Wednesday 16 September 2015 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Enterprise and Environment Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (): To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it provides to local authorities that wish to invest in environmentally friendly initiatives. (S4O-4593) Aileen McLeod: The Scottish Government has treated local government very fairly despite the cuts to the Scottish Budget from the UK Government. The local government finance settlements have been maintained over the period 2012-16, with extra money for additional responsibilities, and, as a result, the total settlement in 2015-16 now amounts to over £10.85 billion. The vast majority of this funding, including funding for environmental initiatives, is being provided by means of a block grant. It is therefore the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their own budgets and to allocate the total financial resources available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on rural Scotland of its plans to introduce business rates on sporting businesses. (S4O-4594) Aileen McLeod: The Scottish Government has published a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment and an Equality Impact Assessment for the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, which includes the proposal to end the exclusion of shootings and deer forests from the valuation roll. The Scottish Government has also published a screening determination, under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, that the Bill is not likely to have significant environmental effects and therefore that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required.

Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with its Dairy Action Plan. (S4O-4595) Richard Lochhead: I launched the Dairy Action Plan in March 2015 to take forward the recommendations set out in the earlier dairy review entitled Ambition 2025 which considered ways to achieve sustainable economic growth in the sector. The plan is being implemented through the Dairy Growth Board – ably led by Paul Grant of Mackays Jam. Work is ongoing to improve the marketing of Scottish dairy produce on international markets – including the launch of a new Scottish dairy brand marque at the Anuga Food Fair in October 2015. Provision of better advice and information to producers has been delivered through the Scottish Dairy Hub – a free online information/advice source. Tailored support is also being provided to First Milk – including support for upgrading of Campbeltown Creamery and assistance with haulage costs for Bute producers.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Low Emission Strategy. (S4O-4596) Aileen McLeod: The Scottish Government consulted on the draft Low Emission Strategy earlier in 2015. My officials are working closely with Transport Scotland, SEPA, local authorities and other partners to build on those proposals and we look to publish the final document later in 2015.

Colin Beattie (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (): To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on its policy will be of reports that Germany, Latvia and Greece are to opt out of growing genetically modified crops. (S4O-4597) Richard Lochhead: The fact that Germany, Europe’s largest country, Latvia, Greece and others are going to opt out of growing EU approved genetically modified (GM) crops shows the continuing concern that exists across the EU about the cultivation of GM crops and confirms that we were right to lead the way in exercising the new powers to opt out. Scotland’s decision was based on the societal and economic consequences that growing GM crops might have for Scotland and that, as consumer surveys continue to show, there is little demand for GM food.

Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many salmon anglers have killed on rivers in each year since 2010. Holding answer issued: 4 September 2015 (S4W-26995) Aileen McLeod: Annual reported catch of wild salmon and grilse retained is presented in the following table. These numbers show slight increases from those published at the time as our records are updated when further information is provided. Year Number 2010 32,866 2011 24,332 2012 22,683 2013 13,559 2014 8,036

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how much it has paid dairy farmers for their products in each of the last five years, and how this compares with the cost of production. Holding answer issued: 3 September 2015 (S4W-27005) Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has not directly purchased products from dairy farmers in each of the last five years. We do have a contract with Sodexo for catering services in a number of Scottish Government buildings. Sodexo purchases milk from Grahams family dairy who in turn purchase milk from farmers. All milk is Scottish Red Tractor standard and Grahams confirm that they pay above the usual farmgate price.

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government, when it procures Scottish-produced milk, how it ensures that this is purchased at above the cost of production. Holding answer issued: 3 September 2015 (S4W-27006) Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has not directly been involved in procuring Scottish produced milk. We do have a contract with Sodexo for catering services in a number of Scottish Government buildings. Sodexo purchases milk from Grahams family dairy who in turn purchase milk from farmers. All milk is Scottish Red Tractor standard and Grahams confirm that they pay above the usual farmgate price.

John Scott (Ayr) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action to support dairy farmers is being taken by (a) it and (b) its agencies. Holding answer issued: 8 September 2015 (S4W-27065) Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government recognises the difficulties faced by dairy farmers during the current period of global market volatility, which impacts on the domestic dairy sector. All parts of the dairy supply-chain, including processors, retailers and the food service sector must play their part to ensure there continues to be a market for high-quality, locally-sourced dairy products and we have encouraged them to do so. The Dairy Action Plan which was launched in March 2015 aims to improve the resilience of the sector and provide the right platform to ensure the entire industry can thrive in the context of volatile market prices. Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International are working with the Scottish Government and individual dairy enterprises on a range of project-specific actions.

John Scott (Ayr) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what investment in support of the dairy farming industry is planned by (a) it and (b) its agencies. Holding answer issued: 8 September 2015 (S4W-27066) Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has provided farmer-owned dairy co-operative First Milk with a grant of up to £416,000 towards the upgrading of the regionally important Campbeltown Creamery. The creamery provides the sole market for the Kintyre peninsula’s remaining 36 milk producers and itself supports almost 30 full-time jobs. In addition, resources have been made available to temporarily support First Milk’s haulage costs associated with transporting raw milk from the Isle of Bute for processing. More broadly the Scottish Government is also supporting the work of the Dairy Growth Board as it implements the recommendations set out in the Dairy Action Plan, launched in March 2015 and aimed at boosting the sector’s resilience. A range of other dairy-related activities are underway involving Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International. These include efforts to improve the marketing of Scottish dairy produce internationally, potential inward investments and support for First Milk’s recovery programme.

