Chamber and committees

The government engages regularly with the fishing industry on a wide range of issues. Engagement with the fishing industry on the benefits of independence continues.

The Scottish Government’s policy proposes Scotland's continuing membership of the EU following independence and therefore the scenario referred to in the question will not arise.

The First Minister was simply explaining why it was in the interests of other member states that Scotland has a smooth transition to becoming an independent member state of Europe given the significant contribution Scotland makes to existing agreements involving many EU and non-EU nations. The current arrangements and agreements are dependent on Scotland's membership of the EU.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-20915 on 24 June 2014. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Scotland is one of Europe’s most prominent fishing nations and is at the heart of many complex and delicate international fishing agreements. It is therefore in the interests of the other member states that Scotland has a smooth transition to independent membership of Europe and agreement to common approaches such as fishing.

The date for the publication of the Oil and Gas Expert Commission report will be agreed between the commission and ministers.

The Scottish Government has been in regular contact with Aberdeen City Council following the closure of Hamilton School. The council are confident that there are sufficient primary school places in the city to accommodate the former pupils from Hamilton School.

The Scottish Government and Education Scotland worked very closely with Aberdeen City Council following the closure of Hamilton School in providing support and advice in the interests of the pupils and parents.

The responsibility for the provision of education rests with individual local authorities. Aberdeen City Council in discharging its duties arranged for Braeside Primary School to be available to pupils who had attended Hamilton School.

The responsibility for the provision of education rests with individual local authorities. Aberdeen City Council in discharging its duties arranged for Braeside Primary School to be available for pupils who attended Hamilton School.

The Scottish Government worked closely with Education Scotland and Aberdeen City Council to ensure as smooth a transition as possible for pupils who were affected by the closure of Hamilton School on 21 February 2014. Immediate action was taken to provide onsite advice to parents, a dedicated helpline was put in place and a letter was issued to all parents from the Registrar of Independent Schools explaining the reasons for the closure. Aberdeen City Council provided detailed information in respect of applying for places at the authority’s schools. Support on site at Braeside Primary School and through the offer of meetings continued to be provided to parents in the weeks that followed the closure.

I am aware the board has been experiencing capacity difficulties in delivering the waiting time guarantee and standards. The board are now undertaking weekend working to improve their performance. They are also investing £7 million in the current year in a number of specialties, including orthopaedics, general surgery and urology. This will involve the recruitment of around 74 (whole time equivalent) staff including doctors, nurses and clinical support staff. This should enable a significant reduction in waiting times with the 12 weeks legal treatment time guarantee being delivered during the quarter ending September 2014. My officials continue to work with the board to support delivery of waiting times.