 The next first item of business is portfolio of questions, question 1. Brian Whittle, please. To ask the Scottish Government what value cycle tourism has to the Scottish economy. Nature, heritage and activities such as cycling are all identified as a key asset in the industry-led Tourism Scotland 2020 strategy. Based on their usage estimates of the national cycle network, the March 2017 research by Sustrans Scotland and Scottish Enterprise valued cycle tourism as adding £345 million to the Scottish economy in 2015. On Monday, I visited the Glen Tress Forest and met with local business people from the world leading mountain biking trails there. I understand that the two-week Tweedlove bike festival over two weeks in May brought 5,000 visitors and a net impact of £594,000 to the Tweed Valley economy. Brian Whittle, I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. With that in mind, does the cabinet secretary agree with me that when new road infrastructure projects are in the design phase cycle and walking paths should be an integral part of that design? Does she therefore find it regrettable that the A77 may ball bypass does not include such plans and therefore highlights yet again the south-west of Scotland being excluded from this type of investment and positive tourist outcome? Cabinet secretary, the status of Scotland's nation in particular has a focus particularly on outdoor activities in coastal routes, so I am not aware of a tourist route around the May ball bypass. Obviously, I had these questions relating to tourism, but I do know that where, for example, rail links—I referred just to my experience this week in the Tweed Valley—have used the opportunity to have cycle tracks there, as did the basket aergyline using the old solo for cycle tracks, where cycling can be part of road developments—that is a matter for Transport Scotland, I understand. Parts of the A9, for example, have cycling as part of the route development that is there, but I am sure that he can make applications and his case known to Transport Scotland. From a tourism point of view, he can be assured that I am investing and supporting the work of Visit Scotland on cycling and cycling tourism. Question 2, Angus MacDonald. To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed the commissioning of programmes with MG Alba. Cabinet secretary, I last met MG Alba on 24 August, although what is commissioned on BBC Alba is a matter for the joint working between MG Alba and the BBC independent of Government. Scottish ministers and Government officials do, however, keep regular contact with MG Alba and a range of relevant matters are discussed. I have also recently met and discussed matters relating to the BBC Alba with the BBC. Cabinet secretary, you will be aware of the £1 million pressure fund that MG Alba has received in recent years as a top-up to their core funding, which helps MG Alba to commission extra programmes. However, if that funding is not included in MG Alba's core funding, it not only causes them concern but concerns the independent independent production sector, which relies heavily on the seasonal commissioning around the pressure fund that is used for. Will the cabinet secretary agree to raise the issue with the Deputy First Minister and the finance secretary with a view to ensuring that the £1 million pressure fund is included in MG Alba's core funding from now on? I am not responsible for the funding of MG Alba. I have responsibility for broadcasting. I am sure that the member would regret that the UK Government did not continue its £1 million funding. It is not a pressure fund. The additional funding from the Scottish Government was for specific commissioning. It is helpful to MG Alba to have had that. We are committed in our manifesto to maintain our funding for investment in MG Alba and will continue to press the BBC to increase funding for the BBC Alba programming. We have been quite clear in our manifesto on which the member was elected. I am sure that he and I will press not only the BBC but the UK to step up to the mark in their funding for MG Alba. To ask the Scottish Government what the impact is on the culture sector of reduced local government budgets. The overall increase in the spending power to support local authority services this year amounted to more than £383 million or 3.7 per cent of an increase compared to 2016-17. The 2018-19 budget will continue to treat local government fairly, despite the cuts to the Scottish budget from the UK Government. Due to the UK Government's austerity regime, we are aware that there are challenges and that we are doing all that we can to protect Scotland's culture and historic environment, and to ensure that our diverse and world-class cultural and heritage scenes continue to thrive. Of course, local councils are responsible for their own spending decisions on culture. Neil Findlay. A thoroughly depressing answer from the cabinet secretary. In the middle of the council, there are being forced to consider another £13.5 million of cuts this year, and no doubt it will be the same or more next year, including the closure of libraries. Across Scotland, sport, music, the arts and culture are in the front line with councils of all political persuasions proposing major cuts. What is the cabinet secretary doing to protect sport, culture and the cultural sector from yet more cuts? Can she tell us what representation she's made? No, after you've had one question, sorry, one supplementary cabinet secretary. The Scottish Government has consistently supported our cultural sector. It mentions libraries in particular. We have an eye personally, as the cabinet responsible minister has supported