Parliamentary questions

Jackson Carlaw

1,088 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

13 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to allowing university students arriving back in the country from studying abroad to (a) be exempted from the requirement to enter a period of managed isolation at a quarantine hotel for 10 days or (b) complete the period of quarantine at their home addres…

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government has been exploring with the university sector how student accommodation could be used for the purposes of managed isolation for students returning to Scotland after a period of study abroad. Restrictions around international travel ar…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) purchasing respirator hoods and stealth masks for dentists who are unable to be face fit tested for FFP3 masks, so that they can continue to undertake aerosol-generating procedures, and what assessment it has mad…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: It is vital that frontline staff from all clinical groups receive the protective equipment they require. For instance, National Procurement within NHS National Services Scotland (NP) are currently providing £1.5 million of PPE per week free of charge to denta…

10 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many claims have been made to Revenue Scotland for a repayment of the Additional Dwelling Supplement in each year since 2016, and how many of the requests have been (a) accepted and (b) declined.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Revenue Scotland publishes statistics on Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) in its role as the tax authority responsible for the collection and management of the fully devolved taxes . Table 3 of Revenue Scotland’s monthly LBTT official statistics pub…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-33642 by Jeane Freeman on 16 December 2020, whether it will provide a breakdown of the reasons given for applications to the mesh fund being declined.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: A small number of applications have been declined, either because the operation in question did not involve the implantation of transvaginal mesh, because insufficient evidence was provided, or because implantation of mesh was not carried out by or on behalf …

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-33642 by Jeane Freeman on 16 December 2020, whether it will provide an update regarding the number of applications that have been made to the mesh fund, broken down by how many (a) have been approved, (b) have been declined and (c) are yet to be pro…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The mesh fund is being administered by NHS National Services Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. The following table illustrates, as at 15 March 2021, the number of applications approved, declined and pending: Received 472 Approved 434 Decline…

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many requests for face covering exemption cards have been received, broken down by local authority area, and how many (a) have been approved, (b) have been declined and (c) are yet to be processed.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The vast majority of people can wear a face covering, including most people with a lung condition such as asthma, and everyone who can wear a face covering in the mandated spaces is legally required to. However, we recognise that there are certain situations …

9 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many road traffic incidents there have been in each local authority area in each year since 2016-17, also broken down by the number of incidents where it was recorded that an animal was (a) injured and (b) killed.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Reported Road Casualties Scotland provides information on accidents reported to the police where one or more people have been injured. The latest statistics available are up to 2019. The following tables show a) the number of injury accidents by council area…

5 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to amending its COVID-19 guidance to exempt people who have a face covering exemption card from wearing a face covering when they are required to travel in the same vehicle as a carer, who does not reside at the same address, and social distancing cannot b…

Answer · Jeane Freeman: We have produced guidance on car and vehicle sharing during the pandemic, which can be found on the Scottish Government website. When car sharing, occupants, including the driver, are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering provided it does not compromise…

4 Mar 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many universities and colleges have formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, and what steps it is taking to encourage more higher education providers to endorse this definition.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government, Universities Scotland, College Development Network and Colleges Scotland are clear that there is no place for antisemitism in further and higher education. Universities, as autonomous institutions, are aware of the IHRA definition of…

22 Feb 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the anticipated outcomes and timetable are for the Case Record Review into mesh implant surgeries, which is being led, as moderator, by Professor Alison Britton.

2 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in situations where a couple live together in the same household and have a child less than a year old, but where one parent is required to spend periods of time away for essential work-related reasons, whether the parent caring for the child at home by themselves is permitted to form a…

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government continues to acknowledge the fact that on-going restrictions have been challenging for everyone, in particular for parents and new mothers. However, we do not intend to revise the extended household rules to include all parents with a …

2 Feb 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether families with a child less than a year old, where the parents live together in the same household, are allowed to form an extended household during the current lockdown, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

7 Jan 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to directing local authorities to make childcare provision available in circumstances where both parents are required to undertake employment responsibilities outside of the home setting during the existing period of lockdown but only one parent has been c…

Answer · John Swinney: The definitions of key workers have been designed to provide local authorities with the flexibility to meet the needs of their local communities. When determining which children should attend, local authorities and childcare settings should have regard to the…

7 Jan 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has given consideration to directing local authorities to consider designating people that work in the (a) construction and (b) manufacturing industries as key workers for the purpose of accessing childcare provision in schools.

