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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: S6W-05195

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 7 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when new rules to reintroduce (a) physical distancing and (b) the managing of queues will come into effect.

A requirement to keep at least 1 metre physical distancing between groups in hospitality and leisure settings came into force at 5 am on 27 December. Also from 27 December (at 5 am), we have put in place a table service requirement for hospitality venues serving alcohol for consumption on the premises. Venues such as hospitality within theatres, which are unable to operate a table service, are required to put in place an adequate queue management system which maintains physical distancing. However, these measures do not apply to educational settings, workplaces, retail, public buildings and places of worship. These measures will remain into force at least until 17 January when their necessity and proportionality will be next reviewed in light of the latest data and evidence.

Question reference: S6W-05241

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 7 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting businesses in providing psychologically healthy workplaces in (a) an office and (b) home-based working environment.

We know meaningful, fair work can provide important benefits for people’s mental health and wellbeing. Creating workplaces which support and promote good mental health benefits individuals and employers.

Our ‘Mental Health – Transition and Recovery Plan’ outlines our response to the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and our commitments to support mental health and wellbeing. The plan includes key employment actions to promote and support mental wellbeing at work.

A Short Life Working Group, consisting of employer groups, trade unions and mental health organisations has been established to help take forward key employment actions. The group is working collaboratively to identify the issues and challenges employers are facing in supporting mental health in a range of different workplaces, including office and home-based environments. The outcomes of this will inform the next steps to be undertaken to ensure employers have the support they need to create mentally healthy workplaces, free of stigma and discrimination across all sectors.

The group has a dedicated sub-group reviewing current national guidance on safer workplaces, including guidance on home working to ensure it reflects the importance of looking after employees’ mental wellbeing while working from home, and signposting to appropriate sources of advice and support.

Question reference: S6W-04248

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering extending the COVID-19 vaccine passport scheme to include (a) cafes and (b) cinemas, following recent reports of public speculation by officials.

Question reference: S6W-04681

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 22 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how the impact and effectiveness of the Business Ventilation Fund will be evaluated; whether the full minutes and evidence from its expert advice group on ventilation will be made publicly available, and, once the fund closes, what assessment the Scottish Government will undertake of the fund's effectiveness and reach, including by sector and size of business.

The First Minister announced funding to support small and medium-sized businesses to improve their ventilation. The Business Ventilation Fund opened for applications on Tuesday 23rd November 2021.

The impact and effectiveness of the fund is being carried out in early January to consider take up and a full evaluation will be conducted on closure of the Fund in April. This will include reach by sectors and size of business.

A webpage is being set up for the Covid Ventilation Short Life Working Group, and the minutes will be available on there in due course.

Question reference: S6W-04656

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 30 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 14 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many vehicles are in its vehicle fleet, broken down by (a) the purpose of the vehicle, (b) the manufacturer and model of the vehicle and (c) the year of manufacture of the vehicle.

The Scottish Government fleet (including Government Car Service and Transport Scotland) is currently made up of 221 vehicles.

This number will reduce in the coming weeks, as new vehicles are issued and their replacements are disposed.

The following table details the fleet broken down by purpose, manufacturer and model and year of registration.

