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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-02305

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 4 October 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in the period covered by the Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme 2021 national report, how many people who survived a stroke were discharged with (a) a significant, (b) a moderate, (c) a slight and (d) no disability; how their rehabilitation needs were assessed; how many patients received rehabilitation, and whether rehabilitation enabled them to achieve their recovery potential.

The Scottish Stroke Care Audit does not currently directly measure level of disability at the time of hospital discharge. The stroke improvement team rehabilitation sub group is currently considering future updates to measure rehabilitation service delivery, patient outcomes and experiences.

Rehabilitation is a person centred process. People with ongoing impairment and activity limitations following a stroke are assessed by a multidisciplinary team and their wishes and needs are agreed individually as part of their rehabilitation plan. All patients who require stroke rehabilitation should be offered it. Rehabilitation may be delivered via a variety of inpatient, early supported discharge and community teams

Question reference: S6W-02866

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 21 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Non-Communicable Disease Prevention: Priorities 2021/22, and what action it will take in relation to the report’s recommendations.

The Scottish Government welcomes the report on Non-Communicable Disease Prevention published on 6 September and recognises that its recommendations are in line with the Government’s own approach, based on the World Health Organisation strategies of reducing Affordability, Availability and Attractiveness of alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy foods.

We are committed to supporting individuals and local communities by delivering measures to target harmful health behaviours early and provide access to holistic and person-centred treatment when needed.

Question reference: S6W-02688

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 September 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 16 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of it granting planning permission in principle in 2017, whether it will provide an update on its involvement with the Park of Keir development.

In August 2017 Scottish Ministers issued their intention to grant permission for a tennis and golf centre, including hotel and 19 houses, subject to conditions and completion of a legal agreement. On 26th August 2021 the signed legal agreement was submitted to Ministers, meaning the appeal moves closer to a final decision.

Given the passage of time since Ministers indicated their intention to grant permission in 2017, further procedure is necessary before the appeal can be determined. This is to allow parties to submit contributions on any material changes that may have occurred. After that, a final decision will be taken on this planning application appeal.

As this is still a live planning application, it would not be appropriate to comment on the merits of the case.

Question reference: S6O-00070

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 August 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will commit to ensuring that any legislation it introduces to support the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic does not seek to allow regulations to be made or changed without being subject to the affirmative parliamentary procedure.

Question reference: S6W-01461

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the advice on its website, which was last updated on 8 July 2021, stating "domestic cruises with more than 12 passengers will be allowed when all of Scotland reaches Level 1", when restrictions on domestic cruises will be lifted.

Question reference: S6W-00410

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the appeal launched by the European Stroke Organisation in May 2021 calling for health ministers across Europe to sign a declaration for action on implementing a Europe-wide stroke action plan, and how its response impacts its Stroke Improvement Plan.

The Scottish Government welcomes the work of the European Stroke Organisation and we agree that it is vital to ensure improvements are made to stroke pathways and services, including prevention, treatment and care.

Through our Programme for Government commitments and the Stroke Improvement Plan, we are already reflecting the aims of the European Stroke Organisation’s appeal targets.

We will continue to implement our Stroke Improvement Plan which sets out our priorities for improving diagnosis, treatment and care for those affected by stroke alongside the ongoing work to deliver the Programme for Government stroke commitments. We are expecting a report on progressive stroke services by the end of December 2021. This will set the intention for our future actions to improve care for people with stroke.

Question reference: S6W-00409

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish the definition of its progressive stroke service as detailed in its Programme for Government 2019-20; what plans it has to implement a progressive stroke service, and how it will ensure that people who survive a stroke in Scotland will have the same opportunity to achieve their recovery potential as those across the rest of the UK and North West Europe.

The Scottish Government is expecting a report on progressive stroke services by the end of December 2021. This Report will help to support and drive improvement in stroke services across Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people who have had a stroke receive the best possible care as quickly as possible to enable them to live longer, healthier independent lives. That’s why the Programme for Government 2019-20 commits to ensuring that improvements are made to stroke pathways and services, including prevention, treatment and care. Work is ongoing to deliver against those commitments.

Question reference: S6W-00396

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin its public consultation on Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs), as proposed in the Respiratory Care Action Plan.

Question reference: S6T-00075

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 14 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent survey, which records that more than 2,000 incidents of racism have been reported in schools over the last three years.

Question reference: S6W-00293

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 9 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the figures released by the Scottish Library and Information Council that 123 public libraries remain closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that a number might not reopen, and, in light of this, what support it will give to local authorities to ensure that such lifeline services are protected.

The Scottish Government places great importance on public libraries and believes everyone should have access to these services. Libraries don’t just provide access to reading material. They play a crucial role in providing access to IT, improving attainment, supporting children in the early years, helping engage older people, and empowering our communities.

The Scottish Government is aware of the challenges facing Scotland’s Public Libraries and the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on them, and recognises the way in which many library services have adapted quickly during the pandemic to support their local communities. Officials are working closely with the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), to understand current challenges and facilitate the sector’s recovery.

As of Friday, 4 June, 377 libraries were open, with 104 yet to reopen and these numbers are regularly changing. Officials understand from an update provided by SLIC on 4 June 2021,that 14 more libraries have signalled their intention to reopen soon. In some local authority areas, mobile libraries are operating where libraries are closed.

The Scottish Government has worked with the sector and local authority representatives to produce safer workplace guidance for public libraries to allow these services to be restored safely. The guidance has been updated on a regular basis responding to ongoing feedback from stakeholders and reflecting the latest scientific advice, to facilitate safer reopening. There may be a range of reasons that libraries have not yet reopened, including alternative usage during the pandemic (for example as testing centres) or ability to allow physical distancing within smaller buildings.

Public libraries are devolved to local authorities, who are best placed to decide what services can be offered. Scotland’s councils have been allocated an additional‎ £1.5 billion in direct support through the local government finance settlement and councils have also been granted additional financial flexibilities to address the financial pressures caused by COVID-19.

Furthermore, the 2021-22 Local Government Settlement of almost £11.7 billion provides a cash increase in local government day to day spending for local revenue services of £375.6 million or 3.5 per cent.