We do not hold this information.

The patient travel expenses reimbursement schemes provide financial assistance for patients and authorised escorts travelling to hospital appointments, according to eligibility criteria and medical requirements.

The focus of the schemes is the provision of financial support to those on low incomes in receipt of certain benefits and residents of the Highlands and Islands, recognising the access challenges faced by these patient groups. However, Health Boards also have the discretion to reimburse patient travel expenses where it is viewed to be an extension of treatment costs and deemed to be clinically necessary. This allows flexibility within the schemes for Boards to provide support, where appropriate, to those who need it but would not otherwise qualify.

Where travel is necessary, Health Boards are expected to support patients and their families in identifying and accessing available support. NHS Boards provide advice on eligibility and assistance available with bookings and advance payments, where necessary.

The clearing of unexploded ordnance is an operational matter for Police Scotland.

Scottish Government are, however, concerned with the environmental impact from such activities, via the consideration of licensing applications for ordnance removal and contribution to wider UK government policy on the matter.

Marine Directorate – Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT) is the regulator responsible for determining marine licence applications on behalf of the Scottish Ministers in the Scottish inshore and offshore regions. Marine licences are required for licensable marine activities which include removal of any substance or object from the Scottish Marine Area and deposit and use of explosives, typically used in the clearance of unexploded ordnance.

In determining applications for marine licences, MD-LOT on behalf of the Scottish Ministers must have regard to protecting the environment, human health and legitimate uses of the sea. MD-LOT consult with a range of stakeholders including NatureScot, as the Statutory Nature Conservation Body, and seek views to inform determinations.

The Marine Directorate (formally Marine Scotland) was also involved in the development of the UK government’s 2022 policy paper “Marine environment: unexploded ordnance clearance joint interim position statement”. This sets out a coordinated position between marine regulators and key stakeholders across the UK regarding the use of lower noise alternatives to high order detonation of unexploded ordnance within the marine environment.

MD-LOT involvement in the clearance of unexploded ordnance is limited to the assessment of licence applications as set out above. There is no involvement from MD-LOT on the clearance of unexploded wartime military ordnance in Scotland's waters.

Justices of the Peace are appointed to sheriffdoms not local authorities. The current number of serving Justices of the Peace broken down by sheriffdom is as follows:

The mainline of the A90 trunk road has been closed to facilitate road maintenance on 12 occasions over the following 5 full financial years:

2019-20 - 0

2020-21 - 2

2021-22 - 0

2022-23 - 5

2023-24 - 5

These closures took place overnight and averaged 13.5 hours per night in duration.

Additionally, there has been 53 slip road closures on the A90 trunk road over the same period. These overnight closures averaged 12.5 hours in duration. During these closures the mainline A90 remained open.

Decisions on applications made under sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 are made by the Scottish Ministers. All information relating to applications to build, operate or modify onshore electricity generating stations with capacities exceeding 50 megawatts, as well as all applications to install overhead power lines, large oil and gas pipelines, and associated infrastructure, are published and searchable on our Energy Consents website, at https://www.energyconsents.scot/.

This information is not held by the Scottish Government. The member may wish to contact Network Rail.

This is a matter for Network Rail who are wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Government.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-33162 on 23 January 2025. 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.

Transport Scotland’s trunk road maintenance budget is not allocated on a route or part-route basis. It is distributed based upon need and prioritisation of schemes developed from regular inspections and condition surveys.

Please see below for maintenance spend for all trunk roads in the north east of Scotland over the last 5 full financial years.