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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-19215

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 27 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government on what basis it has reportedly ruled out a public inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse of children at Celtic Boys Club.

Our sympathies are with the victims of historical abuse.

The independent Review of Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football, commissioned by the Scottish FA Board to examine what was known about abuse in Scottish Football in the past and what actions were taken as a result, acknowledged the significant physical and mental harm caused to individuals. The review delivered 97 recommendations, all of which were accepted, and which the Scottish FA is continuing to implement and report on annually. Over 80% of the review recommendations have either been implemented or are on track to be completed in the next 12 months. We believe a continued focus on the implementation of these recommendations is critical to help us ensure the safety, rights and wellbeing of children involved in football today.

In terms of justice for the survivors of historic abuse, investigation and prosecution of those guilty of abuse remains a matter for Police Scotland and the courts. In the civil justice system, the Scottish Government has removed a longstanding legal hurdle for adult victims of child abuse seeking damages claims by legislating to scrap the three-year ‘time-bar’ for all cases involving child abuse. We support the ongoing work of Scotland’s police and prosecutors to bring perpetrators to justice.

Question reference: S6W-18700

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 19 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will list any contracts awarded, to date, to (a) Stantec UK Limited, (b) Fisher Advisory Ltd and (c) Turner & Townsend Project Management Limited, under Transport Scotland’s Multiple Supplier Framework Agreement for Maritime Consultancy Services.

Question reference: S6W-18699

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 19 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish all live contracts between Transport Scotland and Turner & Townsend for work on the future (a) tendering and (b) provision of Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.

Transport Scotland publishes the results of all regulated procurements through contract award notices on the Public Contracts Scotland website. In addition to the award of contracts and conclusion of framework agreements, we also apply this requirement to call-off contracts awarded under framework agreements; these include the contract with Turner and Townsend for work associated with the provision of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.

Question reference: S6W-18616

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 02 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 16 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government when its announced report on Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compound (NMVOC) emissions from malt whisky maturation will be published.

Question reference: S6W-18698

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 05 June 2023
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 13 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what actions its Working Group on Missing People has taken to support the delivery of the National Missing Persons Framework for Scotland.

The Working Group for Missing People continues to support the implementation of the National Missing Persons Framework across Scotland.

Key actions taken forward by the Framework so far include a standardisation of the national definition of missing persons; a standardised approach to risk assessment; and the development and delivery of return discussion training to ensure more consistency across the country. Building on this work, the Group will continue work with National Co-ordinators to engage with and support multi-agency partners in areas across Scotland to limit the likelihood of people going missing.

A comprehensive update on the Group’s work was published in 2020 – Working Group for Missing People in Scotland: National Framework for Missing Persons - implementation report - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . A further update will be part of a refreshed Framework later this year.

Question reference: S6T-01438

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 12 June 2023
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an impact assessment of the reported withdrawal of appliances by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service from stations across the country.

Question reference: S6W-18115

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 6 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent findings in the Manchester Arena Inquiry report, what specific actions it is taking to improve the safety of event-goers in Scotland, and to incorporate the recommendations of the report into policy.

Counter-terrorism policy is Reserved. As such, the monitored recommendations within the Manchester Arena Inquiry fall to the UK Government for consideration.

In response to the recommendations outlined in Volume 1 of the Manchester Arena Inquiry the UK Government has published a draft Bill – The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) (previously referred to as Martyn’s law) for pre-legislative scrutiny on 2 nd May, ahead of a full Bill being introduced to UK Parliament in the next UK parliamentary session.

Scottish Government is working closely with the UK Government in the development and progression of this Bill, which aims to enhance public safety at Publicly Accessible Locations and Events across the UK including Scotland.

The UK Government in partnership with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) developed a website “Protect UK” which is available to members of the public and organisations. This website includes guidance on First Aid preparedness for organisations. This was in response to the recommendation to create a central library for guidance and advice that organisations and members of the public could access.

Scottish Government has promoted the use of the guidance and advice available through this platform to all relevant Scottish stakeholders.

The Scottish Government is working with all relevant partners to ensure that relevant recommendations from Volume 2 (Emergency Response) of the Manchester Arena Inquiry are appropriately implemented in Scotland.

The Scottish Government will also be taking account of the findings of Volume 3 and the Independent Review of Prevent in their ongoing work to refresh the Prevent Duty Guidance for Scotland, with the aim of ensuring delivery of Prevent in Scotland remains as effective as possible.

Question reference: S6W-18114

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 6 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the recent findings in the Manchester Arena Inquiry report, which highlighted deficiencies in the first aid cover provided by a private company that was not adequately prepared to respond to the types of injuries that it needed to treat.

Question reference: S6W-18116

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 6 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered reviewing existing structures surrounding the regulation of private first aid companies, to ensure that there is sufficient oversight of all first aid providers in Scotland.

We agree that this is important and we want to make sure that the sector is as safe as possible and those providing first aid in Scotland are valued and appropriately trained. Officials will take this under active consideration as they undertake further work and engagement with stakeholders and continue to scope the extent of issues raised by unregulated private first aid companies and consider the most appropriate and proportionate next steps.

Question reference: S6W-18112

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 May 2023
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 5 June 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are currently in place to ensure that private first aid companies comply with health and safety regulations at events in Scotland.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed that an amendment in 2013 to the Health and safety (First – Aid) Regulations 1981 removed the responsibility of the HSE to approve first aid training providers and qualifications. The regulations now require employers to assess the needs for their workplace and ensure that they provide adequate and appropriate first aid to employees who are injured or become ill at work. If an employer’s needs assessment determines that they need trained first aiders, it is the responsibility of the employer to satisfy themselves of the competence of those first aiders.

The regulations apply to employees only, but are accompanied by guidance strongly recommending that non employees are considered when employers decide on the first aid cover necessary for their workplace.

Organisations providing first aid at events must comply with their responsibilities under general health and safety legislation.

HSE also provides guidance on how to manage events safely Events health and safety (hse.gov.uk) .