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-32840

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 17 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25863 by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019, what the annual cost is of Marine Manning Guernsey Limited providing crew on the (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay freight vessel.

Question reference: S5W-33727

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 December 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 16 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a delivery plan setting out detailed proposals for the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the Cumberlege report, and what its anticipated timescales are for the implementation of these recommendations.

As indicated in the 8 September Parliamentary debate on the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, the Scottish Government has accepted all of the recommendations made by Baroness Cumberlege where it has the power to act. It is important to note that the Scottish Government has already taken action in respect of several of those recommendations, including in relation to the establishment of specialist mesh removal services and the mesh fund. Careful consideration is presently being given to the implementation of the remaining recommendations, including timescales, and a delivery plan will be published in due course.

Question reference: S5O-04849

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the decision to hold jury trials for Dumfries and Stranraer sheriff courts in Ayr.

Question reference: S5W-33210

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 13 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 9 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the recent COVID-19 outbreak that was linked with the MV Isle of Lewis, including how this has impacted on the (a) seafarers affected, (b) the onboard crew when the positive tests were returned, (c) the relief crew and (d) passengers.

The Scottish Government has undertaken no specific analysis of the recent Covid-19 outbreak linked to the MV Isle of Lewis. However, Transport Scotland has maintained regular contact with CalMac. It remains the priority of CalMac to ensure the safety of passengers and crew by implementing Scottish Government guidelines regarding Covid-19.

CalMac remain in contact with the crew that tested positive for Covid-19 providing support as required.

NHS Scotland Test and Protect assisted with identifying which additional crew members required to self-isolate, the engineering crew did not need to self-isolate as they had been working as an independent bubble.

For those crew requiring to self-isolate, once their isolation period ends CalMac have advised they will fall back into their existing work rotations. For those who were not required to self-isolate, following the deep cleaning of the vessel they continued with their work rotation.

For CalMac staff and passengers who are concerned that they have come into contact with Coronavirus, the Test & Protect system will advise them if they require to self-isolate and if a Coronavirus test is required.

The relief crew did not recommence service on the MV Isle of Lewis until CalMac had arranged for the vessel to be deep cleaned.

Question reference: S5W-32833

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 27 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 3 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many bids Transport Scotland received from companies based in (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK as part of the Project Torridon procurement process.

Question reference: S5W-33209

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 13 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 3 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the levels of access to public transport at the end of their shifts for seafarers with (a) CalMac Ferries, (b) Serco NorthLink and (c) private ferry operators since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have closely engaged with all ferry operators throughout the pandemic to fully understand any impacts and mitigations which may be required. As yet, no issues have been raised in any of these discussions with regards to crew accessing public transport at the end of a shift. If the member is aware of any specific examples of difficulties they encountered, I would be keen to explore solutions to address them.

The Scottish Government has provided significant funding support to rail and bus operators, as well as ferry operators, to allow public transport services to continue to operate, particularly for key workers, including crew and staff delivering Scotland's ferry services.

Question reference: S5W-32989

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 3 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a timeline for forming a National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation.

This work is being led by Carolyn McDonald, our Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, supported by a newly appointed Allied Health Professions Advisor for Rehabilitation, to provide leadership and advice in delivering the plan across Scotland.

The next steps include establishing a National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation to provide expert advice to the Scottish Government and support leadership in NHS Boards and Integration Authorities and which will be established by the end of the year.

Question reference: S5W-33213

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 13 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 December 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how it will verify the authenticity of all COVID-19 test results to ensure the veracity of any mass testing and screening that is planned as a means of safely opening up the economy.

Question reference: S5W-33211

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 13 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak that was linked with the MV Isle of Lewis, what discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries to protect (a) public health, (b) seafarer health and safety and (c) the continuity of lifeline services between Oban and Barra.

Transport Scotland officials engaged with CalMac to understand whether any lessons could be learned or improvements made to their procedures.

CalMac follow Scottish Government guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus for both their staff and passengers. They have robust cleaning regimes and protocols on-board to protect crew and passengers. These protocols are constantly reviewed and updated.

CalMac consulted with NHS Scotland Test and Protect service for advice on crew self-isolating requirements. For members of the crew that wanted to protect other members of their households, and so not isolate at home, CalMac arranged alternative accommodation.

CalMac maintained the continuity of lifeline services between Oban and Barra by redirecting the nearby Oban – Lochboisdale service to operate via Barra, and published a temporary timetable. In addition, CalMac provided an additional sailing on the Barra – Eriskay route for onward connection to Oban.

Question reference: S5W-33208

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 13 November 2020
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 30 November 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the use of so-called health passports, which document infection and vaccination status for COVID-19 as part of its economic recovery strategy and future pandemic contingency planning, and what impact such an approach could have with helping to strengthen the airbridge system.

As we gather data on how vaccines confer immunity, we will explore the potential role of immunity passports.

However, even with a vaccine, Scotland will face restrictions for some time to come. This is because not all vaccines prevent transmission and some may instead reduce severity of symptoms. Full information about the impact of early Covid vaccines, including on whether they could prevent transmission, is not yet available.

Until we know more, we are unable to comment on the impact of immunity passports to help strengthen the air bridge system. In the meantime, restrictions will still be needed and it is critical that everyone continues to follow FACTS.

As with all our decisions, we will continue to prioritise public health.