Scottish Government

Wednesday 30 October 2019

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Economy

Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what response it made to the UK Government consultation, "Good work plan: establishing a new single enforcement body for employment rights", and whether it recommended that the UK Government should establish such a body. Holding answer issued: 30 October 2019 (S5W-25605) Jamie Hepburn: A holding answer was provided.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to the economic and environmental costs on the salmon fishing industry when considering its support for the open cage salmon farming industry in Scotland. (S5W-25630) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government supports sustainable salmon farming and sustainable wild Atlantic salmon fishing; both sectors are dependent on the environment and contribute to the Scottish rural economy.

Our National Marine Plan seeks to balance the needs of all sectors with a shared interest in the marine environment. Local Authorities consider a wide range of factors, including potential environmental consequences of any salmon farm proposal before granting planning permission. Most salmon farm developments are also required to be screened to determine whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is necessary. All salmon farms must meet strict guidelines to ensure that the environmental effects are assessed and managed safely.

In our response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into salmon farming, we committed to make progress on a number of challenges. I updated the Parliament in June on initial actions we are taking with regard to sea lice management and reporting and we will continue to engage with the Scottish Parliament, the salmon farming and the recreational salmon fishing sectors, including through the Salmon Interactions Working Group, to ensure our policies are developed with proper consideration of any economic and environmental costs and benefits.

Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many Fair Start Scotland participants in each local authority area have achieved a (a) 13- and (b) 26-week job outcome, broken down by health condition. (S5W-25646) Jamie Hepburn: I refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-25652 on 30 October 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what stakeholder engagement it has carried out regarding its replacement of the DWP Specialised Employment Support schemes, and with which organisations. (S5W-25649) Jamie Hepburn: In developing a replacement service for DWP’s Specialist Employability Support, we have engaged with a number of stakeholders in order to inform how the replacement service might better meet the needs of disabled people in Scotland.

This has included holding a number of stakeholder engagement events around Scotland, to ensure funding and support is best targeted at individuals most in need of assistance. Participants in these events included representatives from Local Authorities, the Third Sector and Disabled People’s Organisations, including, but not limited to: Glasgow Disability Alliance, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living, Inclusion Scotland, SUSE, Shirlie Project, Highland Council, Action on Hearing Loss, Prince’s Trust, Remploy, Cantley Bridge College, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

In addition we are clear that, consistent with the principles of No One Left Behind , the new service must align to local strategic employability pipelines. We are therefore in dialogue with the Scottish and Local Government Alignment group to ensure appropriate integration.

Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many Fair Start Scotland participants there are in each local authority area, broken down by health condition. (S5W-25651) Jamie Hepburn: I refer the Member to the answer to question S5W-25652 on 30 October 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many Fair Start Scotland participants in each local authority area have reported deafness or partial hearing loss. (S5W-25652) Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government has recently published data broken down by health condition and local authority area. The data can be found in the supporting files section of the latest publication (August 2019) of 'Scotland's devolved employment services: statistical summary': www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-devolved-employment-services- statistical-summary-3/pages/4/

Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government by what date section 14 of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 will come into force. (S5W-25733) Paul Wheelhouse: Consultation on the development of Island Community Impact Assessments (ICIAs) provisions within the Act has now been completed. Policy development is underway and a timeline for the commencement of section 14 is being finalised.

In the meantime, although there is no duty to do an impact assessment, all Ministerial colleagues have been advised of the provisions of the Islands Act, with the recent Fuel Poverty (Targets Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Bill being a good example of how Ministers are trying to reflect the need to island proof legislation, in advance of the development of the ICIA tool being finalised.

We have also been advising our agencies and partners, where possible to operate in the spirit of the Act, and to consider island issues in their work bearing in mind that the Act would allow for an impact assessment, to potentially be applied retrospectively, where appropriate.

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) oil and gas operating companies and (b) Tier 1 contractors in the oil and gas industry regarding the adoption of its Fair Work Framework. (S5W-25808) Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government supports the Fair Work Convention’s vision for Scotland to be a fair work nation by 2025. The Framework underpins our Fair Work Action Plan and provides guidance for employers to promote and support fair work practices.

