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All major new vessels, including the Little Minch vessels set to be deployed on the Uig to Lochmaddy and Uig to Tarbert (Harris) ferry routes will have Changing Places toilet facilities.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-14915 on 6 March 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Cemre have signed an agreement with Kongsberg for Fins Stabilisers with the production facility in Dunfermline. Neither the Scottish Government, nor CMAL as procuring authority, have details of the value of this commercial contract between the manufacturer and Cemre. Further information can be found at the attached link:

https://www.kongsberg.com/maritime/about-us/news-and-media/news-archive/2022/contract-to-supply-aquarius-50-retractable-fin-stabilisers/

The Scottish Government welcomes the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service announcement of a review into the process for dealing with warrants. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service exercises its functions independently of Government - it is entirely a matter for the SCTS to consider what action is necessary here.

The guidance issued by Lord Justice Edis seeks to prevent utility warrant applications being made and considered in bulk. That is already the position in Scotland.

In line with the ‘polluter pays’ principle, and just like similar schemes around the world, Scotland’s DRS is being delivered and funded by industry, led by the scheme administrator, Circularity Scotland (CSL).

Any future changes in the producer fee will be made by CSL in consultation with its members.

We expect the Fair Fares Review to be published by Summer 2023, this will include the launch of a public consultation on our Draft Vision for Public Transport and an Action Plan setting our priorities for the future of public transport. The consultation will give people across the country the opportunity to shape the future of public transport in Scotland.

Circularity Scotland Ltd is a private company which was established by industry with the purpose of administering the Deposit Return Scheme. This model is in line with standard practice in other schemes across Europe.

This provision was agreed by the Scottish Parliament when it voted in favour of the DRS Regulations in 2020.

Motability Operations have reported to the Scottish Government that 62,537 people in Scotland have received a £350 payment which is an early payment of the ‘Good Condition Payment’. This would normally be paid at the end of a person’s lease if they return their vehicle in good condition, but Motability have paid this to clients early to support disabled people during the cost-of-living crisis. Motability have told the Scottish Government that this payment was made in October and November 2022.

Motability Operations have also advised that they have paid a ‘New Vehicle Payment’ designed to help disabled people pay any advanced payment needed for accessible vehicles or equipment. 17,420 eligible people who have leased vehicles with Motability have received £250 each and 685 individuals who have leased powered wheelchairs or scooters have received £100 each. This payment will increase from £250 to £750 at the end of February for vehicles. There is a top up payment of £500 to be made from 28 February 2023. Thereafter any person ordering a new vehicle over the next two years will receive a £750 payment.

Motability Operations have informed us that they have added 10,000 Electric Vehicles (EVs) and 22,000 hybrid vehicles to their fleet, representing 21% of new vehicles joining the fleet. Alternatively fuelled vehicles now represent approximately 13% of the current fleet, having increased year on year since 2019. Motability Operations is investing £300m over the next three years to support customers with the transition to EVs. Further information on this can be found in Motability Operations annual report at: https://www.motabilityoperations.co.uk/Annual_Report_2022.pdf.

In line with the ‘polluter pays’ principle, and just like similar schemes around the world, Scotland’s DRS is being delivered and funded by industry, led by the scheme administrator, Circularity Scotland (CSL). It is for CSL and Biffa to determine how best to communicate with affected businesses and whether or not there is a need to publish a transition plan.

If businesses have any concerns or questions regarding any aspect of Scotland’s DRS, they should contact CSL in the first instance.

The South West trunk road operating company (AMEY) undertakes a range of maintenance inspections on the approaches to the M8 Kingston Bridge. These include weekly driven inspections and 3 monthly safety inspections of the approaches (including all joints), with the half-joints monitored separately on a 3-monthly basis. Depending on the findings, more extensive investigations and testing of the joints may be undertaken.

Between 2018 and 2023, 113 expansion joints were replaced within the Kingston Bridge complex including the approaches. A further 15 expansion joints are programmed for replacement within the 2023/24 financial year.

This programme of work addressed defects from previous inspections, as replacement of the expansion joints above the half-joints removes water leakage from the area, protecting the half-joints.

We will continue to monitor the half-joints on a 3-monthly basis, undertaking any further maintenance works as required.