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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-07511

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to collect feedback on the experiences of former Hong Kong residents who resettle in Scotland.

Question reference: S6W-07510

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made and action it has taken to ensure that former Hong Kong residents who resettle in Scotland are not subjected to racism or discrimination.

The Scottish Government is committed to upholding and advancing the rights of those that choose to make their life here in Scotland, including former Hong Kong residents. Racism and discrimination are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

The Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government, COSLA, Police Scotland and third sector partners to understand the needs and requirements of former Hong Kong residents to support their integration into our communities.

As well as publishing a dedicated British National (Overseas) welcome pack, in both English and Cantonese, we have also provided funding to COSLA, who have a dedicated online Hong Kong Welcome Hub intended for Hong Kong BN(O) migrants arriving in Scotland and Council Officers supporting their integration. Both resources include information on what to do if someone is the victim of racism or discriminatory practices.

We encourage anyone subjected to racism or discrimination to report it to the relevant authorities.

Question reference: S6W-07513

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 12 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07058 by Neil Gray on 14 March 2022, whether it will provide further details of the steps that it has taken to ensure that Hong Kong residents coming to the UK through the British National (Overseas) visa scheme are encouraged to resettle in Scotland.

Scotland has a long history of welcoming migrants and we are actively encouraging those from Hong Kong to make Scotland their first choice to resettle. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting their integration into our communities and we have also published a dedicated British National (Overseas) welcome pack, in both English and Cantonese, on our website.

We have provided funding to COSLA who have a dedicated online Hong Kong Welcome Hub, intended for Hong Kong BN(O) migrants arriving in Scotland and Council Officers supporting their integration. Scottish Government officials continue to engage with third sector partners and our overseas hubs to identify ways of encouraging BN(O)s to choose Scotland as their first choice destination to resettle.

Question reference: S6W-07512

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 8 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the current overall value of investment in Scotland by Chinese state-owned firms.

Information on the value of Chinese inward investments into Scotland can be found in the publicly available report Businesses in Scotland, which shows that there are currently 20 Chinese owned businesses in Scotland, with an estimated employment of 3,910 and a turnover of £1.33 billion. The Scottish Government does not hold data on the overall value of investment in Scotland specific to Chinese state-owned firms as this data is commercial in nature.

Scottish Government works with its enterprise agencies to ensure robust due diligence and proper consideration of human rights is undertaken on inward investments from China as well as from any other country. Additional safeguards are provided by the National Security and Investment Act 2021, which protects against acquisitions within sensitive areas of the economy that could cause harm to the UK’s national security.

Question reference: S6W-06711

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 8 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what role trade unions and environmental groups will have in designing the bidding process for the two freeports in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has had a number of discussions with trade unions and other groups on its green ports model since the publication of an illustrative draft prospectus in March 2021. Those discussions built on our earlier consultation on place-based economic development, in November 2021, which sought views on economic development zones around ports and specifically on freeports. These have influenced our approach to the process for Green Freeports that we have agreed with the UK Government.

Question reference: S6W-06744

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 24 February 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 4 March 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether information collected by the NHS Scotland COVID-19 Test and Protect system in the case of an infection in a school setting is recorded under the "Group setting" category on the case management system, and if this is not the case, how this information is recorded, and for what reason it differs from the categorisation protocol for infections occurring in settings such as hospitals, care homes and restaurants, which are reportedly recorded under the "Events and Settings" category.

Question reference: S6F-00755

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 January 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 February 2022

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is working with local authorities to reduce air pollution.

Question reference: S6W-05592

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it recommends that school and early years staff wear a face covering of FFP2 quality or above.

Face coverings are recommended in schools for adults and children aged 12 and over. Mitigations to reduce risks in schools and Early Learning Childcare settings including face covering measures, are kept under regular review by the Scottish Government’s Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues. This approach is grounded in evidence and draws on the expert advice of the advisory sub-group. The group last met on 11 January and further details can be found here .

The Scottish Government recommends that face coverings are made of cloth or other textiles and should be two, and preferably three, layers thick in line with WHO recommendations and fit snugly around the mouth, nose and chin while allowing you to breathe easily. A face covering can be a covering of any type, except a face shield, that covers the mouth and nose. There is no requirement for face coverings to meet specific levels of filtration efficiency and breathability.

More information on face covering guidance can be found here and further information on guidance for schools can be found here .

Question reference: S6W-05591

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 January 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 21 January 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many teachers currently have long COVID.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information.

We recognise the negative impact that long COVID can have on the health and wellbeing of those affected. We are taking action to ensure that people are supported in the most appropriate way possible. The Advisory Subgroup on Education and Children’s Issues takes account of long COVID in their deliberations.

ONS’ long COVID estimates by employment sector aren’t broken down by nation – all estimates by employment sector are at UK level only.

Question reference: S6W-04799

Asked by: Ross Greer, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Green Party
Date lodged: Friday, 03 December 2021
Current Status: Answered by Richard Lochhead on 16 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when the sectoral Just Transition plan for the nuclear sector will be produced, and what role (a) the workforce, (b) its unions and (c) local communities will have in this.

Our draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, to be published next year, will provide a roadmap for the future of Scotland’s energy system. We will co-design this Plan with the workers, businesses and communities most impacted by the net zero transition, including those within or associated with the nuclear energy industry. Workers, unions and the communities they are part of have always been at the heart of a just transition and will continue to be so. Together, we must provide certainty for those affected as we set out how the economic and social impacts of Scotland’s changing energy system will be managed.

We will outline the sequencing for specific Just Transition Plans in the new year, and as part of that, will explore if there are any sub-sectors of the energy system that would benefit from a standalone Plan.