Tuesday 13 March 2012

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

Enterprise and Environment (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive how many current Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) 2011 plans are being investigated regarding measurement of land, broken down by Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate area office. (S4W-05600) : We have selected 1,116 cases under the 2011 Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) for land-based inspections, which include measurement of land. Of these, there are a small number still to carry out. The breakdown by Area office is as follows: Inspection Still to be Undertaken Office Name Total Ayr 104 4 Benbecula 80 0 Dumfries 34 2 Elgin 29 2 Galashiels 103 0 Golspie 21 1 Hamilton 38 0 Inverness 85 4 Inverurie 158 2 Kirkwall 58 0 Lerwick 44 2 Oban 88 2 Perth 154 0 Portree 24 0 Stornoway 47 3 Thurso 49 0 Total 1,116 22

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive what pressure the European Commission is bringing to bear on the Scottish Government in relation to land measurement under the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) of croft and farm areas. (S4W-05601) Richard Lochhead: The European Commission requires all EU member states to maintain a Land Parcel Information System (LPIS) for all land parcels that are involved in a claim for subsidy under the Common Agricultural Policy. This is part of its Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS). All IACS elements, including LPIS, are subject to checks by both national and EC auditors. In addition, since 2010 all member state LPIS systems are subject to a statutory annual Quality Assessment based on a set of criteria defined by the European Commission Joint Research Centre.

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals relating to inaccurate Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) land measurement fines there were at each of the (a) three stages of appeal procedure for each of the years from 2003 to 2008 and (b) two stages of appeal procedure for each of the years from 2009 to 2011. (S4W-05603) Richard Lochhead: The following table provides a breakdown of the requested figures by year. Please note that each appeal is only counted once i.e. if it proceeds to Stage 3 it is only recorded in that column. Scheme Year Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total for (Land Court) the Year 2003 2 2 1 5 2004 11 1 0 12 2005 39 5 0 44 2006 20 3 1 24 2007 15 2 0 17 2008 12 4 1 17 2009 6 4 0 10 2010 5 1 (Land No stage 3 for post- 6 Court) Nov 2009 procedure 2011 13 2 (Land No stage 3 for post- 15 Court) Nov 2009 procedure

Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (): To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact on the Scottish economy has been of the gas produced by the Rhum gas field and what the impact is expected to be over the forecast lifespan of the field. (S4W-05695) : The information requested is not held centrally.

Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (): To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for a universal postal service if separates from the rest of the UK. (S4W-05942) Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for post offices if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK. (S4W-05943) Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to establish a Scottish post office service independent of the UK post office service if Scotland separates from the rest of the UK. (S4W-05944) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government’s proposal for Scotland is for independence, with a new relationship of equality between Scotland and the other nations of these islands, and a voice in Europe and the wider world. We are currently consulting on plans to hold a referendum on independence in 2014. The Scottish Government has a clear commitment to post offices and postal services, to the maintenance of universal service obligations and to ensuring Post Office Ltd remains in public ownership. We will make clear our proposals for the smooth operation of postal services which fulfil the needs of Scotland's communities, business and organisations in the White Paper in 2013, following the completion of the UK Government’s actions to establish Post Office Ltd as a separate publicly owned company.

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what communities it has identified as being at risk from flooding. (S4W-06001) Stewart Stevenson: Scotland’s first National Flood Risk Assessment was published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on 22 December 2011. This National Flood Risk Assessment identified locations called Potentially Vulnerable Areas where potentially significant flood risk exists. This national picture of flood risk across Scotland is a key milestone in targeting efforts to plan and invest in reducing impacts in areas most vulnerable to flooding. This will help Scotland become more resilient to the potential impacts of flooding. The National Flood Risk Assessment can be found on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s website at http://www.sepa.org.uk/flooding/flooding_publications.aspx.

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what the aggregate (a) tonnage and (b) engine power of the pelagic fishing fleet was in 2000-01. (S4W-06047) Richard Lochhead: The aggregate tonnage of the pelagic fishing fleet in 20011 was 43,339 tonnes and the aggregate power was 85,558 kWs. Note: 1. Figures as at 31 December.

