Parliamentary questions
Monica Lennon
3,484 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
3 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent hospitals from discharging substance users from medical care when they are still under the influence of substances.
Answer · Elena Whitham: Clinical decisions taken in NHS Scotland hospitals are not a matter for the Scottish Government. Decisions must be taken in line with established professional accountabilities which are in place for NHS Scotland. Decisions to discharge any patients from med…
3 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the families of people who have been hospitalised for substance use issues are notified when those hospitalised are discharged.
Answer · Elena Whitham: Clinical decisions taken in NHS Scotland hospitals are not a matter for the Scottish Government. Decisions must be taken in line with established professional accountabilities which are in place for NHS Scotland. Decisions to discharge any patients from med…
2 Oct 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-19839 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 17 July 2023, whether an electronic QR code option is now being included on vouchers for reusable nappy kits in the Baby Box.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government’s universal Baby Box programme, the only one in the UK, opened for registration on 15 June 2017. Nationwide delivery of Baby Boxes began on 15 August 2017 for all babies born and resident in Scotland. We commenced issue of reusable na…
27 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet with representatives of Disability Equality Scotland.
Answer · Emma Roddick: Officials will next meet with representatives from Disability Equality Scotland on 1 November 2023. We meet regularly with Disability Equality Scotland as part of the development of the Immediate Priorities Plan and will continue to engage with representativ…
27 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has discussed the issue of bankruptcy with local authorities, and, if so, when any such discussions last took place.
Answer · Tom Arthur: We have had no specific discussions of bankruptcy with local authorities and no local authorities have indicated concerns of potential bankruptcy. We recognise the challenging environment local authorities face and that is why we are committed to a New Deal …
27 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can take any further action to prevent the development of a new oil field at Rosebank, in light of the UK regulator's decision to approve the development.
Answer · Neil Gray: Offshore Oil and Gas Licensing is reserved to the UK Government.
27 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place in the event that a local authority is declared bankrupt.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Any indications of concern would be raised with the local authority. The Scottish Ministers would consider how best to support the local authority including and may seek assurance that action would be taken to address concerns. In a case of serious financial…
27 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of any incidents of mass dumping of single-use vapes, and, if so, who was identified as being responsible for any such incidents.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government does not hold information on specific litter or flytipping incidents, which are reported to local authorities or SEPA.
27 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any risk of local authorities declaring bankruptcy.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Audit Scotland conduct annual audits of the financial reports of local authorities in Scotland. In addition, Best Value audits ensure that a local authority is delivering its duty of best value and operating in a prudent and sustainable manner. The audit and …
27 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported concerns regarding the rail maintenance budget.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The rail maintenance budget is set and confirmed by Office of Rail and Road for the full Control Period (current Control period covers financial years 2019 - 2024) and that funding amount does not change. Throughout the current Control Period, the Scottish G…
26 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider undertaking a focused workstream to improve migraine care, and, if so, whether it will consider (a) increasing the availability of headache specialists, (b) improving the provision of training and resources for GPs and guidance for health professionals regarding …
Answer · Jenni Minto: We understand the distress and pain that migraines cause and want to ensure that everyone living with this debilitating condition can access the best possible care and support. The Neurology Specialty Delivery Group (SDG), commissioned via the National Centr…
25 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote awareness of migraine disorders during Migraine Awareness Week 2023.
Answer · Jenni Minto: We understand the distress and pain that migraines cause and want to ensure that everyone living with this debilitating condition can access the best possible care and support. The Scottish Government awarded a further £135,501 to the Migraine Trust in Octob…
25 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Rimegepant will be made available as a treatment option for acute migraine, in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance.
Answer · Jenni Minto: In Scotland, the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) appraises the clinical and cost-effectiveness of newly licensed medicines. Following a full submission for rimegepant (Vydura ® ) for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults, the SM…
22 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide figures on how many (a) pieces of human tissue, (b) brains and (c) other human materials, which were recovered during post-mortem examinations conducted under the instruction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), are currently in storage.
Answer · Dorothy Bain: As at 28 September 2023, no whole organs (including brains) are being retained following a post mortem examination instructed by the Procurator Fiscal. Human tissue samples are obtained in the majority of post mortem examinations instructed by the Procurator…
22 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide figures on how many post-mortem examinations conducted under the instruction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) since 1 January 2023 have involved the removal of the brain.
