Chamber and committees

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: S6W-00221

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 3 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether consideration will be given to updating the COVID-19 guidance for businesses that provide close contact services, to reflect the different levels of restrictions that are in place across the country.

The COVID-19 sectoral guidance for close contact services is kept under constant review to reflect the latest public health advice and the latest information for all Strategic Framework levels. All close contact services are able to operate in Level 3 and below, in line with this guidance. The guidance was last updated on 26 May 2021 to reflect the outcome of the recent rapid review on face coverings in the sector.

Question reference: S6W-00139

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 1 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to COVID-19 vaccinations for under-18s ahead of the start of the 2021-22 university and college term.

All of our decision making in the approach to responding to Covid-19 is guided by the latest scientific evidence from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) , advice from Health Protection Scotland and our Chief Medical Officer. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) provides advice on immunisation to all UK Health Departments, including on the efficacy and safety of vaccines.

Current JCVI advice does not cover vaccination in those under 18 years old, so far only 16 and 17 years olds in groups 1 -9 are covered.

Clinical trials are currently underway for vaccination of children and young people.

We will continue to engage with vaccine developers, and the JCVI so that if trials are successful we are ready to vaccinate younger age groups, if that is what the clinical and scientific evidence supports.

Question reference: S6W-00087

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Tuesday, 18 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 27 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether, in future contract discussions with lifeline ferry service providers, it will consider removing seasonal fares for island residents.

Question reference: S6W-00014

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 26 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government on which dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials met with Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) (i) management or (ii) representatives to discuss the outcomes of the Island Communities Impact Assessment on air traffic control, and whether it will share the minutes and outcomes from those meetings.

Question reference: S6W-00013

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to produce a Fuel Poverty Strategy.

Question reference: S5W-36200

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 29 April 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with NHS Shetland over the installation of a MRI scanner at Gilbert Bain Hospital.

The National Imaging Equipment Group, National Procurement and Health Facilities Scotland support our NHS Boards with expert knowledge relating to the imaging equipment lifecycle. This helps to ensure that risks are mitigated and pulls in various experts from across the country to support bespoke projects, such as the MRI Scanner at the Gilbert Bain, to ensure project completion.

These groups have been providing support to NHS Shetland on planning, procurement, installation and commissioning. In addition, NHS National Services Scotland is assisting the Board with the development of the clinical specification and the procurement process. The Board expects procurement and implementation to be completed in 2022.

Question reference: S5W-36077

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 24 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-32314 by John Swinney on 20 October 2020, on how many occasions Ministers or their representatives have met with the SQA since that meeting; on which dates, and whether it will publish the minutes of any meetings.

Question reference: S5W-35804

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 08 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 24 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answers to questions S5W-34023 an S5W-34990 by Michael Matheson on 17 December 2020 and 17 February 2021 respectively, whether it will provide an update on whether the Air Discount Scheme will be extended beyond 31 March 2021.

The Scottish Government is committed to the continuation of the Air Discount Scheme in order to make travel for residents of the Highlands and Islands more affordable. I am happy to announce that the scheme will continue until 31 March 2026. The discount rate in 2021-22 will be maintained at 50%. The discount rate in subsequent years will be subject to Parliament’s consideration of the Budget in each of those years.

Question reference: S5W-36020

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 24 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-33536 by John Swinney on 10 December 2020, whether it will publish an analysis of the returns before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Question reference: S5W-36038

Asked by: Beatrice Wishart, MSP for Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 24 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on discussions it has had with local representatives regarding fixed links in Shetland.

Transport Scotland officials meet regularly with officers from Shetland Island Council and Zetrans, the Regional Transport Partnership, to discuss a range of transport issues.

As part of our engagement on the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) we have regular meetings with the Shetland Islands Regional Transport Working Group, the last being held on the 15 February 2021. Fixed links, alongside a number of other potential options to address transport problems and opportunities in the Islands, have been discussed in broad terms through this engagement, in the context of the publication of the STPR2 Phase 1 recommendations and updated Case for Change reports that were published on the 3 February.

Further details on proposed list of transport options for the Shetland Islands that are to be taken forward for more detailed appraisal are contained in the following report: Initial appraisal: Case for Change - Shetland Islands - STPR2 (transport.gov.scot)