As a result of engagement with the STUC (Scottish Trades Union Congress), the Oil and Gas Leadership Group (ILG) now covers Fair Work as a fixed item on the agenda for all meetings. The ILG, membership consists of cross industry (including operators, contractors and SMEs), academia and industry trade bodies.

Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to its news release of 10 September 2019, Doubling investment in future skills, what progress it is making in developing the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan. (S5W-25832) Jamie Hepburn: Scotland already has many of the skills required to facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy. These skills exist across many of our sectors such as energy, engineering, construction, and chemical science.

Work is already underway with SDS and Zero Waste Scotland creating a Circular Economy Skills and Education Hub, working with the FE sector and Offshore Wind to develop a sector wide curriculum, and Energy Efficiency, and other stakeholders to further develop the evidence base for the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan.

Education, Communities and Justice

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many additional front line staff will be employed as a result of the Programme for Government announcement to invest £15 million in additional support for learning by the end of the current academic year, also broken down by local authority. (S5W-25856) John Swinney: The Scottish Government will invest an additional £15m in additional support for learning to secure additional frontline staff.

The Scottish Government is engaging with CoSLA to agree how this commitment will be implemented. However, the employment of staff is a matter for individual education authorities, and the number of staff employed locally with be determined by each education authority.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what assistance and support is available to individuals who are in dispute with their private factor company, and what advice is provided to those who cannot afford to take legal action in this regard. (S5W-25857) Kevin Stewart: A homeowner who is unhappy about the service provided by their property factor should, in the first instance, raise the matter with the factor directly and follow the factor’s own internal complaints procedure.

If the property factor refuses to resolve or unreasonably delays in attempting to resolve the homeowner's concerns, then the homeowner can apply to have their case considered by the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Housing and Property Chamber (First-tier Tribunal) who have the power to issue a legally binding property factor enforcement order if it finds in the homeowner’s favour.

No fees are charged for anyone taking a case to the First-tier Tribunal and legal representation is not required.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what action, other than legal action, can be taken by a complainant against a private factor company, following the rejection of a complaint by the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber). (S5W-25859) Kevin Stewart: A homeowner can appeal to the Upper Tribunal for Scotland on a point of law only if they are aggrieved by the decision of the First-tier Tribunal. Before an appeal can be made to the Upper Tribunal, the party must first seek permission to appeal from the First-tier Tribunal within 30 days of the date the decision was sent to them.

A homeowner may consider dismissing their property factor and appointing a new one. The Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 have given house owners with communal responsibilities important rights with regard to property managers, including a the dismissal and appointment of a factor.

A homeowner can also contact their local citizens advice bureau or a solicitor for advice.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the levels of funding for the next phase of the Learning Estate Investment Programme, and what the timescale will be for local authorities to bid for this. (S5W-25872) John Swinney: The next phase of projects to benefit from the £1 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme will be announced within 12 months. The Scottish Government look forward to continuing discussions will local authorities in the coming months regarding which of their projects may be suitable for support through the Learning Estate Investment Programme.

Johann Lamont (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out a review of the age limit for the Advance Payment Scheme for survivors of in-care abuse. (S5W-25895) John Swinney: The three month review of the Advance Payment Scheme is currently under way. Once concluded, the findings will be communicated publicly, including through survivor organisations and to all those on the mailing list for updates on redress.

Health and Social Care

Gordon MacDonald (Edinburgh Pentlands) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the NHS National Services Scotland report on the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neurosciences: Review of Fire Systems, Electrical Systems and Medical Gas Installations. (S5W-26039) Jeane Freeman: Today I have published the second and final part of a review into compliance of all building systems at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and Department of Clinical Neurosciences. Please find attached a copy of the report: https://www.gov.scot/publications/nhs-lothian- royal-hospital-children-young -people-department-clinical-neurosciences-review-fire-systems-electrical- systems-medical-gas-installations/

Following my commission when the move was halted in July, the latest NHS National Services Scotland report focuses on fire systems, electrical systems and medical gases. This document is supplementary to the NSS report published on 11 September 2019. The findings of this report have identified remedial work required within fire and electrical systems prior to occupation and also identified opportunities for improvement activity. We continue to work to the previously announced timeline.

