Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

Criathragan Hide all filters

Displaying 1943 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S5O-04408

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason prisoners are not routinely tested for COVID-19 before release.

Question reference: S5O-04383

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported increase in incidents of flytipping in the countryside.

Question reference: S5O-04342

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how social distancing might be maintained should schools be reopened.

Question reference: S5W-27283

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 April 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what provision the NHS has made for future damages claims from adults who were inappropriately prescribed puberty blockers as children.

As indicted in the answers to S5W-27279 and S5W-27280 on 20 February 2020 and S5W-27281 on 9 March 2020 and S5W-27282 on 14 April 2020 the term “Puberty Blockers” is non-specific and could be applied to a range of medicines used for a variety of conditions. For example in children whose puberty started abnormally early, to promote the development of long bones and increase adult height in children of short stature and children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

There is no separate provision made for such circumstances, usual inappropriate prescribing policy will apply.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Question reference: S5W-27282

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 April 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the long-term health impacts, both physical and mental, of prescribing puberty blockers to children.

As indicted in the answers to S5W-27279 and S5W-27280 on 20 February 2020 and S5W-27281 on 9 March 2020 the term “Puberty Blockers” is non-specific and could be applied to a range of medicines used for a variety of conditions. For example in children whose puberty started abnormally early, to promote the development of long bones and increase adult height in children of short stature and children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Scottish Government does not make assessment on any medication, however clinical advice on prescribing of these drugs is:

Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) analogue has been used the 1980's for the treatment of boys and girls who enter puberty earlier than usual. In these children the GnRH analogue is able to delay puberty until they reach an appropriate age. This clinical practice has been carried out for more than 30 years and there are no long term side effects from this.

Monitoring patients to gather evidence and continued support for future research is ongoing. This includes clinical and psychological assessments.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Question reference: S5W-27281

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 9 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government on what clinical basis children are being prescribed puberty blockers.

As indicated in answers to PQ 27279 and 27280 on 20 February 2020 the term “Puberty Blockers” is non-specific and could be applied to a range of medicines used for a variety of conditions.

For example in children whose puberty started abnormally early; to promote the development of long bones and increase adult height in children of short stature and children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

In the case of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria in Scotland, the Young People’s Gender Services at Sandyford in common with current practice of other European centres work within the clear guidelines from UK Endocrine Society and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

Puberty blockers will only be issued following a specialist assessment and careful consultation with young people and their families, including potential benefits and risks. If a young person and their family choose to commence on puberty blockers they are seen for regular follow-up for psychological review and support from Sandyford staff and medical monitoring from Endocrinology.

Decisions on the type of treatment to prescribe are for clinicians to make in discussion with their clients.

Question reference: S5W-27434

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 2 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what in-year underspends in the Scottish Budget have accumulated for the financial year 2019-20.

Question reference: S5W-27284

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 24 February 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans, like NHS England, to establish an independent expert group to consider the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

Question reference: S5W-27279

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 February 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many children have been prescribed puberty blockers in each of the last five years.

Question reference: S5W-27280

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 February 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what the cost to the NHS has been of prescribing puberty blockers in each of the last five years.