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: S6O-04017

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is working to protect older people from heightened health risks in colder weather.

Question reference: S6W-30210

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 26 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 8 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to reduce waiting times for NHS audiology services, in particular for people requiring hearing aids.

The Scottish Government accepted, in principle, the recommendations set out by the Independent Review of Audiology Services in Scotland and are fully committed to seeing improvement in Audiology services.

Audiology is now being considered as a clinical priority area, and work is being progressed through the National Planning and Delivery Board arrangements led by the Chief Operating Officer – NHS Scotland.

In order to support with long waits, our NHS Recovery Plan sets out our plans for health and social care over the course of this parliament. The plan will support an increase in inpatient, day case, and outpatient activity to address the backlogs of care, which will be supported by the implementation of sustainable improvements and new models of care.

Question reference: S6O-03800

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how its social security policies are mitigating any impact in Scotland of the UK Government’s so-called bedroom tax and benefit cap.

Question reference: S6O-03765

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with ScotRail regarding the operation of a reduced train timetable.

Question reference: S6O-03732

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 18 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the Scottish Law Commission to publish its report on damages for personal injury, including recommendations on the time bar for asbestos-related illness compensation.

The Scottish Law Commission intend to publish its report and a draft Bill before the end of the year. I know the difficulties that can be caused by the law of limitation for sufferers of mesothelioma, who through no fault of their own may not be in a position to raise civil proceedings and are therefore denied an effective remedy. This is a matter of particular interest to a number of members across parties and I look forward to receiving the report. When I have had the time to consider any findings and recommendations I will respond and ensure that the Parliament , and the Member, is aware of that.

Question reference: S6W-29134

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 15 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 3 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to address the reported issue of (a) giant hogweed and (b) other non-native invasive plants, and whether it is considering how climate change could be creating new pathways for the introduction and spread of non-native invasive plant species.

As one of the five main drivers of biodiversity loss and a barrier to nature restoration, the Scottish Government takes the control of invasive non-native species (INNS) seriously and we work with a range of partners to minimise their negative impacts. We recognise that more action is needed on tackling invasive non-native plants; as a key component of the Biodiversity Delivery Plan, we are developing an INNS Action Plan to better focus resources on preventing and tackling INNS where possible.

In addition the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) is tackling a range of invasive non-native plants including giant hogweed alongside water courses in an area of rivers of 29,500km2 within northern Scotland (approximately a third of mainland Scotland). Last year phase two of the SISI was awarded over £2 million under the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund. Phase two will run for three years and will focus on continuing the work to control and eradicate invasive non-native plants in current control areas as well as expanding this programme to many new downstream catchment locations.

The Scottish Government is considering how climate change will impact the introduction and spread of INNS. INNS that pose a threat to GB are currently being assessed for addition to both the GB and Scottish lists of species of special concern. Once added to these lists these species will become subject to a range of restrictions. In 2021 the Scottish Government commissioned a horizon scanning study on INNS. This work involved analysis of pathways of spread of INNS into Scotland and is feeding into decisions on listing species. Horizon scanning will be repeated every five years and the next exercise will take place in 2026.

Question reference: S6O-03594

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 June 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 19 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the UK Government to discuss the impact of Brexit on Scotland’s food and drink exports.

Question reference: S6O-03571

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 June 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress in implementing the national strategy for 20mph speed limits.

Question reference: S6W-26823

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 April 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 13 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the presence of asbestos in schools and other public buildings.

The Scottish Government continue to meet with COSLA and individual local authorities on a regular basis to discuss the issues affecting local government. Moreover, we have increased funding to local government by £574.6 million - or 4.3% - in 2024-25.

However, health and safety regulations are not devolved to the Scottish Government, and the Health and Safety Executive has UK wide responsibility for enforcement of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Question reference: S6O-03440

Asked by: Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA regarding the management of asbestos within school buildings.