Finance Paul Martin (Glasgow Provan) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on entertaining and hospitality since May 2011, broken down by purpose. Holding answer issued: 8 March 2012 (S4W-05899) John Swinney: Total Scottish Government expenditure on entertaining and hospitality for the period 1 May 2011 to 31 January 2012 (9 months) was £438,485. Information about specific purposes could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Comparable figures for the three financial years 2008-09 to 2010-11 are: 2008-09 (April 2008 – March 2009, 12 months) £1,186,757 2009-10 (April 2009 – March 2010, 12 months) £1,174,119 2010-11 (April 2010 – March 2011, 12 months) £765,801. This expenditure is incurred in accordance with internal guidance on the provision of hospitality and includes the costs of events with external stakeholders. The guidance outlines the circumstances and range of official hospitality that justifies funding, subject to the appropriate authorisation being granted. hospitality for official visitors, including civil servants from other government departments and visitors from overseas; light refreshments for meetings; working lunches within and outwith the normal workplace; conference venues, and special occasions. Information on events hosted by ministers is available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/14944/Events-Engagements/hospitality.

Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations took place ahead of the renewal of its service contract with TNT Post UK. (S4W-05935) Alex Neil: The framework agreement was advertised via the Official Journal of the European Union by Scottish Procurement on behalf of the Scottish Ministers and was awarded to both TNT Post and Royal Mail. This was achieved in line with rigorous stakeholder engagement with representatives from each of the Centres of Expertise endorsing the sourcing strategy. This stakeholder engagement also included dialogue with all the major suppliers of postal services, including Scottish indigenous suppliers. In addition to a number of individual meetings with postal suppliers, a Prior Information Notice was published on Public Contracts Scotland on 31 May 2011, inviting suppliers to attend a supplier event on 5 July 2011. In total, 29 individuals across 16 postal organisations attended this event.

Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what differences there are between its current contract with TNT Post UK and the previous contract. (S4W-05938) Alex Neil: The previous contract was a mini competition utilising the Buying Solutions Postal Services framework agreement and required Scottish public sector organisations to submit a “Notification of Interest” document prior to the competition being carried out to enable them to access the services following contract award. The contract included the collection and delivery of 2nd class mail via TNT Post. Royal Mail retained the collection and delivery of 1st class mail. The current framework agreement was advertised via the Official Journal of the European Union by Scottish Procurement on behalf of the Scottish Ministers and is available for all Scottish public sector organisations to utilise. The current framework agreement includes three additional services to 1st class mail via Royal Mail and 2nd class mail via TNT Post: Hybrid Mail – available under Lot 1 via TNT Post; Next day delivery (central belt only) – available under Lot 1 via TNT Post and; Planned Mail – available under Lot 2 via Royal Mail.

Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) value, (b) duration and (c) end date is of its contract with TNT Post UK. (S4W-05939) Alex Neil: The Postal Services framework agreement was divided into two lots: Lot 1 – Ad-hoc and Hybrid Mail was awarded to TNT Post and Lot 2 – Planned Mail was awarded to Royal Mail. (a) The value of Lot 1 is £9 to £15 million per annum. (b) The duration of the framework agreement is three years, commencing on 1 March 2012, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. (c) Excluding any possible extension period, the expiry date of the framework agreement is 27 February 2015.

Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Royal Mail was invited to tender for the contract that the Scottish Government recently awarded to TNT Post UK. (S4W-05941) Alex Neil: Royal Mail was invited to tender for the Postal Services agreement that went live as of 1 March 2012. This framework agreement was divided into two lots with Lot 1 – Ad-hoc and Hybrid Mail being awarded to TNT Post and Lot 2 – Planned Mail being awarded to Royal Mail.

Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides for people over the age of 50 to find employment. (S4W-06013) John Swinney: Tackling unemployment for workless people of all ages is a priority for the Scottish Government. Within the scope of the powers we have, we are implementing an Economic Strategy for growth, targeting resources where they are needed most and working to better align all employability and skills services across Scotland. It is encouraging to note that employment for the over 50s has increased over the year, and unemployment decreased, despite challenging labour market conditions.

Governance and Communities Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how long it should take in winter to assess an application for a replacement central heating system under the Energy Assistance Package. (S4W-05970) Alex Neil: Scottish Gas is the Energy Assistance Package Stage 4 Managing Agent. The contract sets demanding performance criteria that link payment to performance on a regional basis, including a target of 60 days from referral of an application for assistance to completion. Within this 60 day target, Scottish Gas must carry out all initial surveys to assess customer’s eligibility for assistance including central heating systems within 15 days. There have been issues with the EAP Stage 4 delivery and problems caused by IT related issues at Scottish Gas in 2011. This impacted on service delivery to EAP stage 4 customers and on the reporting of accurate management information to the Scottish Government.

