Wednesday 4 March 2015 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Communities Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (): To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) its agencies and (b) public sector organisations that make savings on fuel costs because of the falling oil price will be able to retain the money saved at the end of (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16. (S4W-24573) John Swinney: The impact of any savings emerging from reduced fuel costs will be considered in the same way as any other savings and pressures that emerge across the public finances as part of our annual budget process and as part of individual public bodies and services’ own management of their budgets.

Willie Rennie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to carrying out a privacy impact assessment on plans for the extension of access to the NHS Central Register. (S4W-24598) John Swinney: The NHS Central Register (NHSCR) is a register managed by National Records of Scotland and was created in the early 1950s. There is no Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for the NHSCR as a whole since it pre-dates this requirement. The Scottish Government and delivery partners have two published PIAs for the policy and operational system relating to myaccount. Organisations using myaccount are also expected to undertake a PIA prior to implementing it. Consultation is an important part of the PIA process and the Scottish Government’s public consultation on the use of the NHSCR will inform the development of PIAs for each of the other proposals that we set out in the consultation that closed on 25 February 2015. PIAs will accompany the final proposals.

Willie Rennie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to extending the public consultation on plans for the extension of access to the NHS Central Register until a privacy impact assessment is completed. (S4W-24599) John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-24598 on 4 March 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Willie Rennie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it carried out with external stakeholders regarding plans for the extension of access to the NHS Central Register ahead of the launch of the public consultation on the issue. (S4W-24600) John Swinney: Discussions were had with key stakeholders from across the Scottish public sector and HMRC as the proposals were being developed. These discussions helped to inform the final proposals set out in the public consultation.

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what work it is conducting to support schools and teachers in identifying and reporting cases of students at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). (S4W-24625) Alex Neil: Scottish Ministers wrote to all headteachers in February 2014 to alert them that female genital mutilation is illegal in the UK, is considered child abuse and should be dealt with as a child protection concern, with links to the National Guidance for Child Protection and a number of other resources. Education Scotland subsequently prepared material for all schools to use to update staff at the start of the 2014-15 school term. Education Scotland is currently in the process of gathering resources that can be used in the classroom in an age appropriate manner. Enterprise and Environment Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-23806 by Richard Lochhead on 9 January 2015, whether it will provide an update on its assessment of how the ban on tail-docking has impacted on working dogs, and whether it has come to a decision regarding formally consulting on a potential exemption for working dogs. Holding answer issued: 3 March 2015 (S4W-24471) Richard Lochhead: As noted in response to the question S4W-23806, the latest Scottish Government funded research investigating how the tail docking ban has impacted on working dogs was published in two peer reviewed papers in the Veterinary Record on 4 April 2014. That answer also noted that subsequent discussions were held with stakeholders regarding the impact of the results of the research on their views on the tail docking of working dogs, and that the Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland had further investigated how exemptions allowing tail docking of working dogs have worked in practice in other parts of the UK and how any potential exemption might be genuinely restricted to working dogs in Scotland. These views and findings are being thoroughly considered before coming to a decision on what further action to take and on whether we will formally consult on a potential exemption for working dogs.

