Chamber and committees

(a) Figures on smoking rates of 13 and 15-year-olds are published every 2 years, with the most recently available data for 2008 published at:

http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/abstracts/salsus_national08.htm.

The following table, Table 2.2 from the 2008 SALSUS report, shows the percentage of 13 and 15-year-olds who were regular smokers from 1998 to 2008, by sex.

Table 1: Regular Smokers by Age Group and Gender, 1998-2008

Source: ONS 1998; NSCR 2000; SALSUS 2002-2008.

(b) SALSUS is designed to provide figures at a health board level every four years. The two years from which health board figures are currently available are 2002 and 2006.

Table 2: Regular Smokers by Age Group and NHS Board, 2002 and 2006

Source: SALSUS 2002, 2006

Note: 1. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar did not participate in the 2002 SALSUS survey, as they had recently completed a similar local survey. There are therefore no comparable figures available for Western Isles Health Board area.

To prepare NHS boards for the implications for the Equality Act 2010, including their obligations to LGBT people, a series of 13 one day sessions were held between January and March 2011 which were supported by NHS Health Scotland. The sessions were aimed at decision makers within NHS boards responsible for service design and delivery and for whom the implications of the Equality Act 2010 would be pertinent. A total of 180 staff attended.

In addition, NHS Health Scotland is currently managing, on behalf of the Scottish Government, the development of a new Gender Reassignment Services Protocol to improve the experience of transgender people when accessing gender reassignment services within NHSScotland.

The following table provides an age-sex breakdown of smoking prevalence among adults age 16+ for 2009. These data were published in the Scottish Household Survey annual report for 2009 which is available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/08/25092046/0.

Data for 2010 are not due to be published until August 2011.

Table 1: Smoking Prevalence among Adults Age 16+, by Age and Sex, 2009

Source: Scottish Household Survey.

The following table provides an NHS board area breakdown of smoking prevalence among adults age 16+ for the two year period 2007-08. The Scottish Household Survey recommends combining two years of data when analysing at NHS board level to ensure estimates are as robust as possible. The next two year period available will be 2009-10 in August 2011.

Table 2: Smoking Prevalence among Adults Age 16+, by NHS Board, 2007-08

Source: Scottish Household Survey.

In order to come to a view on the environmental impacts of a proposal, the Scottish Government consult the Local Planning Authority, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and any such other persons that are in their opinion likely to be concerned by the proposed development by reason of their specific environment responsibilities

The Scottish Government is promoting and developing best practice, by leading the European GP Wind Project. This EU-funded project identifies good practice in reconciling objectives on renewable energy with wider environmental objectives and in the active involvement of communities in planning and implementation.

We are working with train operating companies to roll out wi-fi on trains across Scotland. We will include the provision of enhanced communications within the contract for future ScotRail passenger services, encouraging bidders to identify the best technical solution and invest in appropriate facilities that meet the expectations of the day.

In the meantime, and as a first step, First Scotrail have prepared a report on the feasibility of the introduction of wi-fi on their express routes.

The A9 is a key artery in Scotland’s transport network and we will continue to invest in improvements to the road on a continuing and progressive basis. The construction of the extended dual section at Crubenmore is well advanced and we are taking forward early design work on sections between Perth and Blair Atholl.

A number of improvements have taken place within the current programme at Bankfoot (£3.2 million), Carrbridge (£2.85 million), Loch Moy (£2.6 million) and Ralia (£2.7 million). In addition, schemes at Slochd (£4 million) and Kincraig to Dalraddy (£12.9 million) are in preparation.

In the longer term, the Strategic Transport Projects Review contained indicative cost estimates for the upgrade of the A9 from Dunblane to Inverness as part of intervention 16 and this work will be completed in phases.

The Scottish Government published Organic Futures: An Action Plan for organic food and farming in Scotland on 14 March 2011. The action plan can be accessed at:

www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/03/14093552/0.

The Scottish Government does not hold a breakdown for specific ambulance stations but we understand the number of eligible employees across Scotland who have agreed to be available during meal breaks in 2011-12 is currently 502. This figure may change throughout the year if further acceptances are received.

It is the responsibility of the Scottish Ambulance Service to maintain operational cover and ensure continuity of service delivery to patients, while at the same time ensuring the wellbeing of staff. It is recognised, however, that current arrangements for handling rest breaks in the ambulance service cannot remain in place and urgent discussions are ongoing to identify a suitable way forward to address what is a complex issue.

Scottish ambulance staff are employed under the terms of the UK wide Agenda for Change agreement. Agenda for Change allows for all staff working more than six hours to be allowed an unpaid rest break during their shift.

The Scottish Government does not hold a breakdown for specific ambulance stations but we understand the number of eligible employees across Scotland who have not opted to be available during meal breaks in 2011-12 is currently 1,911. This figure may change throughout the year if further acceptances are received.

It is the responsibility of the Scottish Ambulance Service to maintain operational cover and ensure continuity of service delivery to patients, while at the same time ensuring the wellbeing of staff. It is recognised, however, that current arrangements for handling rest breaks in the ambulance service cannot remain in place and urgent discussions are ongoing to identify a suitable way forward to address what is a complex issue.