Beatrice Wishart

2 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports collaborative research on brain tumours.

Answer · Jenni Minto: In March 2025 the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office and the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) announced a partnership to advance brain tumour treatment, care and research through Scotland's first dedicated neuro-oncology fellowships.Two TJBCM…

2 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that all patients with brain tumours have equal access to drug treatments, regardless of where they live.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the availability of safe and effective medicines that people in Scotland would benefit from. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) assesses the clinical and cost effectiveness of newly licensed medicines on…

2 Sep 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to brain tumour patients.

Answer · Jenni Minto: We know that cancer, and its treatments, can have a significant impact on an individual’s physical health. Scottish Government recognises the impact that a cancer diagnosis can also have on individuals financially and emotionally and is committed to sup…

30 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government's announcement that it will not pursue plans for zonal energy prices, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding this, including how it might support local authorities that might wish to pursue the possibility of a local energy rate.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Now that they have discounted zonal pricing, we will continue to urge the UK Government to immediately set out what a reformed national market will mean for bill-payers, developers and investors. It is essential that the UK Government takes urgent action to a…

30 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will compensate people injured or harmed by turbine blade pass frequency emissions, in the event that it considers that the update to the Working Group on Noise from Wind Turbines' 1996 report, The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms (ETSU-R-97), fails to prote…

Answer · Gillian Martin: The UK Government has recently launched a consultation on proposed updates to the guidance for assessing and rating wind turbine noise. These updates aim to reflect the latest evidence on turbine noise emissions, advances in turbine technology, and evolving a…

25 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38187 by Jim Fairlieon 17 June 2025 and in relation to the Air Discount Scheme, which is due to expireon 31 March 2026, whether it will consider including business travel in the AirDiscount Scheme when it is renewed by a new notification under the U…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: Ministers have no plans to introduce business travel under the Air Discount Scheme.An extension of the Air Discount Scheme is unaffordable at this time.

25 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for long-term health conditions.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government recognises that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may offer benefits for some individuals living with long-term health conditions. Decisions about treatment are made by clinicians in consultation with patients, based on clinical need and the b…

25 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will support research into the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for long-term health conditions, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID. 

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office supports open competitive grant and fellowship schemes for applied health research in Scotland across a wide remit. This remit is inclusive of consideration of applications for funding for research on nov…

25 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to studies indicating that hyperbaric oxygen therapy may have positive effects for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and long COVID. 

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government expects that any decisions on treatment for people affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) or long COVID should be informed by current clinical guidelines.National Institute for Health and Care Excellenc…

25 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) agricultural, (b) forestry and (c) fishing businesses closed down in (i) 2023-24, (ii) 2024-25 and (iii) 2025-26 to date.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The preferred source for data on business closures is the annual Office for National Statistics (ONS) Business Demography series, the latest edition is available at: Business demography, UK - Office for National Statistics. Business closures are a proxy for t…

7 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported calls from the RSPB for a moratorium on gamebird and Mallard releases in 2025 due to the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds in Britain being formally classed as "high".

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The SG has no plans to bring forward a moratorium on gamebird and Mallard releases in 2025.Where release of gamebirds may adversely affect the natural features of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (and so is listed as an Operation Requiring Consent…

7 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns that Scottish SPCA guidance stating that, in the event of an animal requiring euthanasia, a vet should perform the injection rather than Scottish SPCA staff could result in increased animal suffering due to difficulties accessing a vet for the an…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: The Scottish Government is aware of the changes introduced by the Scottish SPCA in respect to how it deals with the euthanasia of wild animals. The Society has assured the Scottish Government that it is taking every step to ensure that animal welfare is not c…

4 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the timeline is for the process of replacing MV (a) Hjaltland, (b) MV Hrossey and (c) MV Hamnavoe, which serve the Northern Isles Ferry Service route.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-39215 on 30 July 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/…

4 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to begin the process of replacing MV (a) Hjaltland, (b) Hrossey and (c) Hamnavoe, which serve the Northern Isles Ferry Service route.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-39215 on 30 July 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/…

4 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government in which year it anticipates that new ferries to replace MV (a) Hjaltland, (b) Hrossey and (c) Hamnavoe, which serve the Northern Isles Ferry Service route, will come into service.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Vessels and Ports Plan, published as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan, indicates delivery of new tonnage to replace the three NIFS Ro-Pax vessels is expected within Phase 3 (2031-2036). Work on planning for and procuring their replacements will comme…

4 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what cost estimates it has made of the process to replace MV (a) Hjaltland, (b) Hrossey and (c) Hamnavoe, which have served on the Northern Isles Ferry Service route since 2002.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to the question S6W-39215 on 30 July 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committ…

2 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any (a) disruption and (b) health implications reportedly caused by wind turbines, and what consideration it has given to changing its planning policy for wind turbines, in light of reports that subaudible, low-frequency noise emissions can have an impact o…

Answer · Ivan McKee: Guidance on the assessment of noise from onshore wind turbines across the UK is set out in the UK Government’s ETSU-R-97 guidance. The UK Government is currently consulting on an update which aims to bring the guidance in line with available evidence on…

1 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland or the operator, Serco Northlink Ferries, have calculated any additional costs to islanders who have to transport their vehicle as freight, at a higher charge, when there is no vehicle or cabin capacity on the passenger vessels on Northern Isles routes on the d…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: There is no need to calculate additional costs as Serco Northlink Ferries will transport passengers’ cars on a corresponding freight sailing at no extra cost.

