Questions and answers

Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for ��˿�� to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S5W-27061

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 January 2020
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 29 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government (a) how and (b) when the debt advice levy will be distributed.

In 2020-21 the debt advice levy funding will be used to support the Scottish Government's vision for a user-centred, collaborative and sustainable free debt advice system which was set out in A Debt Advice Routemap for Scotland published on 17 December 2019. The levy funding will be distributed during that year in accordance with the arrangements made by the Scottish Government with recipients of the funds.

Question reference: S5W-26913

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 January 2020
Current Status: Answered by Ash Denham on 23 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government when the remaining provisions of the Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018 will come into force.

Since the passing of the Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018, the Scottish Government has been working with stakeholders including the Scottish Civil Justice Council which is responsible for developing the Court rules that will be necessary for delivering the legislative changes.

Various sections including the whole of Part 3 were commenced by the Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018 (Commencement No. 1, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2018. The next part to be commenced will relate to Part 1 of the Act which regulates success fee agreements and this will happen in early 2020.

Further parts will follow in due course although there is no fixed timescale at this stage for delivering what is complex legislation.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of this legislation to delivering a modern, effective system of justice for litigants.

Question reference: S5O-04072

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 30 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to ensure that older and disabled people can easily access local services.

Question reference: S5W-26853

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 January 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government how many specialist bereavement midwives are employed by each NHS board, also broken down by how many positions are vacant.

Information on the number of specialist bereavement midwives employed by each Health Board is not collected centrally. However, we know that some Health Boards have specialist bereavement midwives; other Health Boards take a different approach and have individuals or teams trained in and delivering bereavement care. All Health Boards have at least one midwife trained in bereavement and offering maternity bereavement care as part of their role.

Scottish Government has provided funding of £94,000 to Sands to lead and develop the National Bereavement Care Pathway with other baby loss charities and Royal Colleges to improve the quality of bereavement care. The Pathway will launch this Spring.

Question reference: S5W-26856

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 January 2020
Current Status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what responsibility NHS boards have to ensure that bereavement training is provided to midwives when specialist cover does not meet demand.

Scottish Government supports the NHSScotland workforce to deliver a resilient, efficient and high quality healthcare service. All Health Boards have midwives who are trained in bereavement care and all NHS Boards are accountable to Scottish Ministers, supported by the Scottish Government.

The NHS Education for Scotland website ‘Support Around Death’ provides health professionals across Scotland with a range of resources on bereavement care after pregnancy loss, stillbirth or neonatal death, including short animated educational films. An e-learning resource on bereavement following pregnancy loss and the death of a baby is available on the Knowledge Network and provides in-depth education for maternity care professionals.

Midwifery students are offered modules on bereavement and loss so that they enter the profession knowing the importance of caring for women and families experiencing loss.

Question reference: S5O-04048

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 January 2020
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 23 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its forestry planting targets.

Question reference: S5W-26854

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 January 2020
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 15 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on introducing advisory speed limit signs, including at dangerous bends, before crossroads and in densely populated areas, similar to those operated elsewhere in the UK.

Traffic signs and permitted variants that can be used on public roads in Scotland are contained in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (the TSRGD). The use of signs is restricted by TSRGD to various permitted combinations and layouts to ensure consistency across the network and ensure clear and safe direction of all road users.

The TSRGD permits the use of advisory speed limits in conjunction with bend warning signs. These are used in a number of locations as appropriate across the Trunk Road network.

The alternative ‘REDUCE SPEED NOW’ sign is permitted in conjunction with signs before crossroads and is also used in various locations as appropriate across the Trunk Road network.

Densely populated areas are signed with mandatory speed limits therefore, the provision of advisory speed limit signs in these situations are not appropriate.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to promote road safety and take steps to both reduce and prevent accidents on their road networks. In this respect it is for the local authority to consider appropriate measures which will safeguard road users and residents, and to determine the priority that should be given to any road safety measures.

Question reference: S5O-04008

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 January 2020
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 16 January 2020

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the Police Scotland digital, data and ICT strategy.

Question reference: S5O-03848

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 November 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase investment in the Autism Training Framework.

Since 2013-14 we have provided funding of £671,000 to NHS Education for Scotland to support Autism Training resources for NHS professionals as part of our Scottish Strategy for Autism.

We commission NHS Education for Scotland to engage with NHS Boards on the Autism Training Framework. Work continues with a knowledge hub available to all NHS staff ensuring they have knowledge of autism relevant to their role. The team will deliver further training in assessment and diagnostic tools to improve waiting times in early 2020.

Question reference: S5O-03917

Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 December 2019
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 18 December 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how it is responding to reports that knowledge of changes in pupil performance is at a 70-year low.