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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-13641

Asked by: Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 January 2023
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 13 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many teachers have accessed the national Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) resources and used them as part of the school curriculum since their creation.

Question reference: S6W-13588

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 January 2023
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 13 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports on 22 December 2022 that HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland has criticised the “disappointing underuse” of HMP Castle Huntly, with only 100 inmates housed at its last inspection out of a capacity of 285.

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

SPS welcomes the Chief Inspector’s report and her recognition of many areas of good practice at HMP Castle Huntly.

Like many areas of public life, SPS continues to recover from the global pandemic. Despite this, SPS has been working towards making further improvements to the progression of those people in our care. This has resulted in an increase of 25 percent in the population of HMP Castle Huntly since April 2022.

We have also commenced a review of population management and progression, which will identify any barriers to safe progression for those in our care to the Open Estate and reduce the risk of reoffending to the public.

Question reference: S6W-13553

Asked by: Edward Mountain, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 January 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 13 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13303 by Angus Robertson on 16 December 2022, whether it will provide the full production costs, including staff costs.

Question reference: S6W-13577

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 January 2023
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 13 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many people are currently subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Commencement of Sections 10 to 40 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 will allow Sexual Harm Prevention Orders to be made in Scotland. Commencement of these provisions has been coordinated with the UK Government in order that we can commence the necessary provisions at the same time, to allow UK wide recognition of these orders. These provisions are expected to be commenced in the early part of this year.

Question reference: S6W-13778

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 13 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to increase the number of island-based members of the Islands Programme Investment Panel, following a commitment from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands to consider this in response to a letter from the Convener of Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee on Pre-budget scrutiny 2023-24.

Question reference: S6W-13916

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 January 2023
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Ivan McKee on 13 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the appointment of Business Advisers to the First Minister.

Ellis Watson has been appointed as a Business Advisor to the First Minister. He will work directly with the First Minister to identify the priorities of the business community and help shape the government’s support and response. The creation of the role demonstrates the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to work in partnership with the business community and build on the progress already made in delivering the National Strategy for Economic Transformation, for a wealthier, greener and fairer economy.

Question reference: S6W-13806

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-13805

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-13319

Asked by: Donald Cameron, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by George Adam on 12 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many ministerial visits have been made in Scotland since 2010, broken down by parliamentary region.

Information on Ministerial engagements is routinely published on the Scottish Government website and can be found at: www.gov.scot/collections/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts/ .

Information on Ministerial engagements prior to May 2016 can be found at: Ministerial Engagements (webarchive.org.uk)

Visits are not recorded by parliamentary region. The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question reference: S6W-13436

Asked by: Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 22 December 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 12 January 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will lay regulations to amend Council Tax (Variation for Unoccupied Dwellings) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 to give effect to the motion S6M-05106 that was agreed, as amended, by the Parliament on 22 June 2022, in advance of the date prescribed in the Local Government Finance Act 1992 of when local authorities are required to set council tax rates for 2023-24.

Work is underway to consider options for changes to Council Tax, reflecting the current circumstances created by the cost crisis. Central to this, the Programme for Government 2022-23 committed to establishing a working group to oversee deliberative engagement on local government funding, including Council Tax.

The Joint Working Group has commenced its work and within its remit has begun to consider the provision of powers to allow local authorities to increase the rate of Council Tax on second and empty homes to support best use of existing housing stock. We will take account of the Group’s conclusions in developing proposals for public engagement and consultation on the matter.