Scottish Government

Wednesday 11 November 2020

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Constitution and External Affairs

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when the meeting between the First Minister and the former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond, Geoff Aberdein, scheduled for 29 March 2018 was removed from the ministerial diary; by whom, and on whose instruction. (S5W-32528) Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32527 on 11 November 2020. 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 .

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government where the meeting between the First Minister and the former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond, Geoff Aberdein, on 29 March 2018 took place. (S5W-32529) Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32527 on 11 November 2020. 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 .

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the purpose was of the meeting between the First Minister and the former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond, Geoff Aberdein, on 29 March 2018, and who arranged it. (S5W-32530) Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32527 on 11 November 2020. 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 . Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government were there any meetings between the former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond, Geoff Aberdein, and the (a) First Minister or (b) current Chief of Staff to the First Minister prior to the meeting on 29 March 2018 and, if so, what was discussed. (S5W-32531) Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32527 on 11 November 2020. 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 .

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it has condemned the reported attacks on LGBT+ people and LGBT+ activists in Poland. (S5W-32790) Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is strongly committed to advancing equality for LGBTI people and we are deeply concerned about reports of attacks on LGBTI people or activists in Poland. We condemn any such attacks in the strongest terms and we are particularly concerned by the creation of “zones free from LGBT ideology”.

We not only work to promote, protect and realise the rights of every LGBTI person in Scotland but we also promote respect and equality of treatment internationally, regularly raising issues around our fundamental values of tolerance and inclusion through our diplomatic engagement. Our most recent formal meeting with the Polish Authorities took place in February 2020, when the then Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs met the Polish Ambassador to the UK and introduced our publication “Strategic Priorities for Scotland and the European Union 2020-24” one of whose four key strands is to defend Europe’s democratic values and protect individual freedoms.

We will not hesitate to reiterate these messages at any future meetings.

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government when it last met a representative of the Polish Government, and whether the reported poor treatment of LGBT+ people and LGBT+ activists in Poland was raised. (S5W-32791) Jenny Gilruth: The last bilateral engagement with a representative of the Polish Government was on 4 February 2020. Fiona Hyslop, then Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, met with Arkady Rzegocki, Polish Ambassador to the United Kingdom. The meeting with the Polish Ambassador focused on Brexit, recent Scottish Government publications “Strategic Priorities for Scotland and the European Union 2020-24” and “Migration: Making Scotland Prosper paper” and support available to Polish nationals in the United Kingdom through Stay in Scotland campaign.

The Consul General of Poland has attended recent ministerial briefings for the members of the Consular Corps in Scotland which have focused on our response to Covid-19 crisis and the commitment to democratic values that we share with our European neighbours.

Economy

Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has allocated to support businesses to adapt to new ways of working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (S5O-04736) Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government has allocated over £2.38 billion in support for business during the pandemic. We have also provided additional spending of £900 million to support recovery. This includes a £230 million economic recovery capital stimulus package to boost green recovery, speed up digitisation and support jobs.

We are supporting programmes to help businesses adapt including the Public Transport Mitigation Fund. We are continuing our investment in Scotland’s digital infrastructure, supporting innovative businesses through our Civtech 5.0 programme. We have doubled DigitalBoost funding and we are supporting businesses with skills gaps via the Flexible Workforce Development Fund.

Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the risk of flooding. (S5O-04744) Mairi Gougeon: Flooding remains of the highest priority to the Scottish Government. This year’s Programme for Government committed us to invest an extra £150 million for flood risk management in addition to the £42 million provided each year to local authorities. We will continue to work with SEPA, local authorities and other relevant bodies to deliver the actions set out in the F lood Risk Management Strategies and Plans. Just this week we funded two new flood warning schemes, launched by SEPA in Eilean Siar and Aberfoyle, which will allow these communities to better prepare for future flooding.

Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of food waste reduction measures identified by Zero Waste Scotland through stakeholder workshops as part of the Food Waste Reduction Action Plan, and which of these measures are yet to be implemented. (S5W-32197) Roseanna Cunningham: The measures identified and committed to under the four action areas of the Food Waste Reduction Action Plan represent the outcome of the stakeholder workshops delivered by Zero Waste Scotland. The environmental and economic benefits of food waste prevention remain as important as ever as we deal with, and recover from, COVID-19 and a full review of progress against the commitments in the Food Waste Reduction Action Plan will be published in 2021.

