Chamber and committees

Responsibility for delivery of rail infrastructure renewal works rests with Network Rail as overseen by the Office of Rail and Road. The Scottish Government is aware that there have been some delays in the delivery of some parts of this renewal programme in Control Period 6 to date. Enquiries concerning this should be addressed to Network Rail or the Office of Rail and Road.

Railway safety is a matter reserved to the UK Government and is overseen by the Office of Rail & Road (ORR), to whom enquiries should be addressed.

There has been no reduction in Control Period 6 budget for rail infrastructure renewals and enhancements activities in Scotland.

Our Freephone COVID-19 Status Helpline on 0808 196 8565 can provide a free and secure paper copy of the vaccination status record for patients who do not have access to online services or a smartphone. There is no need for patients to approach their GP practices.

The Steering Group, comprising Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), Sustrans and Transport Scotland, who have overseen delivery of the document are currently progressing plans for the development and delivery of training material. Transport Scotland has committed to provide training for staff and designers working on trunk road schemes, and it is a matter for local authorities to consider what training they will require.

Our draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) sets out how our approach to planning and development will help to achieve a net zero, sustainable Scotland by 2045. This includes draft planning policy on Trees, Woodland and Forestry, which states that development proposals should not be supported where they would result in; any loss of ancient woodlands, ancient and veteran trees, or adverse impact on their ecological condition.

Views are currently being invited on the draft NPF4 alongside parliamentary scrutiny, following which we anticipate producing a final version for approval and adoption around summer 2022.

The draft NPF4 is available to view on the Scottish Government website at: Scotland 2045 - fourth National Planning Framework: draft - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

The organisation promoting the scheme is responsible for reviewing and approving designs. Cycling by Design advocates a high level of service whereby schemes will be suitable for most users, including new and less confident users. Where a high level of service cannot be achieved the reasons for this should be documented in the ‘Design Review’ process as recommended in the guidance.

Transport Scotland and CMAL fully understand the importance and significance of engaging with the relevant trade unions on ferry services and future vessel contracts. In relation to the Islay vessels project regular meetings were held with unions by Transport Scotland, CMAL and CalMac, from the outset of the project in January 2019. Similarly, these bodies have provided unions with progress updates on the development on the new Islay vessels, listening and taking action on their views when appropriate. A similar approach will be taken with all future projects.

NHS Scotland did not offer GP practices financial incentives to hold patient appointments remotely.

General practices are following Public Health Scotland’s advice on management of face to face appointments in primary care settings. While the number of virtual appointments will have risen during the pandemic, GP practices could adopt virtual or other forms of remote working before the pandemic.

I refer the Member to Public Health Scotland (PHS) weekly statistical report and the details on pages 34 to 39; that show hospitalisations by vaccine status. You can view the report at: Public Health Scotland COVID-19 Statistical Report