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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-09216

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 17 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 28 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards regarding the collation of lung disease diagnoses in each board.

Question reference: S6W-09209

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 17 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 28 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the use of FibroScan and enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) tests in primary care in order to improve the early diagnosis of liver disease.

The existing National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline on the diagnosis and management of cirrhosis recommends that very heavy daily drinkers (men drinking up to 50 units per week or women 35 units per week) should be screened for cirrhosis using one of the newer non-invasive diagnostic technologies.

NICE suggests FibroScan and in 2020 published a Medtech innovation briefing around its use in primary care settings, but blood tests for fibrosis markers are also accurate and should be available to any clinician.

The Scottish Government currently has no plans to increase the use of FibroScan and enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) tests in primary care in order to improve the early diagnosis of liver disease.

However, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities is developing UK Clinical Alcohol Treatment Guidance, which is expected to include the issue of liver disease. These are expected to be published for consultation later this year. Once finalised, the Scottish Government will consider recommendations regarding early diagnosis of liver disease.

Question reference: S6W-09224

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 June 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 28 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many businesses and organisations are currently still waiting for COVID-19-related funding and payments to be paid out to them.

Question reference: S6W-09194

Asked by: Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 28 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce deaths from liver disease in areas of social deprivation.

We know people living in poverty have poorer health outcomes and this is why we are committed to addressing the underlying causes of health inequalities and increasing healthy life expectancy. There is a stark social gradient to alcohol harms and outcomes linked to poor diet with those in the most deprived areas being the most affected

Population-wide measures to transform the food environment are more likely to be effective in reducing health inequalities than measures aimed only at encouraging individuals to change their behaviours. That is why we will introduce a Bill in this Parliament that includes powers to restrict promotions of foods high in fat, sugar or salt and introduced Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol. The Scottish Government’s Alcohol Framework 2018 sets out our priorities for preventing alcohol-related harm, including our world-leading minimum unit pricing policy.

A recent study by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems has highlighted the effectiveness of alcohol nurses in Deep End practices in Glasgow, in supporting people with alcohol problems who have complex needs. The Scottish Government will carefully consider the findings of the report which highlight the need for more research into the effectiveness of these services.

Question reference: S6W-09221

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 28 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-08590 by Keith Brown on 6 June 2022, what improvements can be evidenced since the implementation of this new procedure of delivering reforms to support early resolution of summary cases, and (a) how and (b) when any such reductions in delays will be reported.

Question reference: S6W-09225

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 June 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 28 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what it plans to do with unspent funding from (a) the Business Ventilation Fund and (b) other COVID-19-related funds.

Question reference: S6W-09121

Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it will be ensured that there are no adverse effects on the internationally designated Firth of Forth Special Protection Area and nationally designated Firth of Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest during the development and operation of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.

As promoter of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme, Falkirk Council is required and committed to protecting natural habitats and enjoyment of the waterways while constructing flood defences that will safeguard communities.

The Scheme acknowledges the nationally and internationally-significant environmental designations present in the area which provide habitat for large numbers of birds. A precautionary approach has been adopted and consultation with the relevant Statutory Authorities is ongoing. An Appropriate Assessment and Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) will form part of the Scheme documentation.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) considers the possible impact of the scheme and proposed mitigation measures under a number of headings; including wildlife and biodiversity, air quality, noise and vibration, landscape and cultural heritage. This assessment will be concluded later this year and be published when the Scheme is Notified.

Question reference: S6W-09119

Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for ongoing public participation and stakeholder engagement in the development of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme.

Falkirk Council are responsible for the development of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme. They have held a variety of public engagement events since 2019. Public information sessions will continue through 2022 and early 2023 using a variety of means including newsletters, social media updates, and drop in events.

A public exhibition will be held on the proposed flood defences before the Scheme goes into the formal Notification stage. The Notification process is a statutory requirement under Schedule 2 of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

A record of previous and future engagement activities are available from the scheme website ( www.grangemouthfloodscheme.com ).

Question reference: S6T-00828

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 27 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on reports that the Scottish Solicitors’ Bar Association say that the impasse on legal aid payments has meant that the entire criminal justice system is in “imminent danger of collapse”.

Question reference: S6T-00821

Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 June 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update following the summit on safe access to abortion services convened by the First Minister.