Monica Lennon

26 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what immediate steps it is taking to improve cyber resilience across local authorities, in light of the recent cyber incident affecting Glasgow City Council, where personal data may have been exfiltrated following malicious activity on servers managed by a third-party supplier, and the e…

Answer · Angela Constance: Supporting cyber resilience in local authorities is a priority for the Scottish Government. We provide a range of measures to support both immediate incidents as well as helping strengthen local authorities’ cyber resilience in the longer term.The Scott…

24 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Hamilton Sheriff Court maintains a full complement of police officers, and what safeguards are currently in place to protect court staff and the public when there is no police presence during proceedings.

Answer · Angela Constance: While the deployment of police officers is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, it is for the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) to undertake risk assessments to identify and mitigate any potential risks to court users, court staff, Judici…

24 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve safety in maternity settings and prevent avoidable death and injury to babies, in light of reports of NHS boards awarding £74 million in compensation in cases of baby death or injury since 2019. 

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government has commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) to develop a set of maternity standards designed to drive improvements in care at a local level, expected to publish in Spring 2026. Further to this, HIS introduced its Safe Delive…

24 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce preventable baby deaths, particularly in relation to early-onset infections such as group B streptococcus (GBS), and whether it will consider implementing universal GBS screening for pregnant women as part of routine antenatal care, in light of the rece…

Answer · Jenni Minto: Scotland is guided by the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent expert advisory group which advises all four nations of the United Kingdom on screening policy. Following their last review in 2017, the UK NSC currently…

20 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to review the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, as established by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, including any impact of access rights on private landholders.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government have no current plans to change the fine balance of rights and responsibilities in relation to access which was agreed by the Parliament and is set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. NatureScot work with the National Access Forum…

20 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out its guidelines for engaging with the alcohol industry on public health policy, and how it ensures that such engagement is conducted transparently.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Alcohol Framework published in 2018 sets out the Scottish Government’s approach to engaging with the alcohol industry in relation to public health policy.The Scottish Government does not work with the alcohol industry on the development of health po…

20 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations of the report commissioned by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems and the Institute of Alcohol Studies, Spin the bottle: How the UK alcohol industry twists the facts on harm and responsibility.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government remains committed to reducing alcohol-related harm, and notes the recommendations in, Spin the Bottle: How the UK alcohol industry twists the facts on harm and responsibility.The Scottish Government continues to progress work to reduce…

19 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding its potential applicability to Scotland’s planning system in relation to animal welfare being deemed a material consideration, what assessment it has made of the judgment in the case, Animal Equality UK, R (On the Application Of) v North East Lincolnshire Borough Council…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government is aware of the judgment in this case. We consider that the advice on determining planning applications contained in Planning Circular 3/2022: Development Management Procedures is consistent with the judgment.In determining any applica…

19 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when a mid-year review will take place of its progress on the recommendations in the Session 5 Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee report, Salmon farming in Scotland.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: As committed to in the response to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee's ‘Salmon Farming in Scotland’ report (2025) (Salmon farming in Scotland: Scottish Governments response to Salmon farming report), the Scottish Government will provide an u…

18 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on what the relevance of National Planning Framework 4 is in determining energy consents.

Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-38863 on 3 July 2025 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/wr…

18 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that energy consent projects that it approves contribute to positive outcomes for biodiversity, as required by National Planning Framework 4.

Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-38863 on 3 July 2025. 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/w…

18 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether it is appropriate to attach conditions to energy consents, granted under the Electricity Act 1989, to secure proposals for biodiversity enhancements, under the terms of National Planning Framework 4.

Answer · Gillian Martin: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-38863 on 3 July 2025. 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/w…

18 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many of the energy consents that it has issued since February 2023, when National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was adopted, include requirements for biodiversity enhancements, as set out in policy 3 of NPF4.

Answer · Gillian Martin: All information relating to determinations made by Scottish Ministers under the Electricity Act 1989, including any conditions, are publicly available on our Energy Consents website: https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationSearch.aspxNPF4 is a material con…

11 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards are in place to ensure that public funds do not contribute to the production and export of weapons used in human rights violations.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government does not support the manufacture of munitions - nor do our public agencies. The support provided is focused on helping firms to diversify and develop civilian applications for their technology and ensure Scotland continues to benefit f…

11 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to (a) local authorities and (b) the public regarding the use of exempt fireplaces and stoves in smoke control areas, and how it ensures that the list of DEFRA-approved appliances for Scotland is kept up-to-date and accessible.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The website Air Quality in Scotland provides guidance on exempt fireplaces and stoves in Smoke Control Areas, and a link to the list of exempt appliances in Scotland, which is updated monthly. The Air Quality in Scotland website also provides a link to the Sp…

11 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to ensure that local authorities effectively enforce smoke control area regulations and address complaints, particularly regarding the use of unauthorised fuels in domestic wood-burning stoves.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Local authorities are responsible for enforcing Smoke Control Areas and investigating smoke nuisance complaints under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

10 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the ongoing industrial dispute between Scottish Water and the trade unions, Unite, GMB and UNISON, including regarding reports that Scottish Water incurred contingency costs of almost £3 million on water operations and contractors during recent indust…

Answer · Gillian Martin: Financial and operational decisions in response to the industrial action are a matter for Scottish Water, whose Chief Executive is the Accountable Officer for the organisation.It is for Scottish Water and the Joint Trade Unions to agree a settlement which is …

10 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Alcohol brief interventions: A review of strategy and recommendations for policy (ABIs), which was published by Public Health Scotland in October 2024, and how it will take forward the recommendations from the report. 

