Parliamentary questions

Monica Lennon

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

14 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to legislate to stop unconventional oil and gas extraction.

Answer · Michael Matheson: In October 2019, we reached our final policy position of no support for the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland. This means no support for development connected to the onshore exploration, appraisal or production of coal bed methane or shale…

14 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to legislate to end unlimited recovery of hydrocarbons.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Oil and gas exploration and production, including licensing, remains reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government is clear that unlimited extraction of fossil fuels is not consistent with our climate obligations and is not the right solution to the …

14 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to its answer to question S6W-10993 by Michael Matheson on 4 October 2022, whether it will provide an update on whether it intends to join the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance as a core member.

Answer · Michael Matheson: As I have previously said , we have committed to undertaking a programme of work and analysis to better understand Scotland’s energy requirements as we transition to net zero and how this aligns with our climate change targets. We continue to engage with BOGA…

14 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported warning by the charity, Feed, that babies are at risk of malnutrition and being underfed as families in poverty are struggling to afford formula milk, or access it at foodbanks due to policies that restrict redistribution.

Answer · Maree Todd: We are deeply concerned about these reports. The only nutrition suitable for babies under 6 months is breastmilk or first stage formula milk. Parents should be advised to speak to a health professional for further advice and support for breastfeeding or safe…

14 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether any additional financial support will be provided for families with children to counteract any increased cost of infant formula.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13273 on? 12 January 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-commit…

14 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on food banks providing infant formula, and whether it plans to provide clarity to (a) food and (b) baby banks on the best practice for providing formula, in light of reports that many are reluctant to distribute formula due to UNICEF guidelines.

Answer · Maree Todd: Anyone supporting a family in desperate need should refer them to their local authority or a health professional such as a health visitor or midwife in order to make sure they are getting the holistic support they need, including financial advice and a referr…

14 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that families can afford to feed their babies throughout the cost of living crisis, in light of the 2022 report by the charity, Feed, which refers to some parents watering down infant formula.

12 Dec 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that children and young people in families experiencing poverty are supported throughout the Christmas holiday period.

12 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many people it expects will receive the £50 Winter Heating Payment.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: We expect around 400,000 people to receive our Winter Heating Payment each year, more than double the 185,000 people who on average have received Cold Weather Payments over the last 7 years.

12 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider making the £50 Winter Heating Payment available ahead of February 2023 to help people cope over the winter, and in light of record cold temperatures being recorded.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: Subject to parliamentary approval, we will begin making payments of Winter Heating Payment in February 2023. We are reliant on DWP meeting their commitment to provide us with the right data by 31 January so that we can complete the necessary assurance and pro…

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the total cost has been, in terms of public expenditure, for public bodies to deal with oil spills (a) from 1 January 2016 to 5 May 2021 and (b) since 6 May 2021.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The cost of responding to these types of incidents or spills are a matter for the public bodies, the relevant authorities, or agencies. The information requested is not held centrally and therefore the information requested could only be obtained at dispropor…

9 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it estimates the total cost has been, in terms of public expenditure, for public bodies to deal with “chemical incidents” as defined by Public Health Scotland (a) from 12 May 1999 to 5 May 2021 and (b) since 6 May 2021.

8 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any economic or social impact of the reported removal of almost 100 ATMs in Lanarkshire since 2018.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government recognises that, despite declining cash usage across the country, any reduction in a local area’s ATMs will add to the uncertainty that a community faces on their ability to easily access cash and other banking services. Whilst the S…

8 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the Scottish SPCA's animal welfare charity, Pet Aid, in light of reports of a significant increase in people struggling to care for an animal due to the cost of living crisis.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is in regular communication with a number of charities concerning the cost of living crisis and other welfare issues. No one wants to see beloved pets relinquished due to affordability and that is why we will continue to work with anim…

7 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report by NatureScot highlighting an overall 19% decline in water birds on wetlands, particularly among waders such as common sandpiper, curlew, lapwing, oystercatcher and redshank.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government is aware of the decline of wading birds in Scotland. Wading bird ecology is complicated and varies between species. However, it appears wader declines in Scotland are linked to low breeding success which could be due a range of reasons…

4 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-04787 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 16 December 2021, how many children and young people in each local authority area have received a free (a) laptop, (b) tablet and (c) Chromebook, in light of its commitment to deliver devices with free internet co…

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all school aged children have access to a device by the end of this parliament. Given the scale and complexity of this programme of work, the 100 days commitment was to commence planning rather than delive…

4 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to the UK Health Security Agency issuing an alert in relation to Strep A, following a rise in cases and the deaths of six children in England and Wales.

