Parliamentary questions
Stephen Kerr
2,595 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support services are being made available to former patients of Sam Eljamel and their families during reported delays to the public inquiry proceedings.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government fully recognises the pain and distress experienced by people impacted by Mr Eljamel’s practice. That is why we established the statutory public inquiry into the actions of Mr Eljamel and NHS Tayside to ensure patients obtain answ…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contraband, including drugs, weapons, mobile phones and SIM cards, has been recovered from drones intercepted at each prison in each of the last three years.
Answer · Neil Gray: I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00115 on 28 May 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds regarding the number of drones detected in the vicinity of each prison in each of the last five years.
Answer · Neil Gray: I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS understand the risk that drones present to security and stability of our prisons and that is why we have implemented security measures…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of prostate cancer cases that have been diagnosed at a late stage in each of the last five years, and what assessment it has made of whether earlier screening could improve outcomes.
Answer · Angela Constance: Information on prostate cancer staging is available via Public Health Scotland Routes to Diagnosis publication. It is worth noting that survival rates, the most crucial measure for any patient, remain high in comparison to other tumours. Public Health Scotlan…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the First Minister’s reported comments regarding the Northern Ireland Troubles and Sinn Féin what (a) assessment it has made of any impact those comments might have on victims’ families living in Scotland and (b) discussions it has had with any such commun…
Answer · Kirsten Oswald: It is important that the Scottish Government conducts constructive and collaborative relationships with all of the democratically elected governments across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Scottish Government engages with the current Northern Ireland …
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the potential introduction of a universal prostate cancer screening programme in Scotland.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government, along with the other nations of the UK, follows the advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent expert advisory group, when setting screening policy.The UK NSC does not currently recommend a universal screen…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds regarding the number of student nurses who have withdrawn from nursing degree courses, broken down by institution, in each of the last five academic years.
Answer · Angela Constance: The information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government.
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what research it has commissioned, reviewed or relied upon regarding any impact of digital device use in schools on children’s concentration, literacy, communication skills and social development.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government keeps emerging national and international evidence under review, including work from bodies such as UNESCO and the OECD, to understand how digital tools can support learning, wellbeing and positive educational outcomes. This research h…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential impact that the reported shortages of newly qualified nurses could have on NHS staffing levels and patient safety, over the next five years.
Answer · Angela Constance: The nursing workforce has increased by 16.0% over the last decade to 65,350.2 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff as at December 2025.The Scottish Government has worked closely with NHS Education for Scotland (NES), now part of Public Services Delivery Scotland…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK National Screening Committee regarding any evidence for and against the introduction of universal prostate cancer screening.
Answer · Maree Todd: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent expert advisory group, advises all four UK nations on population health screening programmes. Officials from the governments of all four nations, including the Scottish Government, attend all meetin…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of jobs that are directly and indirectly supported by the North Sea oil and gas industry.
Answer · Stephen Gethins: The Scottish Government continues to monitor and consider a range of evidence in relation to the energy sector.As part of this, we commissioned and published independent analysis on Scotland’s Energy System and Just Transition in 2023. An update, publis…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing national restrictions or limits on the use of tablets, iPads and other personal digital devices in primary schools and nursery settings.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In a Statement to Parliament yesterday, I confirmed the Scottish Government’s intention to change the law to facilitate phone free learning environments.I confirmed we are beginning a consultation on phone free classrooms legislation within our first 10…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS boards, universities and professional bodies regarding reported concerns over burnout, stress and retention within the nursing workforce.
Answer · Angela Constance: The wellbeing of our health and social care professionals, including nurses, is vitally important to this government, and is fundamental to ensuring they can deliver high-quality, compassionate care to individuals and communities.Scottish Government continues…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds regarding vacancy rates for (a) nurses, (b) midwives and (c) other frontline NHS staff, in each NHS board area, in each of the last five years.