NHS Lothian have today published a response setting out a programme of activity to address the findings in the NSS report following an assessment of the work to be completed. A wider action plan bringing together actions of both reports will follow in due course. Please find a link to the NHS Lothian response: NHS Lothian's Response Document In my statement to Parliament on Wednesday 11 September, I set out the steps that would be taken to strengthen the management and assurance arrangements for completing all of the outstanding works necessary to open the facility, this includes taking forward the actions identified in both NHS National Services Scotland Reports.

The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Oversight Board is in place and has overall responsibility for ensuring the completion of the works and the hospital opening, reporting directly to me as Cabinet Secretary. The Oversight Board is chaired by the Chief Nursing Officer and includes senior figures from Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates, NHS National Services Scotland, Scottish Futures Trust and NHS Lothian.

Mary Morgan has been appointed Senior Programme Director, effective from 16 September, and will report directly to this Scottish Government. In this role, she has responsibility for the actions to ensure the facility is fit for occupation and will oversee the action plan to deliver a safe and complaint site for the new Edinburgh Hospital for Children and Young people and DCN.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to provide funding to (a) local and (b) integration authorities to support social care providers’ winter resilience plans and, if so, how much will be proved to each authority. Holding answer issued: 30 October 2019 (S5W-25619) Jeane Freeman: A holding answer was provided.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has provided to each NHS board to support their 2019-20 winter resilience plans. Holding answer issued: 30 October 2019 (S5W-25620) Jeane Freeman: A holding answer was provided.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many intensive care unit beds there have been in each NHS board area in each of the last five years, also broken down per 100,000 people. Holding answer issued: 30 October 2019 (S5W-25621) Jeane Freeman: A holding answer was provided. Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many people have died in intensive care units in each NHS board area in each of the last three years, also broken down per 100,000 people. Holding answer issued: 30 October 2019 (S5W-25622) Jeane Freeman: A holding answer was provided.

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what guidelines and protocols are used by NHS boards regarding the treatment of intensive care unit patients, including when considering whether to recommend the withdrawal or continuation of support. Holding answer issued: 30 October 2019 (S5W-25624) Jeane Freeman: A holding answer was provided.

Organisational Development and Operations

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish a list of the modes of communication used by (a) ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) its officials for business purposes, and how it monitors the use of these. (S5W-25773) Graeme Dey: The modes of communication used by (a) ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) its officials for business purposes on Scottish Government devices are:

• Fixed Telephone lines • Mobile Phones (including text messaging and access to SmartPhone Apps) • Government email is available on a host of centrally-managed devices. • Video and audio Conferencing (including Skype for Business) • Social Media channels • Saltire intranet • Yammer (enterprise social network)

Some parts of the organisation may use other modes of communication within their local business areas e.g. Marine Scotland use radio communication packages to aid communications between ships and aircraft.

All modes of business communication are monitored in accordance with guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre. There are a number of communications tools that staff can download to mobile devices but which are not provided by the Scottish Government. All users are reminded that such usage remain subject to an acceptable use policy as outlined in our IT Code of Conduct and their use is subject to FOI(S)A 2002 and compliance with our Information Management Principles.

Transport Scotland

Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-24636 by Paul Wheelhouse on 29 August 2019, what the total operating hours were for the (a) MV Argyll Flyer and (b) MV Alicat, for the period January 2018 to July 2019. (S5W-25767) Paul Wheelhouse: During the period 1 January 2018 to 31 July 2019 the total operating (actual passage) hours for vessels MV Ali Cat and MV Argyll Flyer were 5403 hours and 7144 hours respectively.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when it expects a new demand analysis and forecasting model for passengers and freight customers on Northern Isles Ferry Services to be introduced, and how the cost of this project will be met. (S5W-25784) Paul Wheelhouse: Until the new contract for the Northern Isles Ferry Services is awarded, this is a live procurement and there is a limit on what information can be provided at this time. Once the new contract is signed, a redacted version of the contract, providing proposals and contractual obligations, will be published on Transport Scotland's website.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when it expects an enhanced passenger information system to be introduced at all Northern Isles Ferry Services terminals, and what estimate it has made of the cost of this project. (S5W-25785) Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-25784 on 30 October 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25088 by Michael Matheson on 17 September 2019, where the 40% of the ChargePlace Scotland network serving small towns and rural areas is located, broken down by Parliamentary constituency and region. (S5W-25805) Michael Matheson: At end-August 2019, 445 chargepoints on the ChargePlace Scotland network were located in areas designated as accessible small towns, remote small towns, accessible rural or remote rural as set out in the Scottish Government’s six-fold urban/rural classification. The following table provides a breakdown of these chargepoints by Local Authority area.

