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Yes.

Do you consider that the estimated budget of £3.7 billion for the full A9 dualling programme at 2023-24 prices reflects market reality? If not, what do you consider to be a realistic figure?

Thank you very much for your answers, Mr Barn.

I have no further questions, convener.

Would the committee consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the key issues raised by the petition are being considered by the Criminal Justice Committee? Trauma-informed training has been identified in that committee’s action plan as an issue to pursue with Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and the committee is also undertaking scrutiny of the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill and the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. In 2023, the Scottish Government published a trauma-informed justice knowledge and skills framework, which underpins the key aim of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill to embed trauma-informed practice in justice systems.

Moreover, in closing the petition, could the committee write to the Criminal Justice Committee to highlight the issues raised by the petitioner and Stephanie Bonner, and could the clerks also assist them in submitting written evidence to that committee, particularly on the complaints process and the codes of ethics, for its consideration as part of its scrutiny of the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) Scotland Bill?

In the evidence earlier, we heard about adverse weather conditions and the lack of workforce in the construction industry. Will that have an impact on the 2035 completion date for the A9? Are those factors being built in?

Thank you.

When the committee makes inquiries and takes evidence, we do so to benefit the aims of the petition. I found the statement that Edward Mountain made earlier about the ability of Transport Scotland not helpful at all. It does not help our cause at all when members of the committee make such statements.

I would like to close the petition under rule 15.7 of the standing orders on the basis that the Justice Committee stage 1 report on the Children (Scotland) Bill stated that it was not persuaded by the presumption in favour of shared parenting, as that could cut across a key principle of the welfare of children being the paramount consideration, and that the Scottish Government agrees with the Justice Committee’s comment on shared parenting. In addition, the Scottish Government works to promote parenting agreements through “Your Parenting Plan”, and work is on-going to resolve family and civil partnership cases more quickly. Furthermore, once fully commenced, the Children (Scotland) 2020 will require the court

“to have regard to any risk of prejudice to the child’s welfare that delay in proceedings would pose.”

I am waving them in agreement with you, convener.

Good morning to the panel members. How can the twin pressures of increased pay and demands for additional staff be balanced in the NHS and in social care within the constraints of the budgets?