investment in libraries, and I'm looking forward to an event in the north-east to mark that on Friday. Councils are responsible for their own cultural spending. It's not a statutory requirement, and he'll be aware that in West Lothian—and I was very shocked to see this—the Labour administration, their budget estimates for 1718, was the largest out of every single local authority and council in Scotland. Others are increasing their cultural spend, but perhaps because of the austerity measures that are being impacted on us from the UK Government, he could ask his West Lothian Labour Council, which is in administration with the Conservatives, to address that point. Perhaps the figure of 14 per cent reduction compared to other areas where you actually see an increase in expenditure. East Ayrshire, for example, a 7 per cent budget estimate increase for 1718 shows in stark contrast the value that local decision makers can have in influencing their cultural impacts. Can I say to members and to the front bench that I want to get everybody in, I want supplementaries in, but questions must be brief and answers as brief as they can possibly be while answering the question. I'll take two supplementaries in those brief questions, please. Rona Mackay to be followed by Rachel Hamilton. The cabinet secretary will be aware of the significant impact a reduction in national lottery income for good causes will have on the organisations that rely on it, such as Creative Scotland. Can I ask the cabinet secretary what representation she's making to the UK Government to ensure that the impact of the reduction is mitigated? I think that it will be a concern to all members to realise that the reduction in national lottery income for good causes is reduced by 14 per cent between 15, 16 and 17, and by a further 4 per cent in the first half of 2017-18. Along with the sports minister, Eileen Campbell, we have written to our counterparts in the UK Government to urge them because of the reduction in that income, some of it from the decision-making made by the UK Government in relation to the lottery that they need to take a license of that in their forthcoming budget. In addition to that letter to Karen Bradley, Derek Mackay, the finance minister, also wrote to the UK Treasury and relayed the concerns of a number of issues, including the reduction in lottery funding for both culture and sports. Rachael Hamilton Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. We all saw the letter that the cabinet secretary wrote to the UK Government on cultural funding through national lottery. As she described, funding is going down. No, no, I want a question, please. It's absurd to depict this as a UK Government cut. Given that she called on the UK Government to develop a recovery plan to meet the shortfall, can the cabinet secretary confirm that the Scottish Government has a plan, too? Will she commit to meeting the publication of the plan? Rachael Hamilton I said that it wasn't a cut from the UK Government. I specifically said that it was a reduction in national lottery income. However, the decisions that the UK Government makes in terms of the licensing and indeed the range of lotteries that they make available have an impact in the choice available and can have an impact in the income level, so that they have a responsibility. That is why we think that it is incumbent on the UK Government to address that. For our part, over the many years, despite the reductions in UK funding for Scotland, we have protected cultural funding because we think that cultural funding is important to the life of this country, but also to its economic impact. Question 4, Stuart Stevenson. Stuart Stevenson To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the future of UK EU nationals currently working in Scotland post-Brexit. Minister Alasdair Allan The Scottish Government has repeatedly urged the UK Government to guarantee the rights of EU citizens and their families living in the UK post-Brexit. We want EU citizens in Scotland to feel settled and secure and to continue to make a strong contribution to our country. The Scottish Government has not been substantially engaged in the detail of the negotiations. Last week, the Scottish Government provided the UK Migration Advisory Committee with the latest evidence on the overwhelmingly positive contribution that EU citizens make to Scotland and the vital importance of continued free movement in delivering future population growth and economic growth. Stuart Stevenson Does the minister see any prospect of a solution to the fishing industry problems that has 70 per cent of workers in the north-east of Scotland are not UK nationals? As the member points out, that is a huge problem for Scotland's onshore processing sector, where EU nationals make up 58 per cent of the workforce in large seafood processing factories and in the Grampian area even higher. As we have made clear, those who choose to live and work in Scotland, whether they are from the EU or elsewhere, are welcome and needed. It is for exactly this reason why the UK Government must give assurances that I have been asking for those assurances and for the UK Government immediately to remove the unnecessary uncertainty to both businesses and to the workers that the member refers to. To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that there is transparency regarding lobbying when its international development fund offers humanitarian aid. Minister The Scottish Government's £1 million humanitarian emergency fund is activated and distributed in response to the launch of a disaster's emergency committee appeal or on the recommendation of the independent expert HEF panel, which