Parliamentary questions
Alex Cole-Hamilton
2,700 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
2 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, following its withdrawal from the Home Office and National Crime Agency Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) Programme, how will it coordinate and gather intelligence with the rest of UK to tackle the increasing availability of synthetic opioids, which can be significantly…
Answer · Maree Todd: As confirmed in the answer to S7W-00736 on 16 June 2026, the Scottish Government has not withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme.Reports from the WAND study have highlighted the difficulties in being able to detect the …
2 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the National Crime Agency's determination that there are currently no up-to-date national estimates of drug consumption in Scotland, and for what reason it has withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme, which is intended …
Answer · Maree Todd: As confirmed in the answer to S7W-00736 on 16 June 2026, the Scottish Government has not withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme.The latest WAND programme report published by the Home Office – covering a period wh…
2 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide any information, including expert advice or relevant data, that informed its decision to withdraw from the Home Office and National Crime Agency Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme.
Answer · Maree Todd: As confirmed in the answer to S7W-00736 on 16 June 226, the Scottish Government has not withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme. This was a fully Home Office-funded programme, to which the Scottish Government has not co…
2 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has withdrawn from the Home Office and National Crime Agency Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme and, if so, for what reason.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government has not withdrawn from the Wastewater Analysis for Narcotics Detection (WAND) programme. This was a fully Home Office-funded programme, to which the Scottish Government has not contributed funding. The Home Office decided in late 2025 …
2 Jun 2026 · First Minister's Question
Question to be taken in Chamber.
1 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking, following the withdrawal of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate 100mg/1ml solution, to ensure that people with adrenal insufficiency have access to safe, rapid-use emergency hydrocortisone options, including alternative liquid products, the ACT-O-VIAL system and fut…
Answer · Maree Todd: The supply of medicines, and the associated legislation, is a matter reserved to the UK Government. The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Scotland is a member of the UK Medicines Shortage Response Group (MSRG). Following the discontinuation of hydrocortisone s…
1 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported claims by Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) that SEPA appears to rely on Scottish Water and/or contracted PFI operators to self-regulate.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) carries out an annual programme of sewer network and wastewater site compliance assessment, proactively targeting higher risk sites and also maintaining a rolling programme of inspections across all authorised…
1 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported findings by Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) that SEPA requires sewage treatment works to record less sewage treatment data than its English and Welsh counterparts.
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) sets recording requirements for sewage treatment works in accordance with its published technical guidance wat-g-065_permit_guide_municipal_sewage_treatment-_works.docx.The recording and reporting requirements…
1 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) that Scottish Water has withheld sewage flow data for several sewage treatment works.
Answer · Gillian Martin: As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water I have asked them to respond. Their reply is as follows:Scottish Water has responded to requests for data from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) under a number or FOI/EIR requests. Where data was avai…
1 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) that Scottish Water and SEPA allegedly refused to respond to evidence of illegal sewage spills WASP presented them with.
Answer · Gillian Martin: As this is an operational matter for Scottish Water and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), I have asked them to respond. Their replies are as follows:Scottish Water will need time to review and respond to the Windrush Against Sewage Pollution …
1 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) has identified evidence of dry weather sewage spills taking place at Kilmory Sewage Treatment Works (STW) and Helensburgh STW over a number of years.
Answer · Gillian Martin: This would be an operational matter for Scottish Water.Any discharge from a wastewater asset is covered by the requirements of authorisations issued under the Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulations 2018. In the event of a potential non-compliance …
1 Jun 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reported evidence of illegal sewage spills identified by Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP).
Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government has not received any reports of illegal sewage spills identified by Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP).Any discharge from a wastewater asset is covered by the requirements of authorisations issued under the Environmental Authoris…
27 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-38373 by Gillian Martin on 17 June 2025, whether it will provide an update on its plans to review and revise the guidance regarding the exceptional circumstances in which it is permissible for storm overflows to spill, in light of the cabinet secret…
Answer · Gillian Martin: This work is well underway, however it is complex and officials are working with Environmental Standards Scotland to take forward a full scope of work that is practical in advance of a full understanding of the emerging recast EU Urban Wastewater Directive As…
26 May 2026 · First Minister's Question
Question to be taken in Chamber.
