Parliamentary questions
Monica Lennon
3,484 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
9 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to recent reports based on General Teaching Council for Scotland data, which state that, over the last four years, 24 teachers have been removed from the register for sexual offences and 72 have been reported for sexual misconduct.
Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The wellbeing and safety of children and young people in Scotland are key priorities for the Scottish Government. All children have the right to be cared for and protected from harm. GTC Scotland is the independent registration and regulation body for the tea…
9 May 2022 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will convene an emergency summit on abortion healthcare in response to anti-abortion rights action in Scotland and around the world.
5 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill, what consideration it has given to the Dogs Trust’s recommendation to require licence holders to record on the relevant local authority website any display that they intend to hold.
Answer · Ash Regan: Concerns about the impact of fireworks on animals has been a strong theme to emerge from both the 2019 and 2021 public consultations on fireworks, and I am grateful to the Dogs Trust, and other animal charities, for their continued engagement throughout our j…
5 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill, what assessment has been made of shortening the proposed window, of 27 October to 10 November, for the supply of fireworks to 30 October to 5 November, as recommended by the Dogs Trust.
Answer · Ash Regan: The Bill includes a provision proposing to restrict the permitted days of supply of fireworks to the general public, as well as restrictions the permitted days the general public can use fireworks, to broadly align with what are already considered traditional…
5 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill, what assessment has been made of shortening the proposed window, of 27 October to 12 November, for the use of fireworks to 2 to 8 November, as recommended by the Dogs Trust.
Answer · Ash Regan: Fireworks can currently be used by the general public on any day of the year, subject to existing rules about the time of day that they can be used. The Bill includes a provision proposing to restrict the permitted days of use of fireworks by the general publ…
5 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what actions it can take to improve outcomes for women with asthma, in light of analysis from Asthma + Lung UK showing that women are almost twice as likely to die from an asthma attack than men.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone living with respiratory conditions, including asthma, receives the best possible care and treatment to enable them to live longer, healthier, and independent lives. In March last year we publishe…
5 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will update the Women’s Health Plan to address reported concerns around women with asthma.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Women’s Health Plan is a three year strategy, published in August 2021, which underpins actions to improve women’s health inequalities. The Plan includes the long term ambition to adopt a life course approach across all services to improve women’s health …
3 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of council tax increases, whether the level of council tax debt is being monitored, and what support can be given to people who have arrears.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Statistics on uncollected council tax are published in the annual "Council Tax Collection" National Statistics publication. The most recent edition is available at Local government finance statistics - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) with the next update scheduled …
3 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is monitoring the level of rainfall in Scotland, and what measures are being put in place to address the potential risk of water shortages in the summer.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: SEPA has an extensive network of rainfall monitoring gauges across the country and the data collected are available at SEPA’s Rainfall data for Scotland website. Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan is available on the SEPA website. This sets out how w…
3 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle Scotland’s reported litter problem, in light of comments by Keep Scotland Beautiful regarding a "looming litter emergency", and whether local authorities will be given support to help address this.
Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government is taking a range of action to ensure that we minimise the blight of litter on communities. We recently consulted on proposals for our new National Litter and Flytipping Strategy, including measures to strengthen enforcement measures, …
3 May 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) trade unions representing drivers and (b) ScotRail regarding drivers’ pay, and what action is being taken to avoid any further disputes.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I have been actively engaged and have established constructive relations with our Rail Trade Unions, including ASLEF and note that the formal pay negotiations currently underway are following the agreed industry process between ScotRail Trains Ltd and ASLEF. …
26 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be a public inquiry into the reported alleged abuse affecting approximately 130 girls attending Fornethy House Residential School between the 1930s and 1960s.
Answer · John Swinney: Currently there are no plans for a separate public inquiry into the alleged historic abuse at Fornethy House Residential School. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has the remit to consider the extent to which institutions and bodies with legal responsibility f…
26 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet with the Fornethy House Residential School Survivors campaign group.
Answer · John Swinney: I would welcome the opportunity to meet with members of the Fornethy House Residential School Survivors campaign group in the coming weeks. My officials will arrange a suitable date and time.
26 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support will be given to women who have alleged to have been physically and sexually abused while attending short-term respite or holiday care between the 1930s and 1960s.
Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting all survivors of childhood abuse. Through the Scottish Government’s Survivors of Childhood Abuse Support (SOCAS) Fund, 29 organisations across Scotland are funded to provide support to adult survivors of chil…
20 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to FAVOR UK's Advocacy Project 6 month report.
