General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 23 January 2025.
Miles Briggs
Conservative
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the remit of the Scottish child abuse inquiry remains appropriate. (S6O-04241)
Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party
The remit of the Scottish child abuse inquiry was established following extensive consultation with survivors. The inquiry, which has now been operating for nine years, is independent and Lady Smith, its chair, is responsible for deciding what is examined by the inquiry to fulfil its remit. I believe that the remit remains appropriate.
Miles Briggs
Conservative
The Deputy First Minister will know that people who have attended the inquiry are concerned that many victims have felt that their voices have not been heard, that non-disclosure agreements used by public bodies have often stopped truths coming out in the inquiry, and that it is looking at only historical abuse. One of the campaigners has put forward the idea of establishing an independent national whistleblowing officer for education and children’s services. Will the Deputy First Minister consider that, and will she meet me and campaigners to further discuss the issue?
Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party
An important point to make is that we initially established the remit of the inquiry in order to respond to survivors’ requests. I continue to engage with survivors independently of the inquiry.
My view is that changing the remit at this late stage would mean that it will take significantly longer for the inquiry to reach and publish its conclusions, which would risk failing to respond to survivors of in-care abuse and would delay the opportunity to address any recommendations that the inquiry might make. I am very happy to engage with the member on those matters.
Alison Johnstone
Green
That concludes general questions.
Before we move to First Minister’s questions, I call the First Minister to make a short statement about tomorrow’s weather warning.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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