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it carried out with its scientific advisors prior to its recent decision on GM crops, and what advice they provided. Holding answer issued: 15 September 2015 (S4W-27101) Aileen McLeod: The Scottish Government made the decision to opt out of cultivating EU approved GM crops on the basis that it is not willing to risk Scotland’s multi-billion pound food and drink sector. Like Europe’s biggest country, Germany, the Scottish Government has restated its long-held policy to maintain a precautionary approach to GM. GM crops go through scientific assessment before they are authorised by the EU, but Scotland is taking advantage of the EU’s decision to allow member states and regions to opt out for non-scientific reasons. Both Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture and the Chief Scientific Adviser for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment are sources of expert advice on a range of issues that help inform the government’s position.

Linda Fabiani (East Kilbride) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on developing an environmental deposit return scheme; what discussions it has had with (a) local authorities, (b) manufacturing companies and (c) other relevant stakeholders regarding such a scheme, and what assessment it has made of the potential (i) advantages and (ii) disadvantages. (S4W-27136) Richard Lochhead: I commissioned a study from Zero Waste Scotland (which can be found here: http://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/content/deposit-return-system-feasibility-study) to explore the feasibility of a national deposit return system in Scotland. Following publication of this study, Zero Waste Scotland hosted a workshop with key stakeholders and launched a call for evidence that sought further information from all interested parties. Furthermore, the current Scottish Government circular economy consultation, ‘Making Things Last’, is providing a further opportunity for engagement and to explore further the important points raised in the call for evidence.

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed deposit return system would have on the price of milk for consumers. (S4W-27163) Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government commissioned a study from Zero Waste Scotland to explore the feasibility of introducing a national deposit return system in Scotland. Following publication of this study, a call for evidence sought further information. At this stage, no particular model or system has been proposed by the Scottish Government, and we will consider further any issues raised during the call for evidence.

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what the annual spend is on the Highlands and Islands Veterinary Service Scheme, and whether this is guaranteed at existing levels for 2016-17. (S4W-27165) Richard Lochhead: The annual budget for the Highlands and Islands Veterinary Services scheme is £760,000. There are no plans to reduce this.

Roderick Campbell (North East Fife) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential economic impact on Scotland of the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. (S4W-27177) Fergus Ewing: In his evidence to the European and External Relations Committee on 5 February 2015, the Deputy First Minister noted that the Scottish Government had undertaken indicative modelling of the impact of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on the Scottish economy. Fuller information on this modelling can be found in the Scottish Government response to the 2nd Report 2015 (Session 4) in Annex B: TTIP – Modelling of Economic Impacts on Scotland which was supplied by the Office of the Chief Economic Advisor.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how carbon emissions or savings from wind developments are calculated and included in its annual carbon statistics. (S4W-27228) Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Greenhouse Gas Inventory is used to inform Scotland’s annual greenhouse gas statistics. It considers emissions within Scotland. The operation of the wind farms will however also have impacts on the power sector across the UK. For that reason a separate calculator has been produced to consider the full carbon impact of new wind farms. This can be found using the attached link: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Energy-sources/19185/17852-1/CSavings Emissions arising from any wind farm manufacturing, transport and construction activity taking place within Scotland will be included in the relevant sections of the inventory and Scottish emissions from the energy sector will be lower as a result of displaced thermal generation.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when SEPA will have completed the upgraded carbon calculator tool and made it available. (S4W-27229) Fergus Ewing: The main purpose of the upgrade is to streamline the use of the tool but it is based largely in content on the existing carbon calculator which remains valid and should be used in the meantime.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how it considers carbon emissions in decisions under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 while the carbon calculator tool is being upgraded by SEPA. (S4W-27230) Fergus Ewing: The existing carbon calculator remains in use.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what funding streams are available for local tourism bodies. (S4W-27232) Fergus Ewing: Financial support is available for local tourism bodies from a number of public bodies, although as funding is an operational matter for these organisations the information requested is not held centrally. Examples of potential funding support include: VisitScotland provides support through its growth fund, available for well researched, collaborative marketing campaigns to groups of tourism businesses operating at a local or national level, which will generate additional visitors to Scotland. The fund can support groups with up to 50% of approved total marketing costs to a maximum award of £40,000. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise (SE) are currently working with and supporting a number of tourism groups across Scotland in line with their business priorities. The nature and scale of intervention varies across the tourism groups and is driven by the specific requirements and development needs of the group, aligned to the priorities for tourism for the local area and set in the context of the ambitions of the industry led Tourism 2020 Strategy and their operating plan priorities. HIE and SE are able to support tourism groups by drawing on a number of products and services offered across their portfolios. Support can be targeted at strategy development, internationalisation, project feasibility, organisational capacity and capabilities. Where there is a clear business case for support, both organisations are able to grant in aid to tourism groups to deliver specific projects. Scottish Natural Heritage operates a grants programme to which tourism bodies can apply if their projects fit the relevant criteria. Its most recent round had a specific priority on nature based tourism, wild foods and innovative enterprises based on sustainable use of natural assets. The focus was on projects based on wide cross-sector partnerships: those developing partnerships with businesses reliant on Scotland’s nature and landscapes in the tourism and food and drink sectors, those adding value to businesses using natural heritage based brands, and those strengthening links between wildlife sites and the local economy. National Park authorities support tourism projects which focus on key outcomes for the National Parks. This includes maximising the benefits of national initiatives such as Visit Scotland’s focus years and promoting sustainable transport around the National Park. The authorities may make a contribution to tourism groups on a case by case basis to assist the delivery of projects to achieve these outcomes.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government which (a) agencies and (b) projects are supported by the tourism budget. (S4W-27234) Fergus Ewing: The 2015-16 Scottish Budget states: “The Tourism budget supports VisitScotland to promote Scotland as a tourism destination, both within the UK and in key overseas markets.” Table 6.07 of the 2015-16 Scottish Budget sets out the level 3 detail of the tourism budget, shown in the following table with level 4 data. 2015-16 Budget (£ million) Tourism Level 3 50.580 2015-16 Budget (£ million) Level 4 VisitScotland (Resource) 48.000 VisitScotland (Capital) 0.700 VisitScotland (Non cash) 1.480 Tourism special projects 0.400 As the lead public body on the visitor economy in Scotland a wide range of projects are supported by VisitScotland and these are set out in the VisitScotland Corporate Plan which may be accessed using the following URL: http://www.visitscotland.org/pdf/Final%20Corporate%20Plan%202015%20revision.pdf.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how VisitScotland allocates funds to local tourism bodies, and what criteria it uses. (S4W-27235) Fergus Ewing: VisitScotland provides support through its growth fund. The growth fund is a marketing fund available for well researched, collaborative marketing campaigns to groups of tourism businesses operating at a local or national level. The fund enables these groups to undertake inspiring new marketing activity, or further develop current activity, which will generate additional visitors to Scotland. Applicants to the fund should demonstrate the following key criteria: Alignment with the tourism industry’s Tourism 2020 Strategy and, where relevant, the National Events Strategy Scotland the Perfect Stage. Golf groups must also show alignment with Scotland’s Golf Tourism Strategy Driving Forward Together. Fresh ideas, new developments and approaches such as new promotional themes, collaborations, packages, or markets, that will inspire customer engagement and additional visits. Collaboration and business engagement demonstrating how businesses are coming together to help support the marketing campaign, through e.g. special offers, itineraries, competition prizes. Growth in terms of awareness, visitor numbers and tourism spend, and strength/membership of the tourism group. Sustainability of activity post funding. In this groups must demonstrate how the outcomes of the marketing campaign will help sustain and build marketing activity in future years and how activity will address periods which have capacity to increase the number of visitors and occupancy levels. The fund is open to constituted groups of three or more independent tourism businesses, including destination organisations and sectoral groups. Applications are welcome from both new and existing partnerships. Full criteria, conditions and guidelines for the VisitScotland growth fund against which applications are assessed are available on its website at: http://www.visitscotland.org/pdf/GrowthFundCriteriaConditionsDec2013.pdf

