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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: S6F-00650

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 January 2022

To ask the First Minister what steps the Scottish Government will take to urgently progress the green transition in North Ayrshire, following the closure of Hunterston B power station on 7 January.

Question reference: S6F-00639

Asked by: Oliver Mundell, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 January 2022

To ask the First Minister what deadline the Scottish Government has set for making any further changes to this year's SQA examinations process.

Question reference: S6F-00636

Asked by: Anas Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 10 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 January 2022

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6F-00635

Asked by: Douglas Ross, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 January 2022

Question to be taken in Chamber.

Question reference: S6W-05248

Asked by: Sharon Dowey, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 10 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to exempting aviation industry staff members from the new COVID-19 rules requiring individuals to undertake (a) a pre-departure test, (b) self-isolation until a negative "day 2" test result, (c) a "day 2" PCR test instead of a lateral flow test where they have come into contact with someone who has tested positive and (d) other temporary emergency restrictions.

There have been exemptions for airline pilots and crew in place since the international travel regulations were introduced in June 2020. Currently, pilots and crew have exemptions on testing before and after arriving in Scotland, as well on self-isolation and completing the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). After arriving in Scotland, they are still expected to follow domestic rules and workplace guidance.

Further details on the exemption can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/pages/sectoral-exemptions/

Question reference: S6W-05373

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 10 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the findings of the BMA Scotland report, Supporting Junior Doctor Wellbeing – Now and for the Future, what steps are being taken to improve the work life balance and flexible working conditions for junior doctors, including removing barriers to taking annual leave, ensuring that rotas are released much earlier, and protecting non-clinical time for all.

Question reference: S6W-05372

Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 10 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with BMA Scotland in connection with the findings of the report, Supporting Junior Doctor Wellbeing – Now and for the Future.

Question reference: S6W-05334

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 10 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had regarding the drug, sapropterin, being made available to patients in Scotland with phenylketonuria (PKU).

The Scottish Government notes the updated National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on sapropterin published September 2021 following a resubmission by its manufacturer Biomarin. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) previously considered sapropterin (Kuvan) in August 2018 and the medicine was not recommended for use in NHSScotland because the submitting company’s justification of the treatment’s cost in relation to its health benefits was not sufficient and in addition the company did not present a sufficiently robust clinical and economic analysis to gain acceptance by SMC. The submitting company (BioMarin) has not been in contact with SMC regarding a resubmission for this medicine.

The first generic version of sapropterin has received a Marketing Authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). To support ensuring best value for NHSScotland, NSS National Procurement will shortly be tendering for the future supply of sapropterin to NHS Scotland.

Given the launch of the first generic, we are currently considering how best to provide advice to Health Boards on whether sapropterin should be made available for routine use in NHSScotland, based on the latest available evidence.

Question reference: S6W-05332

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 10 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-03602 by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2021, whether it will publish the written report by Seagreen Wind Energy Limited in respect of unexploded ordnance clearance activities.

Question reference: S6W-05433

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 10 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what protections are in place for child witnesses in the judicial system.

A number of measures are in place to ensure child witnesses are protected within our justice system. For example, the court can take extra steps, called 'special measures', to help children and young people under 18 give the best evidence they can. Children who are witnesses in criminal courts are automatically entitled to special measures including a screen in the courtroom; a TV link to somewhere outside the courtroom; and a supporter who can sit with the witness while they give evidence. Other measures are available on application to the court. Further information on the support available to witnesses can be found at Help and support - mygov.scot . All criminal justice cases with child witnesses are referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service. VIA can provide information about the criminal justice system and key developments in the case affecting the witness, discuss any additional support that the witness may require to give evidence and help them make contact with appropriate support organisations.

In addition, from January 2020 Regulations have been in place to ensure that any child witness under the age of 18 giving evidence in the most serious criminal cases in the High Court, will be allowed to have it pre-recorded, sparing them the trauma of giving evidence during a trial, unless it is shown that this would significantly prejudice the interests of justice in the individual case. Last year, the Scottish Government also funded the commencement of the national roll out of a ground-breaking approach to interviews for vulnerable child victims and witnesses in criminal cases. The new Scottish Child Interview Model for Joint Investigative Interviews, conducted by highly trained police officers and social work staff, will deliver an interview process that secures the child’s best evidence at the earliest opportunity and minimises the risk of further traumatisation.