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 854 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S6W-15033

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 February 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the recommendations in Project Neptune that it is taking forward for public consultation.

Question reference: S6W-15031

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government how many times Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has time chartered the MV Arrow for service on publicly-contracted ferry routes in Scotland from January 2012 to date, and what the (a) duration and (b) cost was of the time charter in each instance.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) have never chartered the MV Arrow, which is owned by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Any charter has been between the publicly funded ferry operator and the owner of the vessel.

The following table details, from January 2012, when either CalMac Ferries Ltd or Serco NorthLink Ferries have chartered the MV Arrow.

Operator	Network *	Period of Charter
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	18-10-14 to 12-11-14
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	02-11-17 to 12-11-17
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	22-11-17 to 30-11-17
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	18-01-18 to 19-02-18
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	14-09-18 to 07-10-18
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	14-10-18 to 07-11-18
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	31-10-19 to 23-11-19
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	13-01-20 to 26-01-20
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	16-06-20 to 25-06-20
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	10-05-22 to 24-05-22
Serco NorthLink	NIFS	07-11-22 to 28-11-22
CalMac Ferries	CHFS	16-07-21 to 09-09-21
CalMac Ferries	CHFS	01-11-21 to 13-11-21
CalMac Ferries	CHFS	14-01-23 to 15-03-23

*	CHFS – Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services NIFS – Northern Isles Ferry Services

The cost of any charter is commercial in confidence between the respective ferry operator and owner of the MV Arrow.

Question reference: S6O-02007

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S6W-15335

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to organisations that support those affected by workplace bullying.

The Scottish Government promotes the role of Citizens Advice Scotland and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) in providing free and impartial advice and support on workplace issues, including bullying and harassment.

Everyone has the right to go to work without fear of intimidation. We endorse the Fair Work Convention's Fair Work Framework and agree that every worker, regardless of status or position, should be treated fairly and with respect.

We are committed to supporting strong trade unions and promoting collective bargaining. On 09 December we published our refreshed Fair Work Action Plan and continue to encourage all employers to provide effective voice channels, giving workers a voice in tackling workplace issues such as bullying.

Only with the devolution of employment powers will the Scottish Government have the full set of levers to take real action on workplace injustices.

Question reference: S6W-15334

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support those affected by workplace bullying.

The Scottish Government is clear that that bullying and harassment of any worker, under any circumstances, is unacceptable. All employers have a duty of care to protect the health, safety and welfare of their workers. We endorse the Fair Work Convention's Fair Work Framework and agree that every worker, regardless of status or position, should be treated fairly and with respect.

Employment law, Equality law and Health and Safety legislation remains reserved to the UK Government. Only with the devolution of further powers will the Scottish Government have the full set of levers to take real action on workplace injustices.

On 09 December 2022 we published our refreshed Fair Work Action Plan, and are committed to promoting effective voice channels, such as trade unions, allowing workers views to be heard and help tackle issues such as workplace bullying. In addition, we are also introducing a requirement for recipients of public sector grants to provide effective voice channels as a condition of the grant, effective from 1 July 2023, as per the Bute House Agreement. This further recognises the role of effective voice in allowing the other dimensions of Fair Work to be realised, and in fostering a culture where bullying and harassment is prevented.

Where workers feel they have been unfairly treated, they should have the option of raising concerns through their workplace grievance and/or bullying and harassment procedures, seeking support from their recognised trade union representative if present. All workers should have access to justice via an employment tribunal, and should seek free and impartial advice from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service wherever required.

Question reference: S6W-15336

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support it provides to organisations that support workers who are not members of a trade union and are affected by workplace bullying.

The Scottish Government believes that bullying and harassment of any worker, under any circumstances, is unacceptable. We endorse the Fair Work Convention's Fair Work Framework and agree that every worker, regardless of status or position, should be treated fairly and with respect.

The Scottish Government promotes the role of Citizens Advice Scotland and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) in providing advice and support on workplace issues, such as bullying and harassment.

We are also committed to supporting strong trade unions in Scotland for the benefit of workers and our economy. It is our belief that a progressive approach to industrial relations and to trade unionism is at the very heart of a fairer, more successful society, and we are clear that trade unions are key social partners in delivering our economic and social aspirations. Trade unions are a mechanism for providing effective voice in workplaces and have a role to play in tackling issues such as workplace bullying.

Question reference: S6W-15337

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the Health and Safety Executive on issues of workplace bullying.

As health and safety legislation is reserved we regularly cooperate with the Health and Safety Executive to promote workplace safety. This includes using our devolved healthcare powers to promote and support safety in the workplace, our Fair and Healthy Work for All Strategy, and continuing to represent the opinion of the Scottish Government on worker safety to the HSE.

The Scottish Government believes that bullying and harassment of any worker, under any circumstances, is unacceptable. Everyone has the right to go to work without fear of intimidation. We endorse the Fair Work Convention's Fair Work Framework and agree that every worker, regardless of status or position, should be treated fairly

Question reference: S6W-15333

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 24 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 7 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take, within its devolved powers under the Scotland Act 1998, to address workplace bullying.

The Scottish Government believes that bullying and harassment of any worker, under any circumstances, is unacceptable. Employment law, Equality law and Health and Safety legislation remains reserved to the UK Government. Only with the devolution of further powers will the Scottish Government have the full set of levers to take real action on workplace injustices.

However, in the absence of such powers, we are using our Fair Work policy to promote fairer work practices across the labour market in Scotland.

In the Scottish public sector, while executive non-departmental public bodies have their own HR policies independent of Scottish Government, we’d expect their policies to align with Scottish Government priorities. All public bodies should have in place appropriate HR policies for their staff, which comply with current employment legislation, other relevant guidance, and the standards expected of public sector employees. These should include but not be limited to: grievance procedure, guide to standards of behaviour, disciplinary procedures, whistleblowing, and performance management for all staff.

Question reference: S6W-15030

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 February 2023
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 6 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates any financial benefit will be to David MacBrayne Ltd from Associated British Ports’ acquisition of Solent Gateway Ltd.

Question reference: S6W-15277

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 March 2023

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken regarding the recommendation of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review that the development of support, training and guidance for attorneys should include "consideration of ways in which access to granting a power of attorney may be eased".

The Scottish Government encourages everyone to arrange power of attorney so that their needs and wishes can be met in the unfortunate event that they cannot make decisions for themselves.

The Scottish Mental Health Law Review published its final report on 30 September 2022 and set out over 200 proposals for reform. The report recommendations are complex and wide-ranging, and cross-government work is underway to consider them and assess their implications. The Scottish Government intends to set out its initial response to the Review report, including priority actions that will be taken forward, by summer 2023.