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The Scottish Government funds the NHS in Scotland to make available both antidepressants and psychological therapies to people who are depressed, in keeping with contemporary treatment of depression.

Prescribing of anti-depressants is a clinical decision for a patient’s doctor and there is evidence that GPs in Scotland assess and treat depression appropriately in line with good clinical and prescribing practice (http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2014/07/5712).

Clinicians are encouraged to review a patient’s medications regularly to ensure their continued clinical appropriateness, and to achieve the best possible health benefit from the prescribed medicines, thus minimising unnecessary reliance.

Psychological therapies should not be seen simply as an ‘alternative’ to antidepressant medication. There is a great deal of evidence to support the use of different forms of psychological therapies for the treatment of depression – both alone and in combination with medication. A useful evidence source is the Matrix of Psychological Therapies produced by NHS Education Scotland (http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/media/20137/Psychology%20Matrix%202013.pdf).

The Scottish Government is committed to improving pedestrian safety through a number of initiatives highlighted in Scotland's Road Safety Framework to 2020. Following a mid-term review of the Framework held earlier this year it was identified that vulnerable road users, including pedestrians would be a priority focus. An outcome to reduce the number of pedestrian casualties through good design, appropriate speed management, high awareness of and compliance with, road traffic laws and safe practices by all road users was agreed. We are now working with local authorities and key stakeholders to implement a range of initiatives to positively influence casualty reduction and improve driver and pedestrian behaviours.

Furthermore, we are also committed to bringing forward legislation, which aims to improve accessibility for all pedestrians by protecting their rights and safety by prohibiting parking on pavements and, at dropped kerbs as well as double parking. To ensure that any legislation is fit for purpose and will command public confidence and support, we have set up a Stakeholder Working Group to undertake a full review and public consultation. The consultation is due to be published in the New Year.

The recruitment of markers is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). I have asked the Chief Executive of SQA to write to you outlining the robust processes in place to ensure that markers are appropriately qualified.

Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 contains an ultimate vision of a future where no-one is killed on Scotland’s roads and is underpinned by challenging casualty reduction targets.

While accident and casualty reduction is our key driver, the recent mid-term Review of the Framework saw partners formally adopt a Safe System approach which recognises that road users make mistakes and requires that the road system is designed to take account of human error and vulnerability. This approach requires us to undertake measures across the 3 road safety E's of engineering, education and enforcement to ensure we have safer roads and roadsides, safer speeds and safer road users.

The resources required for implementation of Part 4 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (the Act), relating to Named Person duties, including the costs to bodies required to implement the duties, is set out in the financial memorandum to the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill. This can be accessed at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Bills/Children%20and%20Young%20People%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b27s4-introd-en.pdf.

At present the wearing of high visibility clothing for cyclists is not mandatory and there are currently no plans to review or change this.

However, high visibility clothing can play a role in preventing accidents, which is why we continue to work through Road Safety Scotland to promote the advice in the Highway Code on safe cycling, including encouraging cyclists to ensure that they are visible to other road users and take steps to safeguard themselves by wearing appropriate clothing.

Further to the answer to question S4W-28305 on 19 November 2015, Scottish Natural Heritage's advice on the Scottish suite of Special Areas of Conservation for freshwater pearl mussel remains in preparation following the recent discovery of a previously unrecorded population in south west Scotland.

That analysis notwithstanding, the freshwater pearl mussel is protected under Section 9 (via its listing on Schedule 5) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which means that it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:

• kill, injure or take a freshwater pearl mussel;

• damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place which freshwater pearl mussels use for shelter or protection; or

• disturb a freshwater pearl mussel when it is occupying a structure or place for that purpose

It is also an offence to possess or control, sell, offer for sale or possess or transport for the purpose of sale any live or dead freshwater pearl mussel or any derivative of a freshwater pearl mussel.

Knowingly causing or permitting any of the above acts to be carried out is also an offence.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Scottish Ministers granted consent for the Creag Riabhach Wind Farm located on Altnaharra Estate on 17 October 2016. Consents granted by Scottish Ministers on applications submitted under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 are subject only to challenge in the courts. The decision letter sets out in full the grounds for this decision and while I recognise the strongly held views of others, I believe the decision taken was correct, in light of the evidence presented to me on the nature of points made in support or objection to the project and based on my own visit to the site. The decision letter also includes a summary of consultation responses and representations by members of the public and highlights that the Highland Council raised no objection and strong support was received from Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Community Council, Durness Community Council and Kinlochbervie Community Council. A copy of the decision letter and associated documents can be viewed on the Scottish Government's Energy Consents website.

The law relating to parking, including disabled parking is primarily governed by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which specifies what type of parking places can be created by local authorities. Local authorities also have duties under the Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009, which complements the legislative framework mentioned above, and places responsibility on all local authorities to promote the proper use of disabled parking places. It aims to make all disabled parking bays enforceable via a traffic regulation order, which local authorities can enforce if they have Decriminalised Parking Enforcement powers or by Police Scotland.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to amend the 2009 Act, however, Transport Scotland officials who are examining issues surrounding responsible parking will consider concerns raised in relation to enforcement of disabled parking bays as part of their public consultation and via a stakeholder group with all local authorities.

The Transport Scotland Road Asset Management Plan sets out how Scotland's trunk road network is maintained strategically and efficiently in order to protect our assets and ensure we get maximum value for money from our available budgets. In addition to our programmed works regular safety inspections are undertaken to identify hazardous defects like potholes, which are then repaired by the trunk road operating companies within the strict timescales set-out in their contracts.

The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 places the statutory responsibility for local roads improvement, maintenance and repair with local road authorities. We are committed to working with local government to help improve the condition of roads and pavements throughout the country. Primarily we do this through our participation in the Road Collaboration Programme, which is supporting all councils in Scotland to explore opportunities to share services. A number of regional partnerships have now been established including the Northern Roads Collaboration Forum, which includes Aberdeenshire Council and Aberdeen City Council.