Nanette Milne ( Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on ministerial cars in each year since 2007. (S4W-06020) John Swinney: The following table details capital spend on Ministerial vehicles since 2007. Total Cost (£) Year 2007-08 156,000 2008-09 224,375 2009-10 26,899 2010-11 0 2011-12 129,101

Health and Social Care Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to monitor local authorities’ implementation of and compliance with the Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011. (S4W-05663) Michael Matheson: All registered care services, whether provided by local authorities or the independent sector, must comply with the requirements placed on them by the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and the associated Statutory Instruments, including the Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (Requirements for Care Services) Regulations 2011. We are confident that the Care Inspectorate will take the necessary action where there is failure in meeting these, including where the local authority is the provider of the service.

Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients have died from complications associated with hip-replacement operations and what the cause of death was in each case in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board. (S4W-05664) Nicola Sturgeon: ISD Scotland collects hospital data (SMR01 records) from which hip-replacement operations can be identified, and utilises National Records of Scotland (NRS) data from which causes of death (from the death certificate) can be identified. The Scottish Arthroplasty Project combines these data, but due to quality and completeness of recording it is not possible to definitively identify deaths due to complications from hip-replacement operations. Table 1 shows the number of patients who have undergone one or more hip-replacement operations from 1999 to 2010 and have a subsequent cause of death, as identified from the death certificate, as a complication due to surgical implant. These figures are likely to slightly underestimate the actual number of deaths, due to the complexities of death in a generally elderly population (those receiving hip implants). It may not always be possible for the certifying doctor to definitively record each and all of the causes of death, and complications due to implants may not always be wholly evident. Information has been provided for 1999 to 2010 combined instead of by individual year to avoid disclosing small numbers. Table 1. Number of patients who have undergone one or more hip-replacement operations 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2010 and have a subsequent cause of death as a complication due to surgical implant, with total number of hip operations by NHS board Total Number of Patients who Have a Subsequent Total Number of Hip Cause of Death as a Replacement Complication due to NHS Board of Treatment Operations Surgical Implant % NHS Ayrshire and Arran 4,489 28 0.62 NHS Borders 2,084 15 0.72 NHS Dumfries and Galloway 1,503 16 1.06 NHS Fife 4,329 13 0.30 NHS Forth Valley 2,602 13 0.50 NHS Grampian 9,311 31 0.33 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 17,577 82 0.47 NHS Highland 4,318 14 0.32 NHS Lanarkshire 4,645 23 0.50 NHS Lothian 10,783 83 0.77 NHS Tayside 8,810 54 0.61 NHS Western Isles 490 6 1.22 NHS National Waiting Times Unit 5,275 6 0.11 Scotland 76,216 384 0.50 Source: ISD SMR01 data. 1. Table 1 shows the number of instances where a patient has undergone one or more hip- replacement operation (including total hip replacements, revisions, resurfacings, hybrid and emergency operations) from 1999 to 2010, has subsequently died and where the ICD10 code Y83.1 “Surgical operation with implant of artificial internal device as the cause of abnormal reaction of the patient, or of later complication, without mention of misadventure at the time of the procedure” is recorded as a cause of death on NRS data, derived from the death certificate. 2. OPCS4 codes for hip arthroplasty, hip resurfacing, hybrid hip replacement, hip revision or hybrid hip revision have been selected. For further information please see: http://www.arthro.scot.nhs.uk/OPCS_codes_summary_150710.pdf. Emergency admissions are included. 3. It is possible that a patient may have had an additional implant other than that fitted in the hip- replacement operation, and that it is this from which the complication (noted as cause of death) arose. Without recourse to the patients medical notes, it is not possible to differentiate between multiple implants and subsequent complications as cause of death. 4. Further information on the quality of NRS death data is available here: http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/vital-events/deaths/bckgr-info/quality-of-nrs-data-on- deaths.html. 5. Further information on the quality of SMR01 data is available here: http://www.isdscotland.org/Products-and-Services/Data-Quality/.

