Maggie Chapman

20 Mar 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the mental wellbeing of asylum seekers accommodated in hotels in Scotland.

13 Mar 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent report by the Scottish Human Rights Commission to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which referred to the need to improve conditions across the prison estate and improve access to appropriate healthcare for those in detention.

21 Feb 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regarding the plans required to address the carcinogenic nature of firefighting.

16 Feb 2024 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on whether successive changes to national taxation policy in Scottish Budgets will support the redistribution of wealth and help sustain vital public services.

24 Jan 2024 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the provision available for children, and those who teach or look after them, who were babies or toddlers during the COVID-19 pandemic and missed out on important socialisation opportunities.

Answer · Natalie Don: Providing high quality early learning and childcare is critical to supporting children to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, including by supporting them to participate in much needed socialisation and play-based activities. Scotland is the only…

17 Jan 2024 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to the recent Families Outside report, Staying Connected: Care-experienced children and young people with a sibling in prison or secure care.

14 Dec 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation on ending conversion practices.

Answer · Emma Roddick: The Scottish Government is committed to introducing legislation on ending conversion practices in Scotland. In developing our proposals for legislative change we have carefully considered a wide range of evidence and expert advice. This includes the report of…

7 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the reported decision by S-Mart in Forfar to close due to rising energy costs, in light of its aim to help social enterprise initiatives that support Scotland’s wellbeing economy.

Answer · Neil Gray: We recognise the strain the UK cost crisis is placing on social enterprises. S-Mart have already made contact with Community Enterprise who co-ordinate a crisis recovery service for social enterprises, designed to help organisations get the right support quic…

6 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any impact on communities, including in the north east, of conditionality in public sector procurement.

29 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its potential impact on the delivery of emergency services, transport and health services in Scotland, what its position is on whether the UK Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 undermines (a) trade unions and (b) the fair work principle of effective worker voice, …

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government remains strongly opposed to the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 and any associated secondary legislation which affects devolved services. This legislation seeks to undermine legitimate trade union activity and does not respec…

29 Nov 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the application for a new gas-fired power plant at Peterhead has been called in by the Scottish Ministers.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The application for construction and operation of a new generating station at Peterhead is one made under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, directly to Scottish Ministers. This is due to its proposed generating capacity being in excess of 50 megawatts. …

1 Nov 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of the Scottish Mental Health Law Review on the legal status of autistic people in relation to treatment and involuntary detention.

10 Oct 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its assessment is of the reported loss of food crops in the North East Scotland region as a result of recent flooding.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The rainfall we have seen across Scotland in October has been extreme, affecting many communities and businesses. The Scottish Government has been in close contact with the agricultural sector through our Area Offices and networks to determine the extent to w…

2 Oct 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the measures in place to tackle the climate emergency will also help to address poverty.

26 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what support is provided to trans people and their companions when accessing healthcare, including gender reassignment surgery.

26 Sep 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress in developing future plans for supporting displaced people from Ukraine living in Scotland.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Today I am pleased to announce the launch of ‘A Warm Scots Future’ in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, and the Scottish Refugee Council. The paper sets out the policy direction for the next phase of Scotland’s response to the hu…

19 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to ensure that seasonal agricultural workers have access to effective worker voice under its Fair Work commitments.

13 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Fire Brigades Union regarding the FBU’s DECON campaign to raise awareness of and mitigate the carcinogenic nature of firefighting.

30 Aug 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with communities in the North East Scotland region on any increases to and reform of council tax.

3 Aug 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports in the Angus area of prisoners being unable to attend children’s hearings, regarding their children, due to staff shortages at the prison escort service, GEOAmey.

Answer · Angela Constance: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows: SPS recognises the importance of attendance at Children’s Hearings for those in prisons and their families and remains committed to wo…

27 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported calls from Climate Camp Scotland and Unite for the Scottish Government to produce a green industrial strategy, which would include plans for decarbonisation of large industrial plants such as the INEOS complex at Grangemouth.

Answer · Neil Gray: Scotland is committed to reaching net zero and to ensuring the journey is fair and just for everyone. The draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan lays out over 150 actions, as well as consulting on further actions, to help maximise a just transition t…

28 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a cat being caught and injured in a snare in St Cyrus, whether it has considered banning snares to reduce the incidence of non-target capture of species, for example, cats, dogs or badgers, in snares.

Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-19052 on 22 June 2023. 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-committe…

20 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how its international development work is supporting the connections between humanitarian aid and loss and damage.

14 Jun 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish a public consultation on a Human Rights Bill for Scotland.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has published a public consultation on a Human Rights Bill for Scotland today, 15 June 2023 and it will be open until 5 October 2023. The consultation seeks views on policy proposals to inform a new Human Rights Bill, which will be a s…

8 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress, including the timetable, regarding the proposed legislation to end conversion practices.

Answer · Emma Roddick: Conversion practices that try to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are harmful, discriminatory, and have no place in our society. We are clear in our commitment to introduce legislation to end conversion practices in Scotland. Detailed …

31 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact on Scottish academic standards and the reputation of Scottish higher education of the proposed regulation changes reportedly adopted by many Scottish universities that would enable students to progress, or graduate, without final marks …

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government is greatly concerned about any adverse impact on students resulting from industrial action, and fully expects universities to put in place appropriate mitigations to minimise disruption to studies. As autonomous bodies, universities ar…

10 May 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government and universities regarding the potential impact on visas for international students at Scottish universities of any delays in marking assessments.

17 Apr 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on what recent engagement the Scottish Government has had with the UK Government regarding the proposed development of the Rosebank oil and gas field, in light of the Scottish Government's draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan.

22 Mar 2023 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of recent reported comments by the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland regarding children and families with no recourse to public funds being unable to access frontline services in Scotland, what action it can take within devolved powers to monitor the situation o…

14 Mar 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what its most recent analysis of the provision of legal aid found in relation to geographic area and types of cases covered.