Chamber and committees

We are in continuing discussions with Falkirk and West Lothian Council and other stakeholders regarding the development of the Grangemouth Freight Hub. This includes consideration of the A801 which forms part of Intervention 20 of the STPR.

We therefore welcome the work led by both Councils in progressing this scheme through an appraisal and economic assessment to the point where works can commence when funding is available.

In this context, the pace at which the STPR Interventions will be implemented will be determined by the availability of resources in future spending reviews. The timetable for the delivery of the A801 (including the River Avon Gorge Crossing) will therefore be set in the context of overall affordability and our commitments to other STPR proposals.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01010 on 21 July 2011. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

NHS Lothian have confirmed that a soft tissue knee and sports injuries clinic has been running at the hospital for a number of years and it continues to see a large number of patients from the area. NHS Lothian have also confirmed that as part of the ongoing development of services on the site, first moves have been made towards creating a centre of excellence for soft tissue knee surgery. The Short Stay Elective Surgical Centre will be fully operational by mid-July 2011, and is expected to treat up to 3,000 patients a year from across Lothian for day surgery. The service is also about to appoint a Podiatric Surgeon who will provide operating sessions at St John’s which will be one of only two such posts in Scotland.

Service developments such as these provide evidence of NHS Lothian’s continuing commitment to the management of sports injuries at St John’s Hospital.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01113 on 18 July 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01113 on 18 July 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

NHS Boards receive revenue and capital allocations to meet the healthcare needs of their resident population. It is for Boards to decide how best to utilise this funding to meet national and local priorities.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01110 on 18 July 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01113 on 18 July 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Civil legal aid is already available in relation to environmental issues, provided that the statutory eligibility criteria are met: applicants must qualify financially, must have a legal basis for their case and it must be reasonable in the particular circumstances of the case that legal aid is provided.

The review will consider as part of its remit the cost and funding of litigation in public interest actions (this will include environmental actions). In doing so, the review will be consulting widely with those with an interest in public interest litigation.