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.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

Filter your results Hide all filters

Displaying 270 questions Show Answers

Order by |

Question reference: S5W-26947

Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 January 2020
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-03951 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 January 2020 (Official Report, c.18), to which reference in the research paper by the University of Bristol, (Trans)forming Single-Gender Services and Communal Accommodations, the Cabinet Secretary was referring when she stated “The research that has been referred to was included because of a reference within the work to show that there is no increased risk of women being attacked in single-sex spaces by trans women.”

The research is at https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/files/139271435/Bristol_Pure_Version_PD.pdf The section headed "misconduct" discusses risks and the author notes that no evidence has been identified to suggest that trans individuals as a group pose a threat of sexual violence to non-trans populations. The Scottish Government does not agree with the author of the research that exceptions in the Equality Act 2010 should be removed. However, the Scottish Government welcomes research on the inclusion of trans women in single sex spaces. The current consultation asks a specific question on the draft Impact Assessments. We welcome comments on the drafts and information consultees have on any other relevant research.

Question reference: S5W-26952

Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 January 2020
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has commissioned any empirical research or literature review of evidence relevant to the statements at paragraphs 10 and 11 on page 174 of its consultation paper on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Question reference: S5W-26956

Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 January 2020
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-03951 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 January 2020 (Official Report, c.19) what the “strict penalties” are for anyone who abuses the use of gender recognition gained should the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill be passed.

Section 14 of the draft Bill makes provision on offences. This provides that it is an offence for a person to knowingly make a false statutory declaration in relation to the gender recognition legislation or to include any other false information in an application for a gender recognition certificate. A person who commits any such offence is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (currently £10,000) (or both) and on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or an unlimited fine (or both).

Question reference: S5O-03997

Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the performance of the rail services in the South Scotland region that are regulated by the Department for Transport.

Question reference: S5O-03951

Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 December 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many gender recognition certificates it expects to be issued under its proposed system of self-declaration, and how this compares with the current system.

Question reference: S5W-26587

Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 December 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 6 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what help is available for people requiring surgery to treat lipoedema.

Question reference: S5O-03897

Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 December 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been done of the impact that ending freedom of movement for EU citizens after Brexit will have on the NHS.

Question reference: S5O-03826

Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle loneliness and isolation among older people in the South Scotland region.

Question reference: S5O-03687

Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 October 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether it supports the Equality Act 2010’s single-sex exemptions that allow for women-only spaces and services based on biological sex when this is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

Question reference: S5O-03606

Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 September 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to protect the forestry industry from the threat of tree diseases and pests, such as oak processionary moths and bark beetles.