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting jobs in the fishing industry in Berwickshire. (S4W-24533) Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government places a high importance on the fishing industry and the benefits it brings to local communities such as those in Berwickshire and has been working with other government agencies to provide assistance to help maintain and indeed create new jobs locally in both the onshore and offshore sectors. The Scottish Government fought hard and proactively in the annual EU fisheries negotiations to secure the best deal for Scotland’s fishermen in 2015 – of course respecting science and sustainability issues – and thinking ahead to creating the best starting point for negotiating quota for 2016 under the first year of the demersal landing obligation. Helpfully, to fishermen on the east coast, an increase in the Scottish share of the North Sea quota for Nephrops was secured. We are also taking steps to empower local communities. The east coast Inshore Fisheries Group (IFG) includes the Berwickshire area. IFGs are non-statutory bodies that aim to improve the management of Scotland’s inshore fisheries (out to six nautical miles) and to give commercial inshore fishermen a strong voice in wider marine management developments. Our national inshore fisheries programme is actively supporting these ambitions, from testing new technologies to researching new approaches to managing the interactions between mobile and static fishing vessels in the inshore environment. The government has utilised the European Fisheries Fund to make 12 awards to a range of fisheries related businesses in Berwickshire since 2008 amounting to £588,000 which has enabled investment of £1.5 million and a target of 49 jobs. Examples include five fishing vessel modernisation grants totalling £27,000 which have enabled investment of £104,000, three fishing port facilities projects at Eyemouth Harbour attracting grants of £142,000 enabling investment of £188,000 and creating 11 jobs, and four processing and marketing grants totalling £419,000 which enabled investment of £1.23 million in facilities and plant and which aim to create 38 jobs. The government will also work to maximise the benefit to fishing communities, such as those in Berwickshire, of the successor European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), which will provide a widened package of support for marine actions. We plan to launch the new scheme later this year. The Scottish allocation of the EMFF is over 107 euros and will be co-financed with domestic funds. A Scottish Creel Support Fund was launched in February 2014 to support this sector which suffered due to the exceptional weather during the winter of 2012-13. The government made available over £400,000 to assist the sector in two ways, £300,000 direct funding of which £40,000 was awarded to 20 fishermen in the south east of Scotland. Additionally funding totalling £100,000 was provided to assist with developing new and existing markets for creel caught produce. The UK-wide Coastal Communities Fund (CCF), administered by the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland, has awarded over £190,000 to two fisheries projects in the last three years; the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery received funds to develop a lobster hatchery based at North Berwick Harbour, and Seton Care received funds to deliver training programmes to those in the fisheries, offshore and processing sectors around the coast from the Forth to East Berwickshire. Whilst there are no further rounds of CCF funding expected, the Smith Commission recommendations will enable us to make sure that island and coastal local authorities receive 100% of net revenues generated from the existing functions of the Crown Estate in Scottish waters out to 12 nautical miles so that coastal and island communities can benefit in future from the assets currently administered by the Crown Estate.

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many jobs have been connected to the fishing industry in Berwickshire in each year since 1999. (S4W-24534) Richard Lochhead: The number of fishermen employed in Berwickshire fishing creeks is given in the following table: Total number of fishermen employed in Berwickshire 1999 to 2013 Burnmouth Cove Eyemouth St Abbs Total 1999 16 3 98 28 145 2000 17 2 149 16 184 2001 12 3 136 11 162 2002 7 1 100 10 118 2003 8 2 99 10 119 2004 8 2 97 9 116 2005 8 2 99 7 116 2006 8 2 104 5 119 2007 10 2 89 5 106 2008 7 2 65 5 79 2009 9 2 62 6 79 2010 21 6 74 - 101 2011 17 4 64 14 99 2012 19 4 59 14 96 2013 22 5 73 15 115

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the £13,938.1 million turnover in the food and drink sector identified in its growth sector statistics is attributable to the seafood and aquaculture industries when all income from fish processing is included. (S4W-24541) Richard Lochhead: Of the £13.9 billion turnover generated by the food and drink growth sector in 2012, about 14 per cent (£1.9 billion) is attributable to the seafood and aquaculture industries, including fish processing (data source: Scottish Annual Business Survey).

Alex Rowley (Cowdenbeath) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has made of employment trends up to (a) 2020 and (b) 2025, and what information it has regarding how this compares with the projections made by the UK Commissioner for Employment and Skills. (S4W-24566) John Swinney: The Scottish Government does not produce forecasts of employment trends comparable to the projections made by the UK Commissioner for Employment and Skills. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills produces labour market projections for the UK including Scotland in its Working Futures reports. The latest report was published in March 2014 and covers the period 2012-22. It should be noted that the projections do not take account of the economic policies and priorities of the Scottish Government, and instead assume that current UK Government policies are adopted across the whole of the UK.

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what (a) action it is taking to monitor and (b) discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada. (S4W-24614) Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government officials continue to work with officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on transmissible spongiform encephalopathy controls that impact the UK. There have been no specific discussions on the recent confirmed BSE case in Canada. However, Canada is listed as having a controlled BSE risk and there are appropriate import conditions in place to protect public and animal health. Therefore it should not be necessary for the EU or the UK to take any further action.