is made up of eight of the leading humanitarian aid organisations in Scotland. Would the minister agree that it was concerning to hear reports last week that the former UK Government international development minister Pertie Patel held secret discussions about routing aid through the Israeli military? Can I ask the minister what representations he has made to the UK Government to ensure that their decision making on humanitarian aid allocations is transparent and free from undue political interference? I hear the muttering from some quarters opposite, but I struggle to visualise what would have happened to me if I had gone on a rogue mission to offer to give Scottish aid money to a Government in Israel to use through its military in an area of land that is not recognised as their territory by the UK. I think that enough has been said about that matter. Suffice to say that I have written to the foreign secretary to ask what exactly Pertie Patel was thinking of in this instance. Alexander Burnett Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I ask the minister what the last award of emergency humanitarian aid by the Scottish Government was and is it arranging to make any other soon? Minister Well, we have recently assisted the Rohingya people and their plight fleeing from real persecution and ending up in camps in Burma, and we continue to receive representations both from the sector and more generally about the best use of the fund in the future, but we take very seriously our responsibility to disperse that in a fair basis. 16. Gaye To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for community radio stations such as East Coast FM in East Lothian. Community radio channels received a total of £307,000 from the Scottish Government for running public information adverts between January 2011 and November 2017. Off-Gomad ministers a community radio fund, which has been taking applications for 2017-18. The fund can be accessed by Scottish-based stations such as East Coast FM. I met its director, Mr Ian Robertson, last year at the invitation of Mr Gray, and I would like to congratulate Mr Robertson on his silver award as a volunteer of the year at this year's UK community radio awards. Indeed, that is much appreciated and the minister will be pleased to know that East Coast FM received yet further awards of Princess Royal Training award recently at St James's Palace, where they were one of 40 businesses chosen for creating lasting impact by successfully linking their skills development needs to business performance. That demonstrates, I think, the important role beyond simple broadcast media that they play. Could they not receive more support than they do from our Government? When we last met the member who raised the situation in Wales, he will be aware that the Welsh Government closed its radio fund in 2013-14. I have written to Mr Gray outlining the number of different funding sources that community radio can access, and I encourage him to ensure that that communication is communicated to Mr Robertson as well as my congratulations. Question 7, Bob Doris. To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers communities in Glasgow, Maryhill and Springburn constituency to celebrate the area's cultural history. Creator Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland promote the rich culture and traditions of our communities in many different ways. In 2016, the Maryhill Barrow Halls Trust received almost £5,000 from Creator Scotland for the Maryhill Songwick, which is inspired by historic poems in the Trust's collection, which relate to Maryhill. Toonspeak Young People's Theatre received £30,000 from Creator Scotland for the Mabit, a large-scale contemporary musical theatre production created by young people, helping to build a greater connection for young people in the communities, and Historic Environment Scotland's support fund can provide grant assistance of up to £5,000 for one-off heritage-related events. Bob Doris. Can I draw the cabinet secretary's attention to plans for a Maryhill museum based at the stunningly restored Barrow Halls in my constituency, mentioned by the cabinet secretary? Can I extend an invite to the cabinet secretary to join me to see for herself perhaps at some point in the near the importance of the excellent work that has been undertaken by Maryhill Barrow Halls? Cabinet secretary. I'd be delighted to, Dario, permission to return to Maryhill Barrow Halls. I was there at the official opening when it was reopened after extensive investment. I think that it's a great celebration of tradition's history, but engagement is also with the local community. Brief supplementary, Annie Wells. Thank you, Deputy Prime Minister. Glasgow is a fabulous culture that has been celebrated over the years. What discussions has the Scottish Government had with Glasgow City Council ahead of their upcoming budget to ensure that proper support and funding is given to local communities to encourage tourism? I'll be meeting with Glasgow City Council in the next few weeks. Only this morning, I was in Glasgow, I was hearing about the GI festival, it's going to be fantastic, and I met Glasgow life representatives there. I think that the new ministeration in Glasgow is to be commended for putting centre stage its approach to culture and creativity. I look forward to engaging with Glasgow City Council as we move forward to a very exciting year, with the anniversary of a year of Celtic Connections and also the European Championships, which again will be a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate the great traditions of Glasgow, the great city. Question 8, John Scott. Thank you, Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Visit Scotland regarding tourism in Ayrshire. Cabinet Secretary. The Scottish Government programme for government commits us to promoting the south of Scotland in Ayrshire as a tourism destination for coastal and forest tourism activities. I met Malcolm Ruffhead, the CEO to Visit Scotland only last week, and part of our discussion was about progress and how Visit Scotland is taking forward that commitment. In particular, there is to be a two-week-long digital skills push to increase the number of Ayrshire tourist businesses using digital channels. John Scott. Thank you. I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer. The cabinet secretary will be aware that Visit Scotland's proposal recently announced will mean that there will not be a tourist hub on mainland Ayrshire and that information about Ayrshire is to be provided in future from either the hub in Dumfries or Glasgow. As I think it's unreasonable that Ayrshire should be neglected in that way, will the cabinet secretary join with me in making representation to Visit Scotland that a presence is retained in Ayr, please? Well, clearly, those are operational matters for Visit Scotland, but he will be aware that there has been a 58 per cent drop in visitor numbers to the Visit Scotland die centres and a 62 per cent drop in particular in Ayr, the footfall in Ayr, drop from 50,000 in 2067 to 19,000. He's wrong to say that there isn't any information. There will be information through the partners. There are 1,500 new visitor information partners, including a number in Ayr itself. I would note that, in the discussions that Visit Scotland had with South Ayrshire Council, just in the recent weeks and the meeting subsequent to the announcement, the three Ayrshire councils did not have closure of the Visit Scotland site on the agenda as a council item. Clearly, we need to move into additional age, and it's very important that we encourage those. We now have two out of three visitors who are always using their internet access to provide bookings. It's very important that we move into additional age and encourage businesses in Ayr and Ayrshire to get involved with the Visit Scotland information partnership programme, because that is the way that tourism is moving. Indeed, the programme that's been set out by Visit Scotland has been supported by the Scottish Tourism Alliance. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I note my register of interest in relation to businesses and the tourism sector. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposed tourism initiative for North East 250. We welcome the industry-led initiatives such as North East 250. Of course, that is a privately developed route launched on 8 November. It has the potential to encourage visitors to experience the wonderful scenery, the rich culture and the numerous attractions that the north-east has to offer, from coastal villages in Banffanbuckan, the distilleries of Spaceside, Royal Deaside to the vibrant city of Aberdeen. Alexander Burnett, and very briefly please. I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer. I'm grateful to see his initiative come to the north-east. Can I ask the cabinet secretary what date of the Scottish Government will be looking to collect in order to determine the success of a project so that this initiative can be replicated elsewhere? Cabinet secretary, that initiative hasn't come to the north-east. It's been developed by private interests in the north-east. Obviously, I'd encourage them to engage with everybody to see the progress of that, but if it's anything like the North Coast 500, it's got great potential to maximise the economic impact, but it's very important that all the north-east can benefit. I hope that that engagement and that inclusion will be part of the privately-led initiative. That concludes questions on that particular portfolio. I apologise to Bruce Crawford for not reaching him. We'll try better next time, Mr Crawford. I move on to questions to justice and law officers. Question 1, Anna Sarwar, please. To ask the Scottish Government how much the integration of British transport police in Scotland into police Scotland will cost. Cabinet secretary. The Scottish Government set out the projected cost of railway policing in the financial memorandum to the Railway Policing Scotland Act. The costs under current arrangements are around £20 million per annum, and the financial memorandum assumes an envelope that is the same in real terms following integration. At the cost of railway policing in Scotland, the following integration will continue to be funded through contributions from the railway industry. Anna Sarwar. The cabinet secretary will be aware that Police Scotland submitted evidence to the Justice Subcommittee's statement that he didn't know the cost of the merger. He will also be aware that not a single trade union or staff association representing the workforce supports the merger, not the British Transport Police Federation, not the TSSA, the RMT or indeed the STUC. Surely the minister must now accept that this is a merger that the workers do not want and passengers don't need. Isn't it time that we ended this politically motivated merger? Up now, Mrs Sarwar, supplementary, not a long ramble on to it. Cabinet secretary, please. The Parliament considered these matters, including the Justice Committee, and voted on the bill. The bill was supported by a majority of members in the Parliament, and the Government is now taking that policy forward. A brief supplementary, Liam Kerr, please. No details have been provided about which staff body will represent the employment interests of the BTP officers north of the border after the force is abolished. Will the cabinet secretary end that uncertainty now? Cabinet secretary. As the member will be aware, the Justice Committee has written to me on that matter, looking for further details on the response to the committee in due course. Question 2, Linda Fabiani, please. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the mandatory imposition of non-harassment orders on people convicted of domestic abuse. Cabinet secretary. The domestic abuse bill, currently before Parliament, strengthens the system of non-harassment orders by requiring a court in every domestic abuse case to consider, always consider whether to impose protection for the victim. That improves on the existing system, which requires an application to be made by the prosecutor. Consider that discretion should remain with the court in any given case. That is because there may be cases where such an order is not appropriate and the court needs discretion to ensure that a decision can always be made on the basis of the facts and circumstances in a given case. Linda Fabiani. May I ask the cabinet secretary as the bill moves forward to give further consideration to this and, in particular, the fundamental principle that the owners should not be on the victim to justify the need for a non-harassment order, but on the convicted perpetrator to justify why a non-harassment order should not apply. Cabinet secretary. Absolutely. We think that the requirement for the court to consider granting a non-harassment order in each case and to give reasons for its decision will help to ensure that non-harassment orders are granted to protect victims where this is appropriate and necessary. However, we are always happy to engage with members to consider whether there are further ways in which the bill could be strengthened. I have no doubt that the member will continue to make representations on those issues, as she has on behalf of her constituent over a period of time. However, we believe that the system still requires to have a level of discretion for the courts in deciding whether a non-harassment order should be applied. Three brief supplementaries in this. I will take Claire Baker, followed by Liam McArthur, followed by Margaret Mitchell. Claire Baker, please. Thank you. I am very supportive of domestic violence disclosure scheme, known as Claire's law, and it has recognised its value. However, if the cabinet secretary has a view on a petition that was launched this week calling for a domestic abusers official register, similar to the sex offenders register. I am aware of the petition and will give consideration to the matters that are raised within it. We as a Government are committed to taking forward a range of measures in order to tackle the issue of domestic violence in society. There is still much more work that we have to take forward in addressing that. We will give due consideration to the issues that are raised within the petition. Liam McArthur, please. I welcome the moves that are outlined by the cabinet secretary. What considerations have you given to extending the non-harassment orders to cover children, particularly where those children are referred to as an aggravation in a particular case? The member will be aware that I am due to appear at the Justice Committee for stage 2 of consideration of the bill and have lodged amendment in order to extend the provision of non-harassment orders to children in the circumstances, nor to improve the protections that can be made available to them. That is reflecting on the evidence that the Justice Committee received at stage 1, particularly from children's organisations, about the impact that domestic violence can have on children. I was pleased to see that the amendments that I lodged on Monday of this week were welcomed by a number of the children's organisations who have been calling for an extension of their provision. Margaret Mitchell Does the minister agree that, if the same sheriff who heard the evidence in a domestic abuse case in the criminal court ruled in civil order such as non-harassment orders following a domestic abuse conviction, then domestic abuse survivors would suffer less trauma? If so, can he confirm that the one-judge proposal will be included in the family justice modernisation study consultation? Cabinet Secretary, my colleague Annabelle Ewing has taken forward the consultation into her review of family law, and we will look at a range of measures. No doubt the particular issue that the member has raised is one of the factors that will be taken into account as part of any consultation. If the member wishes to provide further information specifically on that particular proposal, I have no doubt that my colleague will be more than happy to give it due consideration. Bill Bowman To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to tackle urban crime. Cabinet Secretary, my apologies minister. The Scottish Government remains committed to tackling urban crime across Scotland. Overall, crime levels are at a 43-year low. Violent crime is down by almost half since 2006-07, and homicides are at their lowest since records began. The Scottish Government is committed to building safer communities by supporting local authorities. Partner agencies such as Crime Stoppers, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, the Valence Reduction Unit and the Scottish Business Resilience Centre and communities themselves in helping to create an environment where people feel safe and supported and where everyone takes responsibility for their own actions and how they affect others. Bill Bowman Thank you for that answer, and I welcome any reduction in