Local Authority Number of Chargepoints 1 Aberdeen City 6 Aberdeenshire 30 Angus 15 Argyll and Bute 30 City of Edinburgh 11 Clackmannanshire 6 Dumfries and Galloway 16 East Ayrshire 8 East Dunbartonshire 1 East Lothian 33 East Renfrewshire 4 Falkirk 2 Fife 27 Highland 49 Inverclyde 3 Midlothian 11 Moray 12 Na h-Eileanan an Iar 16 North Ayrshire 17 North Lanarkshire 9 Orkney Islands 17 Perth and Kinross 29 Renfrewshire 2 Scottish Borders 27 Shetland Islands 13 South Ayrshire 8 South Lanarkshire 22 Stirling 16 West Dunbartonshire 3 West Lothian 2 TOTAL 445 1 in locations designated as accessible small towns, remote small towns, accessible rural or remote rural as set out in the Scottish Government’s six- fold urban/rural classification.

Please note, the data presented includes areas of low population density within or nearby urban centres meaning some cities have chargers located in areas designated as accessible small towns.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government on what (a) cost, (b) quality or (c) other grounds David MacBrayne Ltd’s bid for the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract from 31 October 2019 was unsuccessful. (S5W-25814) Paul Wheelhouse: Until the new contract for the Northern Isles Ferry Services is awarded, this is a live procurement and there is a limit on what information can be provided. Following completion of the procurement, the detailed terms of David MacBrayne Ltd’s bid will remain subject to commercial confidentiality.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) revenues or (b) inter-group loans from Serco Group plc have been used to fund the operation of the current Northern Isles Ferry Services contract with Serco NorthLink Ferries since July 2012. (S5W-25815) Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government can confirm that no revenues, or intergroup loans, from Serco Group plc have been used to fund the operation of the current Northern Isles Ferry Services (NIFS) contract with Serco NorthLink Ferries since July 2012.

Commercial revenues received within the NIFS contract are taken into account when determining the subsidy received from the Scottish Government. i.e. increased revenue received from operating the ferry services reduces the level of Scottish Government subsidy required.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a subsidy claw back provision in the 2019-27 contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services awarded to Serco NorthLink. (S5W-25816) Paul Wheelhouse: A subsidy claw back provision is included in the 2019-27 contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services. A redacted version of the signed contract will subsequently be made available on Transport Scotland's website.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the annual cost to (a) public funds and (b) Serco NorthLink from the planned (i) maintenance and (ii) dry docking of the publicly-owned fleet during the 2019-27 Northern Isles Ferry Services contract. (S5W-25817) Paul Wheelhouse: We initially estimated the total contract value at some £370 million. It is for the operator to deliver costed service solutions that fall within that initial value.

Although annual subsidy requirements will be published on a retrospective basis, financial details of the successful bidder's tender, including planned maintenance and dry docking will remain commercially confidential.

This remains a live procurement and there is a limit on what further information can be provided at this time. A redacted version of the signed contract will subsequently be made available on Transport Scotland's website.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the cost to (a) public funds and (b) Serco NorthLink of planned improvements to the terminal facilities at Hatston, Kirkwall during the 2019-27 contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services, and when it expects those improvements to be completed. (S5W-25818) Paul Wheelhouse: We initially estimated the total contract value at some £370 million. It is for the operator to deliver costed service solutions that fall within that initial value.

