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: S5W-16964

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 12 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13173 by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 December 2017, for what reason the UK Energy Minister was not able to attend the last Convention of the Highlands and Islands, and whether it will publish all related correspondence on this issue.

The Deputy First Minister invited the UK Energy Minister at the time, Richard Harrington MP, to attend the most recent meeting of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, in March 2018, but Mr Harrington was unable to attend. I shall be happy to provide the member with a copy of the letter of invitation, issued by the Deputy First Minister on 23 January 2018.

This of course, follows on from a previous invitation to the previous UK Energy Minister, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, who was invited by the Deputy First Minister, on 23rd November 2016 to attend a meeting of the convention of the Highlands and Islands, which the Baroness was also unable to attend.

Question reference: S5W-16735

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Thursday, 17 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 5 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent figures, which suggest that the mortality rate in the NHS Orkney area is 5.4%, compared with the national average of 3.3%; what discussions it has had or plans with NHS Orkney regarding this, and what action can be taken to address the underlying causes.

NHS Orkney’s crude mortality rate for this most recent quarter, October to December 2017, is higher than previous quarters. This latest data reflects winter months where due to an increased prevalence of conditions such as winter viruses and related conditions, it is recognised that mortality is higher, particularly in the elderly population.

The Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR) takes into account the likelihood of mortality given the health and age of the patient population. It is therefore a better reflection of whether deaths are higher than expected. Since January to March 2014, NHS Orkney’s HSMR trend has shown a reduction of 22.3% compared to the Scotland average of 9.9%.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) will continue to monitor HSMR data for all NHS Boards including NHS Orkney. Should the HSMR and other sources of data and intelligence raise any concerns about the quality of care at NHS Orkney, then HIS will follow this up with the Board.

Question reference: S5W-16681

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent finding by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland that "a detailed and authoritative business case" setting out the benefits and risks associated with the merger between British Transport Police in Scotland with Police Scotland has not been produced.

The HMICS report published in August 2017 reflects the position of the BTP integration programme in February/March 2017. Significant progress has been made since then. As you are aware a re-planning of the integration programme is currently under way and part of this work will be considering cost benefit analysis on particular aspects of the programme. The Scottish Government has agreed to report regularly to the Parliament on progress on the integration programme, the next update is due in October.

Question reference: S5W-16675

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on banning the (a) third-party sale of dogs and (b) sale of dogs under eight weeks-old.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to ban the third-party sale of dogs. The Pet Animals Act 1951 requires that those selling animals as pets in most circumstances, including from a private dwelling, operate under a license issued by a local authority. We are committed, by the Programme for Government 2017-18, to improving the licensing for dog, cat and rabbit breeding, dealing and selling.

The commercial third-party sale of dogs aged 8-12 weeks without a licence and the sale of dogs under 8 weeks of age is effectively prohibited by the restrictions in the Licensing of Animal Dealers (Young Cats and Young Dogs) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 and the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1991 which both require that an animal is kept with its mother until at least 8 weeks of age.

Question reference: S5W-16677

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 24 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing licences to cover the sale of pets.

Licences are already required for the commercial selling of animals from pet shops, which can include private dwellings. However the Scottish Government accepts that the Pet Animals Act 1951 needs updating. The Scottish Government committed, in the Programme for Government 2017-18, to improvements to the licensing for dog, cat and rabbit breeding, dealing and selling. A consultation on this will be issued in the near future.

Question reference: S5W-16694

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Annabelle Ewing on 23 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what its position on reforming the law with regard to defamation.

The Scottish Law Commission published its Report on Defamation, including a draft Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill in December 2017 as part of the Commission’s Ninth Programme of Law Reform. The report makes 49 separate recommendations. The Scottish Government is currently considering the Report and its recommendations and expects to be in a position shortly to indicate how it intends to proceed.

Question reference: S5T-01093

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Monday, 21 May 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 22 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether its new drugs strategy will seek to support, rather than penalise, people in possession and intending to personally use small amounts of drugs.

Question reference: S5W-16430

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 04 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what additional training is provided to Police Scotland officers who are approved to use cyber kiosks.

Question reference: S5W-16432

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 04 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made of the risk of cyber kiosks being misused by the police, and what protections exist.

Question reference: S5W-16429

Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 04 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 May 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether the use of cyber kiosks by Police Scotland is compliant with (a) current and (b) forthcoming data protection rules.

The deployment of cyber kiosks is a matter for Police Scotland. Police Scotland work to a series of standard operating procedures including those supporting Data Protection. Prior to the intended deployment of cyber kiosks and in adherence to the Data Protection Act and General Data Protection Regulation 2018, Police Scotland is completing an Equality and Human Rights Assessment and Data Protection Impact Assessment which will inform the final policy, practice and procedure to support operational deployment.