crime, but official figures for the past year show that Dundee is sadly one of the worst areas for violent crime, worst for sexual crime and attacks on NHS Tayside staff are up. What guarantee can you give Dundonians that those figures will be lower next year? Maureen Watt I understand that there has been a spike in crimes of murder in Dundee over the past year. We are committed to tackling all forms of violence across Scotland wherever they manifest themselves, and we will continue to work with our national local partners to make our communities safer and stronger. Our strategy is focused on tough enforcement, but it is also coupled with education, early intervention and diversion activity, which is very important. Our work, for example, with the Valence Reduction Unit, which has secured Scottish Government support of some £8.7 million since 2008 and has developed key initiatives that I am sure the member is aware of, such as the No Nives Better Lives campaign, the Medic Against Violence and the Important Navigator programme. We are absolutely committed to doing everything that we can to tackle violence across Scotland, including, of course, in Dundee. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the number of bail-related offences. The Scottish Government is keen to discourage breaches of bail. That is why we have made it easier to bring charges for such breaches, decisions in any given case, as to whether to grant bail is a matter for our independent courts. Murdo Fraser. I thank the cabinet secretary for his response, but I am sure that he is aware of a significant increase in the number of people breaching bail conditions. In 2006-07, one in eight bail orders were breached, but figures for 2015-16 show that that is now one in five. In light of the recent high-profile sexual assault case— No, please, a question. Were bail conditions were breached with tragic consequences? Can the minister confirm that the Scottish Government is considering additional measures to enforce bail conditions in order to protect the most vulnerable victims of crime? We have taken forward two separate measures in recent years in 2007 in order to tighten up bail-related matters, and again in 2010, specifically through legislation. There were 8,563 bail-related offences in 2015-16, very similar to previous years. Between 2008-09 and 2015-16, bail-related offences decreased by 6 per cent, so there has been a reduction in the number of offences that have been committed on bail. However, that is why we also took forward additional measures through the criminal proceedings reform Scotland Act 2007 and the Criminal Justice and Licensing Act in order to make it easier for our courts to deal with breaches of bail and to tighten up the conditions under which bail can be granted. However, the member is incorrect in stating that bail overall breaches on bail are up. Where the statistics show between 2008-09 and 2005-16, the most recent figures on bail-related offences have decreased by 6 per cent. To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made with its commitment to modernise the prison estate. I recently announced plans for the modernisation of the women's estate on completion of those projects. Proposals for the next phase of the estate development programme will get under way. The next phase comprises of construction of HMP Highland to replace HMP Inverness, HMP Glasgow to replace HMP Barlinny and also the proposed replacement of HMP Grinock. Currently, there is no mention of HMP Dumfries within the future strategic and corporate plan for the Scottish Prison Service. That is of obvious concern to staff who work at the facility. What reassurances can the minister give the staff in Dumfries in regards to the long-term future of the prison? HMP Dumfries is an important part of the existing range of provisions that we have within the Scottish Prison Service. As I have said, we already have a capital investment programme that is going forward in a number of phases. As a Government, we have invested tens of millions, hundreds of millions in our overall prison estate in order to make sure that it is fit for purpose. We are continuing that programme over the coming years. As I said, we are already taking forward the next phase of the estate's plan. After we have completed that process, we will then look at the remaining elements of the prison estate, including that of HMP Dumfries and HMP Open Estate Castle Huntley. I should also indicate to the member that, given the capital cost that is involved in investing in our prison estate, one of the major inhibitors to be able to invest in our prison estate has been the very significant cuts that the UK Government has been applying to our capital budgets. Mary Fee. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The Cabinet Secretary will be aware that I work closely with families outside. I am keen to see progress made in improving the relationships that prisoners have with their children. Does the cabinet secretary have any plans to make improvements across the prison estate to the facilities that are available when children visit a parent, to make the visit less imposing and to help both parents and children to maintain and develop close bonds? We have been taking forward work with a number of third sector organisations to provide visitor centres within a number of our prison establishments. I had the pleasure of opening the new visitor centre at Glen Oco several months ago, which is a facility that is specifically designed in order to accommodate the needs of children where they may be visiting establishments. We have provided resources to allow that to be provided in some other prison