Alex Cole-Hamilton

13 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that smaller dairies are not negatively impacted by the new Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme, which will replace the UK Nursery Milk Scheme.

Answer · Clare Haughey: The Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme will replace the UK Nursery Milk Scheme in Scotland from 1 August 2021 for pre-school aged children. Costings for the Scheme, including a budget for Year 1 of more than three times the amount invested in UK Nursery M…

13 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to introduce COVID-19 vaccine passports in domestic settings.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6T-00019 on ? 26 May 2021. The answer is available on the Parliament's website at: Official Report - Parliamentary Business : Scottish Parliament

6 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when its NHS Recovery Plan will be published.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Whilst a specific date cannot be given for the publication of the NHS Recovery Plan at this time the Scottish Government have committed to publishing this plan within the first hundred days of the new parliament. The NHS Recovery Plan will set out our plans…

1 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 will be fully implemented across Scotland, and what the reasons are for the delay in implementation.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: It is currently not practical to establish a definitive implementation timetable for bringing the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (the Act) into force. Covid-19 has considerably stretched resources within Health Boards and the wider health and …

24 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when couples will be allowed to attend IVF appointments together as part of the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions.

Answer · Maree Todd: Couples can attend together for all NHS IVF appointments, subject to local risk assessments and physical distancing requirements, which provide the best protection for patients and staff and ensure that services continue to be provided as the Covid-19 pandemi…

23 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what plans it has to expedite COVID-19 vaccinations for university and college students in advance of the start of the autumn term.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: We have agreed with Health Boards and Higher and Further Education Institutions to appoint Single Points of Contacts in universities and colleges who will support the delivery of the vaccination to students across Scotland, including through the use of on-cam…

23 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to lift the COVID-19 restrictions regarding car sharing, should the mainland move to level 0 on 19 July 2021.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Transport Scotland has published guidance to enable people to travel as safely as possible during the Covid-19 pandemic. The guidance includes car sharing and is applicable to all protection levels. On 22 June 2021, the First Minister confirmed the intention …

18 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-00481 by Maree Todd on 17 June 2021, whether it plans to introduce legislation that would mean that menus without calorie amounts are available on request in all hospitality settings.

Answer · Maree Todd: Any consultation on mandatory calorie labelling for food and drink purchased out of home would consider all relevant matters.

17 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason food outlets are not permitted to operate on Euro 2020 matchdays within the grounds of Hampden Park, in light of the length of time that fans have been told to arrive before the game starts and merchandise stalls being permitted to operate.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: We worked closely with the Scottish FA, Glasgow City Council, Police Scotland and other partners on preparations for UEFA EURO 2020, including the four matches at Hampden Park and the Glasgow Green Fan Zone. The Scottish Government understand the concerns th…

17 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013, with a view to bringing forward amending legislation to increase the reach and scope of the Act.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: We currently have no plans to review or expand the High Hedges (Scotland) Act 2013. Application of the legislation is the responsibility of local authorities and my officials will continue to engage with them to ensure that the legislation is being applied in…

14 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to people with gambling addiction.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Gambling has the potential to negatively affect physical, psychological health, and the social functioning of the people who gamble and others around them. We will continue to consider evidence on what works best to address the issue of gambling harms in Sco…

14 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local authority area have on-site defibrillators.

Answer · Maree Todd: This information is not held centrally. However, you may wish to contact Scottish Local Authorities individually for information they may hold. The Scottish local government page of the Confederation of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has contact informati…

9 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what COVID-19 protection requirements under-18s must observe before travelling on family holidays from Scotland to Spain in July 2021.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The international travel restrictions in Scotland currently apply to people arriving into or returning to Scotland. Anyone travelling to another country should make sure they comply with the relevant procedures where they are visiting. Foreign, Commonwealth a…

9 Jun 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to the international minimum.

8 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason care home visitors can no longer perform a COVID-19 lateral flow test prior to their visit, and now must take one on site, and for what reason visits to care homes have been restricted to 30 minutes.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Open with Care: supporting meaningful contact in care homes was published on 24 February and sets out how indoor and outdoor contact should gradually increase while minimising COVID-19 risks to residents, staff and visitors. We have been providing testing kit…

7 Jun 2021 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its preparations for Euro 2020, including the fan zone.

4 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many inpatient beds there are for people with eating disorders, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: Children and young people who require inpatient support for an eating disorder will be admitted to either one of the 3 regional Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) inpatient units, as outlined below, or be admitted to a paediatric ward.24 beds…

3 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce legislation that will require calorie-labelling on all foodstuffs, similar to that announced by the UK Government.

