 The first item of business today is general questions, and our first question is from Peter Chapman. To ask the Scottish Government what investment plans it has for transport infrastructure in North Aberdeinshire. Thank you, Presiding Officer. The completion of the AWPR by Medi to Tupperty project will provide a dual carriageway link to Ellen and bring significant travel benefits to communities and businesses north of Aberdein. Construction work is well underway in the £745 million project, which, over the next 30 years, is estimated to bring up to 14,000 jobs and £6 billion of benefits to the North East. We are also taking forward a number of improvements to the Aberdein to Inverness rail line and giving a clear commitment to dual the A96, which will see delivery of around 86 miles of upgraded road between Inverness and Aberdein by 2030. I thank the minister for that response. We recognise that AWPR is very important to the north-east, but the Scottish Government has undoubtedly succeeded in re-announcing previous manifesto commitments as new spending on north-east infrastructure on several occasions. Will the minister now make a substantial commitment to support the north-east economy and thousands of Aberdeinshire commuters by agreeing to extend the dualling of the A90 past Ellen and, through to Europe's largest white fish market at Peterhead? I think that the member, although I am only three weeks into this job, is a little bit un-generous in terms of what the Scottish Government has done to the north-east. On top of what I have already mentioned, you will know that the £170 million improvement for the Aberdein to Inverness rail link, as well as the £200 million of improvement in terms of Aberdein to the central belt, £24 million towards Lawrence Kirk. The dualling, as I have mentioned, is of the A96. On top of the AWPR, the Belmere de Tipperty, I have mentioned the Hodigan roundabout. Of course, in terms of Aberdein, Fraser, Bratspeterhead, and £25,000 that has gone into the feasibility study of that, that shows a commitment to the north and northeast of Scotland. On the further options that he mentioned, on the dualling of the A90, what I would say is part of the city deal. £5 million is for an appraisal in terms of strategic look and strategic view of how we can better improve road and rail infrastructure in the north and northeast. If the member has specific ideas that he has mentioned today, he should work with the local authorities, with me, Transport Scotland and the other stakeholders as we take forward that work, which welcoments this year in terms of the £5 million part of the city deal appraisal of transport links to the north and northeast. Stuart Stevenson, can I very much welcome the work that is progressing on the AWPR and on the dualling of the road from Belmere de Tipperty? Can the minister advise us, in the light of the importance that travel times have for business and commuters, what the specific benefits of the investments that the Government is making will be on travel times? Of course, that is a key benefit of the work that we are doing in terms of the completion of the AWPR. We will cut journey times across Aberdeen by up to half at peak times and provide much improved journey time reliability and facility improvements to public transport on local roads. The AWPR Belmere de Tipperty project forms a core part of our commitment to improving transport in the north-east, but along with that is the new Inveramsey bridge in the A96, which the member knows well about improvements to the A90 Hodigan roundabout, which I have mentioned already, as well as the proposals to dual the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness. Those projects that we are taking along with the other projects that we are doing in and around that area will ensure that all of Scotland's cities are connected with a high-quality transport system that will generate economic growth. To ask the Scottish Government whether the £254 million infrastructure investment that it announced in January 2016 will be included as part of the Aberdeen city region deal governance structure. The Scottish Government, I believe, has demonstrated very strong support for Aberdeen in the north-east by committing up to £125 million. That is alongside the £125 million from the UK Government over the next 10 years for an Aberdeen city region deal. Alongside that, as the member says, we have committed to an additional investment of £254 million in transport, digital and housing to deliver a more significant step change to the economy of the north-east. However, despite that, we sought to expand the city deal to include that further investment. That was not agreed to by the UK Government. Consequently, that further investment by the Scottish Government does not form part of the city deal or its governance structure. However, I have asked my officials to work closely with both the civic and business leaders of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to ensure that the regional partners are kept updated on progress with additional investments so that the new city region deal governance structures can maximise the impacts of the city deal investments. I thank the minister for that answer. I have here the papers for the Aberdeen city region deal joint committee, which meets tomorrow. On page 15, officials advised that an agreement on the additional £254 million has yet to be ratified. Given that projects within the additional funds, such as the railway improvement from Aberdeen to Dundee, have been repackaged and re-announced since 2008 and that those plans are not even given a grip one stage, I have not been able to progress a grip one stage, it is crucial that those projects are subject to proper governance and to ensure delivery. Since the heads of terms for the UK city region deal were signed back on 28 January, can the minister confirm when the Scottish Government will stop dragging its feet and provide clarity on when the announced funding will be made available for the projects that are identified and whether or not both councils and Opportunity North East will have any input on how the funds are spent? I am not sure whether the member listened to the answer that I just gave, but to talk about re-announcements, which is colleague good, has colleague last week re-announced to this Parliament that the city deal, £125 million from the UK Government, £125 million from the Scottish Government was in fact a £250 million deal from the UK Government. That is a re-announcement, it is also not true, but the fact is that we tried to expand the city deal, it was the UK Government that said that they would not put any more money