Chamber and committees

Scotland remains well connected through a range of multimodal services operating from ports throughout Scotland. The Scottish Government does not hold information on the specific impact to the economy of the withdrawal of the DFDS Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight ferry service. However I have been in contact with various stakeholders, including Forth Ports, to ensure that efforts are being made to minimise disruption to those who used the route and that they are aware of alternative services available to them.

The Scottish Government has not held discussions with the UK Government regarding the fire on the Finlandia Seaways vessel. However, I have held discussions with both Forth Ports and DFDS following the announcement that the route was to be cancelled and will be meeting with Forth Ports in the near future to discuss this further.

The terms for purchasing the MV Hamnavoe, the MV Hjaltland and the MV Hrossey are commercially sensitive. Release of this information would be in breach of the confidentiality agreements with the vendor, the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Serco Northlink Ferries (SNF), as operator of the vessels, have responsibility for maintenance. SNF consider that details of maintenance costs is commercially sensitive information and so should not be released.

No date has been set. Arrangements for the way forward for the Gourock-Dunoon service will be announced shortly.

This is a matter for Audit Scotland, who were wholly responsible for the appointment of members of the advisory group.

The following table details the level of investment that Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited has spent on Gourock Harbour in each year since 2011-12.

The potential closure of the Pinneys site in Annan could be devastating for the workforce, their families and the communities of Annan and beyond and the Scottish Government is focused on finding a solution to maintain production at the site and retain as many jobs as possible. It is possible that if, for example either Young's or other occupiers were to seek to export to international markets then we would potentially benefit from UK Government support in the form of export guarantees. We are working intensively with a range of organisations across the public sector, including Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Enterprise, to find solutions and we have agreed with the UK Government to work in full cooperation as we explore all possible options. I met the Secretary of State for Scotland on 3 May 2018 to further discuss how we can safeguard the future of the site and the employment of the workforce.

Scottish Government officials have discussed, and corresponded on, an increase to the penalties for animal cruelty offences and other potential amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 with a number of animal welfare organisations, including the Scottish SPCA, and a number of representatives from Scottish local authorities.

The Scottish Parliament was informed, in response to S5W-16095 on 1 May 2018, the Scottish Government will introduce the legislation when the most suitable legislative vehicle has been identified and it will come into force on approval by the Scottish Parliament.

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 .

No child should be going hungry, that is why the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, published in March, sets out action to achieve our ambition to end child poverty. Within the range of actions to increase household incomes and reduce costs, we have included actions to improve children’s lives in the short term.

We have committed to new practical support for children experiencing food insecurity during school holidays, backed by funding of £1 million over the next two years. This is in addition to our £20 million Empowering Communities Fund and £1 million Fair Food Fund that support community organisations, many of which help families to access food throughout the year. Some of these projects focus on food and activity programmes during school holiday periods.

Our £750 million Attainment Challenge Fund provides additional funding for schools and local authorities to support children and young people most in need. That support can also be accessed to help deliver meals and activities during school holiday periods.