Answer · Maree Todd: Scottish Government is fully aware of the recommendations contained within Public Health Scotland's report into Alcohol Brief Interventions.The SG response will be incorporated into work currently being done to develop an alcohol specific actions as part of t…

10 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-36288 by Neil Gray on 17 April 2025, whether it will provide an update on the publication of the UK-wide clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment. 

Answer · Maree Todd: The UK Clinical Guidelines for Alcohol Treatment is a document being drafted by the Westminster governed Office for Health Inequalities and Disparities (OHID). The document is being drafted on a 4-nations basis in which Scottish Government is fully involved, …

10 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-28609 by Christina McKelvie on 6 August 2024, when the result of the Public Health Scotland investigation into the apparent decline in alcohol treatment numbers, which was due for completion in 2024, will be published.

Answer · Maree Todd: Public Health Scotland have advised that the findings of their investigation into the decline in alcohol treatment numbers over the last decade is due to be published in late Summer 2025.

4 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in response to reports that industrial action over pay between Scottish Water and the trade unions UNITE, GMB and UNISON has escalated, with strikes expected to disrupt emergency repairs, testing and maintenance.

Answer · Gillian Martin: A swift yet satisfactory conclusion is essential to minimise impacts on Scottish Water customers, both in the near term and for the future. The Scottish Government continues to urge all parties to continue negotiations in good faith to find a solution which i…

4 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the UK Government committing £10 million of new funding in 2025-26 for trading standards in England to tackle underage sales of tobacco and vapes, prevent sales of illicit tobacco and nicotine products, and fund up to 80 more apprentice enforcement officers, how much f…

Answer · Jenni Minto: Enforcement of Tobacco and Vapes legislation, including the Single Use Vape (SUV) regulations is a local government issue, and in line with the Verity House Agreement we do not ring-fence or direct local authority funding.Funding is provided annually to Local…

4 Jun 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-02239 by Roseanna Cunningham on 20 September 2016, which states that the Scottish Law Commission had agreed to consider the Division of Commonties Act 1695 as part of its work on statute law repeals, what the outcome was of that work.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Division of Commonties Act 1695 was discussed at the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s stage 2 consideration on 17 June 2025 and I undertook to provide an update on the Scottish Law Commission’s work on it as part of its work on statu…

28 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what measures have been taken to maintain and enhance Scotland's Land Information Service to ensure that it is a comprehensive and accessible resource for property and land data.

Answer · Ivan McKee: Registers of Scotland (RoS) is a non-Ministerial Public Body answerable to the Scottish Parliament.Scotland’s Land Information Service (ScotLIS) was created and is maintained by RoS, providing online access to information on land and property in Scotlan…

28 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund is not continued, what assessment has been undertaken of any impact that this will have on the ability to deliver against the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy delivery plans.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Landfill Communities fund is currently operational. The public consultation, which concluded on 6 June, sought views on the Fund’s structure and the potential impact of its closure. This consultation process will inform decisions on the fut…

28 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what alternative environmental taxes, such as those related to incineration, have been considered to replace the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Landfill Communities Fund remains operational. A public consultation closed on the 6 June, which will inform decisions on the future of the fund. There are no current plans to introduce a new incineration tax. However, the UK Emissions Trading Sc…

27 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of some women who experience significant delays to their ovarian cancer treatment seeking private treatment in England, what agreement is in place between NHS boards to help address this.

Answer · Jenni Minto: Formal multidisciplinary processes have been established for second opinions regarding treatment between the regional cancer centres, when required. Boards can explore the option of referral to other boards to facilitate earlier surgical dates where they feel…

27 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to undertake a review of current ovarian cancer surgery provision, and, if not, how it plans to address the reported concerns about access to ovarian cancer surgery without undertaking such a review.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The Scottish Government is not planning to review ovarian cancer surgery provision nationally at this time as we see improvements following positive action taken by regional cancer networks and NHS Boards. The Scottish Government continues to monitor the impr…

27 May 2025 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to maintain its policy aim of keeping pace with the EU on environmental protection.

11 May 2025 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when children living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy will have access to the drug, givinostat, through the NHS.

Answer · Jenni Minto: The four Health Boards providing regional services to those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have now started to contact all families with children eligible under the national early access programme to set out the timelines involved. In addition, the Ch…