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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: S5W-17351

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 June 2018
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Aileen Campbell on 20 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when its new tobacco control strategy/action plan will be published.

I will be publishing the Scottish Government’s new tobacco control action plan Raising Scotland’s Tobacco Free Generation today.

The document sets out a five year plan for action focusing on our tobacco-free generation - children who are turning five this year. Our long-term goal is for the young people of this generation to be truly tobacco-free when they turn 21 in 2034.

The action plan demonstrates our commitment to the new Public Health Priorities which include an ambition for a Scotland free from the harms caused by alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

There are 44 specific actions in the plan, all of which have been developed with relevant partners. The plan includes actions we propose to take right away – legislating to restrict smoking around hospital buildings, banning tobacco in prisons, establishing the new national stop-smoking service brand and running the final phase of our stop-smoking media campaign: Getting Through 72 .

The action plan will be available at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/06/9483

Question reference: S5W-17040

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 19 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding contingency planning for a no deal Brexit.

We have sought to engage for nearly two years now with the UK Government to ensure that Scotland’s interests are protected and promoted during discussions and negotiations.

Now, less than a year to go until the UK proposes to leave the EU, we find out through newspaper reports that the sort of modelling we have been asking for appears to have been done and is so potentially challenging that it is alleged to have been locked away.

Nothing about this is acceptable and I wrote to the Brexit Secretary on 4 June to make that clear. If a hard Brexit might lead to food and fuel shortages in Scotland then the people of Scotland have a right to know. It is also imperative that the UK Government co-operates with the devolved administrations on its contingency planning as a matter of urgency.

Question reference: S5O-02212

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 June 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what feedback it has had from headteachers regarding the pupil equity fund.

Question reference: S5O-02057

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 May 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 9 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that the voices of young people are heard during the development of mental health services.

Question reference: S5O-02048

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 April 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward introducing an opt-out system for organ donation.

Question reference: S5O-02015

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 25 April 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the devolution of immigration law.

The Scottish Government has published evidence setting out why the UK Government’s approach to immigration does not meet Scotland’s needs. We want a more humane migration system tailored to Scotland’s needs, an approach endorsed by this Parliament.

When we published our discussion paper “Scotland’s population needs and migration policy” in February, Fiona Hyslop wrote to the Home Secretary providing them with our proposals and requesting a meeting. We are still awaiting a formal response.

In fact, the Cabinet Secretary and I have now written five separate letters to the Home Secretary and Immigration Minister since the start of 2018 raising policy issues and seeking meetings.

I remain disappointed and frustrated at the lack of engagement from the UK Government on immigration. It’s unacceptable that repeated requests to meet to discuss these issues with the previous Immigration Minister weren’t even responded to. Given the negative effects UK immigration policy is having on Scotland’s economy and society, and in light of the public statements made repeatedly by UK Ministers that they will engage fully with the Devolved Administrations, I think these discussions should take place as soon as possible.

I’m hopeful we will be able to do that soon, as the current Immigration Minister has agreed in principle to a meeting, and I look forward to seeing her at the earliest convenience.

Question reference: S5W-15467

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Annabelle Ewing on 17 April 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle the reported rise in tool theft from vans, and whether it will take steps to ban the ownership of devices that are used to gain access to vans.

The Scottish Government remains committed to tackling crime across Scotland. Recorded crime is at its lowest level since 1974, and down by 38% since 2007-08.

The Scottish Government is committed to building safer communities by supporting: local authorities; Police Scotland and partner agencies such as Crimestoppers, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and the Scottish Business Resilience Centre; and communities themselves in helping to create an environment where people feel safe and supported and where everyone takes responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others.

In October last year, Police Scotland established "Operation Performance" in Lanarkshire to tackle tool theft from vans which focussed on tracking down offenders and educating the public. Working with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, Police Scotland provided preventative advice to owners which included marking all tools and boxes with a permanent marker or etching. Operation Performance resulted in over £250,000 worth of stolen tools being recovered.

I understand that the devices sometimes used in this type of crime to block the locking signal, can be something as simple as another legitimately available remote control device which works on the same frequency. Therefore it is important that drivers remain vigilant and manually ensure that their vehicle is locked before leaving it unattended. Police Scotland are clear that crime prevention messaging is a priority and will continue to educate the public on this issue, ensure information is shared and that any processes put in place are replicated in other areas to discourage individuals from similar type crimes.

Question reference: S5O-01967

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 April 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on increasing the legal entitlement to paternity leave, and what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding this.

Question reference: S5W-15145

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 15 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when the revised operational guidelines for the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013 will be produced.

Question reference: S5O-01914

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 March 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 March 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to mark the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.