Chamber and committees

The current licensing regime already encourages developers to use unexploded ordnance clearance methods which will produce the least underwater noise. The UK Government's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs is in the process of updating the existing Joint Interim Position Statement on UXO clearance which sets out an expectation that low noise methods will be prioritised by developers. The current statement is co-signed by the Scottish Government, other UK regulators, and Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies. Following updated advice to be received from NatureScot, we will determine whether Scotland will remain a co-signatory to any updated position statement, or produce our own unilateral statement.

Protecting Scotland's marine environment is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government. We are moving towards low order techniques being the default method for unexploded ordnance removal in Scottish waters, unless there are extenuating circumstances in which low order cannot be used.

The Heat Networks (Scotland) Act, 2021 requires a review report to be laid before parliament 24 months after the publication of the Heat Networks Delivery Plan. The Delivery Plan was published on 31 March 2022 and the review report is due by 31 March 2024. The review report will provide an update on the development of district heating networks across Scotland.

Information on heat networks projects that have or are receiving support from the Scottish Government can be found in the Heat Network Quarterly Report, which provides summaries of the projects funded through Scotland’s Heat Network Fund, Scotland’s Heat in Buildings Development Funding Invitation and the Heat Network Support Unit. Support for heat networks has also been provided through the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme, with its quarterly report providing an updated construction status for its funded projects. These reports can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/collections/heat-network-project-reports/ and https://www.gov.scot/collections/low-carbon-infrastructure-transition-programme-reports/ respectively.

The information requested is not available. The Scottish Government does not currently plan to directly procure any specific low-carbon heating or energy efficiency projects on behalf of the sector over the time periods specified. Scottish public authorities can access funding and project development support for clean heating and energy efficiency proposals through our Non-Domestic Public Sector Energy Efficiency Framework and Project Support Unit. This framework is designed to provide value for money and a standardised approach for public bodies undertaking improvements to their estate.

This proposal is contained within the current public consultation Delivering net zero for Scotland's buildings - Heat in Buildings Bill: consultation - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . A draft business and regulatory impact assessment has been published to support this consultation Heat in Buildings Bill consultation: business and regulatory impact assessment (partial) - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) .

This draft impact assessment and a range of other relevant impact assessments will be developed and then finalised based on the outcome of the consultation. Further development of proposals will then occur and will be the subject of detailed final impact assessments.

Our Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan sets out practical steps that we will take to support the growth of the green heat sector. We continue to work in partnership with the sector to ensure that the appropriate support and training provision are aligned at a local level with business needs and future local demands.

There is no minimum required number of medically-trained NHS 24 call handlers.

NHS 24 call handlers operate under clinical supervision at all times with a minimum level of one clinical supervisor for every five call handlers on shift. Each call has clinical supervision input at an appropriate level, depending on acuity and outcome of patients.

Our Heat in Buildings Supply Chains Delivery Plan sets out practical steps that we will take to support the growth of the green heat sector. We continue to work in partnership with the sector to ensure that the appropriate support and training provision are aligned at a local level with business needs and future local demands.

Information on Ministerial engagements is routinely published on the Scottish Government website and can be found at: www.gov.scot/collections/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts/ .

Visits are not recorded by parliamentary or constituency region.

The Scottish Government acknowledges the profound impacts and hardships inflicted by the October storms on local communities. The Government has been working closely with affected local authorities on a package of support to help people whose homes and businesses were flooded. This package includes extending the Bellwin scheme’s application window to help all Councils, including Argyll and Bute, cover eligible expenditure for urgent repairs.

The Scottish Welfare Fund also provides emergency support to those on low incomes in Scotland, including in Argyll and Bute. Support may be provided through the provision of Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants, including to those who have experienced a disaster situation, such as a flood. Residents can apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund through their Council.

The Scottish Government’s leadership in support for rail freight is outlined in our rail freight strategy and put into practice with significant investment and our first of a kind innovative regulatory growth targets. Benefits for rail freight are included in our rail pipeline projects and our mode shift capital and revenue support grants. We have also flexed passenger services on the Highland Mainline to accommodate a longer freight service and the Scottish Government will continue to maximise benefits for freight in its future investment in the rail network. The details Mr Cameron has requested from 2016 are as follows.

Dedicated rail freight projects:-

2012 – 2019 Investment of £13 million to deliver electrification to the Grangemouth freight terminals.

2018 – 2019 Investment of £11.3 million to provide a new rail freight connection at Blackford and improvements to Inverness Needlefield Yard. This also included investment on the Waterloo branch to improve the link with Aberdeen Terminals and the capability of the line to accept more traffic.

2019 – 2020 Investment of £4.2 million for a new crossover at Craiginches (between Aberdeen and Stonehaven), continued work at Inverness Needlefield Yard and trials on the Highland Mainline (between Perth and Inverness) to support longer trains.

2020 – 2021 Investment of £2.5 million including further work on Craiginches crossover and Needlefield yard and a trial to support moving timber by rail.

2022 – 2023 Investment of £3.2 million to provide a new freight connection at Dalcross and a linespeed improvement at Garriongill (near Wishaw), benefiting freight capacity.

2016 to date Investment of £6m inFreight Facilities Grants to support new and updated rail freight facilities.

2016 to date Investment of £4 million in Mode Shift Revenue Support.

Rail pipeline projects with benefits for freight:-

2012 – 2019 Investment of £160 million to deliver electrification and gauge clearance on the Shotts line along with signalling improvements benefiting freight capacity and improving access to Mossend Freight Terminal.

2019 - 2020 Investment of £13.5 million to provide increased capacity between Newtonhill (between Aberdeen and Stonehaven) and Craiginches.

2022 - 2023 Investment of £160 million to renew and modernise Carstairs Junction including the longest freight loop in Scotland, capable of accommodating 775-metre-long freight trains. An additional £6.8 million was invested to remodel Barnhill Junction to increase the speed of trains and provide capacity improvements over the constrained Tay Viaduct, enabling additional freight services. A further investment of £63 million was provided to electrify the route to Barrhead which is the first step in electrifying the Glasgow & South Western route from Glasgow to Carlisle.