Parliamentary questions
Monica Lennon
3,484 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
12 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consultations it has held with the legal services sector, regarding the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill, not including the formal Bill consultation process.
Answer · Siobhian Brown: As well as the full public consultation, the development of the Bill was a result of extensive engagement with key stakeholders including a number of bodies and organisations representing the legal and the consumer perspective. This engagement informed the c…
12 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any progress that has been made on its commitment to explore implementation of HPV self-sampling, in light of Cervical Screening Awareness Week and an NHS study, undertaken in Dumfries and Galloway, which has shown the potential benefits of self-sampl…
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-16521 on 27 April 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-committee…
7 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that NHS boards are taking a preventative approach to tackling osteoporosis.
Answer · Michael Matheson: NHS Scotland takes a multidisciplinary approach to tackling Osteoporosis through Fracture Liaison Services. These services provide vital support in identifying factures and supporting patients requiring osteoporosis medications. This is a long standing servi…
7 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it last spoke with NHS (a) Lanarkshire and (b) Forth Valley regarding fracture liaison services.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government regularly talks to NHS Boards including NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Forth Valley regarding performance of services. We do not hold any information about specific discussions regarding facture liaison services.
7 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to fund the prevention of fractures as a result of osteoporosis through fracture liaison services.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the Fracture Liaison Service audit and, have provided Public Health Scotland with funding to undertake a provisional organisational audit and scoping exercise. Following completion of this scoping exercise…
7 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the level of safeguarding in place regarding named persons defined under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, and if so, when this was last carried out.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government has not recently assessed the level of safeguarding in place regarding named persons defined under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. The Act allows the patient to have a right to choose whether to have a nam…
7 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, what consideration it has given to introducing additional safeguards to protect vulnerable people from (a) coercive control and (b) domestic abuse.
Answer · Maree Todd: The overarching approach of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 is one of safeguarding to ensure that the law and practice for those who require compulsory care and treatment are driven by core principles, particularly minimum restricti…
5 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Green Heat Finance Taskforce (a) last met and (b) will next meet.
Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Green Heat Finance Taskforce last met on 17 May 2023 and will next meet on 5 July 2023. Notes of Taskforce meetings are published on the Scottish Government’s website.
5 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government by what date it anticipates the Intercity 125 trains in ScotRail's fleet will be replaced.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18442 on 13 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-committees…
5 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to expedite the procurement of replacements for the Intercity 125 trains in ScotRail's fleet.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18442 on 13 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-committees…
5 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent NatureScot report that states that the proportion of natural features in favourable condition on protected sites has fallen from 80.4% in 2016 to 76.4% in March 2023.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The statistics are disappointing, and we are working with NatureScot to identify the contributing factors. Key to progress will be tackling negative pressures in areas surrounding protected sites including the proliferation of invasive non-native species and …
5 Jun 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it (a) can take and (b) is taking to ensure that workers' rights are properly enforced in Scotland.
Answer · Neil Gray: While labour market enforcement is a reserved matter, the Scottish Government is committed to promoting positive outcomes for workers and their rights. Last year, we published our Refreshed Fair Work action plan that set out our vision for Scotland to become …
31 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when its ministers last met the CEO of The Promise Scotland.
Answer · Natalie Don: On 13 June the Cabinet met with Fraser McKinlay – Chief Executive Officer of The Promise Scotland and Fiona Duncan – Chair of The Promise Scotland and Independent Strategic Advisor for the Promise.
31 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on what date it will provide a further update to the Parliament regarding the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill.
Answer · Maree Todd: Following the appearance of the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport at the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on 9 May, the Scottish Government intends to provide a further update to the Committee in early July. The Scottish Government h…
31 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the delay to the passage of the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill has had on the delivery of the aims of The Promise Scotland.
Answer · Maree Todd: Our commitment to the Promise is irrespective of any decision in relation to the National Care Service. As such, the timetable for the passage of the Bill does not have any impact on the aims of the Promise.
31 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its ministers have met with Welsh Government ministers to discuss issues relating to children in care and social care.
