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As Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, I retain responsibility for the Life Sciences sector. Mr Hepburn, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, has responsibility for other elements of science policy, including universities and research, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) across the education system, and public science engagement.

In January 2021, the then Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport accepted the NHS Lanarkshire’s recommendation of Wester Moffat as the preferred site option for a new University Hospital Monklands. NHS Lanarkshire is currently preparing an Outline Business Case which will then be submitted to Scottish Government for consideration.

The Scottish government will of course stay in close contact on any consideration of animal welfare labelling both by the UK government and the European Union.

The Scottish Government has no functions in relation to the use of animals in scientific procedures which is a matter reserved to the UK Government.

The Scottish Government will take decisions on international travel in the best interests of Scotland at the right time and based on the scientific evidence available. The Global Travel Taskforce and its recommendations are for the UK Government, but where possible we will continue to seek an aligned four nations approach to international travel restrictions.

Recently, this has included alignment on the traffic light system for international travel which came into effect on 17 May 2021. Officials are in regular contact with the Department for Transport and the other devolved administrations on this issue as we make progress in responding to the pandemic.

Wind and weather information in respect of the Queensferry Crossing and the Forth Road Bridge are published on a daily basis at https://www.theforthbridges.org/plan-your-journey/wind-and-weather/ . Historical records are available on request at enquiries@bearscotland.co.uk .

A review of ferry fares policy is being undertaken as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP), the successor to the current Ferries Plan (2013-22). This will consider issues such as seasonality and inform future ferry service contracts.

The Scottish Government recognises the need to tackle our throw-away culture, which includes so-called ‘fast fashion’. For example, the Revolve Programme run by Zero Waste Scotland already seeks to raise awareness of the benefits of responsible consumption by promoting the environmental benefits of second-hand over new clothing purchases, as well as directing consumers to the network of over 100 certified stores: What is Revolve? | The first choice for second-hand shopping (zerowastescotland.org.uk) .

SEPA has identified that Textiles and Apparel Manufacture will be the subject of a forthcoming Sector Plan. This will set out how SEPA will regulate and engage with the industry to tackle and reduce the environmental impacts from the textile sector: Plans in development | Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) .

The Scottish Government is committed to bringing forward a Circular Economy Bill to advance Scotland's ambitions to promote an economy where materials remain in use for as long as possible, rather than being thrown away, and to establish a fund based on the success of the Saltire Tidal Energy Challenge Fund for innovation in tackling textile pollution and throw-away culture.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-35553 on 10 March 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 .

In addition to our work with the airports, the Scottish Government also has regular engagement with airlines. Most recently this included productive discussions held in April with 19 airlines, all of which are important to Scotland’s international connectivity. Given the commercial nature of these discussions I am unable to share specific details.

We recognise that globally, as well as here in Scotland, the aviation industry faces one of the longest recovery periods given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on route networks, which is why we have extended the 100% non-domestic rates relief for the aviation sector for another year (2021-22).

The Scottish Government did not seek any advice on whether the discharge of patients who had not been tested for COVID-19 or had tested positive from hospital to care homes was unlawful. Any decision on whether a patient is ready for discharge is a clinical one, made by the clinician in charge. Where someone is most appropriately cared for after discharge is based on a multi-disciplinary assessment involving the individual and their family carers. In cases where a patient lacks capacity, an appointed guardian or carer with power of attorney, will be involved. If somebody is discharged to a care home it is because that has been assessed as the best place to meet their needs.

In March 2020 the Scottish Government issued guidance which stated that prior to people being admitted to a care home whether from hospital or the community, clinical screening should be undertaken of patients alongside a risk assessment to ensure sufficient resources including appropriate isolation facilities are available within the care home to support social distancing and isolation. The guidance recommended all admissions to be isolated for 7 days and if known to have contact with COVID patients for 14 days. Both clinical decisions around discharge and risk assessments are undertaken locally by health and social care professionals. There is no involvement of Scottish Ministers.

On 21 April 2020 the then Health Secretary announced that all admissions to care homes from hospital should have a negative test for COVID-19 prior to admission to the home, regardless of symptoms unless it is in the clinical interests of the patient to be moved, and then only after a full risk assessment. Where a patient has tested positive for Covid two negative tests are required. This policy is reflected in both Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland guidance for care homes.

On 28 October 2020 Public Health Scotland published analysis of discharges to care homes between 1 March and 31 May 2020. This report was subsequently updated on 21 April 2021 This report is available on the Public Health Scotland website at https://beta.isdscotland.org/find-publications-and-data/population-health/covid-19/discharges-from-nhsscotland-hospitals-to-care-homes/ .