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: S5O-04471

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 August 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 13 August 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason source emissions rose by 1.5% from 2017 to 2018.

Question reference: S5W-30266

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 26 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 13 July 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason hospitality venues will be permitted to open to the public in July 2020, but not places of worship.

We recognise how difficult it has been for Scotland’s faith communities to be unable to come together in places of worship at this challenging time. This was of course necessary due to the pandemic and I appreciate the understanding and patience our faith communities have shown in abiding by restrictions, which have been vital to ensure safety and stop the spread of the virus.

Working with our faith leaders and guided in particular by evolving scientific and health advice on transmission risks, we are confident that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to bring forward the reopening of places of worship to 15 July. This was announced by the First Minister on 9 July.

The Scottish Government has remained engaged with our faith communities and will continue to work closely with them as we develop guidance to support places of worship to re-open safely, with physical distancing and hygiene safeguards.

Question reference: S5W-29884

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects driving test centres to be able to reopen for driving tests.

Question reference: S5W-29883

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 12 June 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 22 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects self-employed driving instructors to be able to resume driving lessons with the general public.

Having clear guidance in order for businesses to restart safely is vital, particularly as there is a heightened risk of transmission of the virus between instructors and learner drivers due to their proximity during lessons, so we are developing guidance for driving instructors as a matter of urgency. The guidance will be based on the best available public health advice in Scotland and will include clarification of what phase of Scotland’s Route Map that driving instructors can restart with appropriate risk assessment and hygiene measures in place.

Question reference: S5O-04408

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 03 June 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason prisoners are not routinely tested for COVID-19 before release.

Question reference: S5O-04383

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 June 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address the reported increase in incidents of flytipping in the countryside.

Question reference: S5O-04342

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 May 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 May 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how social distancing might be maintained should schools be reopened.

Question reference: S5W-27283

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 April 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what provision the NHS has made for future damages claims from adults who were inappropriately prescribed puberty blockers as children.

As indicted in the answers to S5W-27279 and S5W-27280 on 20 February 2020 and S5W-27281 on 9 March 2020 and S5W-27282 on 14 April 2020 the term “Puberty Blockers” is non-specific and could be applied to a range of medicines used for a variety of conditions. For example in children whose puberty started abnormally early, to promote the development of long bones and increase adult height in children of short stature and children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

There is no separate provision made for such circumstances, usual inappropriate prescribing policy will apply.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Question reference: S5W-27282

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 14 April 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the long-term health impacts, both physical and mental, of prescribing puberty blockers to children.

As indicted in the answers to S5W-27279 and S5W-27280 on 20 February 2020 and S5W-27281 on 9 March 2020 the term “Puberty Blockers” is non-specific and could be applied to a range of medicines used for a variety of conditions. For example in children whose puberty started abnormally early, to promote the development of long bones and increase adult height in children of short stature and children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Scottish Government does not make assessment on any medication, however clinical advice on prescribing of these drugs is:

Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) analogue has been used the 1980's for the treatment of boys and girls who enter puberty earlier than usual. In these children the GnRH analogue is able to delay puberty until they reach an appropriate age. This clinical practice has been carried out for more than 30 years and there are no long term side effects from this.

Monitoring patients to gather evidence and continued support for future research is ongoing. This includes clinical and psychological assessments.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Question reference: S5W-27281

Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 February 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 9 March 2020

To ask the Scottish Government on what clinical basis children are being prescribed puberty blockers.

As indicated in answers to PQ 27279 and 27280 on 20 February 2020 the term “Puberty Blockers” is non-specific and could be applied to a range of medicines used for a variety of conditions.

For example in children whose puberty started abnormally early; to promote the development of long bones and increase adult height in children of short stature and children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

In the case of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria in Scotland, the Young People’s Gender Services at Sandyford in common with current practice of other European centres work within the clear guidelines from UK Endocrine Society and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

Puberty blockers will only be issued following a specialist assessment and careful consultation with young people and their families, including potential benefits and risks. If a young person and their family choose to commence on puberty blockers they are seen for regular follow-up for psychological review and support from Sandyford staff and medical monitoring from Endocrinology.

Decisions on the type of treatment to prescribe are for clinicians to make in discussion with their clients.