Answer · Angela Constance: Data on vacancy rates for medical and dental consultants, nursing and midwifery, and allied health professionals are collected quarterly and made publicly available through Turas Data Intelligence on the Official workforce statistics website - NHS Scotland Wo…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any educational impact of the reported increase in use of digital devices in primary school classrooms and early years settings.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Responsibility for decisions about the delivery of education, including the use of digital approaches in classrooms and early years settings, rests with local authorities, who are best placed to assess the impact of local practice in light of the needs of the…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Scottish National Party’s 2026 election manifesto pledge to cap the prices of certain food products, what data it has considered, including any international comparisons undertaken or economic modelling conducted.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00062 on 2 June 2026. 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/w…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reasons cited for the reported increase in the number of schools that are installing panic alarm systems for staff use in classrooms and school buildings.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Local authorities hold statutory responsibility for managing and maintaining their school estate, and we expect them to provide safe environments for all school users.The Scottish Government recognises the pressures that many school staff are currently facing…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on the number of schools that have installed panic alarm or emergency alert systems for teachers and staff, broken down by local authority area, in each of the last five years.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Local authorities hold statutory responsibility for managing and maintaining their school estate, and we expect them to provide safe environments for all school users.The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of schools with panic alarm …
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential impact that further reductions in North Sea oil and gas activity could have on employment levels in the north east of Scotland.
Answer · Stephen Gethins: The Scottish Government continues to monitor and consider a range of evidence in relation to the energy sector.As part of this approach, we commissioned and published in 2023 a package of independent analysis on Scotland’s Energy System and Just Transit…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds regarding the total amount paid out by each local authority in each of the last five years in compensation claims relating to vehicle damage caused by potholes.
Answer · Stephen Flynn: Local authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.The Scottish Government…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the reasons cited for the reported increase in the number of patients waiting more than 24 hours in accident and emergency departments.
Answer · Angela Constance: I recognise the significant pressures facing our Emergency Departments. The challenges we see in A&E are due to blockages across the whole-system, including high hospital occupancy, delays in discharge and increasing patient complexity.This may result in …
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to address reported workforce shortages in accident and emergency departments and wider unscheduled care services across NHS Scotland.
Answer · Angela Constance: We recognise there are workforce pressures across A&E and unscheduled care; however, these reflect wider whole system challenges, and our focus is on improving patient flow and reducing avoidable demand through the Operational Improvement Plan and early p…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has undertaken of any potential impact of the introduction of statutory price caps on food products proposed in the Scottish National Party's 2026 manifesto, on food producers retailers and supply chains.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00062 on 2 June 2026. 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/w…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions ministers have had with major retailers, food manufacturers and industry representative bodies regarding reported concerns that food price controls proposed in the Scottish National Party's 2026 manifesto could lead to higher operating costs and reduced competitiveness.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00062 on 2 June 2026. 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/w…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the local road network is currently classified as requiring maintenance or repair, broken down by local authority area.
Answer · Stephen Flynn: Local authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain local roads in their area and duties under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic.The Scottish Government…
18 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what national guidance currently exists regarding the installation and use of panic alarm or emergency alert systems in schools.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Local authorities hold statutory responsibility for managing and maintaining their school estate, and have guidance and procedures in place to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of children and young people.In June 2025 the Scottish Government published …
10 Mar 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what further support provisions will be available to Alexander Dennis following the expiration of the current £4 million support package this month.
4 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what briefings have been provided to the First Minister by the Lord Advocate on Operation Branchform that have not yet been disclosed to the Parliament.
Answer · Dorothy Bain: I explained to Parliament on 18 and 25 February and in my letter to the Presiding Officer on 24 February 2026, in respect of the case known as Operation Branchform, that I did not provide briefings on the case to the First Minister. I provided limited factual…
4 Mar 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to reduce the number of violent and disruptive incidents in schools.
2 Mar 2026 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister, in light of the recently published Commission on School Reform manifesto warning that the curriculum for excellence has been poorly implemented and is harming long-term prospects, what the Scottish Government's position is on whether a lack of clear, nationally specified curriculum content a…