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government which local tourism bodies receive support from VisitScotland, broken down by amount received. (S4W-27236) Fergus Ewing: Details of VisitScotland’s growth fund awards for the year 2014-15, for the Year of Food and Drink and the period 2015-16 are in the following tables: 2014-15 Growth Fund Awards Area/Local Recipient’s Project Description Amount Authority name Aberdeen City Aberdeen An international marketing campaign to promote £25,000 Festivals Aberdeen’s broad range of festivals highlighting nine major events throughout the year, starting with the month-long Area/Local Recipient’s Project Description Amount Authority name Arts Across Learning Festival at the end of February. The campaign will aim to align Aberdeen’s festivals, which include everything from music and the visual arts to science and dance, with the city’s rich array of food and drink and its accommodation. Aberdeen City Golf Aberdeen Campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the region as £22,500 and City and Shire a golfing destination and increasing golfing visitors through Aberdeenshire familiarisation trips, website creation, event and exhibition attendance, print and online marketing. Gardens of To increase visitor numbers to Argyll and Bute gardens £12,202 Argyll and Bute and increase the number of gardens in the group, carried out through the use of websites and social media in conjunction with Argyll and the Isles Tourism Cooperative. Dumfries and South of To promote Dumfries and Galloway as a region with a £10,000 Galloway Scotland varied and good value golf product using online and print Golfers’ marketing. Association East, Mid and Visit West Promotion of West, Mid, and East Lothian as a key £11,900 West Lothian Lothian stopover and destination to the group tour market. East Lothian East Lothian Promotion of East Lothian’s golf product, bringing in £22,280 Golf Tourism ancillary services such as food and drink and Alliance accommodation. Edinburgh, City Marketing The development of the North American market to secure £39,100 of Edinburgh additional business for the members of Marketing Edinburgh Ltd and the city of Edinburgh as a whole. Edinburgh, City Festivals A multi-touchpoint campaign, targeting new markets 40,000 of Edinburgh throughout the year, with tailored ‘spotlight’ festivals message within cities across the UK including, Leicester, Bristol and York have been identified. Highland Cairngorms Cairngorms Business Partnership series of themed mini- £35,000 Business campaigns, either product (e.g. cycling) or location specific Partnership (e.g. Aviemore). Highland Lochaber A year-round campaign aimed at encouraging more £25,000 Enterprises Ltd people from Scotland’s central belt to explore Lochaber. Promoting the region’s outdoor adventure sports, its wildlife and landscapes, as well as its food and drink. Highland Dornoch A brand new marketing campaign designed to “put £40,000 Dornoch on the map”. A number of businesses in the partnership have joined forces to target people in the UK who are looking for an ideal short-break destination. Content themes of this campaign will include the promotion of fly fishing lessons, golf tuition, private guided walks at Dunrobin Castle Gardens and expert whisky tasting. Perth and Golf Perthshire Maximising the golfing legacy from the 2014 Ryder Cup in £15,414 Kinross Perthshire. South Ayrshire South Ayrshire Arts and cultural festival designed to complement the £14,000 Council Year 3 creativity and variety of the work of Robert Burns and his legacy. Specific activity includes newly designed programme, targeted distribution strategy and new outdoor display elements. Stirling Destination Establishment of a new destination organisation, set up on £26,000 Stirling the back of a Scottish Enterprise funded strategy and with backing from VisitScotland and Stirling Council, to take advantage of 2014 opportunities. Stirling Breadalbane Campaign designed to build on Ring of Breadalbane £10,000 Tourism Co- Explorer hop-on, hop-off bus and promote ‘Rings’ beyond Area/Local Recipient’s Project Description Amount Authority name operative the bus, such as walking and cycling (on and off-road) routes. National The Scottish To promote a positive image of Scottish pubs by telling £60,000 Licensed Trade ‘little heard of stories’ associated with pubs across the Association length and breadth of Scotland using a variety of marketing and communication tools. National Sail Scotland To increase visitors from key target markets through £22,500 consumer exhibitions and promotional marketing. National Scotland’s A new national network of gardens, nurseries and related £30,000 Gardens businesses working together to showcase the country’s outstanding horticulture to the world. The network aims to achieve an increase in visitor numbers to Scottish gardens, reap financial benefits for its members and drive national and international tourism in the gardens and natural environment sector. Total: £460,896 Year of Food and Drink Growth Fund Awards (2014-15) Area/Local Recipient’s Project Description Amount Authority name Aberdeen City Aberdeen City A new regional collaboration, to position the area as a key £20,000 and and Shire Food part of Scotland’s Larder, showcasing the region’s rich Aberdeenshire Tourism food and drink offering, alongside the area’s natural rural landscape and surroundings. Argyll and Bute Oban and Lorn A regional campaign, building on Oban’s ‘Seafood Capital £15,000 Tourism of Scotland’ brand, and promoting the area’s natural larder Association and ‘pasture to plate’ ethos. The campaign will raise awareness of the area’s marine heritage and its prominence in Scotland’s sustainable shellfish and seafood farming industry. Edinburgh, City Edinburgh A new trail, highlighting locations in the city’s UNESCO £7,000 of World Heritage World Heritage Sites with historical food connections. The food heritage trail offers a new angle on sites across the old and new town world heritage sites, lining historic buildings and their food traditions. Total: £42,000 2015-16 Growth Fund Area/Local Recipient’s Project Description Amount Authority name Moray Moray A marketing campaign aimed at increasing visitors’ £20,648.42 Speyside awareness of Moray Speyside and build the Made in Moray Tourism brand. Content themes of the campaign include The Moray Speyside Larder, Cycle Moray Speyside and The Draw of the Coast. Total to date: £20,648.42