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what impact it expects confirmed cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Canada to have on Scotland. (S4W-24616) Richard Lochhead: We do not expect the confirmed case of BSE in Canada to have any impact on Scotland. Prior to the recent confirmed BSE case, Canada was listed as a controlled BSE risk country. The export health certificates for bovine, ovine and caprine meat already incorporate appropriate conditions so it should not be necessary for the EU or the UK to take any further action. Finance Gavin Brown (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government when the formal release of the complete IT system for Revenue Scotland will take place. (S4W-24524) John Swinney: The Chief Executive of Revenue Scotland reported the latest position in her report to the Finance and Public Audit Committees on 27 February 2015. She reported that all of the components of the IT system are now in place and that the Tax Administration Programme is at an advanced stage of delivery. Specific milestones passed include the opening, on 16 February 2015, of registration for Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT) and sign-up to SETS, the Scottish Electronic Tax System, for both SLfT and Land and Building Transaction Tax. This coincided with the publication of a significant volume of guidance – covering all three pieces of primary legislation relating to the devolved taxes, as well as guidance on signing up to SETS. The Revenue Scotland support desk also opened the same day. The formal release of the system will take place shortly before the end of March 2015 so that users have maximum opportunity to test the system before release.

Gavin Brown (Lothian) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what potential risks could prevent full functioning of the Revenue Scotland IT system on 1 April 2015. (S4W-24525) John Swinney: The Revenue Scotland IT system is at an advanced stage of delivery and the Chief Executive of Revenue Scotland is confident that the system will be fully functioning on 1 April 2015. She updated the Finance and Public Audit Committees on 27 February 2015 and reported that all of the components of the IT system are now in place. Specific milestones passed include the opening, on 16 February 2015, of registration for Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT) and sign-up to SETS, the Scottish Electronic Tax System, for both SLfT and Land and Building Transaction Tax (LBTT). This coincided with the publication of a significant volume of guidance – covering all three pieces of primary legislation relating to the devolved taxes, as well as guidance on signing up to SETS. The Revenue Scotland support desk also opened the same day.

Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (): To ask the Scottish Government whether there is an up-to-date estimate of PFI and PPP costs in the West Scotland parliamentary region, broken down by (a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local authority area. (S4W-24564) Keith Brown: Information on the cost of PFI and PPP contracts is updated annually and available from the following website: www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308 Health and Social Care Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Forth Valley regarding services for mental health patients, including action to improve waiting times. (S4O-4077) Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government is in regular contact with NHS Forth Valley regarding waiting times to access services by mental health patients. I spoke with the chief executive last week about Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the Forth Valley area.

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote healthy personal relationships and sexual wellbeing for young people. (S4O-4078) Maureen Watt: The sexual wellbeing of young people, and the importance of healthy personal relationships, is an issue which cuts across a number of Scottish Government policies. Our Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework acknowledges the importance of healthy and respectful relationships and sexual wellbeing for young people, and this informs a range of activities delivered under the framework. The relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) element of Curriculum for Excellence is also key. Through the provision of RSHP, schools and other learning establishments support learning around the importance of positive healthy relationships. Additionally, one of the considerations for the new teenage pregnancy and young parents strategy, which will be published later in 2015, will be the importance and impact of promoting healthy personal relationships and sexual wellbeing in young people.

Jayne Baxter (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government when it expects NHS boards to reverse the reported upward trend and then eliminate the practice of admitting children with mental health issues to non-specialist adult wards. (S4O-4079) Jamie Hepburn: We are working with NHS boards to deliver commitment 12 of the Mental Health Strategy to reduce the admissions of under 18s to adult wards. There are some reasons why it may not always be possible for a young person to be admitted to a specialist child and adolescent bed – for example, a crisis admission out of hours where there are concerns for the young person’s safety, or where a specialist facility might be a considerable distance from family support that could help recovery. Most of these admissions are among young people aged 16 or 17 where an adult facility might in certain cases be clinically judged to be the more appropriate setting, but we nevertheless expect almost all children and young people admitted to adult wards to be discharged quickly or transferred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that patient feedback is an important part of improving NHS service provision and, if so, how it encourages such feedback. (S4O-4080) Shona Robison: Yes. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring a culture of openness and transparency within our NHS, which actively welcomes all forms of feedback as a tool for continuous improvement. The Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 introduced new patient rights and principles for the delivery of healthcare, including a specific right for people to complain, raise concerns, make comments and give feedback about NHS services. It also placed a duty on the NHS to encourage, monitor, take action and share learning from the views they receive.

