Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-10266

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 11 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 5 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government (a) what steps it is taking and (b) how it is working with local authorities and further and higher education institutions, to encourage the uptake of a free bus pass through the Young Persons' (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel scheme by young people in schools, colleges and universities.

Transport Scotland has recently undertaken a significant engagement exercise with local authorities, in partnership with the Improvement Service and National Entitlement Card Programme Office (NECPO). This has allowed us to assess offline application processes, including capacity and uptake of applications through schools, and we have provided additional support to facilitate this where it has been requested.

We have provided a communications toolkit and promotional materials to local authorities, schools, further education bodies and a wide range of other stakeholders. Engagement has been positive with the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Universities Scotland, Colleges Scotland, and others, who have aided in the promotion of the scheme to students through college and university networks.

Transport Scotland also launched freebus.scot in May to help improve communications about the scheme, simplify information about the application process, emphasise the benefits of the scheme, provide tips for safe travel and, ultimately, increase uptake across Scotland.

Question reference: S6O-01332

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 8 September 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what trade, investment and cultural opportunities it expects to arise from its Nordic office in Copenhagen.

Question reference: S6W-10340

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 August 2022
Current Status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 31 August 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure the long-term survival of the Church of Scotland.

The Scottish Government understands the significant and valuable role of the Church of Scotland in communities across the country.

The Church contributes a huge amount to the wellbeing of the Scottish people, particularly in their care and support for our most vulnerable citizens. Its role as the national church reflects its enduring presence and activity in every community across Scotland.

Whilst the Scottish Government will always support the Church of Scotland in this role, the survival of any faith community depends on the patterns of attendance, membership and participation in religion.

We will of course continue to work closely with the Church of Scotland and leaders of all faiths and denominations, to regularly discuss issues impacting on their communities and to assist wherever possible.

Question reference: S6W-10003

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 27 July 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 August 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to extending the free concessionary travel on buses for under-22s to young island residents travelling on ferries.

Question reference: S6W-09902

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 July 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 16 August 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when the Project Neptune review of ferry governance will be published.

Question reference: S6W-09965

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 July 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 16 August 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what training medical students and new doctors in Scotland receive on how to diagnose and treat endometriosis.

Endometriosis is covered in all Undergraduate medical curricula and as such all doctors will have an awareness of the condition.

Further postgraduate training is provided to those training in General Practice or Obstetrics and Gynaecology from Foundation Year 2 until Certificate of Completion. These core groups will receive further training and develop more in-depth knowledge and understanding of endometriosis. This includes an in-depth understanding of all symptoms and the treatment options available to patients, including surgical treatment. The training also recognises the psychological and social well-being impact on women and the need for GPs to acknowledge and manage this aspect.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) also provide a Continuing Professional Development course on endometriosis which has a focus on possible symptoms, treatments and when referral to secondary care is necessary.

As part of our Women’s Health Plan, the Scottish Government is working to improve access for women to appropriate support, speedy diagnosis and best treatment for endometriosis.

Question reference: S6W-09901

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 21 July 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 15 August 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Islands Connectivity Plan, when the (a) full plan and (b) section on ferries will be published.

Question reference: S6W-09447

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 July 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take steps to ensure that the A737 Improvements at Beith scheme and future major roads projects that it commissions are progressed in a timely and efficient manner, including through the introduction of general timescales, in order to increase accountability and transparency in the way that Transport Scotland progresses and delivers such projects.

Question reference: S6W-09446

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 July 2022

To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the A737 Improvements at Beith scheme, how much longer the “necessary governance procedures” cited by Transport Scotland as a reason for non-completion of the Outline Business Case are expected to take; how “necessary governance procedures” are defined, and for what reasons the process to make the Outline Business Case for the A737 Improvements at Beith is taking the length of time that it is, in light of reported concerns by local residents that it is taking too long.

Question reference: S6W-09444

Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 June 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 27 July 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when plans for the A737 Improvements at Beith will be approved in order for the project to move to the procurement stage; when the project is expected to go out to tender, and, in line with the details set out in its Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-2022 to 2025-2026, whether (a) construction is expected to start onsite by 30 January 2023 and (b) the roundabout, flyover and road will be operational by 29 July 2024.

Transport Scotland is currently progressing through the necessary governance procedures and whilst the Scottish Government remains committed to taking the project forward, procurement will commence when sufficient funding is available to support its construction.

It is standard practice for projects of this scale and nature to follow necessary and robust governance approval procedures and I refer the member to the letter issued by Transport Scotland dated 17 November 2021 confirming details of these procedures.

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