Parliamentary questions

Monica Lennon

3,484 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

21 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on the date on which it will publish the study that it has commissioned on the support that people with experience of forced adoption can access, as referred to in the First Minister’s statement to the Parliament on historic forced adoption on 22 March 20…

Answer · Natalie Don: We anticipate that the research will be published in late autumn and thank the people who have bravely shared their story as part of this work. Their voices will continue to shape the support that we put in place to help those affected by these historic pract…

21 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any fire stations possess a designated vehicle for the purpose of enabling firefighters to go on detachment duties.

Answer · Siobhian Brown: The location and movement of firefighters is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and this information is not held by Scottish Government.

20 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there is a need to review Freedom of Information legislation, in light of recent reported comments by the incoming Scottish Information Commissioner.

Answer · George Adam: The Scottish Government considers FOI law in Scotland to be sound in its underpinning principles. However, the Scottish Government has always been clear that it is open to using the powers available to it to adjust the regime, where there is scope to improve …

20 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on how it is enhancing marine protection.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government is committed to enhancing protection for our marine environment in the face of the twin crises of climate change and loss of nature. Although we are no longer progressing with our proposals for Highly Protected Marine Areas, we want t…

20 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many incidents of illegal scallop dredging in Marine Protected Areas have been reported since 2021.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government publishes statistics relating to the number of reports of suspected illegal fishing inside Marine Protected Areas. These statistics detail the number of reports by suspected fishing method, including scallop dredging. Reports of illega…

20 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the potential impact on widening the accessibility of and encouraging participation in sport in Scotland, what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding (a) the affordability of viewing packages for Scottish men’s and women’s football and (b) any action that can …

Answer · Maree Todd: Broadcasting is reserved to the UK Government. We have not had any recent discussion with the UK Government on this particular issue, however we remain strongly committed to a fairer and more representative service for Scotland, and we will continue to press …

20 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on its spending plan for the £97 million in funding received from the UK Government to remove cladding from high-rise buildings, including a timetable setting out by when it anticipates it will have spent all of the funding.

Answer · Paul McLennan: We are spending every penny of consequential funding we receive on this programme of work, with spend to date of over £3.6m and the anticipated whole-life cost approximately £400m. Spending information and quarterly updates were published in July 2023 and is…

20 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any Barnett consequential funding that it receives from the £200 million announced by the UK Government for the pothole fund in England and Wales will be passed on to local authorities.

Answer · Shona Robison: The Scottish Government received £19.4 million of capital Barnett consequentials at the UK Government’s Spring Statement in March as a result of the pothole fund announcement. This funding announcement came after Stage 3 of the Budget Bill had passed and it …

6 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the University of Aberdeen’s reported research findings regarding the wellbeing and labour market implications of thyroid disease, whether it will recommend the development of workplace policies to support any affected employees.

Answer · Neil Gray: Under the Equality Act 2010, which is reserved to the UK Parliament, employers are required to make reasonable adjustments if health conditions are or are likely to be long lasting and have an impact on an employee’s daily life. This may apply in the case of …

6 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the University of Aberdeen’s reported research finding that women with undiagnosed hypothyroidism can experience an additional 5% wage penalty, whether thyroid conditions will be included in the scope of its Women’s Health Plan 2021-2024.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Women’s Health Plan: A plan for 2021 – 2024 aims to reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes for women and girls. The Plan focusses on a specific set of priorities and thyroid conditions are not specifically mentioned in this iteration of …

6 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will undertake a review of the length of time that it takes to receive a diagnosis for hypothyroidism and other thyroid diseases, in light of reports that it can take several years to receive a diagnosis, that the disease can result in an additional 5% wage penalty for women a…

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people living with hypothyroidism and other thyroid diseases are able to access the best possible support and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their…

6 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to increase public awareness of any environmental and economic benefits of using reusable nappies.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government promotes the use of reusable nappies by including a voucher for one waterproof nappy wrap and five stay dry nappy pads in Scotland’s Baby Box. The voucher also signposts families to the Scottish Government Parent Club website which h…

6 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to change the paper form for the reusable nappy voucher in the Baby Box by adding an electronic QR code option, in order to improve uptake and ensure that the voucher is accessible to all.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: To make it easier for families to access the free reusable nappy kit that is included with the Baby Box, we are working with our Baby Box Managing Agent, APS Group Scotland, to include an electronic QR code option on the reusable nappy voucher. We anticipate …

5 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it can improve access to free continence pads for men living with prostate cancer, in particular, those who experience bladder and bowel incontinence, including awareness of whether pads are available free of charge and how they can access them.

Answer · Jenni Minto: NHS Boards regularly assess continence patients’ needs, with the assessments undertaken by dedicated Bladder and Bowel Teams or community nursing staff. This ensures that patients’ needs are met, either through treatment or through provision of appropriate co…

5 Jul 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing a requirement for incontinence bins in all public toilets, in light of the reported large number of men who experience bladder and bowel incontinence.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government has not been made aware of any issues with regard to the disposal of used incontinence products, and has no plans to require that public toilets have incontinence bins installed.