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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: S5W-17437

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 22 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 13 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to following the Welsh Government's example by introducing and funding a "Real Nappy Campaign", which aims to encourage more parents to make the switch to cotton nappies.

Question reference: S5W-17401

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many hand-held speed enforcement devices are owned by the Edinburgh Division of Police Scotland, and how many of its officers are trained to use these.

Question reference: S5W-17400

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many speeding infringements have been recorded in the last 12 months by officers using hand-held speed enforcement devices in the Edinburgh Division of Police Scotland; how many fines were issued, and how much was raised.

Question reference: S5W-17350

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how much police time has been spent on cannabis-related offences in each of the last three years.

Question reference: S5W-17349

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 4 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how much court time has been spent on cannabis-related offences, and what the cost of this has been, in each of the last three years.

Question reference: S5W-17275

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 15 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 26 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-14041 by Humza Yousaf on 6 February 2018, what progress has been made by Transport Scotland on the review of (a) traffic sign and general signage policy and (b) Fairtrade accreditation signs.

The review of traffic sign and general signage policy is currently on-going. The current focus is on reviewing and revising the list of primary destinations in Scotland to align them with the current Trunk Road network and developing the scope of a proposed future amendment to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD), which will incorporate current and future variations within Scotland.

The policy relating to Fairtrade accreditation signs has been reviewed. In reviewing this policy, it was important to consider the purpose of traffic signs, which is to control and guide traffic and to promote road safety on the network. As a recognised global brand, which is promoting a commercial interest, Fairtrade accreditation does not align with this purpose. This review has therefore concluded that the use of Fairtrade branding on traffic signs is not appropriate as it falls into the category being an advertisement.

Question reference: S5W-17279

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 15 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 20 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve access to cervical screening in order to increase coverage of this screening.

Increasing coverage in the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme is a key objective for the Scottish Government and that is why up to £5m of funding from the Cancer Strategy 'Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action' 2016 is being invested in our screening programmes, to reduce inequalities in access to screening and to improve uptake, particularly amongst those least likely to participate.

As part of this work, we are establishing a network, involving clinical and academic experts from across Scotland as well as third sector organisations to identify new activities and learn from local practice and innovation, to improve participation in screening programmes.

We also support the work of charities like Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust to increase awareness and address some of the barriers to screening. We are funding their innovative 'Be Cervix Savvy Roadshow' which will be visiting high streets and retail parks across Scotland to raise awareness of cervical cancer and increase uptake of cervical screening.

Question reference: S5W-17280

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 15 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 20 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to pilot mobile cervical screening clinics in order to increase access and improve screening coverage.

Question reference: S5W-17025

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 04 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 19 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the National Statistics report, Unintentional Injuries in Scotland, which recorded that there were 850 deaths due to poisoning in 2016, representing an increase of 28% on the previous year.

The rise in ‘poisonings’ in 2016 as highlighted in the Unintentional Injuries in Scotland report can be predominantly attributed to the rise in drug related deaths that were reported in 2016.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to tackle the many challenges associated with problem drug use. In recognition of the continued rise in drug deaths, and the changed drugs landscape, later this year we will publish a refreshed drug and alcohol strategy that will challenge services to better meet the wide range of complex health and social needs of those who are most at risk as a result of their drug and alcohol use. This work will be supported by additional investment of
‎ £20 million a year for the remainder of this parliament.

More generally, we recognise that unintentional harm and injury is a sizeable burden on the population and public services in Scotland. We are focused on developing a co-ordinated and strategic approach to reducing unintentional harm and injury through a prevention based approach that aligns to the needs and aspirations of the individuals and communities we serve.

Question reference: S5W-17117

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 07 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 19 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been consulted by the UK Government regarding the terms of reference for the Infected Blood Inquiry.

Scottish Ministers received the proposed Terms of Reference of the UK Infected Blood Inquiry for consultation on 15 June. We will respond with our views as soon as possible.

Under section 27 of the Inquiries Act 2005, Scottish Ministers must be consulted in relation to the Terms of Reference of any statutory inquiry if they are to include anything that will require the inquiry to determine any fact, or to make recommendations, wholly or primarily concerned with Scottish matters.