Chamber and committees

The key economic and fiscal levers that influence investment and activity in the sector remain with the UK Government; however, the Scottish Government is using our devolved powers to support the industry. We set up the Energy Jobs Taskforce, which continues to coordinate action across the sector and, in February 2016, we introduced a £12 million Transition Training Fund (TTF) to support individuals transition to other employment. We have seen a substantial increase in applications to the TTF in recent weeks following the launch of a dedicated website and we continue to look to review criteria on an on-going basis to ensure its impact is maximised.

The Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) is the Scottish Government’s initiative dedicated to helping individuals and employers with the advice and support they need when faced with redundancy. Delivery is led by Skills Development Scotland with partners including Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). In addition to the National PACE Team, there are 18 local PACE Teams across Scotland. The Highland PACE Partnership covers Caithness and Sutherland, Moray and Lochaber, ensuring a speedy and effective responses to redundancy situations.

HIE are also continuing to support the oil and gas sector. In 2015-16 HIE invested £458,000 in two companies servicing the international oil and gas sector based in Moray. These investments, all other things being equal, are anticipated to lead to turn over growth of £9.6 million for those companies of which £8.1 million will be from international sales. HIE’s leadership team approved £200,000 towards start-up costs of an electronics firm with high growth potential which specialises in technology for the offshore oil and gas and aerospace industries. In addition HIE will invest £376,000 in upgrading facilities to enable manufacturing to be undertaken within the Moray area.

The Scottish Government does not have any jurisdiction or influence over the activities of private heritage railway operators. However, Transport Scotland does offer advice to heritage railways in Scotland with respect industry processes and main line regulations and met with Keith and Dufftown Railway association in October 2015.

VisitScotland monitor activities relating to ‘Visiting a Scenic or Heritage Railway’ in Scotland through the 'Great Britain Tourism Survey', a national consumer survey jointly sponsored by VisitScotland, VisitEngland and Visit Wales.

The Scottish Government is engaging with retailers and caterers through our supporting healthy choices framework, challenging them to rebalance their promotions and support children and families to make healthier choices.

Our beyond the school gate guidance sets out options and invites local authorities, schools, caterers and retailers, and other partners to consider what they can do to positively influence the food environment for school pupils. This includes options to encourage children and young people to stay on site and purchase school food as well as increase the availability of healthier options outside of school. Reviewing how the guidance is operating will form part of our bringing forward a new diet and obesity framework.

The operation of the properties in care of Scottish Ministers is delegated to Historic Environment Scotland under the Historic Environment Scotland Act 2014. I have asked David Mitchell, the Acting Chief Executive, to provide an update on the options being considered at Dallas Dhu including the possibility of reintroducing distilling as part of wider tourist and heritage promotion.

NHS boards and local authorities have a statutory duty to provide health and social care services which meet the needs of their populations, including for former service personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A range of care and treatment for PTSD is available across health and social care services and across a range of settings provided on the basis of individually assessed needs, and in line with published clinical guidance.

For example, the Scottish Government funds at £1.2 million per year a nationally commissioned service through NHS Ayrshire and Arran for the provision of specialist mental health services provided by the charity combat stress. This includes an intensive treatment PTSD programme for those ex-service personnel suffering problems as a result of their military service. The provider will accept eligible referrals from any source, including self-referral.

Suitable provision for all users, including cyclists, is an important part of dualling roads such as the A9 and A96.

Non-motorised User (NMU) strategies have been developed for the A9 and the A96 dualling. The strategies have been developed in line with the Scottish Government’s vision to promote active travel in A Long-Term Vision for Active Travel In Scotland 2030, Cycling Action Plan for Scotland 2013 and the Trunk Road Cycling Initiative. NMU facilities, including cycle facilities, will be developed as the dualling programmes move forward to more detailed stages of design development, in consultation with local communities and interest groups.

The strategy for the A9 dualling can be found on the Transport Scotland website at:

http://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/documents/projects/A9/A9%20Non%20Motorised%20Users%20Access%20Strategy%200516_0.pdf

The strategy for the A96 dualling can be found on the Transport Scotland website at:

http://www.transport.gov.scot/system/files/documents/reports/A96%20PES%20NMU%20Strategy%20May%202016.pdf

The management of local nature reserves, including activities such as wildfowling, is primarily the responsibility of local authorities under the provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

The Scottish Government recognises the contribution that deposit return can make in supporting a more circular economy and will give further consideration to the role it could play in Scotland. We and zero waste Scotland are working with stakeholders to explore a range of issues which emerged from a call for evidence in 2015.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-00583 on 16 June 2016 . 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