in. Those investments are over and above that, of course there is an interest for the governance structures of the city deal and they will also want to know when we are investing to help inform their own investment decisions, I have undertaken to do that and we have also said that the various things, whether it is the railworks that the member identified, the digital or the housing works, they will be undertaken within the same 10-year time period as the city deal and, of course, we will keep the governance structures informed, but let us be clear that that was additional from the Scottish Government because the UK Government would not put any more money in. Mary Evans Thank you. The Lawrence Kirk junction is a vitally important issue in my constituency and I would ask the Scottish Government what the timescales will be for the delivery of the junction. Cabinet Secretary. As the member states, I confirmed that the £24 million would be made available for the provision of a grade-separated junction at the A937 Lawrence Kirk junction as part of the package of additional investment alongside the Aberyne city regional deal. It will be undertaken over the course of the city deal period, the 10 years that I mentioned. Transport Scotland will now progress the scheme to the next stage of design development and thereafter through the relevant statutory procedures. I am sure that the member will understand that the possibility of inquiries means that he cannot be absolutely definitive at this stage, but delivery of the scheme will proceed once those procedures are satisfactorily completed. Lewis MacDonald The cabinet secretary will know that the railway project is perhaps the biggest single item on the list of those projects. Can he tell us what discussions the Government or Transport Scotland has had to date with Network Rail about the detailed plans and when an announcement can be expected? I had discussions myself with Network Rail on the day that we announced those. Discussions have continued between Transport Scotland and Network Rail. Of course, there is a degree of feasibility study to be undertaken first of all, but that work is under way as we speak. Bruce Crawford Thank you, Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve public transport in rural areas. Minister, how does it use it? The question of the Scottish Government is investing over £1 billion annually in public transport and other sustainable transport options to improve connectivity between communities and businesses, including our rural, remote and island areas. Bruce Crawford Thank you, minister, for his reply. Could the minister please confirm that he is aware that First Bus intends to discontinue a number of services in my constituency, making an unsatisfactory public transport service situation even worse? I am due to meet with him shortly, the company shortly to discuss the matter. However, for today, I would be grateful that the minister would confirm that he would be prepared to engage in the discussion with me about how bus services and places in the north of my constituency, such as Cullen, Tindrum and Cranlarach, and places in the west such as Drummond and Croftami, how the public transport service could be improved for connectivity for local people. I am deeply concerned about the impact of the First East's proposal. As soon as I heard about the proposals, I met him as a matter of urgency. Of course, I will meet the member to discuss further what the impacts will be. What I would say to the member because of legislation that we have brought forward is that there is an increased period of time for consultation between the operator and local authorities and other stakeholders to see what can possibly be done. I have urged First East in my meeting with him last week to have that discussion as a matter of urgency with local authorities. It is my hope that other bus service operators may well step in to provide those services where they are reduced or whether they are withdrawn. However, I am deeply concerned. Of course, I will meet the member. I will also look to meet other MSPs and indeed other stakeholders, bringing them together. I have tasked Transport Scotland to look into how we can do that as a matter of urgency. Christine Grahame Thank you, Presiding Officer. I know that you have had this meeting with First East Minister, so you will be aware of a proposal to cut entirely dedicated bus services to borders, colleges and galloushields. I wonder if the minister could advise or perhaps a colleague could advise. Is there any scope for support for those services from the closing the attainment gap? You can hardly close the attainment gap fund if you cannot get to the college. I thank the member for the question. I will, of course, have that discussion with colleagues in education. I am entirely aware of the impact that they will have. I will talk to the member herself. I will bring MSPs from across the areas that are affected together so that we can have that conversation. My hope is, as I said in my previous answer, that other bus operators will step in where there are gaps. I hope that those discussions will move forward. Of course, I will have a discussion with the education minister, and I will update the member on that discussion. Rona Mackay 5. Gordon MacDonald To ask the Scottish Government what noise-level monitoring it carries out on the trunk load networks. Sorry. Minister Johnson. There is no routine programme of monitoring of noise levels on the trunk load network once a project has been complete road scheme specific before and after noise monitoring is undertaken when an environmental statement identifies noise as a potential significant environmental issue. Construction noise is also monitored on that same basis. Noise monitoring near the trunk load network is also undertaken by Transport Scotland in certain specific cases. Mr MacDonald. I thank the minister for that answer. A number of my constituents who live near the A720's Edinburgh city bypass complain of excessive traffic noise. Could the Government consider measures such as reducing the speed limit, low noise surfacing or barriers to reduce the noise level to my constituents affected by this problem? Minister. In terms of the A720's Edinburgh city bypass, I will discuss with the member where exactly along the bypass his constituents stay, but I would say that there have been a number of site-specific noise monitoring exercises that have taken place since 2006. There was noise monitoring taking place at Gillespie road in Collenton in 2011. Jacobs undertook a week-long noise survey in Gillespie road in Collenton in 2015. Atkins undertook a noise survey at Moncton