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what the percentage reduction in patient mortality has been in NHS Ayrshire hospitals since 2007, and how many lives are estimated to have been saved. (S4O-4081) Shona Robison: Since 2007, there has been a 14.5% reduction in hospital standardised mortality ratios at University Hospital and a 34.2% reduction at University Hospital, Crosshouse. This compares with a national reduction of 16.3%. These excellent figures reflect the tremendous efforts of staff at both hospital with regard to patient safety and the work of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme. These data indicate that nationally, 15,000 lives have been saved since data collection commenced.

Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much it would cost to terminate each private contract for the provision of parking at hospitals. Holding answer issued: 19 February 2015 (S4W-24350) Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally.

Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what (a) male, (b) female and (c) child obesity rates it recorded in each year from 2007 to 2014. (S4W-24577) Jamie Hepburn: Obesity prevalence information is published in the Scottish Health Survey. The survey has run annually from 2008. The latest published information is for the 2013 survey. The percentage of men and women aged 16 and over classified as ‘obese’ (BMI 30 or higher) in each year is as follows: % obese 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Men 26.0 26.9 27.4 27.7 26.6 24.9 Women 27.5 27.6 28.9 27.6 27.5 29.3 The percentage of children aged two to 15 classified as ‘at risk of obesity’ (BMI at or above the 95th percentile) in each year is as follows: % at risk of obesity 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Children 16.6 16.4 16.1 17.2 16.8 16.0 Child height and weight data is also collected in Scottish schools at the Primary 1 review. This data is used by Information Services Division (ISD) to produce BMI statistics, including the proportion of Primary 1 children at risk of obesity. Information on the BMI distribution (including at risk of obesity) of children in Primary 1 (aged approximately 4.5 to 6.25 years) is published on ISD’s website at: https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Child-Health/Publications/2015-02- 17/P1_epidemiologicalBMI_2013_2014.xls Learning and Justice Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether the recently agreed bonus payments for prison officers comply with its public sector pay policy and what the reasons are for its position on this matter. (S4W-24493) Michael Matheson: The pay settlement for frontline prison officers was negotiated and reached between the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) and the Prison Officers Association (Scotland). This settlement recognises the evolutionary role of frontline prison officers in Scotland and is a step on a long term investment strategy for the future of the prison service in Scotland. Any financial costs incurred will therefore be met by the SPS’ own existing budgets. No additional provision will be made by the Scottish Government to meet these costs, nor will they impact on future pay bills for this group of staff. Ministers agreed, exceptionally, that SPS could negotiate a pay settlement outside normal Scottish Government pay policy with the aim of securing ongoing engagement from frontline prison officers in the development of the role of a prison officer in the period ahead.

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on clarifying the duty of solicitors acting on behalf of buyers in property transactions. (S4W-24556) Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government expects all solicitors acting on behalf of buyers in property transactions to provide the best possible level of service and advice. Former Sheriff Principal Bowen’s report to the Council of the Law Society of Scotland on consumer protection in conveyancing has been published. It is available at: https://www.lawscot.org.uk/media/439009/Law-Society-report-Consumer-Protections-in- Conveyancing-Cases.pdf. The report suggested that thought needs to be given to clarifying the legal duty of a solicitor acting for a purchaser in certain circumstances. As the report is to the Law Society of Scotland, this recommendation is for the society to consider in the first instance. I am advised by the society that issues on clarifying the duty of solicitors in conveyancing transactions will be considered by their Property Law Committee at their next meeting in April 2015. Through my regular meetings with the society, I will discuss with them the recommendations in Sheriff Principal Bowen’s report, the action that should be taken and the likely timescales.