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals members there are of the (a) Scottish Older People’s Assembly and (b) Scottish Older People’s Assembly Steering Group. (S4W-05669) Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many organisations are represented on the (a) Scottish Older People’s Assembly and (b) Scottish Older People’s Assembly Steering Group. (S4W-05670)

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Older People’s Assembly has a written constitution. (S4W-05671) Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how (a) individual people and (b) organisations can become members of the Scottish Older People’s Assembly Steering Group. (S4W-05674) Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to the Scottish Older People’s Assembly. (S4W-05675) Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what role it considers that the Scottish Older People’s Assembly plays in society. (S4W-05676) Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Older People’s Assembly is run by older people, for older people, and its purpose is to be a voice for older people in Scotland. It was not set up by the Scottish Government, nor is it a Scottish Government organisation, but information about the Assembly and its Steering Group is at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/sopa2011. The first assembly was held in October 2009, and the Scottish Government provided funding of £31,016.32 in 2009-10, £30,000 in each of 2010-11 and 2011-12, and we have promised £30,000 for an Assembly in 2012.

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with PIP breast implants have sought advice regarding their implants from each NHS board. (S4W-005678) Nicola Sturgeon: NHS boards have confirmed that up to 27 February 2012, 23 patients have been referred to the four plastic surgery and breast surgery units in NHSScotland. Arrangements are being made for this information to be collated and published by Information Services Division of National Services Scotland. Information on patients who have consulted their GP is, however, not held centrally.

Michael McMahon (Uddingston and Bellshill) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times ministers have contacted court appointed administrators in relation to football clubs entering administration in each year since 2007 and which (a) administrators and (b) football clubs were involved. Holding answer issued: 9 March 2012 (S4W-05911) Shona Robison: I have been in contact, twice by phone with the administrators of Rangers FC (Duff and Phelps) and offered the support of the Scottish Government’s national programme for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE). In November 2010 when Dundee FC was in administration, I also had contact with representatives of the club. PACE have offered support to administrators Duff and Phelps to assist any employees who may be facing redundancy and PACE representatives are maintaining close contact with the administrators. PACE support is always available and is always offered to anyone and everyone facing redundancy, PACE have offered this type of assistance to Scottish football clubs in the past and stand ready to assist any football clubs and other companies in the future. In recognition of the significant impact our football clubs have on the social and economic fabric of Scotland, the First Minister, at the request of the club, met with representatives of Heart of Midlothian FC recently to discuss their situation and is due to meet representatives of Dunfermline Athletic FC.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether every person with a PIP breast implant is entitled to have any required procedure done by the NHS. (S4W-05978) Nicola Sturgeon: NHSScotland will provide a clinically appropriate package of care to patients where the private healthcare provider which provided the PIP silicone breast implant is no longer in operation or is unwilling to provide a package of care appropriate to the needs of the patient.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy will meet private healthcare providers that have used PIP breast implants. (S4W-05980) Nicola Sturgeon: I have no meetings scheduled with private healthcare providers about PIP silicone breast implants, although I continue to consider circumstances in which such meetings might be appropriate.

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to introduce legislation regarding the regulation of independent ambulance services. (S4W-06012) Nicola Sturgeon: The power to regulate independent ambulance services is included in the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. Decisions on commencement of the provision relating to independent ambulance services will be made following the completion of a wider piece of work on the future scope of independent healthcare regulation (which is expected to be completed by autumn 2012).

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of workplace racial discrimination have been reported in NHS Scotland in each of the last three years for which information is available, also broken down by NHS board and expressed as a percentage of each board's staff complement, and how many of these reports related to incidents of discrimination by (a) staff and (b) members of the public on staff. (S4W-06041) Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government does not receive reports, nor does it hold information on what reports are made to NHS boards or area partnership forums, on the incidence of workplace racial discrimination. The Equal Opportunities PIN Policy sets out boards’ obligations in terms of local policies developed in line with the PIN. Area partnership forums should agree a set of equality objectives, which may include the incidence of workplace racial discrimination, and should receive reports on the outcomes. Individual NHS boards may therefore have information on local incidents.

Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many operating theatres in Monklands Hospital are closed overnight; what proportion of the hospital's theatres this represents; during what hours they are closed, and whether essential theatre staff (a) remain on site or (b) are on call during these hours. (S4W-06048) Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients, having attended Monklands Hospital Accident and Emergency Department, were transferred by ambulance to (a) Wishaw General or (b) Hairmyres Hospital in each of the last three years. (S4W-06049) Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many paediatric patients, having attended Monklands Hospital Accident and Emergency Department, were transferred by ambulance to other hospitals in each of the last three years. (S4W-06050) Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally; it is a specific operational matter for NHS Lanarkshire.

Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many ambulances were redirected to other hospitals from Monklands Hospital Accident and Emergency Department in each of the last three years. (S4W-06051) Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not held centrally; it is a specific operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Learning and Justice Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprenticeships there have been in each year since 2002 and, of these, how many have been completed. (S4W-05632) Angela Constance: Apprenticeship numbers in Scotland have increased from 15,010 in 2007-08 to 21,561 in 2010-11. We will support 25,000 Modern Apprentice opportunities in 2011-12, the highest ever number of apprenticeships in Scotland. The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children ordinarily resident in Scotland have been placed in specialist residential educational facilities in England in each of the last five years. (S4W-05657) Aileen Campbell: This information is not collected centrally.

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what the relationship is between its proposed Rights of Children and Young People Bill and support for UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools programme. (S4W-05700) : UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools Programme is a further tool to promote and advance children’s rights in Scotland and is complementary to Scottish Government wider policy and legislative activity on this issue.

Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many subjects are being studied in the Scottish Baccalaureates in the current academic year. (S4W-05987) Alasdair Allan: The Scottish Baccalaureates in Science and Languages, which are based on Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications, require candidates to choose two courses from an eligible list and combine these with Mathematics/Applied Mathematics (Science Baccalaureate) or English/Gaelic/ESOL (Languages Baccalaureate). There are 15 eligible courses for the Science Baccalaureate and 11 eligible courses for the Languages Baccalaureate. In addition, candidates are required to undertake an Interdisciplinary Project which integrates and applies knowledge and skills from across different subject areas. See the following table of the subject choices made by Scottish Baccalaureate candidates in the current academic year. Science Baccalaureate Languages Baccalaureate Biology French Biotechnology Gaelic Chemistry German Computing Italian Graphic Communication Latin Human Biology Spanish Information Systems Managing Environmental Resources Physics Product Design Technological Studies

Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools are participating in the Scottish Baccalaureates in the current academic year. (S4W-05988) Alasdair Allan: Fifty-six schools have entered candidates for the Scottish Baccalaureate in Science in the current academic year. One further school has entered candidates for the Scottish Baccalaureate in Science Interdisciplinary Project as a stand alone qualification. Twenty-one schools have entered candidates for the Scottish Baccalaureate in Languages in the current academic year. A further nine schools have entered candidates for the Scottish Baccalaureate in Languages Interdisciplinary Project as a stand alone qualification.

Michael McMahon (Uddingston and Bellshill) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many modern apprenticeships have been completed at SVQ level (a) 2, (b) 3 and (c) 4 in each year since 2005. (S4W-05997) Angela Constance: Apprenticeship numbers in Scotland have increased from 15,010 in 2007-08 to 21,561 in 2010-11. We will support 25,000 modern apprentice opportunities in 2011-12, the highest ever number of apprenticeships in Scotland. The Scottish Government does not hold this information centrally. I will ask the Chief Executive of Skills Development Scotland to write to you with the information you have requested.

Graeme Pearson (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers have completed formal training and briefing in relation to the new powers contained in the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. (S4W-06039) Roseanna Cunningham: Formal training has been made available to every police officer and member of police staff in Scotland through a combination of presentations by officers from the National Football Coordination Unit for Scotland (FOCUS), circulation of a training DVD and publication of self-brief materials. ACPOS stipulated that prior to deployment all officers on duty at a “regulated football match” must receive briefing in relation to the new powers contained in the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. Officers from FOCUS also attended matches across the country on 3 March 2012 to provide guidance and support to all Match Commanders and operational officers prior to, during and post- match, on what was the first match-day following commencement of the legislation. The new legislation will be embedded into police recruit training at the Scottish Police College and the “ACPOS National Strategy for Policing Football in Scotland” and the “ACPOS National Toolkit for Policing Football in Scotland” documents have also been developed as resources to provide guidance at both strategic and operational level.

Strategy and External Affairs Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional (a) administrative, (b) regulatory, (c) legislative, (d) emergency and (e) other powers have been devolved to the Parliament since May 1999. Holding answer issued: 9 March 2012 (S4W-05607) Bruce Crawford: A variety of additional powers have been devolved to the Parliament since May 1999. The details are contained in orders made under section 30 of the Scotland Act and in primary legislation passed by the UK Parliament. The website lists Sewel Motions and Legislative Consent Motions arising in connection with UK primary legislation. The text of relevant Scotland Act Orders and UK Acts of Parliament can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk.