Answer · Natalie Don: I have not yet met with the Welsh Government to discuss issues relating to children and young people in care since recently taking on my role as the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise. However, Scottish Government officials continue …
31 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the amount of information detailed in the list of ministerial engagements, travel and gifts that is published monthly, in light of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Answer · George Adam: The Scottish Government places a great importance on openness and transparency, and publishes ministerial engagements, travel and gifts in line with the ‘ Scottish Ministerial Code’. The Scottish Government has no current plans to review the information publi…
31 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide an update on when it will next publish information on ministerial engagements, travel and gifts.
Answer · George Adam: As outlined in the Scottish Ministerial Code, the Scottish Government aims to publish the information on ministerial engagements, travel and gifts for March and April 2023 by the end of June.
31 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it can provide a specific date by when it will provide the hospice sector with details regarding how much statutory funding it will receive.
Answer · Jenni Minto: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-18745 on 21 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-committees…
31 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether officials have been set a deadline regarding their communication of the amount of statutory funding granted to the hospice sector.
Answer · Jenni Minto: It is the responsibility of Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) to plan and commission adult palliative and end of life care services for their areas using the integrated budgets under their control. My officials are therefore engaged with Health and Social Care …
30 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Scottish Ministers last met with (a) UK ministers, (b) the Welsh Ministers and (c) representatives of international governments to discuss (i) period dignity and (ii) the provision of free period products.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: Scottish Ministers have not met with (a) UK ministers, (b) the Welsh Ministers or (c) representatives of international governments to discuss period dignity and the provision of free period products.
30 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met with (a) COSLA and (b) individual local authorities to discuss council tax debt.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Council Tax debt was discussed at the last meeting of the Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform on 22 March 2023. Additionally, I met Fife Council earlier this year to see first-hand their collaborative approach to …
30 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to raise awareness that, according to Citizens Advice Scotland, "Council Tax debt collection is much harsher and faster compared to commercial debt collection".
Answer · Tom Arthur: Council tax is a local tax, set and collected by each local authority, with every council financially and administratively accountable to their electorate. Council Tax Debt was discussed at the last meeting of the Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Gover…
30 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to tackle the issue of council tax debt in its proposed new deal for local government.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The New Deal for Local Government reflects a desire of both partners to re-set the relationship between local and national government. The New Deal will provide greater flexibility over local funding, with clear accountability for delivery on shared prioritie…
30 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Understanding the Drivers Behind the Accrual of Council Tax Arrears, published by Citizens Advice Scotland.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government welcomes this report and would encourage local authorities, who are responsible for the collection and enforcement of Council Tax arrears, to consider its findings.
30 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider providing additional financial support for local authorities to help tackle council tax debt, including forgiving or wiping debt.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Council tax is a local tax, set and collected by each local authority, with every council financially and administratively accountable to their electorate. It is important that local authorities retain the tools to enforce the payment of council tax by those …
30 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the working conditions of police officers.
Answer · Angela Constance: The deployment of officers and their health, safety and wellbeing are matters for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority, (SPA) and scrutinised by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS). The Police Negot…
30 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the pay of police officers is not outstripped by inflation.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government’s 2023-24 Public Sector Pay Strategy (PSPS) sets the framework to deliver fair and affordable pay awards. It takes into account the impact of high inflation on households and governments, whilst balancing the need for sustainable publi…
30 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (a) last met and (b) will next meet with the Scottish Police Federation to discuss (i) pay and (ii) working conditions.
Answer · Angela Constance: On 10 May I met with David Kennedy and David Threadgold from the Scottish Police Federation as part of my regular meetings where we discussed various topics of interest. As the pay claim for 2023-24 had been submitted, in line with the Police Negotiating Boar…
30 May 2023 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that there is sufficient public awareness (a) of the early signs of ovarian cancer and (b) that a cervical smear test does not check for ovarian cancer.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government continues to invest in our Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme, of which public education and empowerment is a key work-stream. We launched a new campaign – Be the Early Bird – in March 2023 to empower those with possible symptoms to…