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Law Society of Scotland regarding reforms to the Guarantee Fund. (S4W-24557) Paul Wheelhouse: Scottish Government is aware of the terms of Sheriff Principal Bowen’s report in relation to consumer protections in conveyancing cases which makes a recommendation in relation to the Guarantee Fund. The Scottish Government also understands that the Law Society of Scotland has recently received a report following a review of the Guarantee Fund which it had commissioned from KPMG. I have raised the subject of the operation of the Guarantee Fund with the Law Society of Scotland and will seek an early opportunity discuss with the society how it intends to take forward the recommendations arising from both reports and whether any legislative action is required.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Independent): To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are in place to ensure that the civil or criminal justice court system does not place at a disadvantage people who do not have a sufficient understanding of English. (S4W-24580) Michael Matheson: Where a person is the subject of criminal proceedings, interpretation and translation assistance is statutorily required by the Right to Interpretation and Translation in Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Regulations 2014. The court hearing those proceedings must take all reasonable steps to determine whether the person requires interpretation or translation assistance. Where the court determines that a person requires such assistance it must ensure that arrangements are made for the person to be provided it. The Regulations may be found at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2014/95/contents/made In the case of civil proceedings, ordinarily this would be a matter for the parties, with payment becoming an expense in the cause. However, I am advised by the Scottish Court Service that, as an exception, it will provide and pay for an interpreter in civil proceedings where a party requiring these services is unrepresented.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Independent): To ask the Scottish Government whether people accessing the civil or criminal justice court system who require a translator have equal access to such a service regardless of location, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter. (S4W-24581) Michael Matheson: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply within 20 days.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Independent): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the availability of translators in Mandarin in the civil or criminal justice court system. (S4W-24582) Michael Matheson: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within 20 days

