Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-16703 on 31 May 2018. 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 Scottish Government confirmed in its Programme for Government for 2016-2017 that it had no current plans to change the law on abortion. The Scottish Government’s priority in this area is to focus on improving abortion services for women. For example, this includes the October 2017 approval enabling women undergoing early medical abortion to take the second drug, misoprostol, in their own home where it is clinically appropriate and they wish to do so.

Scottish Ministers have had meetings with stakeholders on matters regarding abortion and with the National Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Advisory Committee (NSHBAC), which advises Ministers on ways to improve sexual health services, including abortion.

Scottish Government promotes cervical screening on an on-going basis.

Last year we ran a successful advertising campaign ‘Flower’ to raise awareness of cervical screening among women aged 25-35. In 2018, we will focus on the overall benefits of early detection for all cancers.

We are investing up to £5m of funding from the Cancer Strategy 'Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action' 2016 to reduce inequalities, raise awareness and improve uptake in cervical screening, particularly amongst those less likely to participate. As part of this work, we are establishing a network, involving clinical and academic experts from across Scotland as well as third sector organisations to identify new activities and learn from local practice and innovation, to improve participation in screening programmes.

We also support the work of charities like Jo's Cervical Cancer trust to increase awareness and address some of the barriers to screening. We are funding their innovative 'Be Cervix Savvy Roadshow' which will be visiting high streets and retail parks across Scotland to raise awareness of cervical cancer and increase uptake of cervical screening.

Any proposal to get more young people engaged and involved in the democratic process is worthy of close consideration.

The Scottish Government believes that 16 and 17 year olds should have the right to vote in all elections. We’ve led the way in Scotland, putting young people at the very heart of deciding how our communities and country are run.

In line with the Programme for Government commitment, the Transport Bill will be introduced to Parliament before summer recess. At this time, the Scottish Government’s proposals in relation to pavement parking will be set out in detail and subject to the associated legislative scrutiny.

Increasing participation in the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme is a key objective for the Scottish Government.

Last year we ran a successful advertising campaign ‘Flower’ to raise awareness of cervical screening among women aged 25-35. In 2018, we will focus on the overall benefits of early detection for all cancers.

Up to £5m of funding from the Cancer Strategy 'Beating Cancer: Ambition and Action' 2016 is being invested in our screening programmes, including cervical screening, to reduce inequalities and improve uptake, particularly amongst those less likely to participate in screening.

Scottish Government officials meet cervical screening coordinators from all NHS Boards on a quarterly basis to discuss a range of issues relating to the national screening programme, including promoting screening services and initiatives to improve uptake. NHS Boards have responsibility for publicising screening within their local area and for working closely with their communities to increase screening uptake.

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

Where any person in our care is identified as eligible to apply for release on Home Detention Curfew (HDC), and wishes to be considered, then they are asked to complete an HDC Prisoner Information Request form. This form does not ask if an individual has a live appeal in process, as appellant status does not result in statutory exclusion.

Once an application for HDC has been submitted, then a full risk assessment is undertaken. Should an individual be contesting their conviction or sentence, then this would be considered.

Those in our care who wish to progress to less secure conditions, such as at the Open Estate, are asked if they are appealing against their conviction or sentence.

It is for the Scottish Courts to determine an individual’s guilt; SPS’ role is to accommodate those committed to custody. The principal objective of SPS is to contribute to making Scotland Safer by protecting the public and reducing reoffending. Where an individual does not acknowledge guilt, then this may understandably impact upon their ability to demonstrate that they have satisfactory addressed their offending behaviour. The measures taken by an individual to address their offending behaviour constitute a key consideration in the risk assessment process.

Under the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, it is the responsibility of Integration Authorities to plan and deliver services for their area using the integrated budgets under their control. This includes hospice and palliative and end of life care services.

In April 2018, representatives from the Integration Authorities Chief Officers Group and Scottish Government officials met with representatives from independent Hospices to discuss how consider how best to use previous guidance to inform future arrangements.

At this meeting a way forward was agreed between Chief Officers and hospice representatives, for examining previous guidance to pave the way for establishing updated arrangements between independent Hospices and Integration Authorities.

Children and young people should know where to go if they have worries or concerns, which is why all staff in schools share a responsibility for identifying the care and wellbeing needs of children and young people. Schools should establish open, positive, supporting relationships across the whole school community, where children and young people will feel they are listened to, and where they feel secure in their ability to discuss sensitive aspects of their lives. This can be especially important in the case of body image, which is consistently mentioned by young people themselves as a significant worry.

The vision and aspirations of our 10-year Mental Health Strategy apply to young people with body image issues as much as they do to any other group - they should only have to ask once to get help fast.

The Scottish Government provides interest-free loans through the Energy Saving Trust for taxi drivers and firms to replace older hackney cabs with new, efficient Euro 6 diesel or electric models to reduce harmful emissions.