Details are as follows:

(c)(i) Initial (c) (ii) Estimated Final (a) Properties (b) Completion Cost Cost Scheme Protected Date (£ million) (1) (£ million) Huntly 63 2017 4.9 3.8 Newmill 18 2017 1.9 1.8 Dundee 200 2018 6.2 6.9 Kirkwall 750 2018 1.8 1.8 White Cart Water Phase 3 100 2019 5.9 7.2 Camlachie Burn 410 2019 1.2 1.7 Broxburn (Liggat Syke) Not held 2019 Not held Not held New Cumnock Phase 1 P1 2018 Complete 95 3.3 6.2 P2 July 2022 Phase 2 Under construction

(1) Note: Initial costs as provided by local authorities in 2016-17.

The 14 Flood Risk Management Strategies published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in December 2015 set objectives and measures for the management of flood risk for potentially vulnerable areas. Local Flood Risk Management Plans, published in June 2022, set out in more detail how measures in the Strategies will be delivered. Flood Risk Management in Scotland is reviewed every six years and the current Strategies and Plans are valid until 2021 and 2022, respectively.

SEPA prioritised 42 flood protection schemes for inclusion within Flood Risk Management Strategies published in 2015. Local authorities are expected to start work on development of the 42 schemes prioritised in this cycle but it is recognised that construction work may not be completed within that six-year timeframe.

Flood protection schemes can have impacts on individuals, communities and the environment, and require careful and thorough planning.

Schemes (a) under construction are as follows:

(i) (iii A) ( iii B) (ii) Scheme Completion Initial cost Estimated final cost Properties protected Date (£ million) (1) (£ million) (2) Stonehaven 376 2021 19.9 27.5 Smithton and Culloden 129 December 2020 15.2 13.0 Hawick 900 Winter 2022/2023 37.4 80 Upper Garnock 470 2022 15.5 18.5 Broughty Ferry 450 2022 10.0 16.2

Schemes (b) under development are as follows:

(iii A)

Initial ( iii B) (ii) Properties cost Scheme Stage protected Estimated Final Cost of (£ Scheme (2) million) (1) Arbroath Confirmed 530 11.4 12.5 Caol and Lochyside Confirmed 296 8.4 9.8 Water of Leith (Coltbridge, Gorgie, Confirmed 75 Not held Not held Saughton) Phase 3 Kilmacolm – Glenmosston Burn Confirmed Not held 0.5 0.5 Port Glasgow - Bouverie Burn Confirmed Not held 0.4 0.4 Quarrier’s Village Confirmed 60 0.2 0.2 Drumnadrochit Confirmed 24 3.4 3.7 Campbeltown Confirmed 770 9.3 9.3 Confirmed (subject to Dumfries - Whitesands 166 18.9 29.2 appeal period) Kirkintilloch - Park Burn Under development Not held 0.4 0.4 South Fords Under development 58 1.4 1.4 Stranraer Under development 360 0.4 1.0 Langholm Under development 200 2.0 8.0 Newton Stewart/ River Cree Under development 280 7.5 12.5 Musselburgh Under development 2100 8.9 10.6 Haddington Under development 370 8.5 8.5 Grangemouth FPS Under development 3000 111.5 220 St Andrews - Kinness Burn Under development 133 3.2 3.2 Millport Coastal Under development 657 12.1 27.5 Mill Burn Millport Under development 124 1.1 1.1 Comrie Under development 290 15.7 27.8 Milnathort Under development 30 1.9 2.2 South Kinross Under development 211 3.2 3.6 Scone Under development 44 0.7 0.7 Bridge of Allan Under development Not held 4.4 6.1 Stirling Under development Not held 26.2 29.0 Callander Under development 30 2.4 3.0 Dumbarton - Gruggies Burn Under development 370 14.5 15.0

(1) Note: Initial costs as provided by local authorities in 2016-17.

(2) Note: Final Scheme costs are the latest estimates provided by local authorities. Prioritisation occurs once every 6 years. As such, flood protections schemes and works are put forward for prioritisation at various stages of initial development. As further details become available through hydraulic modelling, site investigations etc. uncertainties are reduced and expected final costs will vary.

Schemes will only be taken forward for construction if they receive the necessary approvals so the expected completion date is not yet known.

More detailed information on each of the schemes can be obtained from the relevant Local Authorities.

Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-10494 by Roseanna Cunningham on 15 August 2017, which of the 42 formal flood protection schemes or engineering works have been removed from the list of proposed works, broken down by the (a) number of properties that were expected to be protected, (b) reason for removal, and (c) (i) initial forecast cost of and (ii) amount that was spent on each. (S5W-32873) Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-27519 on 4 March 2020. 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 . Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-10494 by Roseanna Cunningham on 15 August 2017, how many floods have been recorded in each of the 42 formal flood protection schemes or engineering works' areas since January 2016, broken down by the (a) damage caused and (b) cost of each incident. (S5W-32874) Roseanna Cunningham: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-27523 on 5 March 2020. 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 .

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recently agreed EU chemicals strategy; whether it will seek to adopt elements of this following Brexit and, if so, in which areas. Holding answer issued: 11 November 2020 (S5W-32878) Roseanna Cunningham: A holding answer was provided.

Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a breakdown of the funding awarded through the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) since 2015, and what the (a) outcomes have been and (b) current status is of each funded project. (S5W-32947) Paul Wheelhouse: Details of projects awarded funding through the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) since 2015 are available below and on the LCITP website. https://www.gov.scot/policies/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy/ low-carbon-infrastructure-transition-programme/ .

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the damage to the seabed resulting from mobile scallop catching equipment. (S5W-33012) Mairi Gougeon: Scotland currently contributes to assessments for both OSPAR and as part of the UK Marine Assessment on the extent of physical damage to predominant seafloor habitats. These assessments include a component relating to scallop dredging for all vessels over 12m in length. OSPAR assessment: https://oap.ospar.org/en/ospar- assessments/intermediate-assessment -2017/biodiversity-status/habitats/extent-physical-damage-predominant-and- special-habitats/

UK Marine Strategy assessment: https://moat.cefas.co.uk/biodiversity-food- webs-and- marine-protected-areas/benthic-habitats/physical-damage/

Education, Communities and Justice

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to provide online learning resources for schools and teachers to support pupils who need to learn from home due to COVID-19. Holding answer issued: 11 November 2020 (S5W-32880) John Swinney: A holding answer was provided.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it is aware of reports of significant delays in answering 101 calls. (S5W-32901) Humza Yousaf: Delivery of the police 101 service is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. Police Scotland have advised that this is an exceptionally busy time for the service and particularly for the Contact, Command and Control Division, with an unprecedented call levels to both the 101 non-emergency number and 999 call lines.

On occasion, 101 callers may have had to wait longer for their calls to be answered, but this is no different to any non-urgent public service in the current circumstances. While in the 101 call queue, members of the public are also reminded that they can call 999 if the situation is an emergency.

I am very grateful to Police Scotland's staff for keeping 101 functioning and efficient during these unprecedented times.

Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the loans issued under the SME Loan Scheme to aid energy efficiency measures, (a) how many loans have been issued and (b) what the total value of (i) issued and (ii) repaid loans has been in each year since it launched. (S5W-32944) Paul Wheelhouse:

Since the launch of the SME Loan Scheme in its current form in 2013, 594 loans have been paid to aid businesses to implement energy efficiency measures.

SME Energy Efficiency loan paid number and value by FY budgets as at 30 th September 2020

Financial 2020-21 - to 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 year 30 Sep 20 Number of 35 63 55 53 79 153 139 17 loans paid Value of £1,063,128 £1,177,773 £1,289,009 £910,486 £1,850,520 £2,662,054 £2,286,498 £248,278 loans paid

SME Energy Efficiency loan repayment values received by FY as at 30 th September 2020

2020-21 Financial 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 year to 30 year Sep 20 Value of loan £1,697,797 £1,869,548 £2,077,224 £2,069,221 £2,147,396 £2,101,442 £1,999,249 £658,943 repayments

These figures represent energy efficiency loans only and do not include loans which have been legally committed in 2020-21 but have yet to be drawn down.

This scheme builds on earlier support, as set out in our Energy Efficient Scotland Route map published in 2018, where at that point - including previous incarnations since 2008 - the SME Loan Scheme had financed over 800 projects resulting in financial savings of over £36 million.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many live homelessness applications there were in each local authority area on Christmas Day in 2019, and how many (a) adults and (b) children these related to. (S5W-32983) Kevin Stewart: The following table gives the number of live homeless applications at December 25th 2019 for each local authority, along with the number of adults and children these applications refer to.

