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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: S4O-04026

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 February 2015
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2015

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the privacy concerns raised by the Open Rights Group regarding the proposed amendments to the National Health Service Central Register (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

Question reference: S4W-24008

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 22 January 2015

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Smith Commission's recommendation that onshore oil and gas licensing be devolved, what its role will be with the 14th Landward Licensing Round.

The Scottish Government is supportive of the devolution of these energy powers to Scotland and we will work jointly with the UK Government to take forward The Smith Commission recommendations in full and as quickly as possible. However, onshore oil and gas licensing is currently a matter reserved to the UK Parliament and the Scottish Government has had no role in the 14th Landward Licensing Round.

Question reference: S4F-02497

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 15 December 2014
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2014

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the agreement that was reached at the climate change talks in Lima.

Question reference: S4W-23652

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S4W-23381

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 5 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the announcement by Ineos of its intended investment in shale gas extraction in Scotland.

The Scottish Government endorses, the robust regulation of onshore drilling techniques associated with the extraction of shale gas, such as fracking. The Scottish Government approach is underpinned by the principle that the highest levels of environmental protection must be enforced. The Scottish Government has strengthened Scottish planning policy in relation to onshore unconventional gas activities through the introduction of buffer zones and additional risk assessments; and ministers will bring forward further guidance to empower potentially affected communities, ensuring that the views of local communities are taken into account. This will deliver rigorous scrutiny and regulation; strengthen monitoring; and will be particularly directed at any proposals which involve hydraulic fracturing.

Question reference: S4W-23380

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 5 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding licensing for unconventional gas extraction.

Question reference: S4W-23379

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 24 November 2014
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 4 December 2014

To ask the Scottish Government how many meetings it has had with Ineos over the last six months and what issues were discussed.

Question reference: S4W-22908

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 12 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be opportunities for people who have been trafficked to be involved in the development, implementation and review of its proposed anti-trafficking strategy.

It is the intention that Scottish Ministers will work with all relevant agencies to prepare, implement and review an anti- trafficking strategy. As part of this process we will engage closely with those organisations who provide assistance and support to potential and confirmed victims of trafficking. In developing, implementing and reviewing the strategy we will seek the views of these organisations about how best to take account of the experiences of those potential and confirmed victims of trafficking.

Question reference: S4W-22906

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 12 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed human trafficking bill will ensure a legal right to assistance for people who have been trafficked.

The Scottish Government commitment, given on 17 March 2014, to bring forward a human trafficking bill confirmed that specific provisions would be included within the bill to enhance the rights of victims to access support and assistance.

This will build on the current arrangement under which the Scottish Government provides grant funding of £723K to those agencies that provide direct support to potential and confirmed victims of human trafficking.

Question reference: S4W-22907

Asked by: Patrick Harvie, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 12 November 2014

To ask the Scottish Government whether its proposed human trafficking bill will provide independent and statutory arrangements for decisions on (a) the formal identification of, (b) assistance for and (c) monitoring of outcomes in relation to people who have been trafficked.

The competent authority for decisions on the identification of individuals as potential victims of trafficking is through the UK wide National Referral Mechanism. Identification through this process affords victims access to support services which is provided on a needs assessment basis.

The National Referral Mechanism process is under review by the UK Government. The Scottish Government has participated actively in the review and will consider carefully the conclusions from the review and in particular the implications for potential and confirmed victims of trafficking recovered in Scotland.