Answer · Maree Todd: The Out of Home sector has an important role to play in providing access to affordable, healthier food and in helping people make informed choices. Our 2018 Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan includes specific actions to help families make healthier choic…

3 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the use of electric scooters on streets is prohibited and, in light of reports suggesting that these vehicles might provide potential environmental benefits, what plans it has to review its position regarding their use.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Electric scooters (e-scooters) are effectively illegal to ride on streets and in other public places due to a number of pieces of UK-wide and Scottish legislation. Last summer, the UK Government made some amendments to UK legislation to allow limited trials …

1 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next review the criteria for visiting care home residents, as it eases COVID-19 restrictions.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Open with Care guidance, published on 24 February 2021, recommends a minimum of two indoor visits per resident per week (where they so wish), as long as certain conditions are met. This was a starting point to enable care homes to increase the frequency, …

25 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of the budget for mental health services for 2021-22 will be allocated to the treatment of eating disorders. 

Answer · Kevin Stewart: NHS Scotland works in partnership with Integrated Authorities, Local Authorities, the third sector and other service providers to deliver care, services and support to people with eating disorders and their families funded from the overall resources they rece…

25 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what (a) guidance and (b) training is currently provided to teachers and learning support staff on recognising the signs of eating disorders in young people.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is a priority for the Scottish Government and schools play a key role in supporting positive mental health and recognising when children and young people may need additional support. Prior to the o…

25 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential benefits of the (a) procurement and (b) deployment of professional high-efficiency particulate air purifiers in enclosed workspaces.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (“SAGE”) Environmental and Modelling Group (“EMG”) published a paper on 4 November 2020 on the “ Potential application of air cleaning devices and personal decontamination to manage transmission o…

25 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the SAGE recommendation that innovation funding should be provided to support the development, verification and deployment of high-quality air cleaning devices.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Work is due to start with the Office of Product Safety and Standards and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies’ Environmental and Modelling Group to consider air cleaners further as there is no recognised standard for their efficacy. This work is nece…

25 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that NHS estates can reduce the viral load of COVID-19 in the ambient air of poorly ventilated spaces, and what plans it has to undertake widescale deployment of professional high-efficiency particulate air purifiers to reduce the risk of infection.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Scottish Healthcare Technical Memorandum (SHTM) 03-01 provides information relating to legal requirements, design implications, maintenance and operation of general and specialised ventilation in all types of healthcare premises. This has been supplemented wi…

24 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government by what date dog and puppy training classes can resume under the COVID-19 protection levels system.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Dog and puppy training businesses have been permitted to be open for normal operation of training classes since the easing of restrictions on? 26 April 2021. Those participating in any dog or puppy training should practice physical distancing and preventative…

21 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will offer to people on restricted incomes to install interlinked heat and smoke detectors in their properties in advance of the February 2022 deadline.

Answer · Shona Robison: While it will be the responsibility of the homeowner to meet the new fire and carbon monoxide alarm standard, we have provided over £1m funding to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to support them to install alarms for people at high risk of fire. In addit…

21 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of COVID-19 lateral flow test kits being available free on request, for what reason people are required to pay for COVID-19 tests to satisfy requirements for travelling overseas.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Advice from clinicians is to continue to use PCR testing for international travellers coming to Scotland, which is more accurate than other forms of testing. We will consider lateral flow testing further as technology improves and more data is available. Rega…

21 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether people undertaking overseas charity work, such as the delivery of emergency aid, are exempt from COVID-19 managed isolation on their return to Scotland.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Public health measures have been implemented at borders to minimise the risk of importation of the virus from foreign travel. Recently, this has included alignment on the traffic light system for international travel which came into effect on 17 May 2021. Thi…

21 May 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which cabinet secretary or minister will be responsible for the science industry, given that the subject was not specified in any ministerial briefs following the latest cabinet reshuffle.

Answer · Ivan McKee: As Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, I retain responsibility for the Life Sciences sector. Mr Hepburn, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, has responsibility for other elements of science pol…