Although annual subsidy requirements will be published on a retrospective basis, financial details of the successful bidder's tender, including improvements to the terminal facilities at Hatston, Kirkwall, will remain commercially confidential.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government further to the Transport Scotland news release of 20 September 2019, whether it expects to introduce the three-year fares freeze for (a) passengers, (b) non-commercial vehicles and (c) cabins on the (i) Aberdeen- Lerwick and (ii) Kirkwall-Lerwick routes from January 2020. (S5W-25820) Paul Wheelhouse: As I announced on 20 September 2019, cabin fares on Aberdeen-Kirkwall-Lerwick routes will be reduced by 20% for islanders and we will also introduce a three-year islander fares freeze for passengers, non- commercial vehicles and cabins on those routes.

I can therefore confirm that these fare reductions will come into effect on 1 January 2020.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether sensors have been fitted to the Queensferry Crossing to alert engineers to the hazard of ice building up on its cables, with risk of it falling on to the carriageways. (S5W-25824) Michael Matheson: The issues with ice are thought to be a result of a very specific set of weather conditions arriving in March 2019. Since then, processes have been developed to ensure that any ice formation is monitored and managed to minimise the impact on traffic over the structure.

Sensors which detect ice accumulation will be fitted to the bridge and incorporated in the structural health monitoring system.

The conditions that can lead to a build-up of ice of this kind are very rare in the Forth estuary.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether left luggage facilities are covered in the ScotRail franchise. (S5W-25838) Michael Matheson: Left luggage facilities at stations are not covered in the ScotRail Franchise Agreement.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much it will cost to dual the (a) A9 and (b) A96; when this will be completed, and what the benefit/cost ratio will be. (S5W-25839) Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government intends to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness by 2025. Design work is progressing well with the statutory process underway for eight of the remaining nine schemes. We are currently on track to deliver the dualling programme within the £3bn estimate already identified. The A9 Dualling - Case for Investment, published in 2016, reports a benefit to cost ratio of 1.12.

In terms of the A96 Dualling, the Scottish Government intends to dual the A96 by 2030, subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory process for each section. At this early stage of development it is difficult to give an accurate estimate of the cost of the dualling programme. However, it is estimated that the cost of dualling will be similar to that for dualling the A9 and be in the region of £3 billion. The published A96 Dualling Strategic Business Case reports a benefit to cost ratio in the range of 1.0 – 1.25.

As the design and preparation of both programmes proceed, a more detailed estimate for each section of the programmes will be developed.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what annual emission reduction target it has set for Northern Isles Ferry Services during the 2019-27 contract period. (S5W-25840) Paul Wheelhouse: Section 16 of Volume 2 of the Invitation to Tender, published on Transport Scotland's website, set out requirements for Environmental Management, including arrangements for minimising the generation of greenhouse gases and carbon release. The operator is also required to co-operate with Transport Scotland on the publication of emissions information during the term of the contract.

Until the new contract is awarded, this is a live procurement and there is a limit on what information can be provided at this time. A redacted version of the signed contract will subsequently be made available on Transport Scotland's website.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25522 by Michael Matheson on 11 October 2019, whether it will provide a breakdown of what the timetable adjustments could be, and how many times it would be possible to run 28 container-length trains on (a) weekdays, (b) Saturdays and (c) Sundays. (S5W-25841) Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland is unable to provide a breakdown of the timetable adjustments without first having a detailed timetable study undertaken.