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when the 2015 single farm payments will be made. (S4W-27276) Richard Lochhead: The Single Farm Payment Scheme has been replaced by a range of new schemes or direct payments including the new Basic Payment Scheme and Greening payments. Under EU rules the payment window for 2015 direct payments runs from 1 December 2015 to the end of June 2016. The new common agricultural policy (CAP) is far more complex than the previous CAP, which has been a significant challenge for administrations and farmers alike right across Europe. In addition to delivering the new IT system, there are also additional tasks to be completed for the first time this year such as greening inspections, regionalisation of land parcels, and calculating and issuing new entitlements. The Scottish Government fully recognises the pressures facing the farming industry at present, and is striving to start making payments at the earliest possible time. It remains the case that we are aiming to start making payments by the end of December 2015 if at all possible. As we have said previously, we are also considering the option of partial payments. We will of course continue to keep the farming industry, and the banking sector on which they rely, fully informed of progress with these issues, over and above the steps already announced.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the proposed by-laws for the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. (S4W-27277) Aileen McLeod: Ministers are currently considering the camping management byelaw proposals submitted by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, including the comments received during the formal 30 day notification period. An announcement will be made in due course.

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the establishment of a small business conciliation service. (S4W-27284) Fergus Ewing: It is the UK Government’s intention to establish a small business commissioner (which delivers its manifesto commitment to establish a small business conciliation service) as part of the provisions in the Enterprise Bill. The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the provisions of the Enterprise Bill.

Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on the economy of North Ayrshire of the closure of Longannet power station given its commercial relationship with the Hunterston coal terminal and whether it has considered repurposing the terminal to protect jobs. (S4W-27329) Fergus Ewing: An economic development plan will be developed by the Longannet Taskforce, which was set up by the Scottish Government to support the workers, businesses and communities impacted by Scottish Power’s decision to close Longannet. One of the plan’s strands will focus on identifying how best to mitigate the effects on the supply chain of which Hunterston coal terminal is a key part. Because of the specific impact at Hunterston, Scottish Enterprise, which is taking forward the supply chain work, has organised an on-site meeting at Hunterston. The meeting will help to gather detailed information on the economic impact of Longannet’s closure and will inform the ongoing engagement between senior Scottish Enterprise officials and Peel Ports Group to discuss what support might be available to help Peel Ports prepare for the closure of Longannet.

Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what preparations it has made to reduce the impact of the closure of Longannet power station. (S4W-27330) Fergus Ewing: Since Scottish Power announced on 23 March 2015 the likelihood that Longannet would close in March 2016, the Scottish Government has been working closely with Fife Council and other public agencies to consider the impact of closure and secure the best possible outcome for those affected. As part of that process I co-chaired two meetings of relevant organisations with Councillor David Ross, Leader of Fife Council, on 20 May and 25 June. When the decision to close Longannet was announced on 18 August 2015, the Scottish Government established a Longannet Taskforce to support the workers, businesses and communities impacted by Scottish Power’s decision. The taskforce, which I co-chair with Councillor Ross met for the first time on 24 August 2015 and brought together key partners to co-ordinate the development of a joint, multi- agency plan to mitigate the economic impacts of Longannet’s closure. The taskforce will develop an economic recovery plan to: Help ensure individuals employed at the site are supported, maximising each individual’s opportunity to secure alternative employment; Support the communities impacted by the closure; Mitigate the effects on the supply chain; Produce a masterplan for the long term future of the site, maximising the employment potential of the site; and Consider the economic infrastructure of the local area, to identify how to create sustainable employment in the longer term. The next meeting of the Longannet Taskforce is scheduled for 29 September 2015.

Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what contact PACE has had with the staff of the Hunterston coal terminal. (S4W-27332) Fergus Ewing: I co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Longannet Taskforce on 24 August 2015 with Councillor David Ross of Fife Council. I also chaired a subsequent meeting on 31 August 2015 for companies in the Longannet supply chain who will be affected by the closure of Longannet Power Station. A representative of PeelPorts Group attended the meeting on 31 August and accepted the offer of PACE support for employees at Hunterston Coal Terminal who will be affected by the closure of Longannet. A meeting between the local Ayrshire PACE team and PeelPorts HR representatives will take place on 14 September 2015 to discuss a tailored programme of support for affected employees. Through providing skills development and employability support, PACE will aim to minimise the time individuals affected by redundancy are out of work. Finance Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the names of companies to which it has awarded development contracts being displayed on site. (S4W-27282) Keith Brown: The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 require all major and national developments and those developments specified in Schedule 3 to the regulations (developments likely to have wider impacts on amenity), while in progress, to display a sign in a specified form, including the name and address of the developer. It must be: i) displayed in a prominent place at or in the vicinity of the site of the development; (ii) readily visible to the public; and (iii) printed on durable material. The aim is for the public to know more about what is being built, the permission and conditions, where to get more information and who is responsible for planning enforcement. Health and Social Care Jim Hume (South Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many locum emergency medicine consultants each NHS board has used and at what cost in each year since 2010. (S4W-27389) Shona Robison: The use of locum staff helps ensure service continuity during times of planned and unplanned staffing gaps including short and long term sickness, unexpected vacancies, and maternity and paternity leave. We have a national framework contract in place which ensures that agency locum staff employed from the framework contract receive nationally agreed NHS rates of pay. This contract is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure it continues to offer best value. Information on locum consultants at board, specialty, cost and level is not held. We currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever in NHSScotland. Under this government, the number of consultant medical staff working in NHSScotland has increased by a record 38.2%. A&E has seen an unprecedented increase in consultant staff of 171.7%, from 75.8 whole time equivalent (WTE) to 205.8 WTE. Overall there are 570.9 WTE medical staff of all grades working in A&E in NHSScotland. The Scottish Government is also working with doctors and nurses to design the new emergency workload planning tool to be rolled out later this year. This will help NHS boards ensure they have appropriate staffing levels in place to meet variable workload demands. This investment in emergency medical staff was recognised in March 2015 by Dr Martin McKechnie, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, who stated: “The College welcomes the support the Scottish Government has given to increasing staffing and tackling crowding in our A&Es.” (Royal College of Emergency Medicine release, 24 March 2015).

Jim Hume (South Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government how many emergency medicine consultants there have been in each NHS board in each year since 2010, broken down by grade. (S4W-27390) Shona Robison: We currently have the highest medical staffing levels ever in NHSScotland. Under this government, the number of consultant medical staff working in NHSScotland has increased by a record 38.2%. A&E has seen an unprecedented increase in consultant staff of 171.7%, from 75.8 whole time equivalent (WTE) to 205.8 WTE. Overall there are 570.9 WTE medical staff of all grades working in A&E in NHSScotland. Published information on the number of consultants in emergency medicine can be found at ISD Scotland’s workforce statistics web site: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2015-09- 01/HCHS_by_specialty_J2015.xls The Scottish Government is also working with doctors and nurses to design the new emergency workload planning tool to be rolled out later in 2015. This will help NHS boards to ensure they have appropriate staffing levels in place to meet variable workload demands. This investment in emergency medical staff was recognised in March 2015 by Dr Martin McKechnie, Vice President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Scotland, who stated: “The College welcomes the support the Scottish Government has given to increasing staffing and tackling crowding in our A&Es.” (Royal College of Emergency Medicine release, 24 March 2015). Learning and Justice Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for Aberdeen police control room. (S4O-4584) Michael Matheson: As outlined in my response to Lewis Macdonald, this is a matter for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.

Michael McMahon (Uddingston and Bellshill) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the chief executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and what was discussed. (S4O-4585) Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government meets the chief executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) regularly. The last formal meeting was on 21 May 2015 when an update was given on SCTS plans.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when the final decision on the merger of Police Scotland’s L and K divisions will be announced. (S4O-4586) Michael Matheson: Any decision to merge K and L divisions is ultimately for Police Scotland acting under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. Scottish Ministers are aware that Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority have undertaken local consultation on this matter.