25 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that students with neurodiversity are made aware of the support available to them, and what plans are in place to make those resources available to each neurodivergent student at the point of need.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government is clear that people should be able to receive the support they need, at the earliest opportunity based on need, and this should not be dependent on formal diagnosis.Although colleges operate independently of government and universitie…
25 May 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures will be put in place to ensure availability and ease of access to support high school students with neurodiversity, and what is available already.
Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Additional Support for Learning (Scotland) Act 2004 places duties on education authorities to identify, provide for, and regularly review support to enable each learner to benefit fully from education, including those who are neurodiverse. Education autho…
23 Mar 2026 · Topical Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to protect people receiving and awaiting social care packages, in light of recent reports that industry leaders are warning that home care services are heading towards a “catastrophic breakdown”.
11 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to alter the rules on council tax for properties that have become empty or second homes due to the bereavement of a family member.
Answer · Shona Robison: Council Tax is a local tax and each local authority already has discretionary powers conferred by the existing legislative framework allowing them to provide appropriate support in such circumstances. This framework also allows councils to take individual cir…
10 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the financial sustainability of Scotland’s universities, in light of reported deficits across the sector.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government remains confident in the strength and long-term potential of Scotland’s world-leading university sector, while recognising that institutions across the UK are managing a challenging financial situation. We also appreciate the pre…
10 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact of current cost-reducing measures on (a) lecturer workloads and (b) job security across Scotland’s universities.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: Whilst universities are autonomous institutions with responsibility for their own strategic and operational decision making, the Scottish Government expects staff and trade unions to be consulted meaningfully on the potential impact of any cost-saving measure…
10 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Scotland's (a) universities and (b) research institutes to maximise participation in Horizon Europe.
Answer · Ben Macpherson: The Scottish Government has always believed full association to the 95.5 billion Horizon Europe programme was the best outcome for Scotland and we have continued to work with our EU partners to tackle challenges in areas of mutual interest. We recognise the i…
10 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with EU institutions since 2025.
Answer · Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government continues to engage constructively with the European Union.A summary of meetings held by Scottish Government Ministers, senior officials and Envoys with the European Commission (including its President), the European Parliament and the…
10 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it will continue to develop a public health approach to drug harms after March 2026.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government remains firmly committed to a public health, evidence-based approach to drug harms as outlined in our Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan published on 10 March. We recognise substance use as a complex health and social issue often driven …
10 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to continue reducing drug-related harms after the National Mission concludes in March 2026.
Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government remains firmly committed to reducing drug-related harms. On 10 March 2026, the Scottish Government and COSLA published ‘Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland’s Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026-2035’. This…
10 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made towards delivering its Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I refer the Member to the answer to question S6W-42084 on 21 November 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-committ…
10 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what contribution it expects the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) to make to wider Net Zero transport targets.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) contributes to Scotland's Net Zero transport targets by supporting the bus sector to transition to zero emissions. To date, £104 million has been awarded through ScotZEB to support delivery of 528 …
10 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the £45 million allocated to the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) will be distributed across (a) operators and (b) regions.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The ScotZEB3 competitive funding round closed on 26 February with applications currently under consideration. Funding under ScotZEB3 is not pre-allocated to specific operators or regions. All applications are being assessed by an independent evaluation panel …
10 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting bus operators to transition to zero emission fleets.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Since 2020, the Scottish Government has awarded over £150 million to support the bus sector transition to zero-emission fleets. This is comprised of:£50 million through the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS) to deliver 272 ultra-low e…
5 Mar 2026 · First Minister's Question
Question to be taken in Chamber.
4 Mar 2026 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to follow the educational framework in Denmark with a focus on rolling back reliance on digital tools.
Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting digital learning within schools and recognises the importance of harnessing technology in ways that enhance learning and teaching, ensuring alignment with the wider ambitions of Scottish education.Denmar…