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-23101

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many prison officers have been hospitalised due to the passive inhalation of new psychoactive substances in each of the last five years.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

SPS began recording instances of staff requesting medical attention as a result of reported exposure to unknown substances in April 2018.

Since then there have been 86 members of staff who have sought medical attention, reporting that they have felt unwell and potentially under the influence of an unknown substance.

SPS does not hold information on how many of these staff members went on to receive hospital treatment for passive inhalation.

Question reference: S5W-23102

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action the Scottish Prison Service has taken to tackle the use of new psychoactive substances in prisons.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

It would be inappropriate to place into the public domain specific details of all the responses deployed to tackle illicit drug use in Scottish Prisons.

SPS has established a Strategic Risk and Threat Group to identify emerging threats and coordinate tactical responses. This group is responsible for the management of large scale searching across the prison estate. SPS also has an established Technical Support Unit which provides specialised equipment to support national search operations.

Tactical measures are supported by various technologies, including X-ray machines, body scanners and other equipment which can assist in detecting attempts to introduce illicit substances to prisons. SPS also has a number of drug detection dogs.

To promote awareness of psychoactive substances (PS), SPS staff have also been made aware of the key methods used in attempts to introduce PS and are being encouraged to focus on these factors whilst undertaking their duties. SPS staff also carry out regular searches of people in our care, staff, visitors and items posted/handed into prisons.

It is regrettable that, despite robust security processes some individuals are ultimately successful in bypassing these. SPS and Police Scotland continue to work closely to share information to prevent the introduction of illicit substances and seek convictions where appropriate.

SPS will continue to evolve our understanding of the use of psychoactive substances and deploy a range of tactics charged with addressing the alleged use of such substances within Scottish prisons.

Question reference: S5W-23099

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many prison officers have received medical attention due to the passive inhalation of new psychoactive substances in each of the last five years.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

SPS began recording instances of staff requesting medical attention as a result of reported exposure to unknown substances in April 2018.

Since then there have been 86 members of staff who have sought medical attention, reporting that they have felt unwell and potentially under the influence of an unknown substance.

Question reference: S5W-23098

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have received medical attention due to the use of new psychoactive substances in each of the last five years.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

This information is not held by the Scottish Prison Service. Responsibility and accountability for the provision of healthcare in Scottish prisons transferred to the National Health Service (NHS) in November 2011. As such, all healthcare records and management information is held by the NHS.

SPS’ Management of an Offender at Risk due to any Substance Policy (MORS) provides staff with guidance on how to manage a person at risk due to the concealment or ingestion of any substance, including Psychoactive Substances. This includes ensuring those in our care receive the appropriate medical support.

Question reference: S5W-23103

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance there is for prison staff on helping prison officers who have been affected by the passive inhalation of new psychoactive substances.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

SPS has developed Operational Guidance to support staff to better understand Psychoactive Substances, their harmful effects and how they should minimise exposure to unknown substances during the course of their duties.

Health experts in Psychoactive Substances have supported SPS in developing guidance on the appropriate first aid response and the potential longer term impact after exposure. These groups are working with us to develop harm reduction guidance for people in our care and awareness training for staff.

Question reference: S5W-23236

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Eveline Lubbers' report, Political Undercover Policing in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-23110

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 28 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the impact that they can have on their communities, what support it offers to junior football clubs to help improve their facilities when they are seeking to join the senior leagues.

Question reference: S5W-23095

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 10 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 28 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers that football clubs based in small towns can have on their communities and, in light of this, what discussions it has had with the SFA regarding (a) treating all such clubs that apply for membership in a fair and accountable manner, which allows them every opportunity to conform to the membership criteria, and (b) the decision not to grant full membership to Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic FC.

We recognise the significant contribution football clubs of all sizes can make in their communities – despite challenges, we believe football can be a powerful force for good.

In addition to the club’s on-field success, we are aware of the excellent work Bonnyrigg Rose delivers through its Football Academy and community programme.

While we have discussed this matter with the Scottish FA, it would not be appropriate to intervene in Scottish FA decisions about membership criteria or which teams are promoted.

I understand the club is seeking a review of the decision, and is exploring “every option of recourse available.”

Question reference: S5W-23244

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 16 May 2019
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 28 May 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the summary of actions in the review of the arrangements for investigating the deaths of patients being treated for mental disorders, which was published in December 2018, what progress has been made on developing a system for investigating all deaths of patients who, at the time of death, were subject to an order under either the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 or part VI of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, whether in hospital or in the community, including those who had their detention suspended.

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland will take forward the work to develop and implement the new system to investigate the deaths of all patients, who at the time of death, were subject to an order under mental health or criminal procedure legislation. The Commission plans to recruit additional staff to support this work. This work will include direct engagement with staff, families and carers.

An implementation oversight group will shortly be established to monitor progress on all actions in the report. The membership of this group will have equal representation from carers and families.

Question reference: S5O-03302

Current Status: Withdrawn