Live cases at 25 Number of Number of December 2019 adults children All 22,368 25,832 12,467 Aberdeen City 539 570 164 Aberdeenshire 702 827 352 Angus 736 861 330 Argyll & Bute 344 398 168 Clackmannanshire 180 193 41 Dumfries & 251 269 141 Galloway Dundee City 569 641 317 East Ayrshire 263 288 118 East 495 572 273 Dunbartonshire East Lothian 660 758 291 East Renfrewshire 161 199 104 Edinburgh 3,847 4,592 2,463 Eilean Siar 128 143 75 Falkirk 664 749 265 Fife 1,352 1,526 578 Glasgow City 3,923 4,796 2,959 Highland 889 1,016 395 Inverclyde 165 179 57 Midlothian 873 971 629 Moray 192 214 55 North Ayrshire 514 588 137 North Lanarkshire 748 836 434 Orkney 141 167 89 Perth & Kinross 191 213 78 Renfrewshire 284 304 75 Scottish Borders 260 300 168 Shetland 112 118 18 South Ayrshire 284 309 89 South Lanarkshire 1,071 1,207 730 Stirling 505 561 288 West 483 513 127 Dunbartonshire West Lothian 842 954 459

Source: HL1 dataset as at 24-07-2020

Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-04713 by Kevin Stewart on 4 November 2020 (Official Report, c.13), and in light of the minister's comment that "the impact of the lockdown means that we will not meet our 50,000 affordable homes commitment by the end of March 2021" and the findings of the April 2020 Audit Scotland report, Affordable Housing, how many affordable homes it now plans to build by the end of the parliamentary session. (S5W-33034) Kevin Stewart: We continue to work closely with partners to maximise the delivery of affordable homes as soon as possible whilst ensuring safe working practices. Given the impact to date of the pandemic and the uncertainty over potential future impacts it is not possible to forecast how many homes will be delivered by the end of this parliamentary session. Actual progress against the target can be monitored using published Official Statistics which are released quarterly. Our next publication is due in December but since 1 April 2016 to 30 June 2020 we have started 43,585 homes and completed 34,988 homes.

Health and Social Care

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether NHS boards have been effective in making period products accessible to (a) patients and (b) staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Holding answer issued: 11 November 2020 (S5W-32544) Jeane Freeman: A holding answer was provided.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has decided not to advise people who were on the shielding list to start to shield again, in light of a number having to attend their workplaces at a time when the rate of COVID-19 infection is rising. Holding answer issued: 11 November 2020 (S5W-32547) Jeane Freeman: A holding answer was provided.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether the eligibility period for free dental treatment will be extended for (a) children under 18 years of age, (b) full-time students aged 18 and (c) pregnant women and nursing mothers to ensure that people in those categories experience no detriment to their oral health due to restrictions on dental services during the COVID-19 pandemic. (S5W-32875) Joe FitzPatrick: The provision of free NHS dental treatment for children and young people under 18 years of age; people under 19 years of age and in qualifying full-time education; and expectant mothers or people who have borne a child in the previous 12 months is fixed by primary legislation as set out in the National Health Services (Scotland) Act 1978. People with urgent dental problems have been able to receive care and treatment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and as we have suppressed the virus we have been able to reintroduce more services. From 1 November dentists will be able to provide the full range of NHS care and treatment to patients.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to the operators of peripatetic exercise classes in areas where the COVID-19 restrictions prohibit such activities. (S5W-32876) Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government are encouraged how organisations have been innovative through the pandemic, to continue to develop programmes to deliver physical activity for all.

From 2 November 2020, a strategic approach to outbreak management based on five levels of protection was introduced, as set out in the strategic framework document. Local authority areas placed into levels reflecting the current infection rate.

Under the new level system, outdoor exercise classes are permitted to take place in levels 0-4 and indoor exercise classes for adults in levels 0-2, with classes for those aged under 18 also permitted in level 3. Operators should ensure the appropriate sport scotland guidance is followed and physical distancing is maintained.

Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak the Scottish Government has worked closely with the UK Government and private and public sector partners to develop a range of support mechanisms for businesses. Information on all available support for businesses can be found on Find BusinessSupport . The website is regularly updated with information on any new support packages or changes to existing ones.

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that everyone has equitable access to health care, no matter where they live. (S5W-32885) Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has the right to safe and effective healthcare and treatment that is provided at the right time, in the right place, by the most appropriate person.

COVID-19 has highlighted and exacerbated inequalities that exist within our country. Earlier this year we published Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design: The Framework for NHS Scotland. This sets out how health boards will safely and incrementally prioritise the resumption of paused services. As we renew, we are committed to ensuring the health and social care support system is focussed on reducing health inequalities, producing models of care that are based on what matter most to the people of Scotland.