Answer · John Swinney: In order to achieve our primary objective of reducing interactions and helping to drive down community transmission of Covid-19, the number of key worker children presenting to schools during the current strict lockdown must be kept to an absolute minimum. Th…

4 Jan 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people aged over 70 have been asked to attend jury duty in each year since 2015-16, also broken down by how many had an application to be excused from service (a) accepted and (b) refused.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: These statistics are not collected.

4 Jan 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to automatically exempting all people aged over 70 from jury duty.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: There has been no consideration around automatically exempting all people aged over 70 from jury duty. There is currently no age limit at which you may cease to be called for jury service, but from the age of 71 you are permitted to be excused. In addition, i…

30 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to raise awareness among mesh-injured women of the £1 million mesh fund that was opened in July 2020.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-33642 on 16 December 2020. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusine…

30 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many payments have been made from the £1 million mesh fund that was opened in July 2020, and what the total value is of all compensation that has been paid out so far to mesh-injured women.

30 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many applications have been made for a £1,000 compensation award from the £1 million mesh fund that was opened in July 2020, also broken down by how many have (a) been approved, (b) been rejected and (c) yet to be processed.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) is administering the mesh fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. The following table illustrates, as at 2 December 2020, the number of applications accepted, declined and pending, as well as the amount that has so far…

30 Nov 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what further consideration it has given to whether the NHS should fully meet the costs associated with mesh-injured women visiting Dr Dionysios Veronikis in the United States to undergo full mesh removal.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Government continues to support the member’s amendment to the motion that I tabled in the Parliament on 8 September, which stated that women affected by complications arising from mesh should have “the early prospect of full transvaginal mesh removal surg…

5 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether employment considerations such as a student holding a part-time job near to their family home would be considered as a "reasonable excuse" to return to the family residence for a short stay or visit, in accordance with the guidance for students published on 28 September 2020.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Our guidance for students on visits home (published 27 September 2020) explains how the current restrictions on gatherings apply to students living away from home. It should be read alongside wider Scottish Government guidance and sets out the steps students …

1 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to a public health campaign ahead of (a) Hallowe’en and (b) Bonfire Night to ensure that the (i) COVID-19 guidance is adhered to and (ii) emergency services are not overwhelmed.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is developing a campaign to run in advance of Halloween and Bonfire Night, detailing how children and families can celebrate both days safely. The campaign will highlight activities that can be enjoyed within the current Covid restrict…

24 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the National Deaf Children’s Society's campaign to widen access to clear face coverings in order to improve communication with deaf people, while still protecting the public from COVID-19.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government is aware that where face coverings and face masks are worn there may be additional challenges for those who are deaf or rely on lip-reading, as well as others with different communication needs. I understand the National Deaf Children’…

24 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its estimate is of the (a) number and (b) percentage of pupils who have been wearing a face covering at all times when moving around school corridors and communal areas in each local authority since the updated guidance was published on 25 August 2020.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Implementation of the agreed guidance is the responsibility of local authorities and schools, working closely with their school communities. However, we are working with partners to carefully monitor ho…

9 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to making it a statutory requirement for local authorities to provide free school transport for (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils who have additional support needs in all circumstances, including when attending a particular school due to a placin…

Answer · John Swinney: Education authorities have a duty under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 to make such arrangements as they consider necessary for the transport between home and school of pupils residing, and attending schools, in their area. In considering these arrangemen…

9 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last reviewed school transport provision for (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils who have additional support needs.

4 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress there has been with developing the application process for the Places of Worship fund, and when religious groups will be able to apply for the financial support to enhance their security measures.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has considered a number of approaches, including the application process used by the UK Government for their security funding scheme. We will work with faith groups and delivery partners to develop the application process, including th…

4 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in determining how best to involve religious groups in formulating the Places of Worship fund, and to help with the development of it.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government has well-developed relationships with representatives from the main faith groups in Scotland. These groups will provide us with an effective way to involve faith communities in the development of the security funding scheme.

4 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether its Places of Worship fund will still have a value of £500,000.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Places of Worship security funding scheme will have a value of £500,000. Taking into account the time required for engagement with faith groups, and the application and assessment process we anticipate that grants will be paid in Spring 2021.

4 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent work has taken place on establishing a Places of Worship fund, and whether this will be available at some point in 2020, as was planned prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Prior to the COVID 19 pandemic, good progress was made in developing the Scottish Places of Worship Security Funding Scheme. This work has recently resumed including the rescheduling of key elements of the scheme. We aim to open the scheme for applications la…