House near Old Craighall, and those have continued to be reviewed. Traffic on the A720 has found to have increased by less than 5 per cent, so there shouldn't be a significant impact on noise levels. Of course, I will meet the member if I get more detail on where his constituents live. Of course, I am happy to meet the member on this issue. Maurice Golden A Danish study has found that, for every 10 decibel increase in the volume of road traffic noise exposure, there is a 12 per cent increase in the risk of heart attacks. I ask what the Scottish Government is doing to ensure that homes near those busy roads or under busy flight paths are insulated against the noise pollution. I point the member in the direction of the legislation. At the moment, the noise limit threshold is 68 decibels, as is noted in the noise installation of Scotland regulations for new projects. However, he has mentioned this new data study. I am not aware of that study. I am happy to discuss with the member if he is able to send that study across. I can have that discussion with Transport Scotland. Of course, we already do monitor before any significant infrastructure projects take place, but if there is more information that he thinks we should be looking at, then I am open minded to exploring that, regardless of where it comes from and who it comes from across the chamber. 6. Jeremy Balfour To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Agency regarding the implementation of the curriculum for excellence. The Scottish Government discusses the implementation of curriculum for excellence with Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority on a regular basis. The cabinet secretary will be aware of the growing concern about the subject choices that are available in different schools. Some schools offer seven national fives, some six and others five. Will the cabinet secretary agree that many parents and children are concerned, given the impact that it has on the people's ability to choose subjects at a higher and advanced level, and what does he intend to do about it? Mr Balfour raises a significant serious issue in one that I am looking at very actively. One of the issues about curriculum for excellence is that it provides greater autonomy and flexibility for the teaching profession to determine the best way to proceed with the delivery of the curriculum. Therefore, the decisions to which Mr Balfour refers are obviously decisions taken within individual schools and local authorities. One of the issues that we have to be mindful of is that young people must be able to secure through curriculum for excellence a broad general education, but they must then also be able to make the appropriate choices on which they can find substantive parts of their working lives. I give Mr Balfour the assurance that those issues are very much on my agenda, that I am discussing with the SQA and with Education Scotland. As the Government sets out, it is further thinking on the delivery plan for improving attainment, we will reflect further on the points that he has raised with me today. Ross Greer On discussions with the Scottish Qualifications Authority, could the minister confirm, in the light of the issues with this year's national 5 computing science paper, what discussions have been had to ensure that such mistakes are not made again and what reassurances have been sought that students will not be adversely affected by something outwith their control? I have written to the chief examiner expressing my discontent at the fact that there were errors in the computer science exam, which have been confirmed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Frankly, that is not good enough. Those issues should be checked properly. There is adequate opportunity for that to be done, and I have made clear my discontent about that to the chief examiner. Those are typographical errors, but I accept that they should not have been there in the first place. As part of the assessment process of the examination performance, any impact of those issues will be taken into account by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. To ask the Scottish Government whether the Clyde Gateway project will continue to receive core funding. The Scottish Government has agreed to provide £3 million of funding to Clyde Gateway over this financial year. Further support is being considered as part of the current spending review. Contaminated land is an unwelcome legacy in my constituency because of its industrial past. Can the cabinet secretary give assurances that the Clyde Gateway project will receive funding allowing it to continue its land decontamination work in the Shawfield area of Rutherglen? I thank Ms Hawke for her promotion, but a further promotion in just a few weeks is highly unlikely. Since 2006, South Lanarkshire Council, a key partner in the Clyde Gateway project, has benefited from over £17 million in funding through the vacant and derelict land fund. The council has allocated over £5 million of funding to Clyde Gateway to support the remediation of the Shawfield site in Rutherglen. Officials are currently assessing South Lanarkshire Council's proposals for allocating its share of the vacant and derelict land fund in 2016-17, and a decision will be issued in due course. Officials are also working closely with Clyde Gateway to seek further investment and funding opportunities to support their activities. 8. Ross Greer Apologies. To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the provision of additional support learning posts in schools. I am sorry, but local authorities employ all additional support for learning staff in schools and are responsible for all provision. Local authorities make provision in light of local circumstances and priorities, including their requirement to meet duties within the education additional support for learning act. Ross Greer. Given a recent Enable Scotland survey has reported that many additional support needs pupils are feeling severely under supported due to a lack of staff time, will the Scottish Government consider making support for learning a promoted post, thereby keeping the most skilled teachers in the classroom for the benefit of pupils who need them the most? I think what's important is that we make sure that the needs of young people are met most effectively. That's the point of which I'm focused, that young people who have additional support needs are given adequate and appropriate support to commence it with their own circumstances and conditions. That will be the approach that the Government continues to take consistent with the contents of the Education Additional Support for Learning Act.