This commitment is also reflected in our Programme for Government which restates our renewed focus on tackling health inequalities and improving quality of life to promote lifelong health and wellbeing.

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in response to reports that rheumatology services are operating at between 30 to 50% of capacity; how it is (a) remobilising these services and (b) working to reduce (i) waiting times and (ii) any backlog in appointments, and what action it is taking to improve access to these services nationally. (S5W-32886) Joe FitzPatrick: We appreciate how difficult it has been for people who have had procedures or treatments postponed due to the pandemic. Putting the NHS on an emergency footing has meant the focus has initially been on urgent and essential care.

Health Boards are continuing to remobilise services in line with the ‘Remobilise, Recover and Re-design Framework’ which we published on 31 May. We remain committed to ensuring that the full range of services will be available as quickly as it safe to do so.

On 29 September the Scottish Government confirmed additional funding of £1.1 billion across NHS Boards and Social Care Partnerships to help them meet COVID-19 related costs and remobilisation of services.

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what investment it is making in rheumatology services in the north of the country, in light of reports suggesting that the ratio of rheumatology consultants to people in this area is 1:142,857. (S5W-32887) Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32886 on 11 November 2020. 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 .

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many 14-day self-isolation checks have been made on passengers arriving at Edinburgh Airport from countries on its COVID-19 prescribed list in each month since the quarantine orders came into force. (S5W-32903) Humza Yousaf: All travellers arriving in Scotland from a country which is non- exempt from quarantine rules are required to quarantine for a period of 14 days.

Passenger arrivals into Scotland are provided by the Home Office to Public Health Scotland (PHS). PHS are contacting all travellers returning from high- risk countries by email. PHS also take a sample of those passengers required to quarantine and pass the data to the National Contact Tracing Centre.

The National Contact Tracing Centre contact a random sample in order to provide public health advice and support.

Published data does not record the point of entry of those who are sampled by PHS to be called by the NCTC.

Published data (26 October – 1 November October) shows the National Contact Tracing Centre (NCTC) is exceeding the commitment of contacting at least 2,000 people per week who are required to quarantine.

Out of the 2,804 attempted contacts, successful contact has been made with 2,165 (77%) . A further 194 (8%) are in progress. 445 have been unable to be contacted (15%), for reasons such as an invalid phone number or no response to the call.

Elaine Smith (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government for what reason ten-pin bowling centres are excluded from opening in Level 2 of the COVID-19 restrictions, in light of other leisure facilities such as cinemas, bingo halls and amusements centres being able to. (S5W-32919) Joe FitzPatrick: Decisions on what sectors and activities to re-open on our route out of lockdown are guided by the principles set out in our Framework for Decision Making. Proposals are technically assessed using the best available evidence and analysis of their potential benefits and harms to health, the economy, and broader society to minimise overall harm and ensure transmission of the virus continues to be suppressed.

Ten pin bowling centres are classed as indoor sport and leisure and were permitted to open under our relevant guidance. However, as with other indoor sporting venues, they must close under level 2 of the tiered structure. Facilities such as cinemas, bingo hall and amusement centres are classed as hospitality and therefore must follow that particular guidance and can currently open under tier 2 restrictions.

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to extend free dental treatment to women for a year after the birth of their child, in light of the impact of COVID-19 on accessing treatment. (S5W-32967) Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32875 on 11 November 2020. 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

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much funding was awarded for chronic pain services in (a) 2018-19 and (b) 2019-20, and how much will be awarded in 2020-21, broken down by NHS board. (S5W-32968) Joe FitzPatrick: The Scottish Government provides policies, frameworks and resources to NHS Boards so they can deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations. Within this context, NHS Boards plan, budget for and deliver the services required to meet the assessed needs of their resident populations.

The Programme for Government 2020/21 commits to developing and improving the current Scottish Model for Chronic Pain, and to publish a new Framework for Chronic Pain Service Delivery in 2021. This will include building on work that was underway prior to the COVID pandemic to understand the career pathways, workforce needs and planning for pain clinics.

The Framework will also take forward a number of the recommendations of the Scottish Access Collaborative report on chronic pain. As recognised in the report, there is a need to address workforce resourcing and training to ensure a sustainable supply and retention of healthcare professionals in chronic pain services in Scotland.

