Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-35906

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish an updated timetable for the SSEN Skye Reinforcement project.

Question reference: S6W-35910

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Alasdair Allan on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out on the comparative costs of underground energy transmission infrastructure.

The Scottish Government has not itself carried out analysis on the comparative costs of undergrounding energy transmission infrastructure and these will vary on a project to project basis. There are a number of industry commissioned reports that demonstrate both in general and on a project specific basis that underground cables are initially more expensive than overhead lines.

As the independent energy regulator for Great Britain, Ofgem is responsible for protecting energy consumers’ interests. Transmission network companies are regulated by Ofgem and when developing projects they must have consideration of their license obligations which require them to be economic and efficient in respect of costs to the consumer. The cost of undergrounding as compared to other forms of transmission infrastructure will be an important consideration for Ofgem assessing the transmission network companies investment plans and agreeing the costs that can be recovered from bill payers.

Question reference: S6W-36177

Asked by: Sue Webber, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it was notified by CMAL regarding its decision to award the contract for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme to Remontowa Shipbuilding SA in Poland.

Scottish Ministers were made aware on 14 March 2025 that CMAL had selected Remontowa Shipbuilding SA in Poland as the lead bidder for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme phase one vessels contract.

CMAL informed all bidders of the outcome of the procurement process on 17 March 2025. Ministers were then notified on 28 March 2025 that no challenges to the procurement outcome had been made during the required ten day standstill period, and that CMAL would be signing the contract with Remontowa later the same day.

Question reference: S6W-36073

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Angela Constance on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether it maintains a central register of recommendations made by sheriffs in fatal accident inquiry determinations, and, if so, how it ensures that these recommendations are tracked and reviewed.

Question reference: S6W-35904

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that communities in remote, rural and island areas are actively involved in decision-making processes regarding their healthcare services.

NHS Boards and IJBs have a statutory duty to involve people and communities in the planning and development of care services. Revised joint guidance with COSLA, Planning with People, supports Health Boards, local authorities and IJBs in engaging with local communities on the health and social care services they provide. Planning with People sets out actions that should be taken when changes to services are being considered, and emphasises that community engagement and active participation of people is essential.

Question reference: S6W-35921

Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how it is actively reducing stigma by raising and normalising period awareness in all sporting environments.

Since 2019, the Scottish Government has been supporting the sport sector to offer free period products; reducing stigma and addressing overarching gender equality.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-30734 on 11 November 2024. 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

In addition to the information provided in answer S6W-30734, sportscotland’s Working with Female Athletes learning platform on Brightspace has recently been updated to include additional e-learning resources. This includes Sport Wales’ e-learning module on the menstrual cycle in sport. Resources are available for all and are free of charge.

Question reference: S6W-35900

Asked by: Jamie Halcro Johnston, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 20 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address reported concerns that the cost of rail travel in the Highlands is disproportionately higher than that in urban areas, and what consideration it has given to supporting rail routes serving rural and remote communities to provide a viable alternative to car travel.

Eligible residents of the Highlands benefit from the Highland Railcard, which provides 50% off rail fares at any time of the day and is now available with ScotRail’s ‘Kids for a Quid’ offer.

Following the conclusion of Peak Fares Removal Pilot, ScotRail has introduced a 20% discount on all season tickets until 27 September 2025 and permanently improved the value for money of Flexipass tickets, which offer significant savings to passengers.

ScotRail will continue to develop fare initiatives to attract more passengers while providing savings and additional value to existing rail users.

Question reference: S6W-36124

Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards have the availability of faecal calprotectin tests, which help to improve the diagnosis for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The Scottish Government does not hold this information which is a matter for NHS heath boards locally.

We are committed to ensuring that all people living in Scotland with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis 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.

Whilst our role is to set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland, it is NHS Boards locally who are responsible for service delivery. We expect all Boards to follow best practice and adhere to current guidelines and standards for people with suspected IBD and a national IBD pathway for NHS Scotland was published in January 2025: inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd-pathway.pdf. This pathway is intended to be used for primary and secondary care health care professionals who are concerned that a patient may have undiagnosed IBD.

The pathway includes the use of faecal calprotectin tests which is supported by current clinical evidence for distinguishing between IBD and non-inflammatory bowel diseases (such as irritable bowel syndrome).

Question reference: S6W-35892

Asked by: Douglas Lumsden, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recently reported concerns raised by an MSP about Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme investments in Tesla shares, whether it (a) has undertaken a review of its ownership of Tesla vehicles and (b) will sell its fleet of 10 Tesla cars.

Question reference: S6T-02457

Asked by: Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 31 March 2025
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 1 April 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent NASUWT survey, which recorded that 49% of female teachers in Scotland had reported physical abuse or violence in the last 12 months.

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