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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-15016

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take, regarding the issuing of an apology to the people affected by the practice of historic forced adoption in Scotland, in light of the recent apology issued by the Welsh Deputy Minister for Social Services.

We are currently considering next steps to recognise those affected by historical adoption practices.

In the meantime, we have commissioned a scoping study of the support services available in Scotland for people affected by historical adoption practices. This will help us understand where services need to be improved or enhanced to better meet the needs and expectations of those affected by historical adoption. The research started in January and will take approximately 8 months.

Last year the Scottish Government committed funding of around £145,000 to provide specialist support and counselling, and we have now agreed a proposal to establish a peer support group to be delivered through the charity, Health In Mind. The planning and implementation of this support service has begun and is informed by people affected by historical adoption.

Question reference: S6W-15094

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the services that Circularity Scotland will provide (a) directly and (b) indirectly through its supply chain to the Scottish Government and other contracting authorities, such as SEPA.

Circularity Scotland (CSL), as a private non-profit organisation and scheme administrator for DRS, represents and provides services to its members including Scotland’s largest drinks producers, importers, wholesalers and retailers. This is entirely appropriate for a scheme that has industry responsibility at its heart. The Scottish Government will register as a return point operator (RPO) with CSL and will be handled no differently than any other registered RPO.

Question reference: S6W-15099

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details, including a list of attendees, of any discussions that it was involved in, or facilitated between producers and retailers, to (a) approve Circularity Scotland as the Deposit Return Scheme administrator and (b) confer any exclusive rights on Circularity Scotland in relation to the collection of scheme articles.

Circularity Scotland submitted an application to Scottish Ministers for approval to become a scheme administrator. Drinks producers, wholesalers and retailers across Scotland collaborated to create Circularity Scotland and support its application to become a scheme administrator. The Scottish Government did not engage in discussions with producers or retailers with regards to Circularity Scotland’s application. While Circularity Scotland is the only approved scheme administrator, it does not have exclusive rights in relation to the collection of scheme articles. There is no limit on the number of scheme administrators that can operate within the scheme.

Question reference: S6W-15134

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many public swimming pools have closed in each local authority area in each year since 1999.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.

We recognise the importance of swimming pools and other sports facilities in supporting the physical and mental health of the nation. sport scotland, our national agency for sport, are supporting Scottish Swimming to deliver the Scottish Swimming Facilities Project to accurately understand the current swimming pool provision, life cycle and predict the landscape in the short, medium and long term.

We have asked sport scotland to write to Mr Miles Briggs MSP with more details of the Scottish Swimming Facilities Project and to keep him updated as it progresses.

Question reference: S6W-15109

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) adults and (b) children have received hospice care in each year since 1999.

Question reference: S6W-15132

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many children currently living in temporary accommodation are not registered with a dentist.

This information is not held by the Scottish Government.

Public Health Scotland does publish statistics on the number of children registered with a dentist but data on the accommodation status of patients is not collected. Registration statistics can be viewed at: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/dental-statistics-registration-and-participation/dental-statistics-nhs-registration-and-participation-24-january-2023/ .

Question reference: S6W-15097

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide details of the procurement procedure used by Circularity Scotland in appointing Biffa as the official waste collection and logistics service provider, and what information it holds on how this contract opportunity was advertised.

Circularity Scotland (CSL) are a private non-profit organisation and are therefore not subject to public procurement requirements. Decisions regarding their contracts are for them – this is entirely appropriate for a scheme that has industry responsibility at its heart. CSL carried out an extensive tender process over a period of around 12 months before appointing Biffa to be the scheme’s official logistics service provider.

Question reference: S6W-15100

Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration was given to ensuring market competition in relation to waste collection services for the Deposit Return Scheme, and whether it has raised any concerns with Circularity Scotland regarding the potential impact on competition arising from the appointment of a single waste collection provider.

Circularity Scotland (CSL) are a private non-profit organisation and are therefore not subject to public procurement requirements. An extensive tender process was carried out by Circularity Scotland over a period of around 12 months before appointing a waste collection provider. Decisions regarding their contracts are for them – this is entirely appropriate for a scheme that has industry responsibility at its heart.

Question reference: S6W-15032

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Minister for Transport’s reported commitment on this issue, what steps it has taken to ensure that its private sector consultant, Ernst and Young, meets with trade unions organising Scotland’s ferry workers to discuss Project Neptune.

Question reference: S6W-15440

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 28 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what contingency measures Transport Scotland has in place in the event that the A828 Connel Bridge closes for a (a) short and (b) long period of time.

When undertaking trunk road maintenance works, Transport Scotland and its operating companies plan operations to minimise disruption to the public and businesses. Closures are avoided where possible, with works’ timings and traffic management operations designed to suit. Consultation feedback from stakeholders is considered in these plans.

Transport Scotland‘s Operating Company, BEAR Scotland, is currently planning a programme of maintenance and construction works on the Bridge. This will see replacement of the concrete deck from Autumn 2024 for approximately 6 months utilising overnight closures. This will be followed by repainting of the structure commencing in 2025 with a duration of 2 years and with occasional overnight closures.

Any bridge closures or delay as a result of the works on the structure will be carefully planned during a rigorous consultation strategy. This will reduce the effect of the works on vital services, local community and key stakeholders but also allow the vital work to the structure to be undertaken safely.

Should the bridge close due to an unplanned or emergency situation, a strategic diversion via A82 Ballachulish Bridge roundabout and A82 Tyndrum has been agreed with local councils and Police Scotland to ensure continued safe access to the region.