Alex Salmond (Aberdeenshire East) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to (a) schools and (b) local authorities in North East Scotland to (i) promote the heritage and (ii) help secure the future of the Scots language. (S4W-27290) Alasdair Allan: Education Scotland currently provide Scots language CPD to teachers across Scotland, including in the North East. They have paired nine Scots ambassadors with schools in the North East area and have developed a suite of new Scots language resources for schools, some of which are specifically tailored to the North East variety of Scots. Following the publication of the Scottish Government’s Scots language policy, we will look to provide practical advice to local authorities, by means of a Scots language plan, on how they can actively encourage and include Scots within their daily activity.

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what lessons it has learned from West Dunbartonshire Council raising attainment levels in schools, and whether it will implement these lessons as part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge. (S4W-27295) Angela Constance: A number of lessons have been learned from West Dunbartonshire Council’s raising attainment levels in school, in particular the authority wide literacy scheme. The Scottish Government invited the Association of Directors of Education to conduct a review (published in March 2014) of the operation of the literacy hubs – this included the West Dunbartonshire literacy hub. The overall aim of the review was to understand the impact that the literacy hub approach has had across host and partner local authorities. West Dunbartonshire literacy hub shared the learning and delivered training across its partner authorities and learning has been shared more widely through Education Scotland’s National Literacy Network events. Education Scotland’s report on Family Learning in West Dunbartonshire, published in July 2014, highlights ways in which the council is using family learning as a tool to improve outcomes and close the equity gap. To support the Scottish Attainment Challenge a national hub will provide a virtual centre of expertise that will share practice of what is working well. Effective strategies and interventions, including those delivered in West Dunbartonshire Council, will be shared and made easily accessible through the hub. In addition, every local authority will have direct access to an attainment advisor who will work collaboratively alongside local authority staff and provide support to implement effective interventions. Those local authorities in receipt of the Attainment Scotland Fund, which includes West Dunbartonshire Council, have developed their own improvement plans focused on raising attainment in literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing. Lessons learned from these local authorities will be spread more widely. Broader support to improve literacy is being provided by Education Scotland and the National Literacy Network, building on work done in the literacy hubs. Strategy and External Affairs Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many posts in National Museums Scotland are subject to a recruitment and retention allowance or other market- based pay supplements, and whether it will provide a breakdown of staff in these posts by (a) age, (b) gender and (c) geographical area. (S4W-27372) Fiona Hyslop: National Museums Scotland (NMS) has confirmed that only one post is currently subject to recruitment and retention allowance. NMS has not disclosed further details with regard to that one post because of data protection considerations. Transport Scotland Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government which railway stations are not accessible to disabled people. (S4W-27307) Derek Mackay: When referring to access to railway stations for disabled people, it normally relates to those with reduced mobility. When considering if a station is accessible it is usually put in the context of a wheelchair user and therefore stations are categorized according to the existence of step free access to all station platforms and facilities. The information below reflects this definition of an inaccessible station, but people with a range of other disabilities may still be able to use these stations. Of Scotland’s 358 railway stations, 274 (76.6%) have step free access to all platforms. 42 stations (11.7%) have platforms that can only be accessed by steps. This makes it impossible for a wheelchair user to reach rail services from these stations. Table 1 provides a full list of these stations: Table 1 Addiewell Burnside Gilschochill Queen’s Park (Glasgow) Alexandria Carstairs Greenock West Rannoch for Kinloch Anderston Cathcart High Street Rannoch Ardlui Coatdyke King’s Park Roy bridge Argyle Street Corrour Langside Shawlands Arrochar and Tarbet Crianlarich Maxwell Park Slateford Attadale Croftfoot Paisley St James Springburn Bellgrove Crosshill Pollokshaws East Upper Tyndrum Blairhill* Dumbarton East Pollokshaws West Williamwood Bridge of Orchy Falls of Cruachan Pollokshields East Bridgeton Garelochhead Pollokshields West *Network Rail is developing proposals to make Blairhill station step free and fully accessible through the Access for All Fund. A further 42 stations (11.7%) have at least one platform that can only be accessed by steps and are therefore part accessible for a wheelchair user. Table 2 provides a full list of these stations: Table 2 Achnasheen Burntisland Fauldhouse Kingussie Anniesland Cardonald Forsinard Kirkconnel Ardgay Carrbridge Fort Matilda Lairg Arisaig Cleland Garve Lochgelly Balmossie Coatbridge Girvan Lochwinnoch Barassie Central Glenfinnan Pitlochry Barhill Curriehill Helmsdale Springfield Barry Links Dalreoch Hyndland Stirling Bowling Dalwhinnie Insch Tain Breich Drem Kilmarnock** Brora Dunkeld and Birnam Kinghorn **Network Rail is developing proposals to make Kilmarnock station step free and fully accessible through the Access for All Fund. ScotRail provides alternative accessible transport (normally a taxi) to any eligible disabled passenger who cannot access a station and who books this service in advance of travel. The passenger will be taken to the next nearest accessible station on that route and this service is provided free of charge to the passenger.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the correspondence between it and the European (a) Commission and (b) Parliament since May 2011 regarding (i) the tendering of contracts for passenger and freight ferry services and (ii) council regulation EC/3577/92. (S4W-27312) Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government has no current plans to publish this correspondence.