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it will increase (a) awareness of and (b) interest in the road haulage sector among pupils. (S4W-24632) Roseanna Cunningham: As noted in Developing the Young Workforce – Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy, we are keen to see employers shape the workforce of the future by helping to develop and deliver young people’s experience of the world of work while at school. The Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce recommended that the Scottish Government should support the creation of regional industry-led Invest in Youth Groups to provide leadership and a single point of contact to facilitate engagement between employers and education. The groups will develop activity to encourage employers to engage with education, offer work experience and placements and recruit more young people. There will be opportunities for road haulage companies to engage with these groups as they develop. The Scottish Government is committed to an all age career information, advice and guidance service. Our skills agency Skills Development Scotland delivers a high quality careers service to ensure our young people can better understand the opportunities available within different sectors and supports them to develop their aspirations to make informed learning and career choices. I am aware that Skills Development Scotland met with the Road Haulage Association in February 2015 to discuss this and other issues for how the industry can meet its current and future skills needs and are due to meet again later in the year to discuss progress.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to help school leavers stay in employment in the road haulage sector until they are 18 and can apply for a large goods vehicle (LGV) or heavy goods vehicle (HGV) licence. (S4W-24633) Roseanna Cunningham: An enthusiastic and trained workforce underpins Scotland’s ambition for economic success and our successful Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme supports this goal by providing individuals with the opportunity to secure industry-recognised qualifications while earning a wage. There are MA opportunities available within the field of transport, specifically in the area of freight logistics and by the end of December 2014 there had been 1,281 new MA starts on this specific framework, with 17% of those being aged 16-19. However the Scottish Government appreciates that there are a number of issues which concern freight hauliers generally about the recruitment and retention of young drivers, including the minimum age of licenses and insurance premiums. Whilst there is a limit to what the Scottish Government can do in addressing these issues, we are providing assistance to encourage the employment of young people through the support available from Skills Development Scotland and our Youth Employment Scotland Fund. I am aware that Skills Development Scotland met with the Road Haulage Association in February 2015 to discuss this and other issues for how the industry can meet its current and future skills needs and are due to meet again later in 2015 to discuss progress.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address (a) any shortages in the number and (b) reported ageing profile of drivers in the road haulage sector. (S4W-24634) Roseanna Cunningham: Skills Development Scotland (SDS), our national skills body, offers a range of services for both individuals and employers. SDS has a dedicated employer helpline and a specific web service, Our Skillsforce, offering help on planning, recruiting and developing a skilled workforce. Our Skillsforce includes support available not only from SDS but also Jobcentre Plus, Scotland’s local authorities and other partners. Specific funding support is available to employers includes: Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) – a funding contribution towards the cost of training and assessment is available to support work based learning with employed status following an approved MA framework. Flexible Training Opportunities gives Scottish businesses with up to 100 employees the opportunity to apply for up to £5,000 towards employee training costs. Additionally the Scottish Government also provides assistance to encourage the employment of young people through our Youth Employment Scotland Fund. I am aware that Skills Development Scotland, our national skills body, met with the Road Haulage Association in February 2015 to discuss the current and futures skills needs of the industry. This included highlighting the variety of support available and agreeing to meet again later in the year to discuss progress.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to make funding for training in the road haulage sector more flexible and to ensure that self-employed people have access to training schemes and support. (S4W-24635) Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government supports training for small businesses, including those who are self-employed, through our Flexible Training Opportunities, where businesses with up to 100 employees can apply for up to £5,000 towards employee training costs. Funding is available for up to 10 employees per business and the money is an investment in developing higher skills so the employer does not have to pay it back. Managed on our behalf by Skills Development Scotland, the programme will refund up to 50% of each episode of employee training up to a maximum of £500 for each training episode. Additionally, support may be available for those on low incomes through Individual Learning Accounts to contribute toward the cost of approved employability training. I am aware that Skills Development Scotland, our national skills body, met with the Road Haulage Association in February 2015 to discuss their current and future skills needs of the industry. This included highlighting the variety of support available and an agreement to meet again later in the year to discuss progress.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to increase funding support for training for people aged 25 and older who wish to work in the road haulage sector. (S4W-24636) Roseanna Cunningham: The Scottish Government, through Skills Development Scotland, provides a contribution towards to the cost of training and assessment for Modern Apprenticeships (MAs). We prioritise this funding towards young people, however in recognition that there are industry areas in the economy that contribute significantly towards economic growth, we also provide a contribution for MAs aged over 25 in key and enabling sectors. This includes the specific framework for Freight Logistics where over half of the 1,281 MA starts on this framework up to the end of December 2014 have been for those aged 25 and over. Additionally we support training for small businesses through our Flexible Training Opportunities, where businesses with up to 100 employees can apply for up to £5,000 towards employee training costs and there is no age limit for eligibility. Funding is available for up to 10 employees per business and the money is not a loan so the employer does not have to pay it back. Managed on our behalf by Skills Development Scotland, the programme will refund up to 50% of each episode of employee training up to a maximum of £500 for each training episode. Support may also be available for individuals of all ages on low incomes through Individual Learning Accounts to contribute toward the cost of approved employability training. I am aware that Skills Development Scotland met with the Road Haulage Association in February 2015 to discuss their current and future skills needs of the industry. This included highlighting the variety of support available, including MAs, and there is an agreement to meet again later in the year to discuss progress.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it will support training providers to deliver the appropriate skills and fill the reported skills gap in the road haulage sector. (S4W-24637) Roseanna Cunningham: I am aware that Skills Development Scotland (SDS), our national skills body, met with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Lantra in February 2015 to discuss the current and future skills needs of the industry. This included a discussion to better understand that scale of the issue in Scotland and on the variety of support already available. The RHA has agreed to consider the information provided at and after that meeting, and to meet with SDS again later in the year to discuss progress. This will highlight any follow up activity needed with training providers in Scotland.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Independent): To ask the Scottish Government on how many instances involving children under 16 police officers have (a) drawn and (b) discharged a Taser in each of the last three years. (S4W-24655) Michael Matheson: The recording of this information is a matter for Police Scotland. The Chief Constable must refer any incident where a firearm has been used (including handguns, Tasers and CS Sprays) to the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner who will assess the incident and may investigate. The commissioner has confirmed that there has been one instance where a Taser has been discharged against a child under the age of 16 since 1 April 2013. In that investigation, the commissioner found Police Scotland’s use to be proportionate and justified. Strategy and External Affairs Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) other support it provides to social advertising campaigns that are aimed at encouraging people on low incomes to put aside at least a modest amount in savings. (S4W-24510) John Swinney: The Scottish Government launched Scotland’s Financial Health Service website: www.lightentheloadscotland.gov.uk in December 2014. The new website is consumer facing and acts as a hub, bringing together information on various strands including debt advice, employability, housing issues, access to ethical and affordable lending, borrowing and saving, and even help with budgeting. The aim of the website is to signpost those in need to the most appropriate area of support. It therefore links out to a range of trusted stakeholders who offer further information and advice, such as Citizens Advice Scotland, Money Advice Scotland and Shelter Scotland; it also links to credit unions promoting the benefits of savings and affordable lending. A key part of the new website is a financial education module with budgeting and savings tools from a number of the stakeholders. The objective of this section is to educate people about saving as a way to keep on top of their financial worries. The website also allows users to search for their local credit unions and find out about the products offered by them, and to search for approved money advisers. A marketing campaign has been developed to raise awareness of the Scotland’s Financial Health Service website and to encourage people to visit the new site for support and advice. This has included partnership work with stakeholders, as well as PR and digital and TV adverts. The site has recorded 30,340 unique visitors since its inception. Transport Scotland Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Abellio in relation to the (a) Highland Main Line and (b) Far North Line. (S4W-24526) Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland are meeting Abellio frequently to discuss a wide range of issues relevant to the delivery of the new ScotRail franchise, that will commence on 1 April 2015. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring a continuously improving service for rail passengers, including services on the Highland Main Line and Far North Line. The new ScotRail franchise will bring popular high speed trains between Inverness and the central belt, increasing capacity, reducing journey times and improving on-train comfort. The new franchise will also deliver a scenic railway service on the Far North line.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many new trains it expects Abellio to provide to service the (a) Highland Main Line, (b) Far North Line, (c) West Highland Line north and (d) West Highland Line south. (S4W-24527) Derek Mackay: Abellio ScotRail will be introducing high speed train rolling stock units during their franchise for Highland Main Line services and Class 158 diesel multiple units for the West Highland Line. These are types of trains which are new to these routes. The Far North Line will continue to be serviced by Class 158 diesel multiple units.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government (a) how and (b) by how much it expects Abellio to improve journey times on the (i) Highland Main Line and (ii) Far North Line. (S4W-24528) Derek Mackay: We expect Abellio ScotRail to save around 10 to 12 minutes on the Highland Main Line by taking advantage of the government’s infrastructure investment on this route and introducing refurbished intercity high speed train rolling stock by 2019. We expect Abellio ScotRail to reduce journey times for services on the Far North Line; this is dependent on the outcome of Network Rail and First ScotRail’s current review of line speeds on the route. The scale of journey time reduction will be available on the conclusion of this review.

