Chamber and committees

Convener—

The committee has heard that 40 per cent of children in Scotland leave primary school unable to swim. What is the current provision of swimming lessons for primary school pupils, and how is that provision decided?

I wonder whether the committee would consider writing to the Scottish Government to ask for a more detailed response to the petition, in particular to the suggestion that those who face significant waiting lists for donor eggs should be able to use an altruistically donated, privately purchased donor egg for NHS treatment. We could also ask what data is available to support information on NHS waiting times for couples who require an altruistic egg donor; whether the waiting time exceeds four years and, if so, what is the longest waiting time; and whether the Scottish Government believes that NHS boards are currently meeting the needs of couples who face a significant waiting list for donor eggs, which could prevent them from receiving treatment in time to have a biological child.

In the light of the evidence that we have received, I suggest that the committee considers closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that no NHS facility in Scotland has car parking charges; local authorities are responsible for managing wider car parking policy, including deciding on whether exemptions should apply, as well as having responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the blue badge scheme; the Scottish Government has now introduced the carer support payment nationally, and further financial support is available to eligible carers through benefits such as the carers allowance supplement; and the Scottish Government considers that a separate concessionary scheme, such as a carers badge, would present significant challenges, including around administration, resourcing, enforcement, and measures to prevent fraud and misuse.

I am younger than the convener, but I remember when Kirkcaldy swimming club was in the harbour, and its membership numbers were very few until we got a pool in Kirkcaldy and I learned to swim.

On the benefits of swimming and the health and wellbeing of the population of Scotland, I once played football, but I am no longer able to do that physical activity, so I recently got a membership for a swimming club in Kirkcaldy, and I use it two or three times a week. As Abi Thomson says, I now interact socially with a number of people there. Will somebody expand a wee bit on how the health and wellbeing of the population of Scotland is affected by swimming?

In the light of the evidence, perhaps the committee would consider closing PE1657 under rule 15.7 of standing orders for the following reasons: the Cabinet Secretary for Transport has stated that it would not be realistic to promise new dualling in relation to the A77; the Scottish Government has completed five major road improvement projects on the A77; and regular six-monthly meetings have been established between the petitioner, Transport Scotland, and Amey. In addition, the committee has undertaken significant work to explore the issues that are raised in the petition.

In the light of the evidence, perhaps the committee would consider closing petition PE1610 under rule 15.7 of standing orders for the following reasons: the Cabinet Secretary for Transport has stated that it would not be realistic to promise new dualling in relation to the A77 and A75; the Scottish Government has completed six major road improvement projects on the A75, and work is in progress to design and assess the options to bypass Springholm and Crocketford on the A75; and regular six-monthly meetings have been established between the petitioner, Transport Scotland, and Amey. In addition, the committee has undertaken significant work to explore the issues that are raised in the petition

Perhaps the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders for the following reasons: Audit Scotland has investigated concerns about the application of the STAG guidance and concluded that the STAG process had been applied in the initial stages of the work on the A82; the Scottish Government has previously stated that it is unwilling to carry out a reappraisal of the preferred route option for the upgrade to the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan as it would repeat work that has already been carried out, resulting in

“considerable delay and additional cost”,

and has confirmed that members of the public and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide formal comment or objection to the proposed scheme during the statutory consultation period; and Transport Scotland officials are continuing to engage with the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority on the detail and the make-up of the scheme, including having discussions on how to incorporate active travel facilities throughout the whole scheme in a sympathetic way.

Thank you, convener.

Good morning. Cabinet secretary, I believe from your opening statement that the access to the Argyll and Bute project would be funded from the capital budget. As you know, the committee has a long-standing history with the Rest and Be Thankful going as far back as session 4 of the Parliament. We have visited the site and seen improvements to catchment nets, to the stabilising of the hill and to the old military road. What assurances can you give that the capital budget that is in place will deliver long-term solutions?

The petitioners have questioned the usefulness of the proposed long-term solution for Rest and Be Thankful and have argued for a tunnel or a viaduct. Why have those suggestions not been taken on board?