Purpose (1)	Manufacturer and model	Year registered	No. of vehicles
Ministerial Transport (Government Car Service)	Kia E-Niro	2019	1
Ministerial Transport (Government Car Service)	Kia Optima PHEV	2017	1
Ministerial Transport (Government Car Service)	Kia Optima PHEV	2019	8
Ministerial Transport (Government Car Service)	Tesla Model 3	2020	3
Ministerial Transport (Government Car Service)	Tesla Model 3	2021	7
Ministerial Transport (Government Car Service)	Volkswagen Passat PHEV	2017	1
Ministerial Transport (Government Car Service)	Volvo S90 PHEV	2021	1
Ministerial Transport (Government Car Service)	Volvo V90 PHEV	2019	5
Ministerial Transport (Government Car Service)	Volvo V90 PHEV	2021	1
Pool	BMW i3	2018	1
Pool	BMW i3 Range extender	2018	2
Pool	Citroen Berlingo	2013	1
Pool	Citroen Relay	2013	1
Pool	Ford Focus	2013	14
Pool	Ford Focus	2014	1
Pool	Ford Tourneo Connect	2015	1
Pool	Ford Transit Custom PHEV	2020	3
Pool	Iveco Eurocargo	2012	1
Pool	Kia Ceed PHEV	2021	3
Pool	Kia E-Niro	2019	7
Pool	Kia E-Niro	2021	14
Pool	Kia Niro PHEV	2019	6
Pool	Kia Optima PHEV	2019	3
Pool	Mercedes Axor	2013	1
Pool	Mercedes Sprinter	2018	1
Pool	Mercedes Sprinter	2019	1
Pool	Mercedes Sprinter Minibus	2014	1
Pool	Mitsubishi L200	2017	6
Pool	Mitsubishi L200	2018	7
Pool	Mitsubishi L200	2019	1
Pool	Mitsubishi Outlander	2017	1
Pool	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2014	3
Pool	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2015	3
Pool	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2017	4
Pool	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2018	8
Pool	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2020	10
Pool	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2021	2
Pool	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	2019	12
Pool	Nissan eNV200	2014	1
Pool	Nissan eNV200	2015	2
Pool	Nissan Leaf	2014	1
Pool	Nissan Leaf	2017	2
Pool	Nissan Leaf	2018	1
Pool	Nissan Navarra	2016	1
Pool	Nissan NV200	2013	1
Pool	Nissan X-Trail	2013	1
Pool	Peugeot 2008	2014	2
Pool	Polaris EV	2019	1
Pool	Renault Kangoo	2017	3
Pool	Renault Kangoo	2019	1
Pool	Skoda Fabia	2012	2
Pool	Skoda Octavia	2013	6
Pool	Skoda Octavia	2014	1
Pool	Skoda Octavia	2017	11
Pool	Skoda Octavia	2017	2
Pool	Skoda Octavia Scout	2013	1
Pool	Skoda Superb	2013	1
Pool	Skoda Superb	2017	1
Pool	Skoda Superb	2017	1
Pool	Toyota Auris	2017	2
Pool	Toyota Auris	2018	3
Pool	Toyota Corolla	2019	2
Pool	Toyota Hilux	2013	1
Pool	Toyota Hilux	2015	2
Pool	Toyota Hilux	2019	1
Pool	Toyota Hilux	2020	2
Pool	Toyota Hilux	2021	2
Pool	Toyota Hilux	2021	1
Pool	Toyota Prius Plug-In	2014	3
Pool	Toyota Prius Plug-In	2015	3
Pool	Toyota Proace Electric	2021	1
Pool	Toyota Yaris	2015	1
Pool	Vauxhall Astra	2015	5
Pool	Volvo S90 PHEV	2019	1
Pool	Volvo S90 PHEV	2020	1

Notes

1. With exception to vehicles operated to transport Ministers, all other vehicles are operated as pool vehicles, allocated to specific business areas and are used for multiple business related purposes.

Question reference: S6W-04674

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 29 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 13 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many electric bicycles it (a) has purchased since 2007 and (b) owns.

The core Scottish Government has not purchased any electric bicycles since 2007. The Core Scottish Government does not own any electric bicycles.

The Scottish Government holds cycle friendly employer status from Cycling Scotland. The Scottish Government offers a cycle to work scheme which allows staff to hire a bike and safety equipment, paid for through monthly salary deductions.

During COP 26, 13 electric bikes and associated equipment (helmets, Hi-vis, lights, locks etc) were loaned from Energy Savings Trust (EST) to Transport Scotland for the duration of the conference. The electric bikes were for Scottish Ministerial and senior officials use.

The electric bikes have subsequently been returned to EST.

Question reference: S6W-04673

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 29 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 13 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many standard bicycles it (a) has purchased since 2007 and (b) owns.

Question reference: S6W-04247

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 7 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the introduction of vaccine passports has had on COVID-19 transmission numbers.

Question reference: S6T-00344

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 06 December 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 7 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to NHS Lothian, and other NHS boards, given the consequences and impact of delayed discharges.

Question reference: S6W-04249

Asked by: Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 08 November 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine passport scheme, and on the number of times the vaccine passport app has been downloaded, broken down by the age of those who have downloaded it.

We published an updated evidence paper on the Covid 19 status certification scheme on Friday 19 November 2021.

Public Heath Scotland also publish a weekly COVID-19 statistical report which includes the number of times the NHS Scotland COVID Status App has been downloaded. As at 15 November 2021 this is 1.5 million times. The statistical information for the app is provided by Apple and Google and we do not receive a breakdown by age or demographic.