Parliamentary questions
David Linden
48 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
22 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01302 by Neil Gray on 17 July 2026, what training is offered to prison officers to support neurodivergent prisoners; whether such training is compulsory, and (a) how many and (b) what proportion of current officers have completed such training.
24 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a headcount of the number of individuals aged 65 and over who have been held (a) in custody and (b) on remand in each year since 2015.
Answer · Neil Gray: I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:The following table provides the number of people aged 65 and over who have been in prison custody in each full financial year between 201…
24 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many remand prisoners have not been offered a right to work, as is stipulated in The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules forthe Treatment of Prisoners, in each year since 2015.
Answer · Neil Gray: I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:As part of our commitment to rehabilitation and purposeful use of time SPS provide individuals in custody with access to meaningful activi…
24 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many misconduct investigations have been carried out by the Scottish Prison Service in relation to prison staff in each year since 2015.
Answer · Neil Gray: I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS hold our serving staff and prospective staff to the highest of standards. While the vast majority of our staff adhere to the highest s…
24 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to prevent the smuggling of (a) alcohol, (b) drugs, (c) weapons and (d) mobile phones into prisons.
Answer · Neil Gray: I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS are acutely aware of the threat presented to all contraband entering our establishments and we continue to prioritise the health and w…
24 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the total headcount of prison officers in the Scottish Prison Service in each year since 2015.
Answer · Neil Gray: I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:The numbers of prison officers employed by SPS at the end of each financial year from 2015-16 to 2025-26 are set out in the following tabl…
24 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many Scottish Prison Service staff were (a) disciplined, (b) sanctioned and (c) dismissed from their role for inappropriate relationships with prisoners in each year since 2015.
Answer · Neil Gray: I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS hold our serving staff and prospective staff to the highest of standards. While the vast majority of our staff adhere to the highest s…
24 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of people currently held on remand who are from a care experienced background.
Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) operates a Corporate Parenting Strategy 2024-2026 which sets out its approach to supporting care-experienced individuals, including care leavers, within custody.SPS collects information on care leaver status for individuals a…
24 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of people currently in prison who have a diagnosis of neurodivergence.
Answer · Neil Gray: I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:SPS do not directly capture this information, any formal diagnosis and/or data may be recorded by NHS, as since 2011 healthcare within our…
23 Jun 2026 · Inspired Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that resident Commonwealth nationals with limited leave to remain can stand in the local government elections to be held on 6 May 2027.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government has identified a need to amend the law in relation to standing for election and holding office as a councillor ahead of next May’s local government elections. While the law was changed on 1 August 2025 to permit foreign nationals…
11 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the average annual occupancy rate has been at HMP Castle Huntly in each year since 2016.
Answer · Neil Gray: I have asked Linda Pollock, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:HMP Castle Huntly accommodates adult males serving short and long-term sentences who are assessed as suitable for less secure conditions a…
11 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to support teachers and educators to deliver anti-racism education, including to ensure that they are able to do so without facing undue pressure or criticism.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In January 2025, the First Minister launched the Scottish Government anti-racism commitment, which acknowledges that racism exists within our education system, interpersonally and institutionally. This Government is committed to eradicating that racism throug…
11 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider adopting the principles of the European Declaration on Global Education to 2050.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Ministers are supportive of the principles of the European Declaration on Global Education to 2050, in particular its emphasis on climate justice, equity and equality, sustainability, diversity, inclusion, and human rights.The Declaration aligns with…
11 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent meetings ministers have had with organisations that promote Global Citizenship Education.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: Global citizenship education plays a vital role in equipping individuals and communities in Scotland with the knowledge, skills and values needed to understand global challenges, foster solidarity, and promote sustainable development.In terms of recent meetin…
11 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to organisations that promote Global Citizenship Education.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: In relation to school education, the Scottish Government provides grant funding to the Development Education Centres to deliver the Global Citizenship in Scotland programme. This provides professional learning for educators to build the skills and confidence …
11 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote Global Citizenship Education within the tertiary education sector.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: Global citizenship education plays a vital role in equipping individuals and communities in Scotland with the knowledge, skills and values needed to understand global challenges, foster solidarity, and promote sustainable development.In terms of recent meetin…
11 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to promote Global Citizenship Education within the Curriculum for Excellence.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government promotes Global Citizenship Education through its funding to the Development Education Centres (further detail provided in the answer to PQ S7W-00984 on 25 June 2026) and through the implementation of our Learning for Sustainability Ac…
10 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the adequacy of the level of training provided to GPs on (a) the treatment and (b) symptoms of postural tachycardia syndrome.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has not undertaken any specific recent assessment of the adequacy of GP training on postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland, previously NHS Education for Scotland) supports GP education and …
10 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve (a) awareness of and (b) access to treatment for postural tachycardia syndrome.