Answer · Maree Todd: It is important to note that the vast majority of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections result in mild illnesses that can be easily treated, and that complications are very rare. Public Health Scotland (PHS), in line with standard public health procedures, …

4 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what advice is available to the public on Strep A symptoms and treatment.

Answer · Maree Todd: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12970 on 20 December 2022. 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-commit…

4 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will reconsider its decision not to introduce a public energy company in Scotland, in light of the Welsh Government's announcement to establish a publicly-owned energy company to develop more than 1GW of renewable generation by 2030, and whether it has discussed these proposal…

Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government’s ambition is to explore fully the opportunities across the energy sector for public ownership in an independent Scotland. As an independent state, we would have full powers in relation to energy generation and borrowing and as such wo…

4 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many whole time equivalent civil servants are currently working on activities to reduce the harms associated with (a) alcohol and (b) other drugs.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: As of 15 December 2022 there are: a) i) 6.25 whole time equivalent civil servants in the alcohol harm prevention team ? ii) 3.25 whole time equivalent civil servants in the alcohol treatment team b) 44.9 whole time equivalent civil servants in the drugs div…

4 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to help bring vacant and disused buildings in Hamilton town centre back into use, particularly buildings that have been empty for several years.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Local authorities have responsibility for delivering local economic development and local regeneration. They are best placed to develop the right partnerships to deliver regeneration and to identify suitable funding for regeneration activity. The Scottish Go…

4 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support East Kilbride town centre, in light of East Kilbride Shopping Centre recently going into administration.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Local authorities have responsibility for delivering local economic development and local regeneration, in response to changing circumstances and challenges to support their local towns. They are best placed to develop the right partnerships to deliver regene…

4 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to lead or facilitate a national conversation on the sustainability of the NHS.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government is fully committed to delivering a world class health service for the people of Scotland in a sustainable model that remains fully aligned with the founding principles of the NHS. This will deliver high quality, safe, effective and per…

4 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what immediate action it is taking to boost the morale of GPs.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Addressing the wellbeing needs of the Health and Social Care workforce is now even more crucial than it was prior to Covid-19 and is key to both retaining our GP workforce at the current record level of 5209 and as we press ahead with our commitment to increa…

4 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how long the current waiting list is for rape survivors at each rape crisis centre.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: This information is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. As independent organisations, individual Rape Crisis Centres manage and monitor their own waiting lists and will hold up-to-date information of waiting times.

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can commit to ensuring that the neurodevelopmental service of NHS Lanarkshire will be fully staffed by the end of January 2023.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing of Scotland’s population and to ensuring everyone receives the best possible care and support from our health and care services. Delivering this can only be achieved with the ri…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland's papers on taxation policy published on 1 December 2022, in particular its reported finding that adding 1p on the higher and top rates of tax could raise an extra £200 million, and that matching the UK Government’…

Answer · Tom Arthur: We have always prioritised a fair and progressive approach to Income Tax policy, one which protects those on lower incomes, while raising additional revenue for the Scottish Budget. This year, we have enhanced the progressivity of the tax system by asking tho…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its (a) information safety and (b) information transparency protocols, in light of reports that Scottish Ministers have used WhatsApp messaging to discuss official business.

Answer · George Adam: The Scottish Government constantly reviews its policies to provide an open and transparent government approach to how its information is managed. We are committed to being open and transparent as set out in The Open Government Action Plan and on the Scotti…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that patients are protected from the "serious harm" due to overcrowding, which NHS Health Improvement Scotland is reported to have warned NHS board chief executives of in a letter of 11 November 2022.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The safety of patients and staff within our A&E Departments is paramount. This is why the Scottish Government is providing Boards facing the greatest challenges, including University Hospital Monklands and Forth Valley Royal Hospital, with enhanced support ov…

2 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what immediate action it is taking to reduce overcrowding in (a) University Hospital Monklands and (b) Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12950 on 21 December 2022. 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-commit…