1 Jul 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland or the operator, Serco Northlink Ferries, have carried out a recent assessment of potentially introducing occasional daytime sailings on Northern Isles routes to relieve any pressure on passenger capacity during peak times.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Serco NorthLink Ferries (SNF) carry out ongoing assessments to monitor capacity across the Northern Isles routes.

27 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency regarding potentially expanding the available locations offered by the Scottish Driving Assessment Service for people who wish to commence, resume or continue driving after illness or injury, in light of the …

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government has had no recent discussions with the DVSA about the expansion of locations offered by the Scottish Driving Assessment Service.The Scottish Driving Assessment Service is a matter for NHS Boards, and is hosted by NHS Lothian on behalf …

24 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position regarding introducing at-home human papillomavirus self-sampling as part of the NHS cervical screening programme, in light of reports that such at-home screening tests are to be offered in England.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government welcomes the recommendation made by the UK National Screening Committee in June 2025 that evidence supports offering HPV self-sampling to individuals who have not attended their cervical screening appointment within six months of their…

20 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last engaged with the UK Government regarding its consultation on Building the North Sea's Energy Future.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is clear in our support for a just transition for Scotland’s valued oil and gas sector, which recognises the maturity of the North Sea basin and is in line with our climate change commitments and energy security.Decisions on lice…

20 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it is having with the UK Government regarding replacing the existing North Sea Transition Deal with a coherent transition plan that has had input from unions, as well as affected workers and communities.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government is clear in our support for a just transition for Scotland’s valued oil and gas sector, which recognises the maturity of the North Sea basin and is in line with our climate change commitments and energy security.Decisions on lice…

20 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to accelerate the publication of a coherent just transition plan, which sets out when and where key interventions will be undertaken to support any workers and communities that are dependent on high-carbon industries.

Answer · Gillian Martin: We are committed to developing Just Transition Plans that provide certainty for workers and communities. To that end, we published our draft Transport Just Transition Plan in February, our Grangemouth Just Transition Plan in June, and we intend to publish the…

18 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-35682 by Fiona Hyslop on 27 March 2025, and in light of the CPI rate announcement on 18 June 2025, when the Northern Isles Ferry Service booking system will open for bookings for dates beyond 31 December 2025.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-35682 on 27 March 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees…

17 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the Chief Scientist Office’s budget for excesstreatment costs has been in each of the last five years.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Chief Scientist Office Excess Treatment Cost (ETC) budget for each of the last 5 Financial Years is as follows:Financial YearETC Budget2020-2021 £450,0002021-2022 £450,0002022-2023 £450,0002023-2024 £450,0002024-2025 £900,000

17 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has undertaken with stakeholders regarding a workable solution to enable patients in Scotland to take part in proton beam therapy clinical trials, and what the estimated timeline is for the conclusion of any such work.

Answer · Neil Gray: Scottish Government Officials have held 2 stakeholder meetings including representatives from the NHS Boards to discuss access for patients in Scotland to Proton Beam Therapy clinical trials delivered at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust Proton Beam Therapy C…

17 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the study, Is the Whole Farm Plan Suitable for the Shetland Islands?, conducted by Katrina Coutts as part of her Honours degree in Agriculture at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) Craibstone, which identified negative impacts of the Whole Farm Plan on Shetland&…

Answer · Jim Fairlie: Small farms and crofts are vital for delivering on the Vision for Agriculture and the plans and audits that make up the Whole Farm Plan will provide value to all businesses, regardless of scale.In this first year, we only expect farmers and crofters to undert…

10 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-37676 by Fiona Hyslop on 4 June 2025, what action it will take to ensure that the current transport needs of island communities are met until the new vessels begin sailing on the Northern Isles Ferry Service route, in light of reports that there are…

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The operator, NorthLink Ferries is tasked with making the best use of available vessel and port resources at all times. The current contract allows flexibility within the timetable to manage demand across the year and from sector to sector. Transport Scotland…

6 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding drinking water and public health in Scotland, what its response is to reports that the United States Environmental Protection Agency includes asbestos-cement pipes in its overall assessment of asbestos as a hazardous material, in light of reported studies showing that asbestos…

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government takes the quality of Scotland’s drinking water very seriously, with drinking water standards prescribed in the Public Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2014, as amended. These Regulations reflect the standards set out in the …