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In designing the new service yard and garage, both the safety of the overall operating system and the safety of those using and accessing the garage were fully considered and assessed.   

Design assessments were made in relation to users’ safety and these assessments included: 

·        A design specification, setting out the safety requirements of the new system.  

·        An access report, covering the proposed flow of vehicle travel in the system.  

·        A design risk assessment.  This was carried out by the gate manufacturer to reduce or eliminate risks from gates and barriers with appropriate safety measures.   

·        Safety features including automated traffic controls and safety sensors on all moving parts, including all barriers and gates. 

·        A health and safety review which resulted in updated health and safety arrangements in the service yard area. 

The design process set out the safety standards the component parts of the new vehicle entry system was required to comply with.  These included the European Standards relating to the safety of security gates and barriers.  These were therefore installed and commissioned to appropriate European Directives.  This process was carried out in conjunction with the Parliament’s Health and Safety Adviser. 

In addition, a review of existing health and safety arrangements in the service yard area was carried out as part of the new system design.  Existing arrangements include a 5mph speed limit in the service yard, annual training including vehicle movement toolbox sessions, marked pedestrian walkways and the requirement for pedestrians to wear hi-vis clothing at all times in this area. These existing assessments are considered appropriate in addressing any safety risks in the area. 

The Scottish Government is clear that wildlife crime is abhorrent, reprehensible and unacceptable. The persecution of birds of prey has no place in modern Scotland. It is also completely at odds with our work to address the biodiversity crisis, which is supported by so many people and organisations across Scotland.

That’s why we have taken a number of steps over recent years to strengthen the law on wildlife crime - most recently through the introduction of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act which makes a number of important changes to wildlife legislation.

The Act, which was passed by the Parliament in June 2020, increases the penalty for a range of wildlife offences, including the killing of birds of prey. Individuals found guilty of those types of offences can now face up to five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. The Act also gives Police Scotland more time to investigate wildlife crimes.

Furthermore, we commissioned, and committed in our 2021-22 Programme for Government to delivering the recommendations of, the Grouse Moor Management Review Group. This is being done as a matter of urgency and includes the licensing of grouse moors.

We are committed to ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change by 2045, and to ensuring we do it in a way that is just and leaves no-one behind.

The science is clear that the world cannot go on extracting fossil fuels indefinitely if the necessity of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees is to be achieved.

The presumption should be not to develop new oilfields unless there is rigorous assessment showing that it is both necessary and consistent with our obligation to limit warming to 1.5 degrees and in the overall interests of fast and just transition. We have consistently said that the Cambo field should not be given the green light, but should be subject to a rigorous climate compatibility assessment to ensure that it is consistent with emissions reductions targets, the Glasgow Climate Pact commitment to limit warming to 1.5 degrees and in the interests of a fast and just transition.

The challenge for all countries therefore is how quickly the transition from fossil fuels to renewable and low carbon alternatives can be achieved - and to ensure that the transition is a just one. We are undertaking a programme of work and analysis to better understand Scotland’s energy requirements as we transition to net zero, ensuring an approach that supports and protects our energy security and our highly skilled workforce whilst meeting our climate obligations.

The information requested is not available. As with any other setting, it is not possible to infer whether a specific setting or an event indicates where the Covid19 transmission took place. This is because cases may have attended multiple settings or events within a short space of time.

Gamete (egg and sperm) storage can be provided by the NHS with informed consent from patients (regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and by law under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended)) under the following circumstances:

• Storage of personal gametes for use in NHS Assisted Conception Treatment by couples that fulfil the access criteria.
• Storage of gametes for patients who require fertility preservation treatment.
• Storage of gametes donated altruistically by sperm or egg donors for use in NHS Assisted Conception Treatment.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04128 on 30 November 2021. 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

Network Rail is a wholly owned subsidiary company of the UK Government, and responsibility for determining and monitoring its operation, maintenance and renewal expenditure rests with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

Transport Scotland funds Network Rail in accordance with the ORR’s determination, and also provides additional funding for enhancements which we monitor and control closely above the substantial investment in operations, maintenance and renewal. Therefore, under this split arrangement, which is a feature of UK Government rail legislation, the Scottish Government does not hold the full investment information broken down by region within Scotland.

Therefore I would recommend that the member contacts Network Rail or the ORR for the detailed information requested for rail infrastructure investment in the West of Scotland since 2016.

Universal Credit, alongside other reserved benefits including Employment and Support Allowance, are fully reserved to the UK Government and as such the Scottish Government does not hold the data relevant to this question.

The Department for Work and Pensions provides the data confirming the number of people in receipt of both of these benefits, however it does not record information relating to an individual’s past employment or if they are a veteran.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04128 on 30 November 2021. 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

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-04373 on 30 November 2021. 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