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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-17166

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jackson Carlaw on 15 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body for what reason it has removed the computer at the Queensberry House exit; what impact this could have on the ability to check visitor passes, and how it will ensure that this does not have security implications.

Question reference: S5F-02460

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 11 June 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 14 June 2018

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to reports that Yammer, which is a social network available in every school, is being used to target vulnerable children.

Question reference: S5O-02194

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Annabelle Ewing on 6 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in light of recent Police Scotland figures, which highlight that missing person investigations have increased by almost 1,000 in the last year.

In May 2017, the Scottish Government launched Scotland’s first ever National Framework for Missing Persons, and we are now delivering the actions in the Framework to improve multi-agency working and standardise approaches to risk assessment and return discussions to prevent and limit the harm for those who go missing. Our investment of over £200,000 is supporting the development and delivery of return discussion training to frontline staff across local authorities, and supporting the Missing People charity to extend their helpline service in Scotland.

Question reference: S5O-02124

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 23 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support retailers and reduce the number of vacant premises on high streets.

As I set out in my response to Jackie Baillie in‎ S5O-02117, the Scottish Government recognises that the High Street retail sector in Scotland is being significantly impacted by fundamental changes to shopping habits and competition from businesses that are
‎e-commerce enabled.

I set out a number of actions in response to Ms Baillie including our £720m package of non-domestic rates support to businesses which has taken 100,000 premises out of rates altogether.

As I set out to Ms Baillie, the Scottish Government will continue to use all levers at our disposal to ensure that Scotland remains an attractive place for retailers to do business, however Mr Stewart’s colleagues in the UK Government may also need to reflect on their austerity and Brexit policies that are impacting on consumer confidence and damaging our high streets.

Question reference: S5W-16588

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 11 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 22 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what assurances it can give residents in Dunfermline, St Andrews and Glenrothes who are reportedly facing NHS service reductions, and what action it plans to increase capacity.

Recent changes to out of hours primary care services in Fife are a short term measure to ensure that appropriate levels of patient safety are maintained. NHS Fife is reviewing its longer term arrangements for out of hours care and has undertaken an option appraisal exercise - a public consultation will commence in June prior to any permanent decisions being made.

The service is currently advertising for salaried GPs through the NHS Scotland Recruitment website. In addition, Fife Health and Social Care Partnership is developing the nursing workforce including the recruitment of Urgent Care Practitioners and Advanced Nurse Practitioners.

Officials are in regular contact with Fife Health and Social Care Partnership regarding these measures and the on-going situation.

Question reference: S5W-16079

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 1 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what the mortality rate for brain cancer has been in each of the last seven years, broken down by NHS board.

Question reference: S5W-16080

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 1 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) shortest, (b) longest and (c) average waiting time between referral and treatment for brain cancer has been in each of the last seven years, broken down by NHS board.

Brain and Central Nervous System (neurological) tumours are not included in the routine cancer waiting times data collection. ISD Scotland have a rolling annual audit, the Extending Tumour Sites project. This introduces a tumour type that has not previously been collected as part of Cancer Waiting Times. Neurological cancers were audited in 2013. Details can be found at this link:

http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Waiting-Times/Cancer/Background/

Question reference: S5W-16081

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 1 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many brain cancers have been diagnosed following emergency admission in each of the last seven years, broken down by NHS board, and how this compares with other cancers.

Question reference: S5W-15930

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 April 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 April 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with its proposed GP sustainability loans, and whether all GP premises will be surveyed in 2018-19 to provide the information required for their maintenance or improvement.

Progress is being made on the implementation of the GP Premises Sustainability Loan Scheme. Eligible GP practices will shortly be asked to provide a note of their interest in applying for a GP Sustainability Loan and will be informed of the categories for priority applications.

All GP premises owned or leased by GPs will be surveyed in 2018-19. This will provide the data which Health Boards will require for their premises plans. GPs will remain responsible for maintaining and improving their own premises.

Question reference: S5W-15510

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 March 2018
Current Status: Answered by Kezia Dugdale on 12 April 2018

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what action it is taking to ensure that its policy regarding the use of e-cigarettes and vaporisers is adhered to, and whether it will consider (a) running an awareness campaign and (b) placing additional signage around the campus regarding the use of such items.

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body publishes its Smoke Free Policy which restricts smoking and the use of e-cigarettes to locations within the Queensberry House courtyard, the Passholders' entrance and the public part of the Scottish Parliament's grounds. The Smoke Free Policy is reviewed periodically and is promoted through notices to building users.

In view of the significant number of people now using e-cigarettes, the Scottish Parliament Facilities Management Office will re-issue a reminder to all building users regarding the smoke free policy and additionally will review signage at building entrances.