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 46064 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6O-04523

Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it was aware that, prior to NHS Highland taking over responsibility for vaccination services from GPs, there were reported concerns that the NHS board’s system did not allow GPs to know their patients’ vaccination status and that this could lead to a heightened patient risk.

Question reference: S6O-04527

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made regarding the potential impact that community link workers have on the social determinants of health.

Question reference: S6O-04521

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of action 42 in the Cancer Action Plan 2023 to 2026 to carry out a clinically led review on cancer waiting times.

Question reference: S6O-04517

Asked by: Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the breeding of disease resistant ash trees.

Question reference: S6O-04539

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it monitors the effectiveness of Social Security Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-04524

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many patients in hospital are waiting for a social care package assessment from North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

Question reference: S6W-35719

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what measures other than existing patronage numbers are used when considering varying the frequency of rail services on particular routes.

Existing patronage data is the main measure used to determine the necessary frequency on a given line, however various other data sources are consulted to determine the right service level. ScotRail engage with Local Authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships, Housing Developers and the wider Business community to understand current and future markets which may inform varying the frequency of rail services.

Question reference: S6W-35736

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 26 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much has been spent on anti-drug campaigns in schools in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority area.

While some schools or local authorities may run localised campaigns, Scottish Government paid-for marketing channels are not used within the school setting. Therefore, there is no recorded spend for Scottish Government marketing for drugs campaigns within schools during this time frame.

We want all young people to be appropriately educated about the harms of substance use, both to themselves and others.

In 2016 the Scottish Government published ‘What works in drugs education and prevention’: 'What Works' in Drug Education and Prevention? - gov.scot

The What Works review advises against mass campaigns about illegal drugs and instead recommends that: … wider programmes that are delivered in schools, which target multiple risk behaviours, help build self-esteem and life skills are more likely to be effective in preventing drug use. This suggests a departure from drug specific education. Generic programmes, such as the Good Behaviour Game, which do not focus on drug/substance use, can be effective in reducing substance use and other problematic behaviours in the long term.

This is why children and young people learn about a variety of substances including alcohol, medicines, drugs, tobacco and solvents in a way that focuses on identifying safe and unsafe behaviours, and learning about the impact that ongoing use can have on a person’s health, future choices and options.

Through application of Curriculum for Excellence they learn that alcohol and drugs can affect people’s ability to make decisions. The aim is to help children and young people make informed personal choices which will help them lead healthy lifestyles now and in the future.

Question reference: S6W-35580

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 26 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that Hamilton Mausoleum (a) is kept in good condition and (b) will remain open to public visitors in the future.

The Scottish Government understands that Hamilton Mausoleum is a category A listed building owned by South Lanarkshire Council, and is managed and maintained by South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture SCIO which is a recognised Scottish Charity. It is important to be aware that the owners of listed buildings are responsible for the repair and maintenance of their property.

Regarding the member’s question about public access to the building, I understand that the local authority offers tours available on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from February to November. The local authority would therefore be best placed to provide further information on the upkeep of the property and provide further information on their plans for public visitor access.

Question reference: S6W-35570

Asked by: Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 26 March 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the £750,000 that it provided for aid in Gaza, what its response is to the Israeli government's reported decision to block such aid for people in Gaza, and what information it has on whether any aid that it has provided or funded will be impacted.

Since the current escalation began, Scottish Government has provided £1m to support humanitarian response efforts in Gaza and the wider region. £750k of this was channelled through the UN Relief and Works Agency in November 2023. These funds have been fully used to provide food, medicine and shelter for displaced people in Gaza.

We provided a further £250,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee, Mercy Corps and SCIAF in November 2024. I am concerned that the current Israeli blockade of aid entering Gaza, now in its third week, could lead to delays in this lifesaving support reaching the men women and children who so desperately need it.

I urge all parties to reengage in negotiations in good faith and with due regard to their obligations under international humanitarian law which requires the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief.