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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-29386

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions staff employed as medical receptionists in a GP surgery have applied to be excused from jury duty, and what the total number is of such requests that have been (a) accepted and (b) declined, in each financial year from 2018-19 to 2023-24, and so far in 2024-25, also broken down by (i) local authority and (ii) NHS board.

Question reference: S6W-29385

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 30 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions people who are employed as medical receptionist staff in GP practices have been cited for jury service in each financial year from 2018-19 to 2023-24, and so far in 2024-25, also broken down by (a) local authority and (b) NHS board.

Question reference: S6O-03526

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 5 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to Police Scotland to tackle violent crimes in local communities.

Question reference: S6W-26736

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 26 April 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26211 by Neil Gray on 2 April 2024, whether the total of 19 positions that have reportedly been advertised on the recruitment portal, Oriel, for August 2024, is the maximum number of radiology training places for 2024, and, if this is the case, for what reason the number of training places is not higher.

The recruitment round has not yet closed for 2024. The 19 positions currently advertised on the recruitment portal is a provisional figure and is therefore subject to potential change.

The number of posts advertised per year by NHS Education for Scotland is determined by two factors: i) the number of vacant posts, due to trainees completing training, resigning from post or undergoing an inter-deanery transfer, and ii) whether any additional posts have been created. The number of posts which are available for new applicants to apply for varies annually due to trainees working on a part-time basis (and therefore taking longer to complete training and vacate their post).

Question reference: S6W-26211

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 15 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 2 April 2024

The number of medical training places is calculated by the training year they are advertised/filled rather than by financial year. Most posts start in August to September of each year, with a smaller number from a subsequent recruitment round starting in February. The figures quoted in the following table are specific to training years, with data for 2024 not yet available.

Year	Posts Advertised	Posts Filled
2019	26	26
2020	39	39
2021	34	34
2022	37	37
2023	36	36

Question reference: S6W-26052

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 22 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) maximum, (b) minimum and (c) average cost was for a person to renew a guardianship order in the last five financial years.

The Scottish Government does not have access to specific data regarding the maximum, minimum, or average costs for individuals renewing a guardianship order over the past five financial years.

The costs associated with renewing a guardianship order can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the complexity of the case, the involvement of legal and medical professionals, and the specific needs of the individual in question.

While we can identify certain standard fees like the £138 Court lodging fee and £95 Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) fee, additional expenses such as medical assessments and legal representation can fluctuate based on individual circumstances and preferences.

Non-means-tested legal aid is available in certain cases.

Question reference: S6W-26054

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 22 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what advice it offers to local authorities in relation to circumstances in which a family requests support from a local authority social care service to protect the welfare and financial interests of a loved one because they have not been able to renew a guardianship order due to any cost barriers.

If a family cannot afford to renew a guardianship order, the local authority can offer support by providing non-legal advice on the Adults with Incapacity (AWI) (Scotland) Act 2000, suggesting independent advice sources, and conducting needs assessments for both the individual and the carer. The Scottish Government has published AWI codes of practice for local authorities. Chapter 7 highlights the responsibilities of local authorities in this domain and their duty to apply for a guardianship where one is necessary and no application is being made or likely to be made.

Last winter Scottish Government published its good practice guidance for AWI delayed discharge based on engagement with majority of local authorities. This highlighted the most efficient ways to facilitate moves of adults lacking capacity from the hospital estate to more suitable accommodation. This included the guardianship process and ensuring the adults rights, will and preference are first and foremost.

Question reference: S6W-26055

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 22 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether financial support, in the form of legal aid, can be awarded to families to help meet the costs associated with the renewal of guardianship orders for parents of adult children with learning disabilities.

Legal aid, via the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) can provide financial support to families renewing guardianship orders for adults with learning disabilities. This assistance may cover legal representation costs, including solicitor fees and court expenses, depending on financial eligibility criteria. The support aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with navigating the renewal process, ensuring access to legal assistance for families in need.

Question reference: S6W-26053

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 22 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that a person is unable to meet the financial costs of renewing a guardianship order for a family member, what support is available to safeguard the welfare and financial interests of the family member.

Eligible individuals may qualify for legal aid to help cover the costs associated with legal representation and court fees involved in renewing a guardianship order. Legal aid is means-tested, and eligibility criteria apply.

Organisations such as Citizens Advice Scotland and the Scottish Legal Aid Board provide financial assistance and support services to individuals and families facing financial difficulties in legal matters, including guardianship renewals.

Local authorities may provide guidance to individuals who are unable to afford the costs of renewing a guardianship order. Social work departments or welfare services within the local authority can offer support and advice on available resources.

Under Section 57(2) of the Adults with Incapacity (AWI) (Scotland) Act 2000, if a guardianship order (or renewal) is deemed necessary by the local authority and no application has been made or is anticipated, the authority must initiate the application process.

Question reference: S6W-26050

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 08 March 2024
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 22 March 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications were made to renew guardianship orders in financial year (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22, (d) 2022-23 and (e) 2023-24 to date; of these, how many (i) were successful, (ii) were unsuccessful and (iii) are still to be decided, and whether it can provide a breakdown of these figures in relation to submissions to support people with a learning disability.

The number of applications for renewal of guardianship orders for the years requested (statistics from the Office of the Public Guardian) are in the following table:

2019-20	830
2020-21	634
2021-22	936
2022-23	1165
2023-24 to date	1294

The number of renewals that were unsuccessful is as follows:

2019-20	6
2020-21	9
2021-22	5
2022-23	2
2023-24 to date	0

The Office of the Public Guardian do not record how many applications are granted, how many are still to be decided and whether an application is in relation to someone with a learning disability.