Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-37515

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to establish a working group to investigate and consider any health impact on women due to exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES).

The Scottish Government has the utmost sympathy to the women who were prescribed diethylstilbestrol (DES) and the impact it had on them and their families.

However, Scottish Ministers have no plans to establish a working group on this issue as the regulation for the licensing, safety and efficacy of medicines is reserved to the UK Government and is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Question reference: S6W-37695

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to address any regional variation in the uptake of home dialysis among patients in renal centres, in light of reports that this ranges from 7.2% to 26.2% across different NHS boards.

The decision to offer home dialysis to patients is primarily a matter for NHS Boards. Last year, we agreed a national policy to reimburse patients for the additional electricity costs of home dialysis so that patients are not exposed to the impact of high energy prices. It also removes the financial disincentive to making a choice for home dialysis over in-centre treatments, allowing personal choice in where and how to receive treatment.

Question reference: S6W-37687

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it provides to (a) local authorities and (b) other education bodies on preventing the unauthorised use of AI by pupils.

The SQA is actively addressing issues in respect of unauthorised use of AI in assessment by providing centres and candidates with guidance on appropriate use of AI in assessment: Generative artificial intelligence (AI) in assessments - SQA.

While any reports of malpractice are concerning, the number of occurrences identified from National Qualifications candidates are relatively low when compared to the numbers of candidates taking these qualifications. We will continue to monitor any issues as they evolve and work with partners to respond as appropriate.

Education Scotland have also produced guidance on the appropriate use of AI in schools: Teaching and Learning with Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Resources | Education Scotland

The Scottish Government is actively working with local government and teachers’ representatives to develop a set of AI guidelines to support learning and teaching.

Question reference: S6W-37694

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have been provided with prescription drugs by teachers during school hours in each year since 1999, also broken down by local authority area.

Question reference: S6W-37512

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 27 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many young people have received a private mental health diagnosis in each year since 1999.

Question reference: S6W-37697

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that there is (a) a specific focus on and (b) accompanying ringfenced funding for kidney disease in the forthcoming long-term conditions framework.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with long term conditions including Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are able to access the best possible care and support, and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and put people at the centre of their care.

The Scottish Government is currently consulting on a new long term conditions framework to better recognise the fact that many people living with long term conditions, including CKD need the same types of support and care, regardless of their condition. The consultation will provide a valuable opportunity for us to hear from individuals, organisations and members of the public to contribute their view.

The themes of the subsequent framework will be informed by the consultation responses we receive, and I would therefore welcome responses from organisations and patients who have CKD. In the development of the framework we will identify what funding is available for implementation.

Question reference: S6W-37693

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many pupils in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have needed catheterising in each year since 1999, also broken down by local authority area.

Question reference: S6W-37511

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many High Speed Trains are operating on the ScotRail network.

Question reference: S6W-37514

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government which commissions funded by it have been assigned to the social research agency, The Lines Between, in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

Question reference: S6W-37509

Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 May 2025
Current Status: Answer expected on 30 May 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) children, (b) children with disabilities and (c) children with additional support needs have received out-of-school support during the school holidays in each year since 1999.

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