Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00826 on 30 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00826 on 30 June 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy sets out the phased approach required to develop measures, such as low emissions zones (LEZ), as part of the National Low Emission Framework (NLEF). A key part of this is the gathering of new traffic data to inform air quality models. This will be completed by mid 2017 and will inform discussions with individual local authorities on the most appropriate locations for any LEZs. We also intend to publish the NLEF guidance later in 2016; including specific low emission zone criteria.

This phased approach to NLEF is important to ensure that actions are evidence based, and in ensuring that communities and business are engaged and involved in the development of local solutions. Working with local authorities it is intended that the first scheme decisions will be confirmed – and notice given to the relevant parties - by the end of 2018.

Many initiatives are already in place to develop and deploy effective transport measures to tackle air pollution. The Scottish Government is continuing to explore with Transport Scotland and other partners how these can be developed and built on to ensure successful delivery of all the actions contained in the Cleaner Air for Scotland strategy. To date over £70,000 has been allocated to commission a comprehensive traffic data collection exercise to support detailed air quality modelling for Aberdeen and Glasgow, with Edinburgh and Dundee to follow.

'Cleaner Air for Scotland - The Road to a Healthier Future', Scotland's first distinct air quality strategy, was published in November 2015. It commits to significant progress towards revocation of all air quality management areas by 2020 - the criterion against which compliance with Scottish air quality objectives is judged.

Cleaner Air for Scotland also commits to full compliance with EU air quality legislation by 2020.

The specific information requested is not available centrally - waiting time information is only collected at specialty level. For the quarter ending 31 March 2016 the median wait for a patient to receive inpatient or day case treatment in the specialty of ophthalmology in NHS Highland was 62 days - this compares with a NHS Scotland median wait of 52 days. Under the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011 all patient should receive their inpatient or day case treatment, including a cataract operation within 12 weeks of a patient agreeing treatment with their consultant.

A decision on the use of drug field testing kits by police officers is an operational matter for Police Scotland.

There is long-standing legislation in place that makes it an offence to drive while impaired through the use of drugs. The Scottish Government published in 2015 an analysis of responses received to a consultation on introducing drug driving limits and we are continuing to consider the practical implications raised by stakeholders of introducing drug driving limits in Scotland.

The cost to CalMac Ferries Ltd of its successful bid for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract is commercially sensitive.

The Scottish Government and RMT union jointly wrote to Commissioner Violeta Bulc on 1 April 2016 seeking clarification on the application of the Teckal exemption to ferry procurement. The approach was agreed at a meeting in January 2016, hosted by David Stewart MSP, with the then Minister for Transport and Islands and RMT representatives following the “Keep CalMac Public” Motion, debated in Parliament on 25 November 2015. The Scottish Government’s view – and the view of previous administrations - is that the European Commission’s Maritime Cabotage and state aid regulations require Scottish Ministers to put these services out to tender.

The Scottish Government, EU and commission officials met on 17 May 2016 to discuss the process and timescales for a response. At that meeting, the commission confirmed a detailed response would require significant analysis by a number of Commission services including public procurement, State aid and commission legal services to arrive at a common position before they respond. We await their response.

The Scottish Government is determined to act decisively on tax avoidance where we have the powers to do so. We have taken a simple and clear but robust approach to tackling avoidance of the devolved taxes.

The new procurement regulations contain grounds for the exclusion of a supplier from a procurement process. These include circumstances in which a supplier has breached tax or social security obligations. Statutory guidance published on 17 March 2016 provides advice on dealing with suppliers who have been involved in the non-payment of tax, and explains how and when they can be excluded from public contracts.

Public bodies are encouraged to use these mechanisms to help tackle those suppliers who do not comply with their tax obligations.