Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01261 on 9 July 2026. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01261 on 9 July 2026. 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.

Transport Scotland carries out a rigorous assessment process to establish the preferred option for a trunk road improvement. The three stage assessment process is based on the standards of good practice set by the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) and includes engagement with stakeholders.

Five route options were assessed for a permanent, long-term solution to the landslide challenges at the Rest and Be Thankful. These options included an option along the base of the Glen Croe valley as well as an option on the opposite side of the glen, on the route of an existing forestry track, as suggested by the A83 Campaign Group. The outcome of this assessment work is set out in the published DMRB Stage 2 Route Options Assessment Report.

As requested at the A83 Taskforce meeting in October, Transport Scotland has undertaken additional design and appraisal work in consultation with the A83 Rest and Be Thankful Campaign Group regarding the appraisal of two-way free flowing options for a medium-term solution and the findings from this work was presented at the last Taskforce meeting in March 2026.

I am aware of the Campaign Group’s desire to make their suggested two-way free flowing medium-term solution along the forestry track the permanent long-term solution.

I am now seeking advice from my officials at Transport Scotland on the outcome of this appraisal work and will make a decision in due course.

While regulation of the internet remains reserved, we have consistent and robust engagement with UK Ministers and Ofcom to strengthen a range of online protections, including as part of the Online Safety Act 2023.

The Scottish Government unequivocally condemns all forms of hatred and prejudice, including hate speech and the incitement of racial or religious hatred online. We are clear that behaviour which targets individuals or communities on the basis of their protected characteristics is unacceptable, whether it takes place offline or online. We would encourage the reporting of such behaviour to Police Scotland.

There are already a range of offences that can be used to prosecute threatening behaviour online. These include the offence of ‘threatening or abusive behaviour’ which has been in force since 2010 and criminalises behaving in a threatening or abusive manner that would be likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm. Other offences include breach of the peace, the common law offence of threats and the offence of ‘improper use of a public electronic communications network’ at section 127 of the Communications Act 2003. Additionally, the offences of stirring up racial or religious hatred and racially aggravated harassment in the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 are enforceable.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01245 on 9 July 2026. 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.

In relation to the long-term solution to the landslip challenges at the Rest and Be Thankful, an economic assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, which sets the standard for good practice for assessing and designing roads and is used throughout the UK. The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges Stage 3 Assessment Report, which includes the traffic and economic assessment, can be found on the Transport Scotland website.

The traffic and economic assessment considers the traffic and economic performance of the preferred route option, including consideration of the ways the option improves the resilience, safety and operation of the route. The A83 is considered key infrastructure in supporting the wider national economy through; connecting businesses and communities, facilitating access to essential services, and supporting jobs and activities in industries such as healthcare, education, aquaculture, forestry, tourism, energy and renewables. Therefore, consideration of the wider economic benefits also forms a key part of that assessment.

The Scottish Government does not have the figures requested by the Member and does not hold any such comparison.

The Scottish Government’s assessment of changes in classroom behaviour since 2020 is primarily informed by the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (BISSR), which provides robust, nationally representative evidence on behaviour in Scottish schools.

BISSR is externally commissioned research and has been undertaken in five waves to date: 2006, 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2023. This programme of research provides the Scottish Government with a robust evidence base to understand changes in pupil behaviour and to inform the development of policy and practice.

Scotland has 16 registered product names with the UK’s protected food and drink scheme. This protection is called a Geographical Indication (GI) and is protected as intellectual property. Geographical Indication protection guarantees a product’s characteristics or reputation, authenticity, and origin. It protects the product name from misuse or imitation. The UK GI schemes protect registered product names when they are sold in Great Britain and in some international markets. Northern Ireland is covered by the EU GI scheme. Each product registered with the scheme is subject to rigorous audit on an annual basis by an independent body, most commonly the relevant local authority.

The UK register of protected food names is found here - https://www.gov.uk/protected-food-drink-names

Scottish Ministers are committed to reforming our public sector to ensure the delivery of excellent public services in a fiscally sustainable manner. Delivering such services is core to the government’s mission. The role of Public Service Reform is to deliver that mission, building confidence that the government is on Scotland’s side and can be trusted to take the next step in our constitutional journey.

Any reform of ferry services will be taken forward as part of this and will involve engagement with stakeholders. Parliament will be updated on any decisions in the normal fashion.