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-17764

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 July 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 August 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how the incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Scotland and the rest of the UK compares with other developed countries.

The incidence of a particular disease is not necessarily captured by routine data collection and this is the case with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). So this is not information that is held by the Scottish Government.

Quantifying the incidence, or prevalence, of PCOS in Scotland, and the rest of the UK, is challenging due, in part, to the existence of different diagnostic criteria. This results in varying estimates in the academic literature of prevalence of between 2% and 26% of women. Expert clinical advice is that it is likely that the prevalence in the UK is between 4 and 8% and there is nothing to suggest that prevalence is any different in Scotland to the rest of the UK. PCOS is more likely to be diagnosed in younger women, women with obesity, women of South Asian origin and those who are more deprived.

We do not hold data on the incidence rates in other developed countries.

Question reference: S5W-17766

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 July 2018
Current Status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 2 August 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to ensure the provision of emotional support for people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Scotland.

Clinical evidence about the long-term health consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome is clear that psychological issues, including depression and anxiety, should be considered in all women with the condition, and that where necessary, appropriate counselling and intervention should be offered by a qualified professional.

At a national level, Scottish Government ensures the provision of support for people experiencing low mood, depression and anxiety through NHS 24, Breathing Space and NHS Living Life. Other local provision of support for specific conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome is the responsibility of the relevant NHS Board. The Scottish Government is clear that all NHS Boards must ensure that their services are planned so that patients have swift and safe access to the full range of services they need.

Question reference: S5W-17763

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 July 2018
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 31 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support further medical research into learning more about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and finding a cure for the condition.

Researchers can apply to the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) for funding. The CSO's Translational Clinical Studies Committee and the Health Improvement, Protection and Services Research Committees each meet twice per year to consider funding applications. Details of the application process are published on the CSO website. http://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/funding-2/.

Research proposals in polycystic ovary syndrome (including research into the underlying mechanisms and causes, diagnosis, prevention, disease-modifying treatments, care pathways etc.) are welcomed. In common with all other applications, any such proposals would be subject to the Chief Scientist Office’s standard independent expert review process.

In addition the NHS Research Scotland Reproductive Health & Childbirth Specialty Group is funded to facilitate the development, set-up and completion of clinical research studies. Currently two studies into PCOS are active in Scotland while two others have recently been completed. The Specialty Group will continue to work with academic and commercial sponsors to bring PCOS studies to Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-17529

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 25 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is has provided additional resources to any contractor providing it with services for the purpose of ensuring that staff employed on such contracts are paid the Scottish Living Wage and, if so, whether it will provide details of each such contract in each of the last five years.

The Scottish Government addresses the payment of the real Living Wage in all relevant contacts by having regard to the Statutory Guidance on Addressing Fair Work Practices, including the Living Wage, in Procurement. Where a Fair Work criterion is included in a procurement process, a bidder’s proposed package of Fair Work practices are evaluated alongside other relevant criterion by balancing the cost and quality elements the overall bid. It is not possible to identify the cost associated with any individual element of a bidders overall bid.

The Scottish Government can confirm that a recent trawl has shown that the real Living Wage is paid to workers engaged in the delivery of 94% of Scottish Government contracts.

Prior to the introduction of the Statutory Guidance, which applies to contracts that commence on or after 1 November 2015, in 2014 one contract with MITIE Technical Facilities Management Services Ltd was renegotiated within the permitted limits of the procurement regulations to ensure all contracted staff working on the Scottish Government estate are paid the real Living Wage. The Scottish Government and MITIE agreed an approach to share the associated costs. The additional sums paid are detailed in the following table.

MITIE Technical Facilities Management Services Ltd Facilities Management Contract
Contract Period	Additional Resources Funded Directly by Scottish Government
2014-15 From 1 December 2014*	£129,548
2015-16	£416,152
2016-17	£528,539
2017-18	£565,631
2018-19 to End June*	£149,333

* N.B. Part year figure

Question reference: S5W-17530

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 June 2018
Current Status: Answered by Sandra White on 23 July 2018

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it is has provided additional resources to any contractor providing services to the Parliament for the purpose of ensuring that staff employed on such contracts are paid the Scottish Living Wage and, if so, whether it will provide details of each such contract in each of the last five years.

Since 1st January 2015 contractor staff employed exclusively and directly to work at the Scottish Parliament have been paid at least the Scottish living wage.

An estimate of the cost of meeting this commitment is provided below:

Contract	2014/15*	2015/16	2016/17	2017/18
Catering Services	£2.7k	£10.8k	£29.7k	£35.2k
Cleaning Services	£1.9k	£7.7k	£13.3k	**
Support Services (portering)	Nil	Nil	£330	£1.1k

* Costs for the 3-month period 1^st January to 31 March 2015

** The new cleaning contract was awarded in September 2016 and costs associated with payment of the Scottish Living Wage was included in the tender price.

The above figures are based on standard working time and show the difference in each year of paying the Scottish Living Wage, against the labour costs that would have been otherwise incurred. This includes costs associated with wages, employer’s National Insurance contributions, sick pay and holiday pay.

Bidders’ approach to fair work practices, including payment of the living wage is now evaluated during the tender process in relevant contracts. Any cost related to fair work practice commitments by bidders would be reflected in the overall bid price and not identified separately.

Question reference: S5O-02272

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 June 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 27 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when the Minister for Local Government and Housing last met East Dunbartonshire Council and what issues were discussed.

Question reference: S5O-02265

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 June 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 21 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent violent crime in Inverclyde and Renfrewshire.

Question reference: S5W-16884

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 13 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether any of the contractors or sub-contractors involved in the construction of the A737 Dalry Bypass are participating in or have previously participated in the blacklisting of workers.

Prior to being permitted to be on a tender list, for a Transport Scotland contract, all applicants must first declare if they have been involved in blacklisting. Farrans Roadbridge (FRBJV), the contractor for the A737 Dalry Bypass, has confirmed that they have not at any stage previously, nor will they at any time during the period of the A737 Dalry Bypass Contract engage or participate in blacklisting activities in the employment of workers, whether this be directly employed labour or through any FRBJV engaged sub contractors. As such, FRBJV has signed a declaration to Transport Scotland stating this to be the case.

Question reference: S5W-16885

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether umbrella companies have been utilising a "margin charge" on workers' payslips during construction of the A737 Dalry Bypass, as has reportedly been the case in other Scottish Government infrastructure projects.

Farrans Roadbridge (FRBJV), the contractor for the A737 Dalry Bypass, has confirmed that "margin charges" on workers' payslips are not deducted during construction of the project. FRBJV has further advised that they will not tolerate such activities on their projects. On the A737 Dalry Bypass, FRBJV employ direct labour, sub-contracted labour and at times task specific agency labour all of which they ensure operate within their ethical business and fair work policy and approved and accepted payment guidelines.

Question reference: S5W-16886

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 May 2018
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 June 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland's investigation into the use of "margin charges" will (a) cover all public infrastructure contracts, including the A737 Dalry Bypass, and (b) include other malpractices such as blacklisting.