Written questions by MacDonald.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of electricity network charging costs on the (a) financial viability of electric bus operations and (b) transition away from diesel vehicles.

We are committed to expanding the electricity network to support the electrification of transport and are working closely with bus operators and DESNZ about electricity provision for depots. Due to lower operating costs of battery electric buses compared to diesel buses, this makes them an attractive option for bus operators.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London.

An assessment was carried out as part of the spending review business case. This determined the Low Earth Orbit approach on all mainlines.As a result of the spending review, we secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology on all mainline trains to improve on train passenger wifi. This will include services between London and Scotland such as LNER and Avanti West Coast.However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. The Department has also been working with Network Rail to deliver improved connectivity on the rail network. Project Reach, which will renew fibre optic cables and address 4G / 5G mobile signals in 57 key mainline tunnels and stations was signed 26 June 2025 between Network Rail, and telecoms companies, Neos Networks and Freshwave. Once the mobile operators are signed up, passengers will see a boost in their mobile connection in these tunnels.

Whether her Department has had recent discussions with Starlink on satellite services for trains.

There have been no recent discussions with Starlink on satellite services for trains.The Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of satellite technology on (a) mobile and (b) internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London and as a result of the spending review, we secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology on all mainline trains to improve on train passenger wifi. This will include services between London and Scotland, such as LNER and Avanti West Coast.However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. Network Rail's Project Reach will address mobile connectivity in 57 key mainline tunnels which will include tunnels along the East Coast Mainline and West Coast Mainline.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of satellite technology on (a) mobile and (b) internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London.

There have been no recent discussions with Starlink on satellite services for trains.The Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of satellite technology on (a) mobile and (b) internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London and as a result of the spending review, we secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology on all mainline trains to improve on train passenger wifi. This will include services between London and Scotland, such as LNER and Avanti West Coast.However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. Network Rail's Project Reach will address mobile connectivity in 57 key mainline tunnels which will include tunnels along the East Coast Mainline and West Coast Mainline.

What steps her Department is taking to improve mobile and internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London.

There have been no recent discussions with Starlink on satellite services for trains.The Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of satellite technology on (a) mobile and (b) internet connectivity on long-distance rail services between Scotland and London and as a result of the spending review, we secured funding to deliver low earth orbit satellite technology on all mainline trains to improve on train passenger wifi. This will include services between London and Scotland, such as LNER and Avanti West Coast.However, we know satellite connectivity will not work in tunnels. Network Rail's Project Reach will address mobile connectivity in 57 key mainline tunnels which will include tunnels along the East Coast Mainline and West Coast Mainline.

Whether she plans to publish a list of community-owned helipads currently closed to Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters due to CAP1264 Version 3 compliance requirements.

HMCG SAR helicopter provider, Bristow Helicopters Limited (BHL) conducted a review of all Hospital Helicopter Landing Sites (HHLS) against the revised safety guidance in CAP1264. BHL wrote to all impacted hospitals advising them that SAR helicopters will be unable to land on their HHLS until further safety assessments and assurances have been made. Bristows and HMCG have continued to work with the NHS and other stakeholders to reopen sites where there is an operational need.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters having to land at alternative, un-surveyed sites instead of community-owned helipads on the safety of (a) patients, (b) aircrew and (c) the public.

The Civil Aviation Authority publication “Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals (CAP 1264, 3rd edition)” provides guidance on standards for hospital helipads. When operating a Search and Rescue mission, the duty captain of the helicopter can land wherever they deem safe; the Coastguard deploys Coastguard Rescue Teams where needed to support the safe landing and take off its aircraft. Ultimately the decision whether to land at any helipad is determined by the safety procedures of the helicopter operator, as well as the dynamic risk assessment of the duty captain, who will consider factors including any CAA guidance on safe landing sites that their operator deems relevant.

What steps her Department is taking with the (a) Civil Aviation Authority and (b) Maritime and Coastguard Agency to help enable community-owned helipads used for hospital patient transfers to (a) meet CAP1264 Version 3 guidance requirements and (b) be safely reopened for Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter use.

The Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Coastguard have regular engagement with NHS Scotland, the Scottish government and operators to promote safety at helipads. The Civil Aviation Authority CAA publication “Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals (CAP 1264, 3rd edition)” provides best practice for hospital helipads, and the CAA offers training courses for hospital staff on CAP1264 guidance. While there is currently no specific guidance for third-party helipads, The Maritime Coastguard Agency, The Department for Transport and the CAA engage regularly with hospitals and other stakeholders to help them comply with CAP1264 guidance. Ultimately the decision whether to land at third party helipads is determined by the safety procedures of the helicopter operator as well as the dynamic risk assessment of the duty captain.

What discussions her Department has had with (a) NHS Scotland, (b) the Scottish Government and (c) helicopter operators on (i) establishing responsibility for the use of community-owned helipads for hospital patient transfers and (ii) to help restore their use.

The Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Coastguard have regular engagement with NHS Scotland, the Scottish government and operators to promote safety at helipads. The Civil Aviation Authority CAA publication “Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals (CAP 1264, 3rd edition)” provides best practice for hospital helipads, and the CAA offers training courses for hospital staff on CAP1264 guidance. While there is currently no specific guidance for third-party helipads, The Maritime Coastguard Agency, The Department for Transport and the CAA engage regularly with hospitals and other stakeholders to help them comply with CAP1264 guidance. Ultimately the decision whether to land at third party helipads is determined by the safety procedures of the helicopter operator as well as the dynamic risk assessment of the duty captain.

What guidance her Department provides on the (a) accountability and (b) operational documentation required for third-party helipads to be used for hospital patient transfers by Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopters.

The Civil Aviation Authority publication “Standards for Helicopter Landing Areas at Hospitals (CAP 1264, 3rd edition)” provides guidance on standards for hospital helipads. When operating a Search and Rescue mission, the duty captain of the helicopter can land wherever they deem safe; the Coastguard deploys Coastguard Rescue Teams where needed to support the safe landing and take off its aircraft. Ultimately the decision whether to land at any helipad is determined by the safety procedures of the helicopter operator, as well as the dynamic risk assessment of the duty captain, who will consider factors including any CAA guidance on safe landing sites that their operator deems relevant.

What assessment her Department has made of the impact of electric vehicle charging costs on drivers in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire.

The UK Government is committed to making electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure affordable for all. We continue to work with Ofgem and others on measures to keep the cost of EV charging affordable for consumers including those in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire. Transport, including the rollout of public EV chargepoints, is largely devolved to the Scottish Government. However, my officials regularly engage with Transport Scotland on zero emission vehicle initiatives, including charging infrastructure development. A range of UK Government grants are also available to support the installation of charging infrastructure in homes, workplaces and schools across the country: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electric-vehicle-chargepoint-grants.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56574 on Ukraine: Vehicles, whether her Department has made an assessment of trends in the number of vehicles collected under the ULEZ scrappage scheme that have been donated to Ukraine.

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London and they were responsible for the ULEZ scrappage scheme. 680 vehicles were donated to Ukraine through the scheme before it closed in September 2024.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring Scottish driving instructors to undergo (a) PVG and (b) DBS checks.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) takes the safety of learner drivers extremely seriously.DVSA requires every prospective approved driving instructor (ADI) in Great Britain to apply for an enhanced disclosure and barring (DBS) check before beginning the ADI qualification process. They are also required to repeat the disclosure process every four years when they renew their ADI registration.The ADI Registrar also has the power to remove an ADI who falls below the standard of fit and proper person.The process to become an ADI in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA).The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which became mandatory 1 April 2025, is administered by Disclosure Scotland on behalf of the Scottish government and will impact the majority of ADIs in Scotland. Anyone providing driving instruction to under 18’s or protected adults (those with a disability) in Scotland must be registered with the scheme.DVSA are not responsible for this scheme or its introduction, but did have recent discussions with the relevant bodies to clarify that ADIs would need to register with the scheme in addition to the DBS check which they would have already undertaken as part of the current ADI process.

What comparative assessment her Department has made of the differences between the PVG requirement for driving instructors in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) England and (d) Northern Ireland.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) takes the safety of learner drivers extremely seriously.DVSA requires every prospective approved driving instructor (ADI) in Great Britain to apply for an enhanced disclosure and barring (DBS) check before beginning the ADI qualification process. They are also required to repeat the disclosure process every four years when they renew their ADI registration.The ADI Registrar also has the power to remove an ADI who falls below the standard of fit and proper person.The process to become an ADI in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA).The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which became mandatory 1 April 2025, is administered by Disclosure Scotland on behalf of the Scottish government and will impact the majority of ADIs in Scotland. Anyone providing driving instruction to under 18’s or protected adults (those with a disability) in Scotland must be registered with the scheme.DVSA are not responsible for this scheme or its introduction, but did have recent discussions with the relevant bodies to clarify that ADIs would need to register with the scheme in addition to the DBS check which they would have already undertaken as part of the current ADI process.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) notice provided and (b) the prior consultation for the new requirement for Scottish driving instructors to join the PVG scheme.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) takes the safety of learner drivers extremely seriously.DVSA requires every prospective approved driving instructor (ADI) in Great Britain to apply for an enhanced disclosure and barring (DBS) check before beginning the ADI qualification process. They are also required to repeat the disclosure process every four years when they renew their ADI registration.The ADI Registrar also has the power to remove an ADI who falls below the standard of fit and proper person.The process to become an ADI in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA).The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which became mandatory 1 April 2025, is administered by Disclosure Scotland on behalf of the Scottish government and will impact the majority of ADIs in Scotland. Anyone providing driving instruction to under 18’s or protected adults (those with a disability) in Scotland must be registered with the scheme.DVSA are not responsible for this scheme or its introduction, but did have recent discussions with the relevant bodies to clarify that ADIs would need to register with the scheme in addition to the DBS check which they would have already undertaken as part of the current ADI process.