Transport Scotland is confident that the current infrastructure can support the operation of up to three 28-container trains on a normal day, but consideration would need to be given to running some of these trains overnight – providing the industry could agree to amend the normal overnight route closure times used for maintenance and engineering work.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement of the contract award to Serco NorthLink, when the new Green Travel campaign aimed at customers and employees on Northern Isles Ferry Services' vessels and ports will be launched, and what consultation it expects Serco NorthLink to have with (a) passenger groups and (b) trade unions regarding the design of the campaign. (S5W-25842) Paul Wheelhouse: Serco Ltd are the preferred bidder for the next Northern Isles ferry services contract. The current contract has been extended to 31 January 2020. The Green Travel campaign will be launched during the next contract set to commence on 1 February 2020. The operator of the services will fully engage with passenger groups and employees, and their trade unions, as it currently does during major campaigns. This will continue throughout the next contract.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it has received any requests from Serco Caledonian Sleeper for indemnification relating to industrial action by the RMT trade union in 2019 and, if so, whether it will provide details of any such claims. (S5W-25847) Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has not received a financial claim from Caledonian Sleeper relating to industrial action by the RMT union in 2019.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25484 by James Wolffe QC on 8 October 2019, and in light of the decision to trial a 50mph speed limit for HGVs on the A9, how it is able to make informed decisions regarding limits for HGVs. (S5W-25850) Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has no plans to further increase the speed limits for HGV’s in Scotland at this time. However, we are awaiting the Department for Transport publishing the full 3 year report into the evaluation of the HGV speed limit increase in England and Wales later this year. It is our intention to re-examine the evidence once the report has been published and this will be critical to understanding the impact of the HGV speed limit change on driver behaviour, vehicle speeds, economy, environment as well as casualty and collision reduction. Our assessment will also consider the evaluation of two reports published on Transport Scotland website in July 2018.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25449 by Michael Matheson on 1 October 2019 regarding whether it will publish a risk assessment of the effects of not providing a refreshment trolley on the West Highland, Highland main, Kyle of Lochalsh and Far North lines, whether it will answer the question that was asked and provide the information requested. (S5W-25853) Michael Matheson: The ScotRail franchise agreement contains a number of obligations placed in terms of delivery and enhancement of catering services. Responsibility for the delivery of these, including any relevant risk assessments, lies with the franchisee not the Scottish Government. However, the franchisee’s delivery of these obligations is monitored and, where it fails to meet them penalties can be applied. ScotRail has recruited new catering staff who are now in post and they have given assurances that they expect this to improve catering services on key routes.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the anticipated impact of its proposed Bus Partnership Fund on passenger numbers (a) overall and (b) in (i) urban and (ii) rural areas. (S5W-25861) Michael Matheson: The expected impacts of projects taken forward under the Bus Partnership Fund, including the effects on passenger numbers, will differ depending on the scale, type, and location of the investment, and these impacts will be assessed on a per-project basis.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of Scottish seafarers who are employed on the (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay freight ships chartered to work on the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract. (S5W-25863) Paul Wheelhouse: There are currently 19 positions (including 1 cadet who is a Scottish seafarer) on the Helliar and 18 on the Hildasay. All crew on board the vessels are entitled to work in the UK and are European nationals.

The crew on these vessels are provided through Marine Manning Guernsey Limited.

Crew on board the freight vessels continue to benefit from the principles set out in the Fair Work Framework such as; access to NorthLink’s extensive training programme, genuine workforce engagement and payment of the Living Wage.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish guidance regarding the provision of bus services by transport authorities. (S5W-25870) Michael Matheson: The Transport (Scotland) Bill was passed on 10 October and is anticipated to receive Royal Assent before the end of this year.

A good deal of preparatory work will be undertaken on the significant volume of regulations and guidance required in relation to the new provisions on bus services. My officials will be engaging with local transport authorities and operators over the coming months in taking this work forward with a view to beginning commencement of the provisions during 2020.

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what improvement work is planned for the A75, and what the (a) cost and (b) timeline is for this. (S5W-25882) Michael Matheson: In the current financial year the Scottish Government will invest approximately £2 million on road maintenance schemes on the A75. In addition, there are also road safety improvement schemes being progressed. This financial year these include accident reduction measures at:

• A75 Ardachie Straight - estimated to cost £115,000, subject to road space being available, and; • A75 junction with the A751 - estimated to cost between £50,000 - £70,000.

Investigations are also on-going for a controlled pedestrian crossing in Crocketford following the public meeting held earlier this year. Estimated cost and timescales for this will be determined upon decision of what type of facility is suitable.

Transport investment has to be supported by robust evidence and the South West Scotland Transport Study is also being progressed. This study is considering the rationale for improvements to all modes of transport on key strategic corridors, including that served by the A75. The study will provide recommendations which identify transport interventions to be considered in more detail through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review. The output of the review will provide Scottish Ministers with a programme of potential transport investment opportunities over the period 2022 – 2042 and will support the vision, priorities and outcomes of the new National Transport Strategy.