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it expects Abellio to provide trains on the Far North Line and the West Highland Line with upgrades to enhance the tourist experience and, if so, what upgrades. (S4W-24529) Derek Mackay: Abellio ScotRail will be introducing trains with upgrades to enhance the tourist experience on the Far North Line and the West Highland Line. Abellio ScotRail will be using Class 158 diesel multiple units on both routes and these will form part of the ‘Great Scenic Railways of Scotland’ product being introduced with the units being refurbished for this service.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Network Rail and the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) about increasing the amount of double track in the Highland rail network. (S4W-24535) Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland has regular meetings with Network Rail to take forward phase two of the Highland Main Line improvements and phase one of the Aberdeen to Inverness improvements projects. Transport Scotland also has regular meetings with the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership to discuss their proposals and priorities for enhancing the Highland rail network.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the amount of freight transported on Highland roads. (S4W-24536) Derek Mackay: We operate four freight mode shift grant schemes which enable the transfer of freight from road to rail or water where road is the cheaper option. Since 2007 we have invested over £6.9 million in shipping and rail projects in the Highlands which have already removed over 11 million lorry miles from Scotland’s roads. The most recent award of grant was made in August 2014. This award of Waterborne Freight Grant of £959,773 to Boyd Brothers enabled the launch of a new shipping service between Corpach and Tilbury in London transporting sawn-timber from BSW’s Kilmallie sawmill by sea rather than road. Forestry Commission Scotland’s Strategic Timber Transport Fund supports the sustainable transport of timber in rural areas of Scotland. In the Highlands to date 24 projects have been awarded a total of over £3.6 million in grant support including four which have directly contributed to the reduction of timber lorries on public roads. As part of our £3 billion of capital investment programme in rail to 2019, work will take place to deliver enhancements on the Highland Main Line and Aberdeen to Inverness Line, which will benefit both passenger and freight services by improving journey times, frequency and capacity. In addition, a £30 million Scottish Strategic Rail Freight Investment Fund has been made available over and above the funding for the rail network which will provide targeted investment to help grow the rail freight market in Scotland. Taken together, these initiatives will continue to encourage the transfer of freight from road to rail and water throughout Scotland and support our vision for a greener and more efficient transport network.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the average journey time is, expressed in minutes, in both directions for the (a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh, (b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow, (c) Perth to Inverness and (d) Edinburgh to Glasgow passenger rail service. (S4W-24538) Derek Mackay: Average journey times taken from the current ScotRail (December 2014) timetable – does not include other operator services: (a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh Origin Destination Weekdays (min) Sundays (min) Inverness Glasgow 203 195 Inverness Edinburgh 212 199 Glasgow Inverness 195 195 Edinburgh Inverness 205 205 (b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow Origin Destination Weekdays (min) Sundays (min) Aberdeen Glasgow 159 163 Aberdeen Edinburgh 151 151 Glasgow Aberdeen 160 161 Edinburgh Aberdeen 146 155 (c) Perth to Inverness Origin Destination Weekdays (min) Sundays (min) Perth Inverness 128 127 Inverness Perth 133 127 (d) Edinburgh to Glasgow Origin Destination Weekdays (min) Sundays (min) Edinburgh Glasgow 52 52 Glasgow Edinburgh 52 52

