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: S6W-01461

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 July 2021
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 21 July 2021

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the advice on its website, which was last updated on 8 July 2021, stating "domestic cruises with more than 12 passengers will be allowed when all of Scotland reaches Level 1", when restrictions on domestic cruises will be lifted.

Question reference: S6W-00410

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the appeal launched by the European Stroke Organisation in May 2021 calling for health ministers across Europe to sign a declaration for action on implementing a Europe-wide stroke action plan, and how its response impacts its Stroke Improvement Plan.

The Scottish Government welcomes the work of the European Stroke Organisation and we agree that it is vital to ensure improvements are made to stroke pathways and services, including prevention, treatment and care.

Through our Programme for Government commitments and the Stroke Improvement Plan, we are already reflecting the aims of the European Stroke Organisation’s appeal targets.

We will continue to implement our Stroke Improvement Plan which sets out our priorities for improving diagnosis, treatment and care for those affected by stroke alongside the ongoing work to deliver the Programme for Government stroke commitments. We are expecting a report on progressive stroke services by the end of December 2021. This will set the intention for our future actions to improve care for people with stroke.

Question reference: S6W-00409

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 03 June 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to publish the definition of its progressive stroke service as detailed in its Programme for Government 2019-20; what plans it has to implement a progressive stroke service, and how it will ensure that people who survive a stroke in Scotland will have the same opportunity to achieve their recovery potential as those across the rest of the UK and North West Europe.

The Scottish Government is expecting a report on progressive stroke services by the end of December 2021. This Report will help to support and drive improvement in stroke services across Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people who have had a stroke receive the best possible care as quickly as possible to enable them to live longer, healthier independent lives. That’s why the Programme for Government 2019-20 commits to ensuring that improvements are made to stroke pathways and services, including prevention, treatment and care. Work is ongoing to deliver against those commitments.

Question reference: S6W-00396

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government when it will begin its public consultation on Nicotine Vapour Products (NVPs), as proposed in the Respiratory Care Action Plan.

Question reference: S6T-00075

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 14 June 2021
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 15 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent survey, which records that more than 2,000 incidents of racism have been reported in schools over the last three years.

Question reference: S6W-00293

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 9 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the figures released by the Scottish Library and Information Council that 123 public libraries remain closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that a number might not reopen, and, in light of this, what support it will give to local authorities to ensure that such lifeline services are protected.

The Scottish Government places great importance on public libraries and believes everyone should have access to these services. Libraries don’t just provide access to reading material. They play a crucial role in providing access to IT, improving attainment, supporting children in the early years, helping engage older people, and empowering our communities.

The Scottish Government is aware of the challenges facing Scotland’s Public Libraries and the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on them, and recognises the way in which many library services have adapted quickly during the pandemic to support their local communities. Officials are working closely with the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), to understand current challenges and facilitate the sector’s recovery.

As of Friday, 4 June, 377 libraries were open, with 104 yet to reopen and these numbers are regularly changing. Officials understand from an update provided by SLIC on 4 June 2021,that 14 more libraries have signalled their intention to reopen soon. In some local authority areas, mobile libraries are operating where libraries are closed.

The Scottish Government has worked with the sector and local authority representatives to produce safer workplace guidance for public libraries to allow these services to be restored safely. The guidance has been updated on a regular basis responding to ongoing feedback from stakeholders and reflecting the latest scientific advice, to facilitate safer reopening. There may be a range of reasons that libraries have not yet reopened, including alternative usage during the pandemic (for example as testing centres) or ability to allow physical distancing within smaller buildings.

Public libraries are devolved to local authorities, who are best placed to decide what services can be offered. Scotland’s councils have been allocated an additional‎ £1.5 billion in direct support through the local government finance settlement and councils have also been granted additional financial flexibilities to address the financial pressures caused by COVID-19.

Furthermore, the 2021-22 Local Government Settlement of almost £11.7 billion provides a cash increase in local government day to day spending for local revenue services of £375.6 million or 3.5 per cent.

Question reference: S6W-00138

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 3 June 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what measures it has put in place to enable timely alternative appointments for people who, for health or work reasons, have been unable to attend their second COVID-19 vaccination appointment, in order to ensure maximum efficacy and given the rising number of cases being attributed to the so-called Indian variant.

Given the risk that the 02 variant may spread quicker around Scotland, having people fully vaccinated is important in reducing risks of morbidity and mortality.

In line with the latest JCVI advice, where vaccine supply allows we will bring forward the second dose of vaccine from 12 to 8 weeks. This will be prioritised in areas which are affected by the 02 variant.

Constituents that have received an appointment that is unsuitable are able to rebook via the portal detailed in their blue letter. Alternatively they can call the covid-19 helpline on 0800 030 8013. Vaccination centre availability and opening hours are co-ordinated by the individual NHS trusts.

Question reference: S5W-35774

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 05 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 22 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to tackle the production and sale of fake Valium pills, in light of reports of potentially lethal pills being sold in Fife as well as online.

The Scottish Government continues to work with partners on Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce to disrupt the production and distribution of illicit drugs, including fake Valium. The availability of illicit pills, particularly fake Valium pills, is of significant concern, bringing misery to individuals, families and communities.

There is evidence that the majority of these tablets are being produced in Scotland by criminal gangs that have access to pill press machines. We will continue to push the UK Government to take action to regulate the sale of pill presses.

Police Scotland and partners, including Royal Mail, continue to work together to stop the carriage of illegal drugs in the postal system including screening of suspicious items, canine detection and encouraging staff to report any suspicious items.

It is clear that we cannot arrest our way out of the drugs crisis and, while enforcement activity will continue, we are investing £250 million over the next session of the parliament to better support those who have found themselves caught up in the illicit drugs trade.

Question reference: S5W-32353

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 07 October 2020
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 19 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government how many flu vaccinations there are in stocks to cover the NHS (a) Forth Valley, (b) Fife and (c) Tayside area, and whether these stocks are sufficient to provide a flu vaccination to everyone living in these areas who meets the necessary criteria.

The Scottish Government has worked with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations to take a four nations approach to procuring vaccine for the 2020/21 Seasonal Flu Vaccination Programme.

The Scottish Government procured sufficient vaccine to vaccinate all eligible cohorts in each Health Board area across Scotland. This was in line with uptake planning assumptions covering 2.4m people across all eligible groups.

We delivered the vaccination programme through a phased approach, based on the best clinical advice, vaccinating those aged above 65 and those considered ‘at risk’ during October and November 2020, with vaccinations being available to vulnerable groups beyond that point.

Question reference: S5W-35837

Asked by: Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 08 March 2021
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 17 March 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what procedures it has in place to ensure the political impartiality of all primary and secondary school teachers while they are conducting classes of all subjects.

I would refer the member to my answer to S5W-35819 on‎ 17 March 2021 which is also relevant. Teachers employed in Scottish schools are required to be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) by law. They are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the GTCS Professional Standards which include having knowledge and understanding of the ways in which natural, social, cultural, political and economic systems function and of how they are interconnected to professional practice. Teachers must also take account of the Code of Professionalism and Conduct which sets out key principles and values for all teachers to uphold standards of personal and professional conduct, honesty and integrity.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx