Chamber and committees

The terms of reference for the report commissioned by the Scottish Government stated that: “the revenue and costs assumed for vehicle carrying should be for vessels optimal for the route in terms of design, manning levels, speed and vehicle and passenger capacity”.

The report states (paragraph 4.1.3) that: “this [vessel] specification required for the study needs to be proportionate to the task, i.e. we are not designing vessels but attempting to establish outline specifications and associated broad and typical costs”.

The outline specifications, including the proposed vessel dimensions, provided in the report provide a useful starting point for the development of detailed specifications for reliable vessels for the Gourock-Dunoon town centre service.

The contract for the Dunoon harbour breakwater and linkspan was completed on 24 March 2005 and these facilities were commissioned directly after that date.

The contract value was approximately £5.4 million.

Dunoon linkspan has never been used for the transport of vehicles.

The Scottish Government’s working assumption is that new build vessels are likely to be required for the route. Decisions on whether these vessels will be procured by the operator of the next competitively tendered contract, or by the Scottish Government through Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, have yet to be taken. Either way, vessels will have to meet specifications set out to deliver the policy objective of “a safe, reliable, frequent, commuter ferry service… able to operate reliably throughout the year in the weather and sea conditions experienced on the Firth of Clyde”. The outline specifications provided in the Gourock-Dunoon feasibility study report provide a useful starting point for the development of detailed specifications for reliable vessels.

It is too soon to say how much vessels will cost although the report of the Gourock-Dunoon feasibility study estimated £3 million per vessel for passenger-only ferries and £6 million per vessel for vehicle-passenger ships.

The observation of all applicable EU rules will be an important consideration when developing long-term solutions for the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service.

The carriage of vehicles between the Cowal peninsula and Inverclyde is currently provided by a private company, Western Ferries, who operate services between terminals a short driving distance from the town centres of Gourock and Dunoon. Cowal is also connected by road although it is widely recognised that the ferry crossing is a more attractive option for many journeys.

Western Ferries’ annual accounts are publicly available from Companies House (www.companieshouse.gov.uk).

Scotland’s National Parks are two of Scotland’s greatest assets. The Scottish Government fully recognises the valuable contribution that they make to our tourism industry and wider Scottish economy, and the vital role that our National Park Authorities play in managing the parks, in supporting sustainable rural development, in promoting and enhancing the visitor experience, and ensuring that the parks stunning landscapes and special qualities are conserved and enhanced for future generations.

While the success of our national parks is unquestioned, we believe it would be wrong at this time to raise expectations regarding the designation of others, particularly at a time of significant real terms reduction in both resource and capital funding available to the Scottish Government. While we would not rule out a further designation at a future stage, this would only be appropriate if there was a clear view expressed as to what model of new national park is being proposed; what its objectives were; whether a robust business case demonstrating its financial sustainability was demonstrated; and clear evidence of community and local authority support was made. As there are no current proposals which meet these tests, the Scottish Government has no current plans to designate further national parks in Scotland. Instead, we believe it is essential to continue to focus support on our two existing parks, to continue to deliver excellence in the visitor experience and to maximise the contribution they make to meeting local and national objectives, and in support of the statutory aims agreed by the Scottish Parliament.

We are in regular contact with FlyBe, most recently in relation to its new Inverness to London City service. The First Minister was scheduled to meet Saad Hammad, Chief Executive of Flybe, on 13 March 2014 to discuss Flybe’s operations in Scotland. This meeting was postponed at Flybe’s request and an alternative date is being identified.

Estimates of undiagnosed diabetes in Scotland were included in the 2011 Scottish Diabetes Survey based on data from 2010. These estimates were based on the Association of Public Health Observatories prevalence model and are attached in the following table.

Estimated number of people with undiagnosed diabetes in each NHS board in 2010:

The Scottish Diabetes Group are currently considering the most appropriate approach for identifying people who have undiagnosed diabetes.

NHS Fife, NHS Forth Valley, NHS Grampian, NHS Highlands and NHS Lanarkshire did not meet the ministerial commitment to ensure 25% of under 18s with type 1 diabetes are on an insulin pump by March 2014.

Our insulin pump improvement team will continue to support these boards to meet the commitment in the shortest possible, clinically safe timescale.

The adult ministerial commitment deadline is March 2015 and boards are working hard to ensure that this rightly ambitious commitment is met.

Information on the total number of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in Scotland is set out in the following table:

Number of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in each NHS board in 2012

Information on the number of people with diabetes is published annually within the Scottish Diabetes Survey. The most recent report containing data from 2012 can be accessed at: http://www.diabetesinscotland.org.uk/Publications.aspx?catId=3

The next report is due to be published later this year.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of tracks for rural businesses and the need to balance this with impact on the environment and visual amenity.

Currently tracks for agricultural or forestry uses can be constructed without the need for a full planning application, provided they meet certain strict criteria. Additionally, if an Environmental Impact Assessment is required then a full planning application is also required. Tracks for any other purposes always require a full planning application.

Following a consultation on permitted development rights in 2012, the Scottish Government is keeping the current arrangements under review and considering whether they are fit for purpose.

The Scottish Government is working with Scottish Natural Heritage and landowners to promote good practice in the design and construction of tracks.