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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: S5W-28299

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 4 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding whether churches and religious bodies in Scotland will be eligible to apply for support from the funding package for charities that has been announced by the UK Government in light of the COVID-19 outbreak,

The Third Sector Resilience Fund (TSRF) is a £20 million emergency fund for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations working in Scotland. The fund will support organisations that already deliver services and products but find themselves in financial difficulties directly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The primary intention of the fund is to help third sector organisations to stabilise and manage cash flows over this difficult period.
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‎The Fund is being delivered by Firstport, Social Investment Scotland and the Corra Foundation and will provide grants between £5,000-£100,000. In addition there will be up to a further £5 million available in fully flexible, 0% interest loans starting at £50,000. The fund will be complemented by specialist business advice from Just Enterprise to help grant recipients maximise the impact of the financial support.
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‎More information about Covid-19 related support available to third sector organisations, including the Third Sector Resilience Fund is available at: https://scvo.org.uk/support/coronavirus .

Question reference: S5W-28205

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 April 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 April 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the (a) minimum and (b) maximum number of prisoners that are eligible for release under the provisions in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill.

The Scottish Parliament agreed that emergency prison release powers in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 Act were necessary, and would reflect the powers of emergency release already available in England and Wales – and which the UK government have decided to apply. Since the passing of the Act, the SG has worked closely with the SPS to evaluate whether and how whether these powers should be used. As I advised the Parliament on 20 April, we have now agreed with the Chief Executive of the SPS that it will be necessary to release a limited number of prisoners to ensure the SPS can continue to manage the current situation effectively.

Prisoners will only be considered if they are sentenced to 18 months or less – and within 3 months of their scheduled release date. The new legislation rules out early release for certain groups of prisoners – including life sentence prisoners, those on supervision orders and those convicted of sexual offending or terrorism offences. The proposed regulations will further exclude prisoners sentenced for domestic abuse offences or aggravations, harassment offences, or certain Covid-related offences. The Act also enables Prison Governors to veto the release of any prisoner where such release would present a clear risk to a specific individual.

Under these measures, around 450 prisoners will be assessed for possible early release. The number who are eligible will depend on the actual prison population on the day the process begins, and the final number released will depend how many individuals will be subject the Governor veto. The scale of release was specifically agreed with the SPS Chief Executive, as a measured and proportionate action to provide sufficient capacity and flexibility to maintain safe and effective operating conditions.

Question reference: S5O-04320

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 March 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 25 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Baird Family Hospital and Anchor Unit project at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

NHS Grampian are working with Health Facilities Scotland on a final design assurance review before moving towards financial close. The design review will provide assurance that the management and design of the project has taken cognisance of patient safety and construction standards; act as a pathfinder project for projects currently at design stage and influence the reviews of the next phase of new build and major refurbishment projects. The projected start date for construction is May, but NHS Grampian are meeting with contractors later this week to discuss what the impact of the current situation regarding COVID-19 may have and what mitigation action could be taken if required.

Question reference: S5W-27569

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 21 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 6 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the criminal proceedings statistical bulletin for 2018-19 is not due to be published until April 2020.

Question reference: S5O-04258

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 March 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 12 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for more investment in safety improvements for the A90, and whether these will include additional funding to improve the effectiveness of the average speed cameras.

Question reference: S5O-04209

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 February 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how it helps older people maintain their independence.

Question reference: S5O-04135

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 February 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 February 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding surveillance of drug supply routes.

Question reference: S5F-03904

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 27 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 January 2020

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reports that Scottish Prison Service officers average three weeks’ sickness leave per year.

Question reference: S5O-04071

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to protect vulnerable older people.

Question reference: S5T-01957

Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 20 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Chief Constable’s recent remarks to the Scottish Police Authority regarding the Police Scotland budget.