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what average improvement in journey times, expressed in minutes, ScotRail has achieved in both directions for its (a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh, (b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow, (c) Perth to Inverness and (d) Edinburgh to Glasgow services in the last three years, also broken down by (i) weekday peak time, (ii) weekday off-peak and (iii) weekend service. (S4W-24539) Derek Mackay: Average minutes improvements to journey times in the last three years taken from ScotRail (December 2011 v December 2014 timetables) – does not include other operator services. (a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh Origin Destination (i) weekday (ii) weekday (iii) weekend service peak (min) off-peak (min) (Sunday) (min) Inverness Glasgow 8 Nil 5 Inverness Edinburgh Nil Nil 4 Glasgow Inverness Nil 5 1 Edinburgh Inverness Nil 6 8 (b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow Origin Destination (i) weekday (ii) weekday (iii) weekend service peak (min) off-peak (min) (Sunday) (min) Aberdeen Glasgow Nil Nil 3 Aberdeen Edinburgh Nil Nil Nil Glasgow Aberdeen Nil Nil 1 Edinburgh Aberdeen Nil 4 Nil (c) Perth to Inverness Origin Destination (i) weekday (ii) weekday (iii) weekend service peak (min) off-peak (min) (Sunday) (min) Perth Inverness 11 6 8 Inverness Perth 3 Nil 3 (d) Edinburgh to Glasgow Origin Destination (i) weekday (ii) weekday (iii) weekend service peak (min) off-peak (min) (Sunday) (min) Edinburgh Glasgow Nil Nil 1 Glasgow Edinburgh Nil Nil 1

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the best improvement to journey times is, expressed in minutes, that ScotRail has achieved in both directions for its (a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh, (b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow, (c) Perth to Inverness and (d) Edinburgh to Glasgow passenger services in the last three years. (S4W-24540) Derek Mackay: Best improvement to journey times in the last three years taken from ScotRail (December 2011 v December 2014 timetables) – does not include other operator services. (a) Inverness to Glasgow/Edinburgh Origin Destination Service departure Improvement (min) Inverness Glasgow 12:45 (Sunday) 10 Inverness Edinburgh 12:53 4 Glasgow Inverness 18:11 17 Edinburgh Inverness 13:56 (Sunday) 16 (b) Aberdeen to Edinburgh/Glasgow Origin Destination Service departure Improvement (min) Aberdeen Glasgow 13:31 (Sunday) 21 Aberdeen Edinburgh 20:09 2 Glasgow Aberdeen 09:37 (Sunday) 7 Edinburgh Aberdeen 16:28 2 (c) Perth to Inverness Origin Destination Service departure Improvement (min) Perth Inverness 10:51 (Sunday) 16 Inverness Perth 12:45 (Sunday) 11 (d) Edinburgh to Glasgow Origin Destination Service departure Improvement (min) Edinburgh Glasgow 10:00 (Sunday) 6 Glasgow Edinburgh 08:30 (Sunday) 5

The following questions received holding answers: S4W-24473 S4W-24474 S4W-24475 S4W-24476 S4W-24477 S4W-24478 S4W-24479 S4W-24500 S4W-24501 S4W-24502