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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-11111

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 September 2017
Current Status: Answered by Mark McDonald on 13 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the guidance that it has produced for local authorities regarding support for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Question reference: S5O-01236

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 06 September 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that fibre broadband is installed in new housing developments.

Question reference: S5W-11039

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 01 September 2017
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by John Swinney on 4 September 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when its consultation on financial redress for in-care survivors will be launched.

The launch of the consultation exploring options for a potential financial compensation/redress scheme for victim/survivors of abuse in care takes place on 4 September 2017. The consultation will run for a period of 12 weeks. It has been prepared by the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) in partnership with the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) InterAction Action Plan Review Group, which includes survivor representatives. I would encourage everyone with an interest in this issue to submit their views to the consultation.

After the consultation has closed, CELCIS and the SHRC InterAction Action Plan Review Group will review the findings, along with views of other interested parties, and evidence and key lessons from other countries. The partnership then intends to produce an options paper with recommendations for the Scottish Government to consider.

Question reference: S5W-10530

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 July 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 16 August 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action it is taking to reduce nuisance phone calls.

Question reference: S5W-10647

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 August 2017
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 10 August 2017

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the Evaluation of Police and Fire Reform year 2 annual report.

The Scottish Government plans to publish the Year 2 annual report for the Evaluation of Police and Fire Reform (BIB 58964 and Annexes BIB 58965) on 10 August 2017.

The Evaluation of Police and Fire Reform is a four year project which commenced in 2015 and will conclude in 2019. External academics are conducting the evaluation so that the conclusions are independent, robust and transparent.

This Year 2 annual report presents the findings of four case studies carried out in local communities between July - November 2016. The researchers visited four areas across Scotland and interviewed police officers, fire fighters, the public, councillors and council staff and community and third sector organisations.

Question reference: S5W-10268

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 10 July 2017
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 July 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update its Strategy for Justice in Scotland, which was published in 2012.

The Scottish Government plans to update the Justice Strategy 2012 by publishing the Justice Vision and accompanying Delivery Plan on 11 July 2017.

The Justice Vision (Bib Number 58889) sets out a vision and priorities for a safe, just and resilient Scotland. It has been developed in close collaboration with the Justice Board and partners and is a collective commitment to seven key priorities. It describes the justice portfolio’s recent successes and current and emerging challenges, based on the available evidence. The Delivery Plan (Bib Number 58890) sets out key actions for 17-18 to help progress the seven priorities.

This Delivery Plan will be updated annually.

Question reference: S5W-09956

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 26 June 2017
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 27 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in implementing the recommendations in the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland report, Audit and Assurance Review of the use of the Facial Search functionality within the UK Police National Database (PND) by Police Scotland.

The Scottish Government has established an independent advisory group to provide recommendations on a policy and legislative framework for police use of biometric data and associated technologies, and rules around retention. I am delighted that John Scott QC has agreed to take on the role of chair. The group draws its membership from Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Information Commissioner’s Office and also includes academic and research expertise.

The group will meet over the coming months and is expected to report to me by the end of 2017. Further details can be found on the Scottish Government website at www.gov.scot/biometricdata

The biometrics field is evolving rapidly and new and emerging technologies must be used within a clear framework which incorporates human rights and ethical considerations. The group’s expert advice will ensure that we strike the right balance between protecting the public and safeguarding the rights of individuals in considering how our policy and legislative framework should be reviewed.

Question reference: S5O-01168

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 June 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 June 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact on Scotland of the UK Government's policy on refugees and asylum seekers.

Question reference: S5W-09486

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 25 May 2017
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Shona Robison on 30 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce acute hospital waiting times in the NHS.

As indicated by the First Minister on 18 May 2017 consideration was being given to providing additional funding to reduce waiting times. I can now announce that we are making available an additional £50 million to help NHS Boards improve performance. This funding will focus on all parts of the patient pathway - outpatient, diagnostic tests and inpatient and day case treatment.

This additional investment is part of the Barnett Formula consequentials for Scotland arising from the UK Spring Budget.

Question reference: S5W-09214

Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 May 2017
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 25 May 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what action each NHS board is taking to improve the recruitment and retention of dermatology consultants and nurses.

It is for health boards to plan and deliver clinical services and ensure that they have the correct staff in place to meet the needs of their services and ensure high quality patient care. The Scottish Government works closely with all Boards to support their staff recruitment efforts.

Under this Government, the number of Consultants in NHSScotland with a specialty of dermatology have increased by 30.6 per cent. Since 2009, the number of Clinical Nurse Specialists with a specialty of dermatology have increased by 104.4 per cent.

Further information on the dermatology workforce is published by ISD Scotland and is available at the following links:-

https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2017-03-07/Consultant_Staff_In_Post_D2016.xls

https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2016-12-06/Clinical_Nurse_Specialists_S2016.xls