Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 42742 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-03948

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 9 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether, under its proposed short-term let licensing regime, some types of tourist accommodation, such as hotels, serviced accommodation, mobile accommodation and licensed caravans, will be exempt from licensing in respect of health and safety, but with this being mandatory for bed and breakfast and self-catering businesses, and, if so, for what reasons.

The proposed licensing legislation will establish a licensing scheme: to ensure short-term lets are safe and address issues faced by neighbours; and facilitate local authorities in knowing and understanding what is happening in their area, as well as to assist with handling complaints effectively. In broad terms, the licensing scheme applies to the use of dwellinghouses and unconventional accommodation, such as yurts or pods, for short-term lets.

The licensing scheme was never intended to regulate all forms of tourist or other accommodation. It is important that all forms of accommodation are safe and there are a number of regulatory mechanisms and safeguards across different accommodation types to help to ensure this is the case.

Question reference: S6W-03643

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 9 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been awarded in compensation for medical errors in each NHS board in each year since 1999.

Question reference: S6W-03518

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 9 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government by what means people who cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons can demonstrate their exemption from vaccine certification.

Vaccination is the best way to keep you, your friends, family, and community safe and we encourage everyone to consider getting the vaccine. In the vast majority of cases a successful route to safe vaccination can be found.

If vaccination is not straightforward, support is available to help people achieve the benefits of protection from the Covid-19 vaccines. Local vaccination centre can help answer questions about the vaccine and can advise what arrangements may be put in place to enable safe vaccination. In the rare cases where that support does not lead to vaccination, the offer of an exemption will be a part of the process.

A person who is identified as clinically unable to safely receive the vaccine will receive a secure paper exemption certificate in the post.

Question reference: S6W-03942

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 22 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Dorothy Bain on 9 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the findings in the report, Nothing to See Here?, regarding the suggestion that, since the 2016 change in law regarding fatal accident inquiries, the average length of time for completion of such an inquiry has increased by 100 days.

COPFS has noted the findings of the study. The statistics quoted in that study indicate that the average time taken to complete an FAI in 2017-19 was at its lowest figure since the period 2005-07. That figure – 603 days – was more than one third lower than the figure (990) from the previous period which predated the introduction of the 2016 Act.

COPFS is committed to reducing the timescale for commencing FAIs, including those arising from deaths in custody, whilst ensuring that the circumstances surrounding each death are thoroughly investigated. COPFS has introduced a number of measures since the implementation of the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 to reduce the average time taken to complete FAIs. Funding for the overall COPFS budget has been increased in recent years to help support the progress of these and other investigations. Dedicated teams were set up within the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit of Crown Office to specifically investigate deaths where an FAI requires to be held. A Case Management Panel ensures there is regular oversight of all deaths in custody investigations by senior managers on a regular basis. These reforms have already resulted in reductions in the duration of death investigations and it is expected that they will continue to do so.

In addition, a dedicated Crown Office team is to be established to investigate all deaths in legal custody. It is anticipated that such a team will allow for accelerated processes for particular categories of death and greater scope for conjoining FAIs and will reduce the time taken to conclude these investigations.

Question reference: S6W-03833

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 9 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its announcement that it will end overseas trade support focused on purely fossil fuel goods and services from 1 November 2021, what measures it will use to assess which goods and services “align with the energy transition” in order to continue receiving support.

From 1 November 2021, the way in which the Scottish Government provides overseas trade support will be aligned with our energy transition, as highlighted in our policy announcement on 15 October 2021. We will also co-design our energy transition with industry stakeholders as promised in the Just Transition Commissions Report Response

Scottish Development International (SDI), will implement this policy through the assessment of potential projects and their suitability for support in line with the published guidance and exemptions. Our exemptions are deliberately aligned with the UK Government’s guidance . This decision was made following wide stakeholder engagement and responds to strong feedback from stakeholders on the importance of technical alignment in order to avoid any unintended confusion for our agencies and the industry in the practical implementation of this policy.

Question reference: S6T-00268

Asked by: Maggie Chapman, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the reported use of kettling during recent protests in Glasgow.

Question reference: S6T-00270

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of numerous attacks on emergency service workers while on duty during bonfire weekend.

Question reference: S6F-00452

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 November 2021

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-00449

Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 November 2021

To ask the First Minister what her response is to the comments by the Lord Advocate to the Criminal Justice Committee on the potential for new proposals regarding the use of drug consumption rooms and whether non-prosecution is in the public interest.

Question reference: S6F-00445

Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 November 2021

To ask the First Minister whether she will provide an update on the work of the Under2 Coalition at COP26.