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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: S6O-00746

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 February 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 February 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it is building on Scotland's relations with the EU post-Brexit.

Question reference: S6O-00664

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with Police Scotland to tackle the reported increase in cases of cyber crime and extortion.

Question reference: S6O-00653

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 20 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to take forward the recommendations in the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission's Report on the use of rodent glue traps in Scotland, including the recommendation to ban such traps.

Question reference: S6W-05020

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 5 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the contract for Valneva COVID-19 vaccines should be reinstated and what representations it can make to the UK Government in this regard, in light of reports that a number of experts, including a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation, have expressed support for the Valneva vaccine as possibly an effective defence against the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

COVID vaccines are procured by the UK Government on a four nations basis, and the cancellation of the contract with Valneva is a matter for the UK Government. Valneva is a valued contributor to our life sciences sector and the Livingston facility is an important asset, developing vaccines for the treatment of many infectious diseases and supporting high quality jobs. This includes their COVID-19 vaccine, and I welcome the positive results Valneva has reported from clinical trials. I met with Valneva last week to hear more about their COVID-19 vaccine and the impressive work underway at their Livingston facility. Ministers and Scottish Enterprise are in advanced discussions with the company to agree a package of support which would underpin the company’s operations in Scotland.

The Scottish Government will continue to be guided by the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations in deploying vaccines in the face of Omicron. In line with the JCVI’s advice, the best defence against the virus is for everyone who is eligible for a booster to come forward now, alongside following the Scottish Government’s guidance on testing, face coverings and restrictions.

Question reference: S6W-05337

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 December 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Kate Forbes on 21 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the future of Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport continues to develop as a specialist airport, carving a niche in a very competitive aviation market. The challenge facing the aviation sector because of the Covid pandemic is a global one and, like all airports, Prestwick is adapting to that challenge. The Scottish Government is laying the annual report and accounts today in Parliament which show that the business continues in a positive direction with a profit posted for 2020-21.

In the current year, the team at Glasgow Prestwick Airport were heavily involved in supporting COP26, providing a professional and flexible service to its customers during this major event. Glasgow Prestwick Airport continues to provide essential services for the importation of cargo, including supplies for the NHS, as well as continuing to develop all other revenue streams in the business. Staff at the airport have played and continue to play a key role in the success of such activities and that is valued and recognised.

Scottish Ministers’ still intend for Prestwick Airport to return to the private sector at the appropriate time and opportunity. Having carefully considered bids received under a recent sales process, I can advise that Ministers have decided to not proceed with a sale at this time.

The Scottish Government remains supportive of the business. The airport has recently made several new appointments to the operating Board, including a new Non-Executive Chair. With a refreshed board and management in place, the Scottish Government is confident the business will continue to develop its strategy for growth.

Question reference: S6O-00579

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 December 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are being put in place to keep pupils warm while they are in classrooms over the coming months, given the need for adequate ventilation to mitigate the risks of COVID-19.

Question reference: S6O-00532

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 December 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the latest Trussell Trust foodbank statistics in relation to Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-00436

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 17 November 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 24 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that construction firms adhere to the highest building standards.

Question reference: S6W-03831

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ash Regan on 4 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment at paragraph 9.14 of its Family Justice Modernisation Strategy, published on 3 September 2019, to give further consideration to amending the Child Abduction Act 1984 and to the procedure for obtaining formal consent, proving consent and corroboration of evidence, what further work it will carry out in relation to the strategy.

The Scottish Government is committed to working to improve the family justice system in Scotland, as set out in the 2019 Family Justice Modernisation Strategy. However, since this Strategy was published, a number of areas of work across the Scottish Government were paused to enable an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst also ensuring core services remained operational. As we move towards recovery from the pandemic, the Scottish Government will prepare an update on the Strategy and look at how best to take forward actions in the Strategy which remain outstanding, including whether amendments are required to the Child Abduction Act 1984.

Question reference: S6W-02343

Asked by: Siobhian Brown, MSP for Ayr, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 August 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 30 September 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of the potential use of private sector COVID-19 testing kits for people travelling from Scotland.