BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats

Responding to reports that ScotRail have installed a high-pitch Mosquito sound device to deter young people from gathering at Hamilton train station, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said:

"The children's commissioner and many human rights groups have argued that these devices discriminate against children and young people.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP today criticised the Scottish Government for missing another cancer target after new statistics show it has failed to meet its target to detect cancer earlier.

In February 2012 Nicola Sturgeon launched the Detect Cancer Early programme, aiming to increase the proportion of people diagnosed early in the disease process (at stage 1) by 25% by the end of 2015. New statistics published this morning show it has only increased by 9.2%, with just one health board meeting the standard.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today called for action over the treatment of unaccompanied child refugees, branding the UK government "shameful" after it was confirmed that none have arrived under the Dubs resettlement scheme in 2017.

The call comes as the Scottish and Welsh governments write to the UK immigration minister raising concerns about the treatment of unaccompanied child refugees.Last week, the Home Office confirmed that only about 200 children entered the UK under the scheme last year and none have arrived in 2017.

Scottish Liberal Democrats have today said that early intervention is needed to end Scotland's obesity crisis, after new research revealed that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called to assist more than 150 overweight people in the past four years.

A freedom of information request by the Scottish Liberal Democrats showed that since January 2013 firefighters attended 159 "bariatric incidents", including people becoming trapped and assisting other agencies in moving individuals.

Half of pupils expelled from England's schools have a mental health issue, according to analysis of official data. The Institute of Public Policy Research suggests if excluded students with undiagnosed problems were included, the rate would be much higher.

This figure compares with one in 50 pupils in the wider population who have a mental health condition.The government said it would be publishing plans to improve mental health services later in the year.

One in three cases of dementia could be prevented if more people looked after their brain health throughout life, according to an international study in the Lancet. It lists nine key risk factors including lack of education, hearing loss, smoking and physical inactivity.

The study is being presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in London. By 2050, 131 million people could be living with dementia globally. There are estimated to be 47 million people with the condition at the moment.

Too many patients are locked into mental health rehabilitation wards far from home, a review of England's psychiatric services suggests. The Care Quality Commission said there were 3,500 beds in locked facilities across the country, but it believes more people could and should get care in residential settings close to home.

Lord Chris Rennard, during a recent debate in the House of Lords, raised the issue of Mental Health in schools. It was in particular to do with the support for children and young people who have mental health issues.

It was during the questions on Health in that place. The question which started the debate, was raised by Labour's Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, who asked. "To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to bring forward proposals to reform Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services as outlined in their 2017 manifesto."

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has warned that there is "no end in sight" to the timetable for re-tendering Orkney's lifeline shipping contract, after the Transport Minister today announced a delay to the Scottish Government's review of ferry procurement contracts.

The policy review, announced in February this year, was originally planned to finish in the autumn.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, Christine Jardine has today encouraged the Scottish Government and local authorities to use the new Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal as an opportunity to transform investment in the region.

The deal agreed between the Scottish Government, six local authorities, University of Edinburgh and the UK Government and worth hundreds of millions of pounds, was officially signed in Edinburgh today.

Ms Jardine said:

"The City Deal process was spearheaded by the Liberal Democrats in government and I'm delighted to see this deal finally signed off on.

"These deals show what can be achieved when both of Scotland's governments stop bickering and get serious about bringing investment to the area.

"We now have a huge opportunity to improve infrastructure and bring in much-needed investment in housing, innovation and transport to Edinburgh and South East Scotland as well as creating more than 20,000 jobs which in the current uncertain economic climate is welcome. I am particularly pleased that £140m has been earmarked for much needed road, transport and other improvements in West Edinburgh.

"However, it's now essential that promises are delivered upon and this money is invested in ways that will benefit the whole region."