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The Scottish Government published an Island Communities Impact Assessment on 14 December 2021 which concluded that ferry travel should not be included in the Scheme, but that issues relating to ferry fares should be considered as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan and the Fair Fares Review, which are underway.

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.

We have committed to update Parliament regarding publication of the Project Neptune report and planned next steps and will do so after the summer recess.

Work is ongoing on the Islands Connectivity Plan, with priority being given to a long-term plan and investment programme for vessels and ports, with the aim of publishing a draft consultation by the end of 2022.

Work on the other elements of the Islands Connectivity Plan will follow, with a view to further publications in 2023.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09444 on 27 July 2022. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09444 on 27 July 2022. 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 .

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-09444 on 27 July 2022. 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 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.

I have decided to publish my reference to the Supreme Court made under paragraph 34 of schedule 6 to the Scotland Act 1998. The reference is available at:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/reference-to-supreme-court-whether-the-question-for-a-referendum-on-scottish-independence-contained-in-the-proposed-referendum-bill-relates-to-reserved-matters

Scotland’s biotechnology sector is developing at a remarkable rate. In fact, last year the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre reported that we were on track to meet the targets in the 2019 National Plan for Industrial Biotechnology ahead of 2025.

As such, the final refresh of the National Plan, launched on 6 June 2022, increased the 2025 targets even further to: over 220 active companies, increasing associated turnover to £1.2 billion and over 4,000 direct employees in Industrial Biotechnology in Scotland.

The sector, and its strength, is also recognised in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation as a current and future key industry for Scotland, that will contribute to us delivering our Net Zero targets by 2045.