Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02548 on‎ 27 September 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

We are not stepping away from our commitment to the north and north east of Scotland to improve A96 corridor. The current plan is to fully dual the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen, however we have agreed to conduct a transparent, evidence-based review to include a climate compatibility assessment to assess direct and indirect impacts on the climate and the environment which will report by the end of 2022.

Delivery of any section of the programme can only commence if approved under the relevant statutory procedures and thereafter a timetable for progress can be set in line with available budgets.

The Scottish Government welcomes this regeneration and infrastructure investment in North Ayrshire, which will improve the wellbeing of the community and help to deliver long term inclusive growth for Ardrossan and wider North Ayrshire.

The Ardrossan harbour re-development project at its current stage of development is estimated to cost between £35-£40million. The final cost will not be known until the tender and procurement stages have been undertaken and a contractor appointed. A significant contribution has been sought from the Scottish Government and discussions with Peel Ports Group continue. We remain committed to a solution at Ardrossan that can be delivered in a cost effective way reflecting the needs of all of the partners involved.

Through the Ayrshire Growth Deal the Scottish Government have committed to invest £9.5 million in the Marine Tourism project which will be centred in Ardrossan. The project will develop the essential infrastructure to support marine tourism including the provision of a major extension to Ardrossan Marina. The International Marine Science and Environment Centre, while also included in the Growth Deal, will funded be by the UK Government and the regional partners.

As this is a live planning application it would not be appropriate to comment on the merits of the case so as not to prejudice the decision making process.

The Garngad chord was initially considered as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP). The proposal was permanently removed from the programme scope after a further option development appraisal confirmed that the continued operation of Cumbernauld services into Queen Street Station, could be delivered more cost effectively without the requirement for the chord and also without a reduction in the overall outputs of EGIP. Transport Scotland has no plans to deliver the Garngad Chord.

The wearing of a cycle helmet is not a requirement in the UK and remains a matter of personal choice.

The wearing of cycle helmets is covered by the Highway Code and is a matter reserved to the UK Government, however the Scottish Government is committed to improving the safety of vulnerable road users including cyclists. Scotland’s Road Safety Framework endorses the Highway Code, which recommends that cyclists wear a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened.

Many local authorities’ operating procedures insist on the use of helmets during Bikeability cycle training in schools. In others, it is left as a parental decision, in line with the absence of a legal requirement to wear a helmet when cycling.

The Government Car Service currently has 28 operational vehicles. This comprises 24 vehicles that are allocated to drivers and 4 spare vehicles, which are used during periods of maintenance.

There are currently no plans to increase the fleet size.

The following table provides a yearly breakdown of the total number of vehicles used on the Government Car Service since 2001.

The following table details yearly expenditure on private chauffeur hire for the last 5 years.

As no timeline has been specified by the member, information from‎ 22 March 2021 to 22 September 2021 is provided. During this period, no meetings have taken place between Cabinet Secretaries or Ministers with representatives of CalaChem Ltd in Grangemouth. The Scottish Government does not hold the information on Scottish Enterprise meetings with CalaChem Ltd centrally. However, I have requested that Scottish Enterprise respond to the member directly with this information.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02989 on‎ 27 September 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Arrangements for free NHS dental treatment for 18- to 25-year-olds have been in place since 24 August 2021.