On 24 September the Scottish Government published a Recovery Framework for Pain Management which set out clearly that pain management services should be considered essential in NHS Health Board remobilisation planning. The Scottish Government has consistently made clear that we will provide the necessary funding across health and care services to recognise the additional costs of responding to COVID-19 and to ensure that patient safety remains the top priority at all times. On 29 September the Scottish Government confirmed additional funding of £1.1 billion across NHS Boards and Social Care Partnerships to help them meet COVID-19 related costs and remobilisation of services.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in addressing the reported national shortage of chronic pain consultants. (S5W-32969) Joe FitzPatrick: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32968 on 11 November 2020. 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 .

Transport Scotland

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when the free bus travel scheme for under-19s will be introduced. (S5W-31741) Michael Matheson: We anticipate laying legislation to underpin the scheme in Parliament in early 2021 with the scheme coming into effect later in 2021.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-25788 by Paul Wheelhouse on 8 November 2019, when it plans to start working with trade unions organising Scotland’s ferry workers to build the legal case for making a direct award of the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract to an in- house operator. Holding answer issued: 11 November 2020 (S5W-32862) Paul Wheelhouse: A holding answer was provided.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-26101 by Paul Wheelhouse on 14 November 2019, what estimate it has made of the total cost to public funds of its handling of Pentland Ferries’ unresolved complaint to the European Commission. Holding answer issued: 11 November 2020 (S5W-32863) Paul Wheelhouse: A holding answer was provided. David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to Government Initiated Question S5W-25894 by Paul Wheelhouse on 21 October 2019, whether it will provide an update on the status of Pentland Ferries’ State Aid complaint to the European Commission against the provision of subsidised lifeline ferry services for the Orkney Islands, and whether it will publish (a) the dates on which it has met and (b) copies of the correspondence it has had with the European Commission on this matter. (S5W-32864) Paul Wheelhouse: The European Commission has confirmed that it does not consider the public subsidy for the Northern Isles Ferry Services to constitute unlawful State aid. The Commission has also confirmed that it does not require the Scottish Government to provide any further information in relation to the complaint.

The Commission’s view accords with that of the Scottish Courts when the matter was considered under Judicial Review.

As State aid complaints are a confidential matter between the European Commission and the complainant, the Scottish Government would breach that confidentiality by disclosing any correspondence it may hold on Pentland Ferries’ State aid complaint.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much financial support it has provided to date to (a) Pentland Ferries and (b) Western Ferries during the period of travel and other restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. (S5W-32865) Paul Wheelhouse: Transport Scotland expenditure over £25,000 is published on a monthly basis and can be accessed on the Transport Scotland website.

During the period of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, for the delivery of essential ferry services particularly for support of patient in vehicle ambulance transfers, £196,212 has been paid to Pentland Ferries (for services between Gills Bay and St Margaret’s Hope) and £214,492 has been paid to Western Ferries (Clyde) Limited (for services between Gourock and Dunoon).

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the legal case for using a Teckal exemption to bring public contracts for lifeline ferry services permanently in-house after 1 January 2021, and what discussions it has had with the UK Government on this matter. (S5W-32866) Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government is in regular dialogue with the UK Government on a range of matters relating to Brexit, including the future application of procurement and State aid rules. However, at this time, despite the fact that the EU Withdrawal Transition period ends on 31 st December 2020 and despite repeated requests for certainty, there is still no clarity as to what the future State Aid environment will look like in 2021 and beyond.

Clearly, we will need to assess the extent to which the Teckal exemption and State aid rules will apply to the case for a potential direct award to an in-house operator when it is clear what State Aid regime will apply. As the member will also be aware, we also have grave concerns regarding the UK Government’s Internal Market Bill and its implications for devolved competencies, including in respect of State Aid related matters.

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it is considering proposals such as a period of (a) free bus journeys for all, (b) off-peak rail travel all day and (c) free train travel at weekends to encourage people back into the habit of using transport services. Holding answer issued: 11 November 2020 (S5W-32884) Michael Matheson: A holding answer was provided.

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of apprenticeships in Scotland that will be created by CalMac Ferries Ltd's ferry maintenance and overhaul strategy in each year between 2020 and 2024. (S5W-32924) Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government has not made an estimate of the number of apprenticeships that will be created in Scotland by CalMac Ferries Ltd.’s vessel maintenance and overhaul strategy between 2020 and 2024.

It is for the individual shipyards to determine their policy for the recruitment of apprentices and how they are deployed. It should be noted that the procurement phase for maintenance and overhaul has not yet been completed for all vessels.