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As part of our regular dialogue with BT, we explore opportunities to accelerate work, wherever and whenever possible. However, delivery ahead of contractual milestones is ultimately a matter for BT to determine.

16 new subsea cables will connect to 15 Scottish islands including Colonsay, Iona and Lismore in Argyll and Bute, Eigg in the Highlands, Eday, Flotta, Hoy, Rousay, Sanday, Shapinsay and Stronsay in Orkney, and Fair Isle, Unst, Whalsey and Yell in Shetland. There will also be a cable laid between Sanday and Fair Isle. A news release on the deployment of these cables can be found on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/news/superfast-broadband-subsea-work-to-start .

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The following tables detail the (a) average occupancy (b) Design Capacity and (c) the occupancy rate of each prison over the preceding 12 months.

The occupancy rate and the Design Capacity rate are the average for each calendar month. The current single cell occupancy rate across the estate is 71%.

MARCH 2020

The National Wellbeing and Engagement Survey launched on 2 March 2021 and is in 2 parts. Part A is open for four weeks and closes on 30 March. Part B launches on 6 April for a further 3 weeks and then closes on 27 April.

Results are expected to be available on a national level by the end of June, followed by further detail by the end of July.

We understand that results will not be directly comparable to the 2015 survey, but will allow for some comparison across themes and with other forces. The survey is being delivered in partnership with Durham Business School who lead on Collaborative Research in Policing. In the past seven years their research has grown and now involves thirty eight forces across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the BTP and MDP. This is recognised as the most relevant comparator available.

The available information is provided in the following tables (one for each year), which has been produced from the Scottish Government’s criminal proceedings database .

Requirements for Community Payback Orders are not held in the criminal proceedings database. However, an earlier study that linked convictions data with criminal justice social work statistics indicated that, between 2013-14 and 2016-17, around 3% of community payback orders for those convicted of possession of drugs included a specific drug treatment requirement. The low use of the CPO drug treatment requirement does not mean that individuals with substance misuse problems are not having these needs addressed. Community Payback Order annual reports, provided by local authorities, highlight that issues such as alcohol, drugs and mental health are often addressed under the supervision requirement of a CPO. This was echoed by the evaluation of Community Payback Orders, carried out in 2015 (section 5.38). Both the evaluation and the annual reports noted that using the supervision requirement in this way is especially helpful for those individuals who need support but do not meet the specific criteria of the treatment requirements.

Number of people convicted for the possession of drugs¹, by the type of drug and main penalty, 2016-17.

The Scottish Budget that was agreed on 8 March 2021 includes a commitment to extending free bus travel to those living in Scotland under age 22. We will carry out an Island Communities Impact Assessment on the new free bus scheme before it comes into operation.

We are considering ferry fares policy options through our ongoing review of concessionary travel arrangements across all modes for under 26 year olds and through the Islands Connectivity Plan.

Following the announcement of Forth Valley as the first innovation hub in 16 September 2020, the Scotland 5G Centre (S5GC) has confirmed that its second innovation hub will be located in Dundee. This new hub is a partnership between S5GC, Abertay University, Dundee City Council and the Scottish Futures Trust. Its aim is to accelerate innovation and investment across the games, virtual reality and interactive entertainment sectors and support the co-development of solutions for sectors such as healthcare and manufacturing.

Discussions are progressing with potential host institutions around Scotland and we will continue to announce more locations as they are finalised.

The number of devices allocated to each local authority through the Connecting Scotland Programme Phase One is provided in Table 1 and Phase Two in Table 2. The Scottish Government agreed the approach to allocation with COSLA.

The number of devices awarded by local authorities for distribution to customers in their respective areas are also contained in the tables. Decisions on awards are made by assessment panels in each area, comprising an SCVO account manager and local authority representatives. Once all 32 assessment panels have made decisions in each round, any remaining devices are redistributed between under and oversubscribed areas.

Table 1 - Phase 1

As outlined in response to question S5W-36109 on 23 March 2021 from Lewis Macdonald, we have committed to provide Openreach with the finalised speed and coverage template (or SCT) no later than 31 March 2021 to allow them to finalise their coverage footprint. We expect that this remodelling exercise will conclude in April/May 2021, after which it will be subject to rigorous review through our own governance and assurance structures, and those of Building Digital UK (BDUK).

We expect the full picture across the North lot contract area to be available by Summer 2021. The roll-out of R100 build in the North lot – and the associated survey work – will be completed in phases, and build plans will be reflected in our online checker at scotlandsuperfast.com.

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 Minister for Public Health and I met with island MSPs on‎ 26 February to discuss the potential for, and implications of, pre-travel testing for our islands.

We have to consider testing options alongside the many other layers of protection we now have against this virus. In addition to vaccination, there is currently a ban on all non-essential travel. Under current 'Stay at Home' guidance, all travel to our islands must be avoided, except for essential reasons.

As we return to the levels approach, there will continue to be restrictions on travel for those living in high prevalence areas.

However, testing will continue to play a critical role in suppressing COVID-19, and its value in spotting cases early to break chains of transmission and prevent new outbreaks will only increase as the number of cases drops overall.

Following the successful trials of Community Testing in December, we wrote to all NHS Boards and local authorities inviting them to submit proposals for meeting the needs of their community through our community testing programme.

We are working with NHS Shetland, NHS Orkney, and their respective local authorities to develop their proposals that address the testing requirements of island communities.

These proposals are yet to be confirmed but could include additional testing of staff travelling to the islands to work with vulnerable people in health and social care, or regular asymptomatic testing of some island workplaces to reduce the risks associated with visiting staff.

The Infralink project aims to facilitate improved and accelerated deployment of 4G, 5G and other digital connectivity through simplification of the process for use of publicly owned assets (such as buildings and land) by the telecommunications industry for the siting of infrastructure such as mobile masts.

The project's toolkit launched on 7 March 2021 and currently comprises payment guidance and standardised legal documentation. These are available online at: Home - Scottish Futures Trust – Infralink . The project team is actively engaging public sector partners and telecommunications providers to encourage adoption of these tools.