Chamber and committees

UK airports will need to have regard to advice and information from the UK Government and from the Civil Aviation Authority to help them prepare. We acknowledge that preparation will be challenging while uncertainty over future arrangements remains. Changes to airport infrastructure and IT systems to accommodate new customs arrangements, for example, are likely to require long lead-in times, and so it is imperative that airports know what is required so they can plan effectively and minimise inconvenience to passengers.

Ministers and officials are engaging with industry and the UK Department for Transport to ensure that Scottish interests are well represented in discussions being led at Westminster.

Nationally, support for people and their families experiencing low mood, depression and anxiety is available through NHS 24, the Samaritans, Breathing Space and NHS Living Life. That support applies across Scotland. Support and advice for families and carers is also available from the Mental Welfare Commission, an independent body set up to safeguard the rights of people with an independent statutory organisation who work to safeguard the rights and welfare of anyone in Scotland with mental illness, learning disability or other mental disorder.
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Other local provision of support for long term mental health conditions is the responsibility of local NHS Boards. The Scottish Government is clear that all NHS Boards must ensure that their services are planned efficiently so that patients have swift and safe access to the full range of services they need.

There are currently 2 harbour authorities with jurisdiction over parts of Oban Bay, and management and operation of their harbour areas is the responsibility of these bodies.

Any proposals for changes to the existing arrangements to the statutory harbour authorities covering Oban would have to be considered through an application for a harbour order under the Harbours Act 1964.

The Scottish Government does not manage ports in Scotland and is not involved in their day-to-day running.

Ports will be included in the Scottish Maritime Strategy although there are currently no plans to review port management as part of this process.

We recognise the existing contribution of port operators to the economy of Scotland at a local, regional and national level. Scottish Ministers and officials engage regularly with the industry to continue to support them in this aim. Transport Scotland is happy to engage with any party looking to consider how best to manage these.

It should be noted that ports are run on a commercial basis and are expected to be sustainable in the long term in both financial viability and their ongoing management and governance arrangements.

Ports are crucial gateways to Scotland. We recognise the existing contribution of port operators to the economy of Scotland and their significant importance in a post-Brexit context.

It is for the UK Government to provide certainty around Customs and other border requirements and ports need clarity on what the future arrangements will be to allow them sufficient time to adapt and prepare for any changes that may be required.

Scottish Ministers and officials are engaging with the industry to ensure that Scottish interests are represented in discussions being led at Westminster. We will continue to engage ports on this matter through the British Ports Association and UK Major Ports Group as well as in discussions with individual ports across all models of ownership on a one to one basis.

As a responsible government, we must prepare for all exit possibilities in order to mitigate where possible the negative impact of leaving the EU on the Scottish economy, businesses, public services and individuals. Preparations are well under way but we are constrained by a lack of clarity on the direction of negotiations with the EU, by uncertainty about the possible outcome of that and by the fact that many critical issues that will affect Scotland’s interests are reserved and the responsibility of the UK Government.

In the case of SFRS, the service is making preparations, with support for current non-UK EU nationals employed within SFRS and future workforce planning being key considerations. The service is also considering health and safety regulations and technical standards as much of its operational equipment is currently covered by EU-wide safety and other standards.

The Strategic Leadership Team and SFRS Board are also considering what further issues the Service might face following EU Exit and will include these in their action plan for managing such impacts should they materialise, based on a wide range of possible scenarios.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-17309 answered on 11 July 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-17891 on 4 September 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

It is SG policy to apply the same level of protection for Ramsar sites as that afforded to designated Natura sites. Adverse effects from development proposals on Natura sites are considered against the tests set out in regulation 49 of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 .