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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: S5W-32794

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 30 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government which animal welfare organisations it has had meetings with in the last two years regarding electric shock collars.

Question reference: S5O-04695

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 October 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 October 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what communications it has had with the UK Government regarding extending the furlough scheme.

Question reference: S5W-31689

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 24 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will amend COVID-19 regulations in Scotland to include fines for breaching gathering regulations by organising these in a similar way to those under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions on Holding of Gatherings and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020.

A specific offence of attending a party in a private dwelling was included in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirement) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 to address the specific risks posed by large gatherings. Ensuring police have the powers to enter and disperse large house parties is another important tool in suppressing the virus.

Any breaches of the requirements in the regulations may be subject to enforcement action, including issuing a fixed penalty notice or consideration of prosecution in court.

They are temporary powers and will be kept under review, and strengthened if the evidence suggests this is necessary.

Question reference: S5O-04605

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 10 September 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 17 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will pursue establishing an account to allow for the costs of COVID-19-related requirements at local offices to be paid directly by the Parliament.

Question reference: S5O-04584

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 September 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns regarding the term "likely" in relation to hatred being stirred up in Section 3 of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, whether it is reviewing that phrase.

Question reference: S5W-31310

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 August 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 2 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what contact it has had with Transport Scotland regarding the reopening of the A68 following the recent collapse of part of the road due to bad weather, and what the timescale is for the reopening.

Question reference: S5W-31415

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 August 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 2 September 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the scientific evidence that restricts distancing in bingo halls to two metres but to one metre in public houses and restaurants.

Scottish Government advice is to stay two metres away from other people. On 9 July the First Minister advised Parliament that in a limited number of sectors, we will allow an exception to be made to the requirement for two metre physical distancing. However that will be subject to strict conditions that are tailored to the circumstances of each sector. With every restriction that we lift, the risk increases, especially as we start to permit more indoor activity.

There is a process in place to consider any requests for an exemption to be made, with an assessment against the four harms including, broader health, economic and social effects. Officials have discussed this process with the Bingo Association. Exemptions are considered by the First Minister who also considers the need to manage the risk of cumulative exceptions eroding the general requirement of two metres, with a consequential increased risk of transmission more generally.

Question reference: S5F-04336

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 August 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 September 2020

To ask the First Minister, in light of the approach of colder weather, reports of an increase in the COVID-19 transmission rate and concerns regarding some people not wearing face coverings in shops and public transport, how many fines have been issued for failing to comply with the face covering rules since they became mandatory and enforceable by the police.

Question reference: S5W-31229

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 14 August 2020
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 25 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an indicative timeline for resumption of (a) outdoor and (b) indoor pipe band practice.

Outdoor activities, including rehearsals and seated live events, are allowed to re-commence from 24 August in accordance with physical distancing and hygiene guidance for events – available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-events-sector-guidance/ - and for performing arts, available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-performing-arts-and-venues-sector/ . Professional band players only may now rehearse indoors following the performing arts guidance. The restrictions on non-professional playing indoors will be reviewed next on 10 September.

Question reference: S5W-30899

Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 23 July 2020
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 10 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of mountain hare culling restarting on 1 August 2020, when the licensing scheme in compliance with the Animal and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 will be enforceable.