Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02919 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.

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.

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

The Scottish Government has no current plans to undertake research into the impact of onshore windfarms on tourism. As answered previously (S6W-02641 on 6 September 2021) our entire economic strategy is focused on sustainable and inclusive growth. While there are no plans for research in this specific area, any actions we take in terms of supporting immediate sector recovery and beyond will be focused on meeting the objectives of both our climate change and economic strategies.

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

The Scottish Government funded Saltire Research Awards will this year support 93 research projects through the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) schemes and create around 70 exchanges through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) scheme, across a broad range of disciplines and partners. Details on these are available on the RSE and SFC websites. Funding awards to successful bids will be made shortly.

As this is an operational matter relating to grant information, I have asked the Chief Executives of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise to respond to you directly.

The age ranges for each of the screening programmes, including the breast screening programme, are based on evidence about the risks and benefits of screening people at different ages. They are developed in line with advice from the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent expert advisory group which informs decisions taken across the UK on screening programmes, including those taken by the Scottish Government. Currently their recommendation is to invite women aged between 50 and 70 for routine breast screening every three years.

The UK NSC review their recommendations as new evidence that could improve outcomes emerges. The previous review cycle for the breast screening programme was completed in 2019 and the next cycle is estimated to complete in 2022-2023.

Women over the age of 71 usually have the option to self-refer into the breast screening programme, however this option is currently paused to allow the programme to recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and will resume as soon as capacity allows.

In the meantime, it remains important for women at any age to be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and to report any concerns to a GP so that these can be thoroughly investigated. More information on symptoms can be found on the NHS Inform website at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cancer/cancer-types-in-adults/breast-cancer-female#symptoms-of-breast-cancer.