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Figures for the Oil and Gas Adopt an Apprentice offer relate to the sector as a whole; it is not possible to provide figures relating to offshore employers only.

As at 19 August 2015, 12 modern apprentices have benefited from the support offered by the Adopt an Apprentice scheme for the sector.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27008 answered on 18 August 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government can confirm that the services going forward will continue to support the socio-economic development of the Northern Isles by providing reliable and resilient ferry services. Decisions about the form of the next Northern Isles ferry services contract have still to be taken. In line with commitments given in the Empowering Scotland's Island Communities prospectus in June 2014, we have been engaging with key partners to scope out the way forward for the next Northern Isles Ferry Services contract. As announced on Thursday 13 August, during my visit to Shetland, a comprehensive study of the Northern Isles service is to be carried out to inform the tender process for the next contract. We will continue to engage with key partners as part of that process.

Groups of tenant farmers can already buy their farms through the powers in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act if they meet the requirements of the Act, including forming a compliant company limited by guarantee that is community based and community led. Under the legislation a community is defined by a geographical area.

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill, which passed Stage 3 in the Scottish Parliament in June 2015, extends the range of organisations that may apply to include Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations and Community Benefit Companies.

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, introduced to the Scottish Parliament in June 2015, contains provisions to support tenant farmers with secure 1991 Act agricultural tenancies. Currently, tenant farmers with secure 1991 Act agricultural tenancies already have the pre-emptive right to buy their tenancy if they register their interest on the Register of Community Interests in Land with Registers of Scotland. Section 80 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill proposes to remove the requirement to register making it easier for tenant farmers to exercise their right to buy.

Section 81 of the Bill also inserts a new Part 2A into the Agricultural Holding (Scotland) Act 2003 to enable a tenant with a secure 1991 Act agricultural tenancy to apply to the Land Court for an order for sale of the holding where their landlord is in breach of their legal tenancy obligations and this is affecting the tenant’s ability to farm in accordance with the rules of good husbandry.

The recommendations of the Strategic Transport Projects Review were announced in Parliament on 10 December 2008 and set out investment priorities over the period to 2032 which will be delivered subject to the transport allocation within future spending reviews and affordability. They do not include the provision of any road tunnels between the Scottish mainland and our island communities.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.