Chamber and committees

The information requested is not held by the Scottish Government. Decisions about National Lottery funding of grant applications and awards is a matter for lottery distributors, including the Big Lottery Fund Scotland.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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