Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government expects all public bodies, advisory groups and their members to operate in accordance with established standards of conduct and governance.

The Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board (SAAB) and Apprenticeships Approvals Group (AAG) are independent, industry-led bodies responsible for providing advice, assurance and approval of apprenticeship standards and frameworks. Neither body is responsible for the governance, allocation or management of public funding.

Yes. All special advisers are provided with an individual Scottish Government email account for the conduct of official business.

I also refer the member to the answer to question S7W-03424 on 29 September. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The then Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Neil Gray met with Sir David Murray on 28 September 2023 to discuss the Dalzell and Clydebridge sites. Sir David Murray was referred to the GFG Alliance directly to allow him to pursue any business proposals regarding Dalzell with the business owners.

Any potential discussions on a transfer of ownership are matters for the company to consider.

These matters fall within the responsibility of train operators in their capacity as employers.

Liberty Steel Dalzell is a privately owned business and issues relating to the potential sale of the Clydebridge site are matters for the company.

To date, £51.8 million related to the Memorandum of Understanding has been spent. Future expenditure against the remaining commitment will be reported in the usual way.

The Scottish Government does not hold records of how many GP practices have opened or closed since 1999.

Arrangements with GP contractors are a matter for health boards.

AI is currently at different stages of deployment across a wide range of clinical and administrative functions. This includes AI-enabled diagnostic pathways for lung cancer, stroke and breast screening, use of Microsoft Copilot to support administrative productivity, and evaluations of Ambient Voice Technology in clinical settings.

NHS Boards are responsible for ensuring that technologies, including software and AI, are deployed safely and used appropriately. Any use of AI is subject to relevant safety, governance and assurance processes, with human oversight remaining a key principle. The Scottish Government published Interim Guidance on the Use of AI in Health and Social Care in August 2026 and will publish an AI Policy Framework for Health and Social Care later this year further clarifying appropriate safeguards. We will also be responding to the recommendations made by the National AI Commission on regulatory and assurance frameworks for AI in healthcare.

These matters fall within the responsibility of rail freight operators in their capacity as employers.

The Memorandum of Understanding for the Additional Investment for the Aberdeen City Region sets out arrangements for the delivery, monitoring and reporting of £254 million of additional funding commitments made by the Scottish Government under the Aberdeen City Region Deal agreement. It does not impose any obligations in and of itself and does not contain provisions around the approval or allocation of funding.