The Scottish Parliament

Question reference: S7W-01607

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether any guidance has been published for Scottish universities on the steps they can take to address the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on their campuses.

Scottish Universities, as with all those with responsibility for building ownership and property management, should follow the advice and guidance on the identification, management and mitigation of risks associated with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) provided by professional organisations such as the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) continues to engage with colleges and universities on estate-related matters, including issues relating to RAAC, and keeps the Scottish Government informed of sector-wide developments.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 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/written-questions-and-answers.

Question reference: S7W-01605

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on the Edinburgh Napier University Merchiston Campus, what assessment it has made of the extent of the presence of RAAC in buildings on campuses of other Scottish universities.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken a separate assessment of the extent of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) within university estates.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01597 on 30 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/written-questions-and-answers.

Question reference: S7W-01597

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 30 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with Edinburgh Napier University regarding the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings on its Merchiston Campus.

Responsibility for the management, maintenance and safety of university buildings rests with the institution as the owner of the estate. Responsibility for engagement with institutions on these matters lies with the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). As part of its outcomes framework and assurance model the SFC engages directly with institutions on estate matters and has maintained oversight of issues relating to RAAC across the tertiary education sector.

The Scottish Government remains in regular contact with the SFC regarding it’s assessment of sector-wide risks, issues and impacts.

Question reference: S7W-01658

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 21 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01047 by Mairi McAllan on 9 July 2026, when the next wave of Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (BISSR) will be undertaken.

Question reference: S7W-01656

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 21 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01019 by Kirsten Oswald on 9 July 2026, on what dates a) ministers and b) civil servants held discussions with Police Scotland and whether it will place a copy of any notes or minutes from these discussions in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

Question reference: S7W-01657

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Friday, 24 July 2026
Current Status: Answer expected on 21 August 2026

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S7W-01036 by Kirsten Oswald on 9 July 2026, whether it will provide an update on which of the actions recommended by the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour (a) have been implemented and (b) remain incomplete.

Question reference: S7W-01599

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position regarding whether the responsibility for addressing the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) rests with a building owner in the same way as responsibility for addressing other building issues.

Question reference: S7W-01600

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Cross Sector Working Group has not met since November 2024.

The Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) Cross Sector Working Group was established on a limited term basis to support the co-ordination of data collection and information sharing about RAAC across the public sector estate in Scotland. The aims and objectives of the Working Group are now met by the Cross Sector Building Safety Forum which, with a broader remit, meets to discuss a range of building safety issues with representation from across key sectors. Information about the Forum is published here: Building safety: cross sector forum - gov.scot.

Question reference: S7W-01609

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 08 July 2026
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 20 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with the Institute of Structural Engineers to discuss the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in buildings and the steps required to mitigate damage.

Scottish Government funded the Institution of Structural Engineers to develop guidance on the identification, assessment and remediation of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in residential properties. Scottish Government officials met with members of the Institution of Structural Engineers on 21 January 2026 to discuss this guidance.

Members of the Institution of Structural Engineers attended a meeting of the RAAC in Housing Leadership Group meeting on 28 January 2026, to deliver a presentation on the guidance. The meeting was chaired by the former Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Miri McAllan. Scottish Government officials also joined this meeting.

Question reference: S7W-01282

Asked by: Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 17 July 2026

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Police Scotland regarding reported long waiting times for callers to the 101 non-emergency telephone service, and what action is being taken to reduce waiting times and improve public access to this service.

Decisions on how resources are deployed, including the operation of contact, command and control services, are matters for the Chief Constable, reflecting the operational independence of policing. Police Scotland has been very clear that 101 is a non-emergency number and callers are advised of other means by which they can contact the service while on hold.

The Scottish Government is providing record funding of over £1.7 billion for policing in 2026–27, giving Police Scotland the resources it needs to maintain a resilient and responsive service, including the 101 service.

We expect that investment to support effective and accessible services for the public, and to ensure communities continue to receive the prompt and reliable policing response they deserve.

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Question reference: S7W-01607

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Question reference: S7W-01605

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Question reference: S7W-01597

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Question reference: S7W-01658

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Question reference: S7W-01656

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Question reference: S7W-01599

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Question reference: S7W-01282

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