Answer · Dorothy Bain: Pathologists will only retain whole organs on rare occasions when it is absolutely necessary to establish a cause of death. In such cases, there are well-established procedures for ensuring that families are immediately advised when organ retention is a possi…
22 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide figures on how many post mortem examinations have been conducted under the instruction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) since 1 January 2023, in situations where the next-of-kin has given consent for the procedure.
Answer · Dorothy Bain: Between 1 January and 31 August 2023, COPFS instructed 4,460 post mortem examinations. Of those, 383 were conducted by way of a non-invasive examination. Procurators Fiscal do not seek the consent of nearest relatives for a post mortem examination to be inst…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether school catering workers have a role in monitoring or pursuing school meal debt.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The management of meal debt is a matter for local authorities.
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what guidance is available for schools and local authorities on accepting cash or other donations from individuals and organisations towards helping families experiencing financial hardship, who are ineligible for free school meals, or those with school meal debt.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: This is a matter for Local Authorities who are responsible for the delivery of School Meals and management of debt owed to them.
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last investigated the levels of so-called hidden hunger in secondary schools, and what the findings were.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all children and young people who require free school meals receive these. Education authorities have duties to provide free school meals to those who are eligible in primary 6 to S6 and the Scottish Gover…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on food being restricted for secondary school pupils who have no money on their ParentPay account, including them only being allowed a plated hot meal, rather than a selection available to other pupils, and being prevented from having any food or snacks at morning br…
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The duty to provide free school meals to eligible pupils, education authorities have the power to provide meals on a discretionary basis to those who they believe require it. The Scottish Government would continue to urge local authorities to continue to reso…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions school hardship funds have been used to support discretionary meal provision in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each of the last five years.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government does not recognise the term 'school hardship fund' and it is not part of Free School Meals legislation. This is a matter for education authorities. The information requested is not held centrally. However, Local Authorities have the…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions school hardship funds have been used to clear school meal debt in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each of the last five years.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government does not recognise the term 'school hardship fund' and it is not part of Free School Meals legislation. Local authorities have powers to provide financial or other support to any child in need under section 22 of the Children (Scotland…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions Pupil Equity Funding has been used to support discretionary meal provision in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each of the last five years.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Pupil Equity Funding is allocated directly to schools with headteachers having the discretion to make decisions about which particular interventions or approaches will be most effective at raising attainment and achievement and widening opportunities for chil…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions Pupil Equity Funding has been used to clear school meal debt in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each of the last five years.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The information requested is not held centrally. Pupil Equity Funding empowers headteachers, who know their children best, to provide targeted additional support for children and young people impacted by poverty to achieve their full potential, focusing on ta…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many of its officials and other advisers are currently working on the proposed Abortion Services Safe Access Zones (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Work to develop the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill is drawing on a range of officials across the organisation who will contribute to varying extents as part of their wider responsibilities in supporting the Scottish Government. The exac…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what discussions it plans to have regarding the devolved implications of the UK Government's recent announcement on delaying a range of net zero targets.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: On 28 September I wrote jointly with Julie James, Minister for Climate Change in the Welsh Government, to Michael Gove, UK Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, expressing disappointment at the Prime Minister’s announcement that the UK Government is signi…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting the development of alternative technologies to replace traditional scallop dredging.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Marine Directorate staff participate in the ICES Scallop Assessment Working Group (WGScallop) and work closely with national and international research institutes and universities to understand recent advancements and changes to scallop fishing practices. Fur…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on financially supporting the reparation of historical artefacts that reside in Scotland as the result of colonialism or imperialism, in light of reports that it did not initially wish to pay for the return of the House of Ni’isjoohl memorial pole from the National M…
Answer · Christina McKelvie: The Scottish Government does not routinely provide financial support for the repatriation of historical artefacts. Due to the unique circumstances and complex logistics as a result of the size of the House of Ni’isjoohl memorial pole, funding was provided to…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the assessed outcomes of the NHS Scotland National Elective Coordination Unit (NECU) initiative aimed at validating patient waiting lists by text message, which is currently being delivered in NHS Lanarkshire.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21623 on? 29 September 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-comm…
21 Sep 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the effectiveness of existing measures that aim to prevent people being inadvertently removed from NHS waiting lists.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-21623 on? 29 September 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-comm…