Answer · Angela Constance: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring a human rights-based approach is delivered across all our public services. We recognise the key role that peer-led advocacy has to play in ensuring the rights of people who use drugs are fully protected. Advoc…
20 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07061 by Maree Todd on 14 March 2022, when the evaluation of early medical abortion will begin; when it is expected to be completed, and what the terms of reference of the evaluation are.
Answer · Maree Todd: The evaluation of early medical abortion at home began in October 2021, with of the final report currently due in autumn 2022. The evaluation seeks to provide further evidence regarding the safety, and efficacy of the current early medical abortion at home ar…
14 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment has been made regarding availability of university places in 2022 in light of reports from the Scottish Funding Council that places will be cut by 1,400.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Additional places were funded in academic years 2019-20 and 2020-21 to take into account the impact of changes to the SQA exams as a result of COVID-19. In the 2022-23 Scottish Budget it was announced a further £21m was allocated for the ongoing support of th…
14 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that over 400 cases of drink spiking were reported to Police Scotland between October 2021 and February 2022.
Answer · Keith Brown: The act of drink spiking is utterly abhorrent and the Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to continue working with partners to tackle this unacceptable behaviour. Police Scotland have recorded over 492 crimes of ‘Drugging’ and ‘Administering a su…
14 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what work has been carried out to ensure that police and health services work together when drink spiking is reported.
Answer · Keith Brown: In November last year, Police Scotland had established a Gold command on the issue of spiking. Led by an Assistant Chief Constable, this comprised of a network of health partners, victim support organisations, colleges and universities and night time economy …
14 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to make access to early medical abortion via telemedicine permanent and, if so, within what timescale.
Answer · Maree Todd: The current arrangements, which were implemented at the start of the pandemic, will remain in place. The Scottish Government is currently reviewing the provision of early medical abortion at home, and expects to make an announcement on this soon.
14 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people have been referred to a (a) cardiologist and (b) respiratory physiotherapist due to the effects of long COVID, in each NHS board in (i) 2020, (ii) 2021 and (iii) 2022.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: This is a matter for individual NHS Boards. The information requested is not held centrally.
14 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to Public Health Scotland's recent research findings on perinatal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether it plans to introduce new policies or guidance on postnatal visiting, including partner and sibling visiting only.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government welcomed the publication of this report and is considering its conclusions and any actions to be taken, whether nationally or locally, as a result of the research findings. In particular, the information will inform our ongoing respons…
14 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when a (a) Women's Health Champion and (b) Women’s Health Lead in every NHS board will be appointed, as stated in its Women's Health Plan.
Answer · Maree Todd: We published the Women’s Health Plan in August 2021. The actions in the Plan are divided into short term (one year), medium term (one to three years) and long term (three years or more) timescales. As set out in the Plan we will be appointing a national Wome…
12 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce legislation with the intention of allowing people who are Deaf British Sign Language users to serve on juries.
Answer · Keith Brown: Court operational matters, including the system for jury service, fall within the remit of the independent Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS). I understand SCTS is setting up a working group to consider the remaining recommendations from the 2018 E…
12 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it holds on how many do-not-resuscitate orders have been signed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this compares with each calendar year from 2010 onwards.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government does not centrally collect information or data relating to the use of Do Not Attempt Cardiovascular Resuscitation (DNACPR) forms in hospitals. As with all other clinical treatments, decisions about CPR should be based on the individua…
12 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure deaf and disabled people are involved in the changes that will lead to a just transition.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is committed to working across society to deliver lasting action that secures a just transition to climate resilience and net zero for Scotland. Our Just Transition Plans, representing a large degree of our policy, will identify concre…
8 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind energy projects are owned by companies that are headquartered in Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Crown Estate Scotland manage leasing of the Scottish seabed, and we will ask their Chief Executive to write to you directly with this information. This information is not held centrally for onshore wind projects however the Scottish Government continue to be…
8 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind energy projects are owned by (i) community organisations (ii) trading arms of community organisations (iii) charities (iv) local authorities (v) public bodies and agencies, and (vi) private companies.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Since 2011 the Energy Saving Trust (EST),on behalf of the Scottish Government has maintained a database of all community and locally owned (CoLo) renewable energy installations in Scotland and produces a report on the information it contains each year. The t…
8 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much of its budget has been allocated to support private sector development of (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind energy projects in each of the last 10 years.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has not provided any direct financial support to the private sector for onshore or offshore wind energy projects in the last 10 years.
8 Apr 2022 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many active (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind energy projects there are in Scotland.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Data from the Renewable Energy Planning Database shows that there are 322 operational wind onshore projects and 7 operational wind offshore projects over 150kW in Scotland. Projects under this threshold are not captured.