Answer · Angela Constance: We recognise the importance of improving awareness and understanding of postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) among healthcare professionals. We have worked with Public Services Delivery Scotland (previously NHS Education for Scotland) to develop educational r…
10 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the number of specialist clinicians in Scotland whose area of expertise includes postural tachycardia syndrome.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government has not undertaken a specific assessment of the number of specialist clinicians in Scotland whose expertise includes postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).Autonomic symptoms are often experienced as part of a range of other conditions a…
10 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what secondary care support is available for NHS patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome who are awaiting specialist assessment.
Answer · Angela Constance: Responsibility for service delivery rests with NHS boards which configure services based on local circumstances and the needs of their populations.While awaiting specialist assessment, patients may receive ongoing support within secondary care, including inve…
9 Jun 2026 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the adequacy of provision for Islamic cemeteries and burial grounds in Scotland, including the support or guidance that it provides to local authorities in meeting the needs of Muslim communities.
4 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the Trading Standards Workforce Survey of 2025, which was prepared by the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland.
Answer · Hannah Mary Goodlad: The Scottish Government has reviewed the 2025 biennial workforce survey carried out by the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS).Responsibility for workforce planning rests with individual local authorities and the Convention of …
4 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support and promote modern apprenticeships in regulatory services.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government supports Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and training providers to work with employers to raise awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships to their businesses.SDS currently has operational responsibility for managing apprenticeship…
1 Jun 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the adequacy of provision for Islamic cemeteries and burial grounds in Scotland, including the support or guidance that it provides to local authorities in meeting the needs of Muslim communities.
20 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of stalled spaces in Glasgow where associated remedial works on contaminated land would be deemed to make construction of social housing cost prohibitive.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has worked closely with local authorities and industry partners to identify and address barriers to the delivery of housing, including those related to planning and contaminated land.During 2025, a total of 114 sites across Scotland we…
20 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of its Investing in Communities Fund on the wider role agenda pursued by Housing Associations.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Investing in Communities Fund (ICF) operated on an open competition basis available to community led organisations including Housing Associations. Applications were assessed against the funding criteria, with successful projects monitored and evaluated on…
20 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Housing Associations regarding the future of the Investing in Communities Fund.
Answer · Tom Arthur: We have continued to keep all ICF projects, including those delivered by Housing Associations, updated on progress of the delivery of ICF following the decision of Ministers to support an extension of ICF with transition funding over 2026-27. We will provide …
20 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of Scotland’s ageing population, and what it considers the impact will be on registered social landlords to make future adaptations to properties.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: In March 2021, we published Scotland’s first population strategy, A Scotland for the future: opportunities and challenges of Scotland's changing population. It sets out the cross-cutting demographic challenges that Scotland faces at national and local l…
14 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to increase the provision of men’s sheds.
Answer · Simita Kumar: The Scottish Government has supported the development of Men’s Sheds across Scotland for over a decade, recognising their important role in improving health, wellbeing and social connection. We have invested more than £1 million in the Scottish Me…