Seòmar agus comataidhean

What progress have you made on the 11 recommendations in the report “Forensic Mental Health Services’ Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic”?

Good morning to the panel. I have spent the morning looking at your social media sites—your Twitter and Facebook accounts—and the number of followers that you have. Social media is probably a passion of mine because, no matter what we do, it is the easiest way to communicate with anybody now and to encourage young women into sport and leadership roles, especially with TikTok.

In her very first statement to the committee, Ailsa Wyllie touched on the topic of influencers. What are you as governing bodies doing to use influencers and sites such as TikTok to connect with young women out there and encourage them into sport?

Maureen McGonigle wants to come in.

Thank you.

Given everything that you have talked about around participation and getting women into sport, how much of a role do social media play in stopping them?

There is a reason that I highlight that. For example, we might think about the rise in women’s football. Every image that we see on social media such as TikTok, which every young woman uses, is not the kind of image that you are talking just now about portraying in order to encourage women into sport. I could name one Aston Villa player who is always on TikTok, and even the equipment that these players are wearing, such as £250 Predator football boots, are things that young girls in areas of deprivation are simply not able to afford. How much do social media play a role in discouraging women from going into sport?

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?