Elaine Murray MSP

That the Parliament notes the concerns expressed by bus service operators, passengers and the trade unions that represent bus workers regarding the impact of the Scottish Government's changes to the Bus Service Operators Grant; notes that the Scottish Government's decision to cut the grant by 17% in 2012-13 and to revise the formula has, along with the underfunding of the concessionary travel scheme and high fuel costs, resulted in fare increases and service reductions across the country; recognises that this has also contributed to the decision by First Scotland East to reduce dramatically its services in Lothian and Midlothian, with the potential loss of around 200 jobs; believes that the Scottish Government has failed to listen to the concerns of operators, bus service workers and passengers; urges ministers to take action to address the immediate problems of the industry, including urgently revisiting the 17% cut in the Bus Service Operators Grant, and instead begin proper negotiations with operators to ensure that the scheme is sustained at a level that does not threaten services, jobs and high fare increases, and believes that new legislation is required to enable the regulation of bus services in Scotland to ensure sustainable and reliable bus services throughout the country.

That the Parliament notes the concerns expressed by bus service operators, passengers and the trade unions that represent bus workers regarding the impact of the Scottish Government's changes to the Bus Service Operators Grant; notes that the Scottish Government's decision to cut the grant by 17% in 2012-13 and to revise the formula has, along with the underfunding of the concessionary travel scheme and high fuel costs, resulted in fare increases and service reductions across the country; recognises that this has also contributed to the decision by First Scotland East to reduce dramatically its services in Lothian and Midlothian, with the potential loss of around 200 jobs; believes that the Scottish Government has failed to listen to the concerns of operators, bus service workers and passengers; urges ministers to take action to address the immediate problems of the industry, including urgently revisiting the 17% cut in the Bus Service Operators Grant, and instead begin proper negotiations with operators to ensure that the scheme is sustained at a level that does not threaten services, jobs and high fare increases, and believes that new legislation is required to enable the regulation of bus services in Scotland to ensure sustainable and reliable bus services throughout the country.

That the Parliament is disappointed that the draft ferries plan does not include a new Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service; recognises the social and economic need for such a service; notes the overwhelming support in the Western Isles and Mallaig for such a service, and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure its inclusion in the ferries plan and to commence the new service as soon as practically possible.

That the Parliament is disappointed that the draft ferries plan does not include a new Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry service; recognises the social and economic need for such a service; notes the overwhelming support in the Western Isles and Mallaig for such a service, and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure its inclusion in the ferries plan and to commence the new service as soon as practically possible.

That the Parliament notes with great concern the spate of recent accidents on the A75 Stranraer to Gretna trunk road, including two fatalities, and believes that urgent action is required to improve the safety of this road.

That the Parliament notes with great concern the spate of recent accidents on the A75 Stranraer to Gretna trunk road, including two fatalities, and believes that urgent action is required to improve the safety of this road.

That the Parliament congratulates Kellie Carmichael of Dumfries on her achievement in winning the Royal Yachting Association Scotland's young volunteer of the year award; believes that Kellie should be commended for her six years of volunteering, and recognises the role of all of Scotland's young sailing volunteers in their work in supporting members of their local communities and encouraging them to get involved in the sport.

That the Parliament congratulates Kellie Carmichael of Dumfries on her achievement in winning the Royal Yachting Association Scotland's young volunteer of the year award; believes that Kellie should be commended for her six years of volunteering, and recognises the role of all of Scotland's young sailing volunteers in their work in supporting members of their local communities and encouraging them to get involved in the sport.

That the Parliament notes that the road equivalent tariff (RET) scheme has brought significant benefit to the Outer Hebrides, Coll and Tiree; is of the view that the current proposals to withdraw RET from larger commercial vehicles will be detrimental to the social and economic wellbeing of these islands and communities, and calls on the Scottish Government to enforce a moratorium on the fare increases until a full and proper socioeconomic study has been carried out to assess the impact that increased transportation costs will have on households, local employers and island hauliers.

That the Parliament notes that the road equivalent tariff (RET) scheme has brought significant benefit to the Outer Hebrides, Coll and Tiree; is of the view that the current proposals to withdraw RET from larger commercial vehicles will be detrimental to the social and economic wellbeing of these islands and communities, and calls on the Scottish Government to enforce a moratorium on the fare increases until a full and proper socioeconomic study has been carried out to assess the impact that increased transportation costs will have on households, local employers and island hauliers.

To ask the Scottish Executive what charities and voluntary organisations it funds.

To ask the Scottish Executive what charities and voluntary organisations it funds.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to employ external consultants to model the operation of the concessionary bus travel scheme.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to employ external consultants to model the operation of the concessionary bus travel scheme.

To ask the Scottish Executive when it last discussed the operation of the concessionary bus travel scheme with bus operators.

To ask the Scottish Executive when it last discussed the operation of the concessionary bus travel scheme with bus operators.

To ask the First Minister what information the Scottish Government was given following the abduction of Khalil Dale.

To ask the First Minister what information the Scottish Government was given following the abduction of Khalil Dale.

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reform the legal aid system.

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reform the legal aid system.