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much compensation (a) CalMac Ferries and (b) Serco NorthLink has paid to (i) passengers and (ii) freight companies since 1 July 2012 because of service disruptions, and under what circumstances claims can be made. (S4W-27314) Derek Mackay: (a) For the period from 1 July 2012 to date a total of £305,758 compensation was paid to passengers by CalMac. From 5 July 2012, when Serco NorthLink Ferries commenced operating the Northern Isles Ferry Services, to date a total of £6,485.58 was paid to passengers. Since 18 December 2012 claims for compensation can be made by passengers under the provisions of the EU Passenger Rights Regulation 1177/2010. A copy of these conditions is available on the CalMac website by following the following link: https://www.calmac.co.uk/on-board/passenger-rights Serco NorthLink Ferries provides commitment to EU Regulation 1177/2010 in the travel insurance sub-section of the additional information section of the customer’s reservation details; this is provided as part of their booking confirmation. (b) No compensation has been paid to freight companies by CalMac or Serco NorthLink Ferries.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what increases in passenger fares there have been on Serco NorthLink ferry services since 1 July 2012. (S4W-27318) Derek Mackay: Passenger fares have increased on Serco NorthLink ferry services since 1 July 2012 by the following: 2.8% on 1 January 2013 2.7% on 1 January 2014 1.5% on 1 January 2015 These increases are in accordance with the contract, consistent with inflation and approved by the Scottish Ministers.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much a standard class passenger cabin on Northern Isles ferry services costs, and how this compares with 1 January 2012. (S4W-27319) Derek Mackay: Serco NorthLink Ferries (SNF) provides passengers with a wide range of on board accommodation opportunities. These range from reclining seats to premium cabins. Since taking on the contract for the Northern Isles Ferry Services, SNF fares have increased in accordance with the contract, consistent with inflation and approved by the Scottish Ministers. For instance on the Aberdeen to Lerwick route a four berth inner cabin cost £100.70 (peak) at the start of the contract and the same cabin in 2015 costs £108.00. In February 2013, Serco NorthLink Ferries introduced a new offering to passengers with 36 ‘Sleeping Pod’ style seats becoming available on board both the MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey. Details of the current fares structure, including cabin prices are available on their website by following the link below: http://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/fares/ Under the terms of the Northern Isles ferries services contract fares are set by the Scottish Ministers.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when it last met community representatives to discuss the performance of Serco NorthLink. (S4W-27320) Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland chairs the Northern Isles Ferry Services Consultative Forum. The forum acts as a consultative mechanism with key stakeholders coming together at regular intervals to consider issues around the ferry services to their communities. The forum has met on four occasions since it was established in December 2013 with the most recent meeting occurring on 23 June 2015. The following bodies are represented on the forum: HITRANS, ZetTrans, Shetland Island Council, Orkney Island Council, Serco NorthLink Ferries, Pentland Ferries, John O’Groats Ferries, Aberdeen Harbour Board, Lerwick Port Authority, Scrabster Harbour Trust, Stromness and Kirkwall Harbours and VisitScotland. Transport issues, including ferries, have also been discussed at meetings of the Island Areas Ministerial Working Group.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the correspondence between it and (a) community representatives, (b) councillors and (c) local authority officials since 1 January 2012 regarding the performance of Serco NorthLink. (S4W-27321) Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government has no current plans to publish correspondence regarding the performance of Serco NorthLink.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) communications and (b) complaints from the public regarding Serco NorthLink ferry services have been received by (i) it and (ii) Transport Scotland since 1 January 2012. (S4W-27322) Derek Mackay: Serco NorthLink commenced operating the Northern Isles ferry services contract on 5 July 2012. Transport Scotland has identified the following items of formal correspondence regarding the Northern Isles ferry services contract operated by Serco NorthLink: Ministerial correspondence cases: 92 Freedom of Information requests: 9 The total volume of communication during the contract period to date is likely to have been higher when telephone calls and emails not routinely filed are taken into account.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what vessel (a) deployment and (b) financing options are being considered for Northern Isles ferry services from 2018. (S4W-27326) Derek Mackay: In Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022), published in December 2012, it was noted (chapter 2 paragraph 11) that the current ro-pax vessels chartered from RBS for the Northern Isles ferry services will only be 18 years old in 2018 and it will be feasible for them to continue on the routes for another contract period. We are taking that forward in discussion with RBS and local stakeholders.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government to what extent Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance is informed by European state aid guidelines. (S4W-27327) Derek Mackay: The Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) requires the user to consider a number of constraints such as: Scottish, UK or EU legislation; and Scottish or UK fiscal policy. Depending on the nature of the state aid, further consideration would typically be undertaken once the STAG appraisal is complete, during the preparation of an outline business case.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish each Transport Scotland appraisal of Serco NorthLink since July 2012. (S4W-27328) Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland does not hold a formal recorded annual appraisal with any of the operators of its ferry contracts. Formal performance management meetings are held regularly with each operator and on an annual basis, in line with the provisions of the relevant public service contracts. This will include consideration of the annual outturn statement and discussion of the previous year’s performance.

