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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-34438

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 11 January 2021
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 19 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance and support it is providing to people with sight loss to help them to observe COVID-19 social distancing measures.

The Scottish Government understands that some people, including those with sight loss, may find physical distancing rules more difficult to follow than others and our Stay at home guidance includes information on Support for people, which highlights these additional challenges. The section on Support for people – supporting others – reminds us to be considerate of others by giving way and offering help when we are out and about.

In addition , we have produced guidance for those providing guide support and produced a checklist for retailers that asks retailers to bear in mind that some people may find the physical distancing measures in shops more difficult to adhere to than others. There is also customer guidance that explains how the customer experience in shops has changed and what needs to be done to ensure a safer shopping experience for everyone.

We have also worked with NHS Inform colleagues to share various guidance including guidance on physical distancing and worked with a wide range of third sector partners to produce cross sectorial guidance for everyone on supporting people with a sensory impairment and for health and social care workers on communicating effectively with people with a sensory loss

Question reference: S5W-34382

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 08 January 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 19 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether dog groomers can remain open under the most recent COVID-19 guidance.

Dog groomers can remain open to provide essential welfare services under the Guidance for Animal Owners, updated on 11 January 2021. This guidance is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-animal-owners/ .

The Scottish Government recognises that the lack of access to professional pet grooming services has the potential to impact on the welfare of certain breeds of animal, particularly those requiring regular grooming to maintain their wellbeing.

Routine grooming is deemed a non-essential business activity. Where an animal is not at risk of pain or injury, professional groomers should not be providing routine grooming services in mainland Scotland.

Where essential professional grooming on welfare grounds is undertaken it must be conducted in line with the rules on physical distancing. Such tasks essential for the welfare of an animal include the clipping of heavy coats and claws.

Question reference: S5T-02619

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 18 January 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when the opening of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People will be completed.

Question reference: S5W-34136

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 18 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 15 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what COVID-19 guidance is in place regarding naming ceremonies.

The Scottish Government has not published specific guidance for ceremonies such as baby naming ceremonies, Christenings or baptisms. We have issued specific guidance for marriage ceremonies and civil partnership registrations .

Our guidance for the safe use of places of worship outlines that where ceremonies such as Christenings, baptisms and coming-of-age ceremonies form part of a wider religious service in a place of worship, the gathering should consist of no more than 50 people in total in areas at Levels 0-3 as set out in the strategic framework . Outdoor acts of worship conducted in accordance with Coronavirus (COVID-19): events sector guidance in areas at levels 0 and 1 areas may have up to 200 people in attendance.

Under the current Level 4 restrictions affecting most of Scotland set out in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 as amended, places of worship must be closed to the public except for limited specified purposes. These specified purposes do not include a baby naming ceremony, Christening or baptism.

If a naming ceremony, Christening or baptism is not happening in a place of worship or as part of a permitted act of worship outdoors, the gathering should comply with the restrictions on social gatherings in the relevant protection level set out in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 as amended.

Any celebrants conducting naming ceremonies permitted under the present restrictions should work with families on whether aspects of the ceremony need to be adapted in line with physical distancing and hygiene requirements in order to help ensure the safety of all present.

Question reference: S5W-34200

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 21 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 15 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether respite foster care is still able to take place under Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions.

Respite foster care can go ahead under Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions subject to the appropriate professional assessments being carried out. Care planning and issues surrounding care planning are a matter for local authorities to decide and we would expect local authorities to consider the risks of respite foster care before making any decision on a case by case base, whilst adhering to public health measures.

Decision makers must ensure that the safety and wellbeing of children, young people, families, carers and staff members is at the heart of decision making. They must balance these safety considerations with a child’s rights and the detriment to the child if a respite placement does not go ahead.

The Scottish Government will shortly be publishing updated Coronavirus guidance about family contact for Looked After Children. This guidance will support decision makers in ensuring that the risk of exposure is minimised, whilst children are supported and enabled to meaningfully maintain relationships which are essential to their wellbeing.

Question reference: S5W-34143

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason public pools are open for private individual swimming lessons in areas subject to Level 3 restrictions, but club swimming training is prohibited.

The Scottish Government fully recognise the importance of being physically active during the Covid-19 pandemic, both for physical and mental health. While we appreciate the social interaction that club activity provides, limiting group activity, where there may be an increased risk of transmission, is vital to suppress the virus.

Our approach and principles remain those we set out in our Framework for Decision-Making, based on clinical evidence, expert advice, and a balanced assessment of the risks.

Given that the situation with the virus remains fragile – with many cases and continuing pressure on the NHS – we are taking a cautious approach. We will continue to keep restrictions around sport and physical activity under review.

Question reference: S5W-34133

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider offering the COVID-19 vaccine on a 24-hours-a-day basis once stocks permit.

Question reference: S5W-33891

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether medical and nursing students who have provided support to frontline staff while still carrying out academic studies during the pandemic will be included in the £500 "thank you" bonus.

Students who worked on temporary paid contracts during the pandemic for a period of at least one month during the qualifying period, and have since returned to university, will receive the payment. This includes Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional students who undertook paid placements over the Summer. However, clinical students on unpaid placements within health and social care are not eligible.

The Scottish Government has published a list of frequently asked questions regarding this payment which provide information on eligibility and payment arrangements. The FAQ can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-gbp500-payment-for-health-and-social-care-staff---questions-and-answers/ .

Question reference: S5W-33918

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 08 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what paperwork will be provided to people who are given a COVID-19 vaccine to confirm that they have received it.

People who are given a COVID-19 vaccine are provided with a nationally produced leaflet, that tells them what to expect after the vaccine and includes a reminder about their second dose. They are not given any paperwork as a ‘record’ of the vaccine. As with other vaccines, their vaccination is recorded electronically by NHS Scotland. For COVID-19 vaccination, a Vaccination Management Tool is used by local NHS Boards to record vaccinations.

Question reference: S5W-34227

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 14 January 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is being made available to the private leisure industry, including (a) fitness clubs and (b) leisure centres.

Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak the Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government and private and public sector partners to develop a range of support mechanisms for businesses. To varying degrees, the leisure industry have utilised the job retention scheme, non-domestic rates relief, business hardship fund, and the Strategic Framework Business Support.

a) The Finance Secretary recently announced an additional £41 million to top up support for non-essential retail and gyms, which are required to close in level 4.

b) The Scottish Government is working with COSLA to finalise a lost income scheme, including support for ALEOs, worth an estimated £90 million which when added to the committed £49 million consequentials will provide an extra £139 million of funding.