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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-32422

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 December 2024
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jenni Minto on 17 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on responding to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s final report of 20 May 2024.

The Infected Blood Inquiry’s report of 20 May 2024 set out a range of important recommendations that seek to protect patient safety and ensure a similar tragedy can never happen again. As the First Minister made clear in his statement to the Scottish Parliament on 21 May, the Scottish Government is committed to learning lessons from what went wrong and the terrible impact it has had on so many infected blood victims in Scotland and their families. The Scottish Government has established an Oversight and Assurance Group involving patient representatives and from the NHS in Scotland, to ensure progress in taking forward the Inquiry’s recommendations.

A UK Government report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-the-infected-blood-inquiry/government-response-to-the-infected-blood-inquiry-html) provides an update on progress so far in implementing the recommendations. This includes updates on the approach being taken in Scotland, along with information on progress being made on recommendations being taken forward at UK level, such as on the provision of compensation to infected blood victims. In line with the Inquiry’s recommendation 12, the Scottish Government expects to provide a further detailed response to each of the Inquiry’s recommendations next year, within one year of the publication of the Inquiry’s final report.

In Scotland, a number of steps are already being taken and further work is being done in the coming months to ensure further progress. In particular:

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme have ensured that additional interim compensation has been paid to infected hepatitis C and HIV victims in Scotland and that estates of many of those who sadly died are now able to claim interim payments of £100,000;
The Chief Medical Officer has asked all NHS Boards and GP practices to offer hepatitis C testing to anyone who has had a blood transfusion prior to 1996 if they have not already been tested. This is to ensure any individuals who may have been infected but not yet diagnosed can be offered treatment and support as quickly as possible;
The Scottish Government is working with campaigners and relevant local authorities to identify a suitable location for a memorial to infected blood victims.

Question reference: S6O-04125

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote the Scottish food industry.

Question reference: S6F-03615

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 02 December 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 December 2024

To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the reported concerns of not-for-profit social care providers regarding the impact of increased employer national insurance contributions on the sector in Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-04017

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working to protect older people from heightened health risks in colder weather.

Question reference: S6W-30210

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 8 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce waiting times for NHS audiology services, in particular for people requiring hearing aids.

The Scottish Government accepted, in principle, the recommendations set out by the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland and are fully committed to seeing improvement in Audiology services.

Audiology is now being considered as a clinical priority area, and work is being progressed through the National Planning and Delivery Board arrangements led by the Chief Operating Officer – NHS Scotland.

In order to support with long waits, our NHS Recovery Plan sets out our plans for health and social care over the course of this parliament. The plan will support an increase in inpatient, day case, and outpatient activity to address the backlogs of care, which will be supported by the implementation of sustainable improvements and new models of care.

Question reference: S6O-03800

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how its social security policies are mitigating any impact in Scotland of the UK Government’s so-called bedroom tax and benefit cap.

Question reference: S6O-03765

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with ScotRail regarding the operation of a reduced train timetable.

Question reference: S6O-03732

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 18 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the Scottish Law Commission to publish its report on damages for personal injury, including recommendations on the time bar for asbestos-related illness compensation.

The Scottish Law Commission intend to publish its report and a draft Bill before the end of the year. I know the difficulties that can be caused by the law of limitation for sufferers of mesothelioma, who through no fault of their own may not be in a position to raise civil proceedings and are therefore denied an effective remedy. This is a matter of particular interest to a number of members across parties and I look forward to receiving the report. When I have had the time to consider any findings and recommendations I will respond and ensure that the Parliament , and the Member, is aware of that.

Question reference: S6W-29134

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 3 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to address the reported issue of (a) giant hogweed and (b) other non-native invasive plants, and whether it is considering how climate change could be creating new pathways for the introduction and spread of non-native invasive plant species.

As one of the five main drivers of biodiversity loss and a barrier to nature restoration, the Scottish Government takes the control of invasive non-native species (INNS) seriously and we work with a range of partners to minimise their negative impacts. We recognise that more action is needed on tackling invasive non-native plants; as a key component of the Biodiversity Delivery Plan, we are developing an INNS Action Plan to better focus resources on preventing and tackling INNS where possible.

In addition the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) is tackling a range of invasive non-native plants including giant hogweed alongside water courses in an area of rivers of 29,500km2 within northern Scotland (approximately a third of mainland Scotland). Last year phase two of the SISI was awarded over £2 million under the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund. Phase two will run for three years and will focus on continuing the work to control and eradicate invasive non-native plants in current control areas as well as expanding this programme to many new downstream catchment locations.

The Scottish Government is considering how climate change will impact the introduction and spread of INNS. INNS that pose a threat to GB are currently being assessed for addition to both the GB and Scottish lists of species of special concern. Once added to these lists these species will become subject to a range of restrictions. In 2021 the Scottish Government commissioned a horizon scanning study on INNS. This work involved analysis of pathways of spread of INNS into Scotland and is feeding into decisions on listing species. Horizon scanning will be repeated every five years and the next exercise will take place in 2026.

Question reference: S6O-03594

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 June 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the UK Government to discuss the impact of Brexit on Scotland’s food and drink exports.