Transport Scotland Liam McArthur ( Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the European Commission since 2007 regarding the extension of public service obligation flights to other air routes, including those eligible for the Air Discount Scheme. (S4W-05574) Keith Brown: We have had no such discussions with the European Commission since 2007.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with businesses in the Highlands and Islands since 2007 regarding the extension of public service obligation flights to these areas. (S4W-05575) Keith Brown: We have had no such discussions with businesses in the Highlands and Islands since 2007.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with (a) Flybe, (b) Loganair and (c) other airlines serving the Highlands and Islands since 2007 regarding the expansion of the public service obligation network. (S4W-05576) Keith Brown: We have had no such discussions with airlines since 2007.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive what the budget for public service obligation flights has been in each year since 2007. (S4W-05577) Keith Brown: Details of Public Service Obligation actual spend for the provision of air services between Glasgow International Airport and Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra are as follows: 2007-08 £1.8 million 2008-09 £1.9 million 2009-10 £2.0 million 2010-11 £2.0 million 2011-12 to date £1.8 million

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it has used since 2007 to determine a region’s eligibility for public service obligation flights. (S4W-05578) Keith Brown: We have used the following criteria for our supported air services:- routes which are not commercially viable, and routes which would not otherwise be provided.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has spent on the administration of public service obligation flights in each year since 2007. (S4W-05579) Keith Brown: It is not possible to provide a break-down of the administration costs incurred by the Scottish Government for our Public Service Obligation flights.

Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will save in the next spending review period by cancelling the improvements to the A737 Beith bypass at the Head Street and Barrmill Road junctions and how it will use the amount saved. (S4W-05645) Keith Brown: The A737 Beith Bypass Head Street and Barrmill Road improvement projects have not been cancelled. When setting our future programme for all trunk road schemes our assessment considers various factors including the priority of the scheme and availability of funding. The trunk road network is continually assessed and therefore schemes can be reprioritised to take account of changes on the network. The strategy for the improvement of the Beith Bypass will be revisited to identify any potential permanent and affordable interventions. In 2012-13 we are taking forward two structural maintenance schemes on the A737 (A737 Disused Railway to Manrahead and the A737 Barrmill Road to Disused Railway Schemes) and a Road Safety, Route Accident Reduction Plan (RARP) has been commissioned and investigations are ongoing. The first phase of the RARP – “Assessment for Provision of Signing at Bends” is complete and works are currently being implemented on site.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on concerns expressed by businesses that, even with the additional support announced for transitional arrangements, there could be fare rises of up to 50% on the ferry routes serving the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree following the end of road equivalent tariff for commercial vehicles. (S4W-05708)

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the economic impact on the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree of the possible fare rises on the ferry routes serving them following the end of road equivalent tariff for commercial vehicles. (S4W-05709) Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it has planned with (a) hauliers, (b) the logistics sector and (c) other business to discuss fare rises on the ferry routes serving the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree following the end of road equivalent tariff for commercial vehicles. (S4W-05710) Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the additional support for transitional arrangements for hauliers and other businesses on the ferry routes serving the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree will be available for occasional users and what the reasons are for its position on this matter. (S4W-05711) Keith Brown: We are absolutely committed to supporting our island and remote communities. We have recognised the impact of removing RET for larger commercial vehicles and have agreed action to address this. Following meetings with key stakeholders and hauliers from across the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree, we have committed to investing £5.3 million next year in RET and on transitional arrangements for larger commercial vehicles. In addition, we have agreed an extension of RET to include small commercial vehicles up to six metres in length. Our transitional arrangements will support all hauliers and businesses, regardless of size or frequency of travel, using ferry routes to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree. We have committed to work with key stakeholders and hauliers on a six month study which will consider the broader impacts resulting from the changes in the ferry fares policy. This study will build on the previous monitoring and evaluation of the RET pilot to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree.

John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive when the report on Rail 2014 - Public Consultation will be published. (S4W-05975) Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05762 on 1 March 2012. 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.

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what profitable ferry routes are being operated by Calmac and Northlink Ferries. (S4W-05976) Keith Brown: There are no profitable routes operated by CalMac Ferries or NorthLink Ferries Ltd and that is the reason why these ferry operators receive a public subsidy from the Scottish Government.

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Executive how many 20 mph zones there are and what it is doing to encourage greater use of these zones in urban areas. (S4W-06032) Keith Brown: Information on the number of 20 mph zones in Scotland is not held centrally. Transport Scotland is part-funding the market research and evaluation element of a City of Council pilot to designate all side streets and some main routes in South Central Edinburgh as 20 mph. To support and encourage other local authorities to follow the City of Edinburgh Council lead we will share the results of the evaluation with them.