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Scotland’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network covers 37% of our seas, meeting the globally agreed target to conserve at least 30% of marine areas through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures by 2030.

In addition to existing management arrangements, the Scottish Government is committed to introducing fisheries management measures within MPAs where such measures are required but not yet in place. This commitment also extends to a selection of Priority Marine Features (PMFs) located outside the MPA network.

Implementation of fisheries management measures for MPAs in offshore waters (beyond 12 nautical miles) is scheduled for 2025. A public consultation on proposed measures for MPAs and PMFs in inshore waters (within 12 nautical miles) is planned to commence in November 2025.

The Abnormal Loads Legislative Reform sub-group last met on 6 December 2024.

At this meeting, Police Scotland committed to an action to develop a proposal for a dedicated police unit to transport abnormal loads associated with onshore wind equipment. The Scottish Government also took an action to investigate any potential issues relating to the creation of a dedicated unit.

GPs do not require “extended resources” to provide NHS prescriptions following a private diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. GPs are contracted and resourced to provide appropriate ongoing treatment and care to all their patients taking account of their specific needs.

GPs should use their own judgement about what treatment is appropriate for patients who have a private diagnosis of any condition.

We are not able to determine the detail of any consequential impact of the UK Government’s announcements on additional investment in relation to RAAC. These commitments form part of the UK Government’s decisions on departmental allocations at phase 1 and phase 2 of the UK Spending Review, which covers funding for 2025-26 onwards. At Spending Reviews, the Scottish Government receives additional Barnett funding for the net changes in departmental totals only, rather than being provided with a programme level breakdown.

However, through the £2bn Learning Estate Investment Programme, the Scottish Government will provide local authorities with significant funding support to replace 6 schools which contain RAAC.

Information on the turnover of Ferguson Marine can be found in its published annual accounts. The percentage of Ferguson Marine’s turnover from public entities is a commercial matter for the yard to respond.

In accordance with current guidance, the Scottish Government’s position is that the assessment process for new pedestrian crossings should address the three main objectives of safety, convenience and accessibility for the most at-risk users. The PV2 assessment process, which identifies suitable crossing facilities based on pedestrian and vehicle numbers at a location, was superseded in 1995. Decisions on suitable pedestrian crossing facilities require a more qualitative approach addressing a variety of site-specific factors. Data relating to pedestrian and vehicle numbers will have relevance to these considerations, but must be viewed in the wider context and should not be used as the sole basis for decisions.

I refer the member to the answer to questions S6W-30034 on 3 October 2024 and S6W-32189 on 23 December 2024. 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.

The responsibility for energy security is reserved to the UK Government, as is any contingency planning. However, the Scottish Government works closely with the UK Government on a range of issues to ensure Scotland’s needs are met.

The Onshore Wind Sector Deal, signed in September 2023, commits the Scottish Government and the onshore wind industry to working with Police Scotland to agree plans to ensure sufficient resources and the timely transportation of abnormal loads related to onshore wind.

Since then, Scottish Government officials have been working collaboratively with Police Scotland, the onshore wind industry and relevant stakeholders to develop a practical and effective approach to managing abnormal load escorts.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-39369 on 11 August 2025. 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.