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-00004

Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what differences in pay there are between the different professional groups that are performing COVID-19 vaccinations, and for what reason some vaccinators delivering the same service are reportedly paid less than others.

All staff employed to work on the programme are paid in accordance with nationally set terms and conditions and are working to agreed job roles.

A substantive Band 3 vaccinator is paid £20,700 rising to £22,594 (per annum). A Band 5 immunisations nurse is paid £25,100 to £31,649, in line with Agenda for Change rates. Substantive staff from other areas of the health service working overtime and redeployed staff are paid according to their terms and conditions of service. Bank staff who do not also hold contracts of employment with the host health board are paid at the grade and pay band as specified in their bank contract, relating to the role profile pursuant to which they have been deployed.

The Scottish Government has set sessional rates of £230 and £231 for independent contractors (GPs, dentists, optometrists and pharmacists) taking part in the COVID-19 vaccination programme. These rates reflect both the market conditions for hiring these professionals, and the roles being filled in the programme.

The above arrangements have supported the temporary deployment of staff during the initial phases of the vaccination programme, while work is taken forward to build a sustainable vaccination workforce.

Question reference: S6W-00017

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it will publish the outline business case for its proposed publicly-owned energy company.

Question reference: S6W-00016

Asked by: Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 24 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when it expects the new Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise to be in place.

Question reference: S6W-00162

Asked by: Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 21 May 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by John Swinney on 21 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.

Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 today.

These Regulations move Moray to Level 2 from Saturday, 22 May. The Regulations also add the areas of Bedford Borough Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council to the list of places in which the Common Travel Area travel restrictions apply from Monday, 24 May.

The Regulations have been published at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/211/made .

Question reference: S6W-00027

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 13 May 2021
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 21 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made regarding improving treatment for women after they have experienced a miscarriage.

The Scottish Government has given a commitment to establishing a dignified, compassionate miscarriage service tailored to the needs of women. The aim is to support the development of individualised care plans after a woman’s first miscarriage and ensure maternity departments have dedicated facilities for women who are experiencing unexpected pregnancy complications.

We also welcome the findings of the Lancet series on miscarriage published on‎ 26 April 2021 and are considering the findings and recommendations made. Next steps are being discussed with stakeholders.

Question reference: S6W-00048

Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 14 May 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by John Swinney on 17 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the COVID-19 legislation in place.

Amending Regulations were made to the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 on Friday, 14 May.

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 in line with the latest changes announced by the First Minister. The Regulations permit snooker & pool halls and bowling alleys to reopen in Level 2 and allow increased in-home socialising in Level 2 areas. These Regulations make some adjustments in relation to powers of entry, hotels and to the requirements placed on those responsible for businesses, services and places of worship. The Regulations future-proof the travel restrictions for Level 3 and 4 by reintroducing a limitation on travel to reach a place for outdoor exercise, socialising and recreation. The Regulations also adjust the restrictions relating to capacity limits on stadia and live events and for public processions in some levels.

Finally, these Regulations adjust the levels allocation across Scotland. This includes keeping Glasgow and Moray in Level 3.

The Regulations have been published at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2021/209/contents/made.

Question reference: S6W-00030

Asked by: Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 14 May 2021
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Graeme Dey on 14 May 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what legislative consent memorandums it anticipates lodging in the Parliament in relation to the legislative programme of the UK Government announced in The Queen’s Speech on 11 May 2021.

In accordance with the Sewel Convention and in line with Rule 9B of Standing Orders, the UK Parliament should not legislate with regard to devolved matters – that is on matters within the legislative competence of the Parliament or which change the competence of the Parliament or the Scottish Ministers – without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.

Within the legislative programme announced by the UK Government, Bills which appear to give rise to the requirement for the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament are:

Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill

Electoral Integrity Bill

Environment Bill

Health and Care Bill

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

Procurement Reform Bill

Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill

Professional Qualifications Bill

Kept Animals Bill

The Scottish Government will consider the content of all Bills before making its recommendation to the Parliament on legislative consent. It will then be for the Scottish Parliament to determine whether to give or withhold consent.

It is possible that legislative consent may be required for other UK Bills and those will be drawn to the attention of the Parliament as they arise.