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Information on how many (a) consultant dermatologists are employed in each NHSScotland Board is published by ISD Scotland and is available at the following web link:-

https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2017-09-05/Consultant_Staff_In_Post_J2017.xls

“Professional dermatologists” is not a recognised specialty. However, information on specialist doctors, including dermatology medical staff, is published by ISD Scotland and is available at the following web link:-

https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2017-09-05/HCHS_by_specialty_J2017.xls

Information on (i) vacant consultant dermatology posts, broken down by NHSScotland Board is published by ISD Scotland and is available at the following web link:-

https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2017-09-05/Consultant_Vacancies_J2017.xls

Information on (ii) the longest time each NHSScotland Board has taken to fill a vacancy in the last 12 months is not centrally held. Specific local information may be available from individual NHSScotland Boards.

In the Programme for Government published on 5 September 2017 the Scottish Government committed to extend the legislative presumption against short periods of imprisonment from 3 months to 12 months. Extending the presumption sends a clear signal that short sentences should only be imposed where no other alternatives are suitable, and is part of our wider commitment to shift the emphasis from ineffective short-term imprisonment to greater use of robust community sentences.

Ultimately, sentencing decisions should and do remain a matter for the courts. The presumption is not a ban, and courts retain the discretion to pass the most appropriate sentence based on the facts and circumstances of the case they are dealing with.

There are no current plans to introduce telephones in prisoners' cells in Scotland. The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service both recognise the importance of individuals maintaining family links during their time in custody, and continue to look at ways in which we can support and enhance this.

The methodology for rating valuation of licensed premises is for the Scottish Assessors, who are appointed by local government and operate independently.

In my statement responding to the Barclay review last week [Tuesday 12 September], I encouraged the sector and the Assessors to continue to work together to explore alternative methods of valuation.

Health is well embedded within our current fuel poverty programmes as they are focused on vulnerable and low income households which tend to contain higher levels of elderly residents or those with a long term sickness and disability.

As part of Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme (SEEP) we are also testing new ways of forging closer partnerships with local health and social care providers and organisations through our rural based HES Homecare pilot. These new and existing partnerships make reaching the most vulnerable people easier and more effective, particularly in remote and rural areas.

Later this year we will also consult on a new fuel poverty strategy which will seek views on how to strengthen relationships with local and national partners to deliver better health outcomes to those who are in, or at risk of being in fuel poverty.

Fuel poverty is significant to the work of NHS Scotland as it is both a health and health inequalities issue.

The Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum includes two representatives from NHS Scotland. One representing the Scottish Directors of Public Health and, the other representing the Health and Work Directorate, with a focus on health and work, low income and welfare benefits.

Membership of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum brings the opportunity for NHS Scotland to further develop the role and contribution of the NHS to tackling fuel poverty. Membership of the Forum also allows these members to provide a health-related perspective to future fuel poverty strategy development to ensure that we deliver better health outcomes to those who are in, or at risk of being in fuel poverty.

Scottish Government Ministers and officials regularly meet representatives of all Scottish local authorities to discuss a wide range of issues as part of our commitment to work in partnership with local government to improve outcomes for the people of Scotland. I most recently met with the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council in Orkney on 23 August, when we discussed ferry services and other issues. Indeed Mr McArthur will recall that he and I also met during that visit.

The Scottish Government has set out a commitment to extend superfast broadband access to every premise in Scotland by 2021, which will primarily benefit consumers in rural areas. Our overall delivery approach is currently being finalised, and we will set out our plans in more detail in the coming weeks.

We expect that initial phases are likely to focus on more rural premises, rather than urban areas where we believe that commercial investment should play a more prominent role. We are also seeking to take account of emerging UK Government plans around a Universal Service Obligation, including the possibility of a voluntary deal between the UK Government and BT.

Scottish Government officials have had three conference call meetings and a series of email exchanges with members of the Saltire Prize Challenge Committee - the independent panel that oversees the Saltire Prize - since 10 November 2015. Conference call meetings took place on 20 April 2016, 10 November 2016 and 27 January 2017.

The findings of an informal review carried out by Scottish Renewables and revised prize options were shared with the committee in April 2016. However, at the most recent meeting in January 2017, committee members asked for an up-to-date analysis of the marine energy industry to inform their deliberations. Following a competitive tender process, renewable energy consultants Aquatera and Caelulum Limited were appointed in April 2017 to produce a report on the current state of the industry. We expect to have a final report to share with the committee in early September 2017.

I refer the member to the answer to questions S5W-10805 and S5W-10806 on 8 September 2017. 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 Saltire Prize is being redesigned to better reflect the circumstances of the wave and tidal sectors.

The Saltire Prize Challenge Committee - the independent panel that oversees the Saltire Prize - has asked for an up-to-date analysis of the marine energy industry to inform its deliberations on the redesign of the prize. We expect to be able to share this analysis with the committee in early September 2017.

I also refer the member to the answer to question S5W-10805 on 8 September 2017. 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.