Seòmar agus comataidhean

I suggest that we write to the Minister for Transport to seek an update on when the Scottish Government expects to announce a preferred route option for a permanent solution.

I wonder whether we can write to the Minister for Transport to ask whether he will do a full STAG report on the second option and raise the concerns of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority about the road design of Transport Scotland’s preferred option. Could we also seek an update on the anticipated timetable for publishing the draft orders and associated environmental impact assessment report, including plans for the public consultation?

If we are going to visit Loch Lomond, we will be just as well to go up the road a wee bit to the Rest and be Thankful to see Jackie Baillie’s other area.

When we have 470,000 people on universal credit, what the petition is asking is impossible for local authorities across Scotland to do. I know that Fife Council normally has 1,000 people waiting for allotments who are willing to hire them. It is a very difficult situation. I am quite happy to close the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the provision of allotments is primarily the responsibility of local authorities.

Dr Adeley, earlier you talked about training of pathologists and using radiologists.

As the convener has already said, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has identified skills shortages within its workforce. Was there any need to upskill pathologists at Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen?

I want to pick up on that point. In Scotland, radiologists are like hen’s teeth and the NHS is under huge pressure. Is there any way that pathologists could be trained in post-mortem scanning in a shorter time? Could that form part of the training that pathologists do?

I support everything that my colleague has said. Could we also write to ScotRail to seek information on its evaluation of the options for upgrading the infrastructure to support the use of contactless bank cards on the rail network?

I wonder whether we could write to the Commissioner for Fair Access to seek his views on the actions that are called for in the petition.

Thank you for that.

I have a final question. Given the pressures on pathology post-mortem and forensic services, to what extent does use of post-mortem computed tomography scans reduce those pressures?

Like you, convener, I have visited the area and seen the measures that were put in place. We need to take the issue forward, because this has gone on for far too long. Officially, there are still 14 days of spring left, but I do not think that a report will be done in that time.