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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-43837

Asked by: Brian Whittle, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 2 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Opinion of the Court delivered in the case Raeshaw Farms Limited vs The Scottish Ministers and Energiekontor UK Ltd on 17 February 2026.

Question reference: S6W-43775

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 2 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to raise awareness of heat networks amongst consumers, in light of Consumer Scotland’s report, Challenges facing heat network consumers in Scotland, which highlighted a lack of public understanding of heat networks.

The Scottish Government provides core funding to Consumer Scotland to advocate on behalf of Scottish consumers and consider Scottish specific issues, such as those highlighted in this report. My officials will continue to meet regularly with Consumer Scotland to discuss, and provide support, to address the issues raised.

We also see a key role for Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES), which are developed and delivered by local authorities, to help aid public awareness of the likely future heating solutions in their area.

Question reference: S6W-43773

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 2 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government which resources it plans to provide to consumers on existing heat networks in order to ensure that they are aware of their rights.

Heat network consumer advice is provided by Advice Direct Scotland, funded by Consumer Scotland.

Following the GB wide authorisations which came into force on 27 January 2026 and included consumer protections, Consumer Scotland, Advice Direct Scotland, and Citizen’s Advice Extra Help Unit will advocate for Scottish consumers and escalate key issues. Consumer Scotland are creating content to raise awareness of this with Scottish consumers.

Heat network consumers are able to access direct support through Advice Direct Scotland either via Energy Advice | Energy Advice | energyadvice.scot or through the helpline (0808 196 8660).

Question reference: S6W-43900

Asked by: Annabelle Ewing, MSP for Cowdenbeath, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 2 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the planned walk-in GP clinic for Central Fife, whether it will provide information on when it will open and where specifically within Central Fife it will be situated.

We are working in collaboration with the Phase Two locations, including Central Fife, on the development of three further sites in premises on the high street or former retail sites. It is important that any location is safe for clinical care and meets the strict criteria applicable to premises delivering NHS care. Once commercial and clinical agreements are in place, we will be able to provide further information on the specific location of the pilot.

Question reference: S6W-43869

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government how many urgent child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) referrals have been rejected in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority.

The Scottish Government does not hold this data.

CAMHS data is published quarterly. This data is based on NHS Health Board returns and is not aggregated on severity. This data can be found on the Public Health Scotland website.

The national Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Specification outlines the expectations of boards to ensure that children and young people receive timely support that is appropriate to their needs. Decisions on urgent referrals must follow clinical judgement.

Question reference: S6W-43891

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 2 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the establishment of a national screening programme for ovarian and other gynaecological cancers.

Scotland, along with the other UK nations, follows the expert advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) when implementing screening programmes. We have fully implemented the UK NSC’s recommendations regarding cervical screening.

The UK NSC has previously considered the evidence regarding ovarian cancer screening, including the clinical data from the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS), which recruited more than 200,000 women. This trial found that screening using the most viable methods did not have a meaningful impact on mortality compared with not screening at all. The Committee therefore concluded that there was not enough evidence to support a screening programme and did not recommend introducing one. Further information regarding their decision can be found on their website: https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/ovarian-cancer/.

The UK NSC has not considered the evidence for any other gynaecological cancers. However, they welcome proposals to consider new conditions for screening during their annual call for topics. Guidance regarding this process is provided on their website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-annual-call-submitting-a-screening-proposal/uk-nsc-annual-call-how-to-submit-a-proposal.

If the UK NSC determines that there is an effective test and sufficient evidence to support implementing ovarian or other non-cervical gynaecological cancer screening, and issues a positive recommendation in the future, the Scottish Government will work with the NHS to implement that recommendation.

Question reference: S6W-43858

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 2 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a list of the (a) delays to and (b) cancellations of (i) CalMac Ferries, (ii) Serco NorthLink Ferries and (iii) Orkney Ferries services as a result of severe weather conditions since 1 November 2025 to date.

A table has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (BIB Number 66507) that provides delays and cancellations of CalMac Ferries and Serco NorthLink Ferries.

Weather related cancellation and delay figures for CalMac Ferries have been provided to the end of January 2026 as February’s statistics have still to be validated.

The Scottish Government does not hold the information for Orkney Ferries Ltd. You may wish to request this information directly from Orkney Ferries Ltd.

Question reference: S6W-43859

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 2 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a list of the (a) delays to and (b) cancellations of (i) Western Ferries and (ii) Pentland Ferries services as a result of severe weather conditions since 1 November 2025 to date.

Question reference: S6W-43857

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 2 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of the (a) delays to and (b) cancellations of (i) ScotRail and (ii) Caledonian Sleeper services as a result of severe weather conditions since 1 November 2025 to date.

Question reference: S6W-43856

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 February 2026
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 2 March 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to monitor the effect of recent severe weather conditions on the resilience of Scotland’s rail infrastructure, and when it last met officials from Network Rail Scotland to discuss these matters.

Transport Scotland officials meet regularly with Network Rail to discuss and monitor the resilience of Scotland’s rail infrastructure, especially in the context of our changing climate.

The Scottish Government is committed to the continued investment in our railways, including in strengthening its resilience. It is investing £4.2 billion in Control Period 7, 2024-29, which includes additional spending of circa £400m to improve the network’s resilience to climate change and to strengthen its ability to withstand extreme weather events.