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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.

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Question reference: S6W-29907

Asked by: Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Dorothy Bain on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the publication of the findings of the independent review of the forensic pathology response to the Hillsborough disaster, conducted by forensic science expert, Glenn Taylor, which identified seven areas for reform, what further action forensic pathology services in Scotland can take to ensure that they engage and communicate in ways that properly understand what families coming into contact with them are experiencing.

COPFS has contracts and service level agreements with universities, local authorities, Scottish Police Authority and the NHS for pathology mortuary and toxicology services across Scotland to allow the discharge of our death investigation duties.

As part of those agreements, pathologists will meet with nearest relatives if they wish to discuss their post mortem examination findings. In our experience, these discussions are of great assistance to families in understanding what happened to their loved ones and pathologists are experienced at providing that information in a respectful and sensitive manner.

We are reviewing those agreements with all service providers and the report’s findings will be taken into account in our discussions.

COPFS ensures that nearest relatives are kept informed of decisions in relation to a post mortem and are offered a copy of the pathologist’s report if they wish.

We have also established a Death Investigation Improvement Board and work is ongoing to improve the quality and level of information provided to nearest relatives in the early stages of the investigation, including what is involved in the post mortem examination process.

Question reference: S6W-29951

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed the supply chain development statements required under the ScotWind process with trade unions representing offshore energy workers in Scotland.

The supply chain development statement process has been carefully designed and is managed by Crown Estate Scotland to ensure focus is maintained on supply chain capacity and capability to develop and deliver offshore wind projects in Scotland.

Since the ScotWind announcements, Crown Estate Scotland have conducted webinars and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including trade unions, to provide information and updates on the supply chain development statement SCDS process.

The Scottish Government also continues to actively engage with the Just Transition Partnership, and individual trade unions, on a range of issues, including in relation to support for the Scottish supply chain and securing a Just Transition for our offshore energy workers.

The Scottish Government is committed to maximising the economic opportunity for the Scottish supply chain from our offshore wind potential, and ensuring a just transition that takes our existing skilled workforce with us.

Question reference: S6W-29912

Asked by: Pam Gosal, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Natural Power regarding the Climate Neutral Milngavie project.

The Scottish Government has not had any direct engagement with Natural Power regarding the Climate Neutral Milngavie project.

We did fund a feasibility study via our CARES (Community and Renewable Energy Scheme) programme, delivered by Local Energy Scotland. The feasibility study looked to determine what can be deployed to generate heat and power and related climate solutions for Milngavie. Natural Power was contracted by Local Energy Scotland in 2022 to undertake the study. The final report was delivered by Natural Power and presented to the MCC group at The Fraser Centre, Milngavie in April 2024.

Question reference: S6W-29972

Asked by: Sandesh Gulhane, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been admitted to hospital for cold weather related illnesses in each year since 2010.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the people admitted to hospital for cold weather related illnesses in each year since 2010.

Hospital admissions data record the diagnostic conditions patients were admitted for using the International Classification of Disease Codes version 10 (ICD-10). Cold weather related illnesses are not a defined list of conditions that can be identified through ICD-10 codes.

Some ICD-10 codes identify specific conditions which may be associated with cold weather, however these do not represent all conditions that could be considered cold weather related admissions.

Official statistics relating to emergency admissions to acute general hospitals in NHSScotland are published by Public Health Scotland annually: Acute hospital activity and NHS beds information (annual) - year ending 31 March 2024 - Acute hospital activity and NHS beds information (annual) - Publications - Public Health Scotland

These statistics will include detailed diagnosis specific information for emergency admissions, the data collection cannot attribute admissions due to prevailing cold weather per se.

Question reference: S6W-29950

Asked by: Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the effectiveness of the ScotWind process to increase employment in offshore supply chain jobs in Scotland over the next decade.

Scotland has a current reported potential pipeline of over 40 GW of offshore wind projects. ScotWind reflects very significant market ambition for offshore wind in Scottish waters – around 28 GW across 20 projects.

The Scottish Government engages regularly with the UK Government to discuss the development and implementation of initiatives to support the offshore wind supply chain in Scotland and across the UK.

For example, we have worked closely with the UK Government on its plans to introduce a Sustainable Industry Reward (SIR) into the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme. The SIR will help drive investment in the supply chain here in Scotland and across the UK, and into greener supply chains globally.

Question reference: S6W-29306

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 28 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with sports governing bodies that may be affected by the decision of sportscotland to dispose of its headquarters at Caledonia House, Edinburgh.

In 2009, sportscotland’s headquarters moved to Doges, Templeton on the Green, Glasgow and Caledonian House was retained as a “House of Sport”. A full cost-benefit analysis of Caledonian House was conducted in March 2023, and it was concluded the building was not a good use of public money. All existing tenants, including relevant Scottish Governing Bodies of sport, were part of a sportscotland consultation process, have been kept up to date with the process throughout, and were provided ample time to consider their future office needs and find alternative office space.

sportscotland continue to support tenants with information and guidance on alternative accommodation and where possible, have facilitated introductions to wider partners where there is potential to co-locate.

Question reference: S6O-03807

Asked by: Bill Kidd, MSP for Glasgow Anniesland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the provision of levelling up funding for areas of multiple deprivation such as Drumchapel in the Glasgow Anniesland constituency.

Question reference: S6O-03808

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact on public services of an increased population in areas such as Midlothian.

Question reference: S6O-03811

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations in the recent Oxfam Scotland report, Cleared for Take-off: A Private Jet Tax for Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-03806

Asked by: Martin Whitfield, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how it is supporting childcare providers.