establishments across the rest of the prison estate. We want to continue to build on that progress going forward. I recognise that we know that maintaining family life and supporting family life can be an important element to promoting assistance among offenders and family centres in our prison system. It is an important role to play in helping to support and maintain those relationships. The additional resources that we have been providing for some of those facilities to be established in a number of our prison establishments is what we want to continue to see moving forward in the months and years ahead. To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to ensure that it can continue to provide a existing level of service. The Scottish Government has provided the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service with a budget in 2017-18 of £316.4 million, an increase of £21.7 million from the previous year. That budget has allowed the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to protect front-line services, notwithstanding significant cuts to Scotland's budget from Westminster. Of course, the funding for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would go much further if the UK Government would allow the service to recover vat like other fire services across the UK, adding an estimated £10 million to its annual budget. The Scottish Government will continue to press for a change to that legislation to remedy this long-running iniquity. Claudia Beamish I agree with the minister on the vat issue. Given the geographical spread of South Scotland region, any cuts will put communities at risk. Does the minister agree with me that local community engagement is essential and that fire stations should be at the core of our communities and officers known in them, such as the recent Bond for our awareness event at St Mary's primary school in Lanark? Can the minister please give me assurances today that no fire stations will close or that there will be any reduction in services in South Scotland and, indeed, in Scotland more generally? Claudia Beamish I would also like to pay tribute to the event that the member referred to at St Mary's primary school in relation to Bond for our awareness, which is a very important event, and one that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service participates in day and daily across the country. The member is alluding to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service transformation plans, draft plans, which have been put on the intranet of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Of course, the transformation proposals are out subject to discussion and no final decisions have been made as to what transformation will look like. There is a commitment to engage fully with not just staff but also the services that hold members of the public. I would reiterate once again that being deprived of the sum of £10 million per annum from front-line emergency services provided by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is certainly not a help, Presiding Officer. I urge the Chancellor to end this inequity and to place the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on the same footing as every other fire service in the UK, which is not subject to that that is unable to be reclaimed. I urge the Chancellor to take the opportunity of his autumn statement to do right by our front-line fire fighters. To ask the Scottish Government what workforce planning and recruitment plans are in place for the police and fire and rescue services in remote and rural areas. Workforce planning and recruitment are rightly matters for the chief constable and the chief officer. The Scottish Government continues to support our police and fire service. We are protecting the police resource budget in real terms in every year of this Parliament, a boost of £100 million by 2021. We are providing additional police reform funding of £61 million in 2017-18. We have also increased overall operational budget for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service this year by £21.7 million to support investment in equipment and resources. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. What support can the Scottish Government give remote and rural areas to roll-out programmes such as the uniform services programme at Galsby high school for recruitment to emergency services as an issue? Will he come and pay them a visit? Cabinet secretary, I do very much welcome the initiative that has been taken forward at Galsby high school. I know that our police and fire service work very closely with a number of youth-based organisations in order to help to support and promote the work that our uniform emergency services carry out on a daily basis to protect our communities. I am keen to make sure that we continue to develop that partnership between the police and also our fire service. I am certainly more than happy to consider any invitation that I receive in order to visit this particular initiative at Galsby high school. According to figures collected by the Fire Brigades Union, the number of fire safety officers and inspectors has fallen from 102 in 2013 to 90 in 2017, a 12 per cent drop in four years. Can the cabinet secretary give his chamber assurances that he plans to reverse that trend? The way in which the staffing complement is configured within the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is a matter for the chief officer. Thank you very much. That concludes portfolio questions. There will be a short pause where we move on to the next item. I apologise to Emma Harper and Donald Cameron for his questions that I did not reach this time.