Parliamentary questions
Rachael Hamilton
1,432 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
17 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what its analysis is of the potential impact on product substitution and imports should the policy compel retailers to consider sourcing cheaper products from abroad.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. 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-commi…
17 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, whether it is engaging with representatives of the retail sector and food producers to address the root causes of higher food prices.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. 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-commi…
17 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what assessment has been carried out of the potential impact of this policy on convenience stores and newsagents.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. 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-commi…
17 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what its response is to reported concerns that the policy could encourage customers to travel further to purchase goods that would otherwise be bought in a convenience st…
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01808 on 21 July 2026. 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-commi…
17 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish National Party manifesto commitment to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what analysis it has conducted of the potential impact on customer demand and stocking of products in grocery stores that are located close to the border with England.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government is working toward a consultation on the price cap on essential food items within 100 days of the start of this parliamentary session. This work has been informed by early engagement with key stakeholders and consideration of policy imp…
2 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what assessment it has made of the potential impact of the proposed cap on the prices of products that would not be subject to it.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01503 on 17 July 2026. 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-commi…
2 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what discussions it has had with Local Authority Trading Standards (LATS) regarding the proposal.
Answer · Tom Arthur: We are engaging constructively with all relevant stakeholders to support considered and informed discussion on this policy, and to ensure effective implementation that delivers on our core aim of making the weekly shop more affordable.
2 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, which stores, retailers or categories of retailer will be affected by the proposal.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Helping people with the cost of living is a top priority of this government and we will be taking forward consultation on this policy within the first 100 days. Price caps on essential food items will be required of large supermarkets. Specifics will be consi…
2 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, for how long it anticipates that any such price cap would remain in force.
Answer · Tom Arthur: Helping people with the cost of living is a top priority of this government and we will be taking forward consultation on this policy within the first 100 days. Issues will be considered as part of the policy development process, informed by engagement and co…
2 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what assessment it has made of the risk that retailers subject to the cap may increase the prices of products not covered by it in order to recove…
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01503 on 17 July 2026. 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-commi…
2 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitments in the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items and to cut down on business bureaucracy, what assessment it has made of the compatibility of these commitments.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The Scottish Government recognises the importance of minimising unnecessary regulatory burdens on businesses while helping people with the cost of living.We are engaging constructively with all relevant stakeholders to support informed consideration of this p…
2 Jul 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party’s 2026 manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, which body would monitor and enforce the price cap.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01503 on 17 July 2026. 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-commi…
25 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many energy infrastructure planning applications currently under consideration by ministers or the Energy Consents Unit have missed a National Energy System Operator (NESO) grid connection deadline or milestone required to secure a grid connection offer.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government does not centrally hold records of grid connection applications made to National Energy System Operator (NESO), or of the status of any such applications, or of any decisions made by NESO in relation to such applications.Applications f…
25 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it records the number of planning applications that are being considered by ministers or the Energy Consents Unit and no longer have a viable route to grid connection and, if so, what the latest figure is.
Answer · Ivan McKee: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01326 on 8 July 2026. 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…
25 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that planning applications continuing through the planning process, where there is no realistic prospect of a grid connection being secured, represents an efficient use of public resources.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government is committed to using public resources more efficiently and effectively. Electricity is a matter generally reserved to the UK Parliament under the Scotland Act 1998, including electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supp…
9 Jun 2026 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to discuss the future of Hawick Fire Station.
29 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, whether it would require to introduce at least a six-month implementation plan for retailers, in light of this being the case when the most recent increase to the m…
Answer · Tom Arthur: We will engage constructively with all relevant stakeholders to support considered and informed discussion on this policy, and to ensure effective implementation that delivers on our core aim of making the weekly shop more affordable.We recognise the importan…
29 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, whether it will provide a list of the essential food items and products to be included in a basket of up to fifty items.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The final list of items to be covered by the legislation will be determined by consultation and engagement.
29 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in the Scottish National Party manifesto to enact a statutory price cap on essential food items, what basis it will use to determine the product categories.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00657 on 8 June 2026. 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…
20 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that female witnesses involved in serious criminal cases are provided with appropriate protections and support throughout court proceedings, including safeguards relating to single-sex spaces and facilities.
Answer · Neil Gray: There are various measures in place to ensure that female witnesses involved in serious criminal cases are provided with appropriate protections and support throughout court proceedings.The Scottish Government recognises that some witnesses may find it diffic…
20 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the administrative and enforcement costs associated with introducing a cap on supermarket food prices.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00062 on 2 June 2026. 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…
20 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken any assessment of whether supermarkets may offset a cap on certain food items through price increases elsewhere, and, if so, what conclusions it reached.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00062 on 2 June 2026. 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…
20 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any potential impact of a statutory cap on supermarket food prices on Scottish farmers, food producers and processors, particularly in relation to farmgate prices and supply chain sustainability.
Answer · Tom Arthur: I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00062 on 2 June 2026. 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…
20 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received legal advice regarding the compatibility of a statutory cap on supermarket food prices with the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, and, if so, whether it will publish the advice it has received.
Answer · Tom Arthur: The content of any legal advice provided to the Scottish Government is confidential, as set out in the ministerial code.
12 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that lessons have been learned from concerns raised by families regarding prescribing practices for immunosuppressant patients in paediatric services at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Answer · Jenni Minto: The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPO) have met with the clinical leadership team from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), and are currently considering what, if any, actions may be required to provide assurance of the medi…
12 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what clinical governance arrangements are in place across NHS Scotland to oversee decision-making regarding extended, blanket and targeted antifungal prophylactic medications, including posaconazole, to prevent infection from water or airborne bacteria during cancer therapy.
Answer · Jenni Minto: Health Board Area Drug and Therapeutics Committees (ADTCs) are responsible for providing governance and oversight of medicines use, ensuring that local prescribing policies and practices are safe, effective and evidence-based.
12 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has issued any guidance to local authorities on appropriate levels of screen use for primary school pupils in classroom settings.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Decisions about the delivery of education are devolved to local authorities. As such the Scottish Government has not issued guidance on specific or appropriate levels of device or screen use in classroom settings. It is for councils to decide how and when dig…
12 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether local authorities are required to undertake formal risk assessments before introducing one-to-one digital device programmes in schools.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 local authorities are responsible for the delivery of education in their area, and to ensure that school environments are safe for pupils. In that context, decisions about introducing one-to-one digital device programme…
12 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that local authorities comply with data protection requirements when using educational technology platforms that process children’s personal data.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Local authorities are independent data controllers for their use of educational technology and are responsible for ensuring compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018, including completing Data Protection Impact…
12 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to roll out the distribution of lockable pouches to restrict mobile phone usage in local authorities across Scotland, following the pilot projects in Queensferry and Portobello high schools.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government’s national guidance on mobile phones in schools supports schools and local authorities to put in place approaches that best meet the needs of their pupils and communities.Decisions on whether to introduce measures such as lockabl…