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to use and improve Scotland’s canal infrastructure in terms of (a) economic development, (b) leisure and (c) tourism. (S4W-27333) Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government provides funding totalling £10 million each year to Scottish Canals to enable it to deliver its statutory duties as well as our canals policy Making the most of Scotland’s canals which we published in 2013. This encourages Scottish Canals to identify and exploit productive new contributions from our canals in the delivery of the Scottish Government’s Purpose. Scottish Canals continues to work with partners and in joint ventures to develop opportunities for the economic development and regeneration of areas adjacent to our canals. It is currently working with Glasgow City Council to redevelop areas in North Glasgow and with the Highland Council, West Dunbartonshire Council and Argyll and Bute Council on local plans including potential canalside developments. Our canals continue to be developed as important locations for leisure activities including walking, cycling and boating. An excellent example of using and improving Scotland’s canal infrastructure for leisure is the recently opened Pinkston Watersports centre which offers a white-water paddlesports experience close to the centre of Glasgow. Scotland’s canals continue to develop as major tourist attractions from the magnificent Caledonian canal running the length of the Great Glen in the Highlands to the Falkirk Wheel and the hugely popular Kelpies attraction which was formally opened in 2015.

Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many sailings on the Kennacraig/Islay route have operated carrying less than the full vehicle capacity since 1 April 2015 and how many of these were notified as full to prospective travellers with vehicles at any time prior to the vessel leaving the departure port. (S4W-27338) Derek Mackay: Since 1 April 2015, there have been 216 sailings that have exceeded a capacity figure of 90%, which are effectively classed as full sailings by CalMac. The operated sailings since 1 April 2015 total 1,286, therefore 16.8% can be classed as full and 83.2% as less than full. No information is held by CalMac as to how many were notified to customers, as full, prior to the vessel sailing.

Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many outbreaks of the winter vomiting virus have been reported on Caledonian MacBrayne vessels in the last three years and how many vessels have been withdrawn from service for deep cleaning as a result. (S4W-27340) Derek Mackay: In the past three years there have been five incidents where more than one passenger or member of CalMac crew have shown symptoms of the winter vomiting virus, also known as noro-virus. These incidents have resulted in one vessel, the MV Lord of the Isles, being taken off scheduled service for two full days, 10 and 11 April 2013, to carry out deep cleaning operations. It has been possible to carry out cleaning on other vessels without impeding the normal service provision. CalMac do, however, undertake precautionary cleaning on board their vessels whenever it is known that the virus is in the communities served by CalMac.

Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many outbreaks of food poisoning have been reported by staff on Caledonian MacBrayne vessels in the last three years and what actions were taken as a result. (S4W-27341) Derek Mackay: In the last three years there has been one complaint made by a passenger who felt that they had caught food poisoning on board. An investigation by CalMac’s environmental advisor was conducted and it was not confirmed that the source of the food poisoning was from food served on board the vessel.

Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many cancellations there have been on Caledonian MacBrayne’s (a) Kennacraig/Islay and (b) Oban/Colonsay route in 2015, broken down by reason for cancellation and compared with (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014. (S4W-27343) Derek Mackay: The following tables detail the number of sailings cancelled on CalMac Ferries Ltd’s (a) Kennacraig/Islay and (b) Oban/Colonsay routes so far in 2015, broken down by reason for cancellation and compared with the same period in (a) 2012, (b) 2013 and (c) 2014. Kennacraig to Islay January to August each year Cancelled sailing 2012 2013 2014 2015 Total Adverse weather 8 41 37 73 159 Mechanical problems (ship) 12 19 64 23 118 Vessel redeployed 10 29 10 39 Substitute vessel (annual overhaul) 18 18 Industrial dispute 15 15 Ship involved in emergency 2 2 All others 1 1 Ship out of position 1 1 Cancelled sailing total 30 62 130 141 363 Cancelled after relief events 12 6 30 29 77 Scheduled sailings 1773 1852 1872 1885 7382 % Cancelled 1.69% 3.35% 6.94% 7.48% 4.92% % Cancelled after relief events 0.68% 0.32% 1.60% 1.54% 1.04%

Oban to Colonsay January to August each year Cancelled sailing 2012 2013 2014 2015 Total Adverse weather 6 15 14 18 53 Industrial dispute 4 4 Mechanical problems (ship) 3 3 Medical emergency 2 2 Cancelled sailing total 6 17 14 25 62 Cancelled after relief events 0 0 0 7 7 Scheduled sailings 256 255 256 257 1024 % Cancelled 2.34% 6.67% 5.47% 9.73% 6.05% % Cancelled after relief events 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 2.72% 0.68% Under the terms of the public services contract between Scottish Ministers and CalMac Ferries Limited, performance deductions are imposed when scheduled sailings are cancelled or delayed, when not covered by relief events. Late arrivals and departures, due to adverse weather are classed as relief events. The Merchant Shipping (Master’s Discretion) Regulations 1997 gives the master of any ship sole responsibility for deciding whether in his or her professional judgement it is safe to sail. It is a criminal offence for the owner, charterer or manager of a ship, i.e. CalMac Ferries Limited, or any other person to prevent or restrict the master from exercising that judgement.

Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government on which scheduled bus services in Scotland the National Entitlement Card is not valid and for what reason. (S4W-27406) Derek Mackay: Bus services on which a National Entitlement Card is valid under the National Concessionary Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People are set out in the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006 SSI 2006/117. The Order lists specific types of services that are not eligible under the scheme. Scheduled services that are not valid are night bus services where a premium fare is charged and services where fares include a special amenity element, such as excursions, tours or group travel. The exclusions in the legislation relate to services which generally cost more than mainstream day time scheduled bus services.

Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-24003 by Derek Mackay on 21 January 2015, whether it will provide an update on what progress has been made with the speed limit trial. (S4W-27466) Derek Mackay: Progress has been made with proposals for the 20 mph speed limit pilot by way of traffic surveys and engagement with the local authority. We are developing an integrated proposal for the 20 mph limit pilot encompassing both the trunk and local roads to provide the greatest safety benefits and support the needs of the community of Langholm. On confirmation that the local authority has agreement to proceed, we will engage further with the community through a joint public exhibition on the combined plan.