburgh Eye Pavilion, and by what date the replacement will be opened.

Question reference: S6W-39438

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has met NHS boards regarding reported long waits for cataract surgery.

Question reference: S6W-39494

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to enhance and refresh Scotland's Artificial Intelligence Strategy since its last update in 2022.

Question reference: S6W-39453

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 19 August 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of cataract surgeries was delivered within the Treatment Time Guarantee in each of the last five years.