 The consideration of business motion 12875, in the name of Joffice Patrick, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, is setting out a revised business programme for today and tomorrow. I would ask any member who objects to say so now, and I call on Joffice Patrick to move the motion. Formally moved. Thank you. No one wishes to speak against the motion. The question therefore is that motion 12875 be agreed. Are we all agreed? We are agreed. We turn now to topical questions. We have one question today, Sandra White. Thank you very much. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with relevant bodies regarding the recent fire and the on-going situation at the Glasgow School of Art. We are all shocked at the devastation that this fire has brought to the iconic Macintosh building, a landmark in Glasgow and renowned across the world. Thankfully, there were no casualties. The First Minister spoke with Alasdair Hay, chief fire officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, on Saturday 16 June to discuss the response to the fire and visited the scene to thank firefighters and other emergency services for their outstanding efforts to bring the devastating fire under control and manage the situation over the recent days. The minister for community safety and legal affairs met with Ian Buschell, deputy chief fire officer this morning to discuss the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and echoed the First Minister's sentiments. The minister for higher education and science and I met with senior colleagues from Glasgow School of Art, including the school's director and the chair of the board yesterday afternoon, to discuss the on-going situation at the Macintosh building and what support might be required in the period ahead. Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council were also present. During the response phase of the fire, officials were in communication with the emergency services and Glasgow City Council through the well-established Scottish Government Resilience Arrangements. That is a devastating event, but I can assure the members that the Scottish Government and its agencies have already and will continue to provide what support we can. Thank the cabinet secretary for her reply. I also want to pay tribute to the firefighters who I met the other day, who really have worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control and all services involved in what is a devastating blow for everyone involved in the Mac, locally and internationally. However, that major fire has far-reaching implications for local people and local businesses who are unable to access their flats and in the case of businesses who are unable to operate and staff being laid off. Can the cabinet secretary outline what support the Scottish Government can offer to those affected? Those are very important points. The issue particularly around the emergency services shows the benefit of the single service, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, drew appliances and crew from across Scotland. I think that in terms of their rapid response and containment, they should be absolutely commended for outstanding professionalism. The fact that they managed to contain the fire would point out that until recently, there has been a live firesite operation. Indeed, the containment, as I understand it, still continues with presence of the fire service. However, in terms of the other emergency services, clearing that space Friday night, late at night and ensuring that the safety of people in terms of the evacuation was carried out again in an exemplary form by the other emergency services. However, our point about the cordon, which is obviously for safety, continuing safety, until the security of buildings can be assured by the relevant authorities, has had major implications for local businesses. Those are businesses that have also had issues particularly around recent fires in other parts of Salkiol Street, and I know that Salkiol Street itself is subject to city deal redevelopment aspects. I know that the leader of the council, Susan Aiken, is meeting with businesses this afternoon. I understand that the council, as it can do, is offering zero rating for businesses. That is absolutely appropriate, but we will also work with the city council to understand what it is that the Government can do in relation to some of those areas, not least because the loss of the O2 in the ABC also has a major implication for those that are employed there, but also for the music development. I think that it is very important that we recognise that and that we stand ready to see what offer of support we can provide. I thank the cabinet secretary for that reply, and certainly the local businesses and the local people will be very pleased to hear that, particularly the businesses that have zero rating for the O2 in the CCA have been badly affected. However, the cabinet secretary will be aware that many questions—we do not want to speculate on anything at all—are being asked as to how that fire could happen, particularly after the previous fire. Basically, some of the questions that I have been asking others have, too, were sprinklers installed, were smoke alarms installed, were security there—all very valid questions. Therefore, can I ask the cabinet secretary what steps have been taken to investigate how that fire happened, and when are we likely to have much needed answers? Those are points of many questions that people will want answered. I am not in the position to answer that. I can speak for the Scottish Government. However, I can reassure the member of that the fire investigation that is taking place is also in connection with the police service in relation to ruling out whether the canon is not ruled out criminal activity. Those investigations will establish what can be known, but also that information as to what was being managed in relation to the construction site, how fire management was being delivered. Those items have already been addressed in part by a statement from the CCA construction who were managing the site. Remember, that was a construction site at the time of the fire and also by others. I think that those are points that are very well made and well put. However, as the member might appreciate, I do not want to rush to judgment and I do not want to speculate. I want to deal in facts, and I want to make sure that the relevant authorities have the time to enable that information accurately to be reflected. Adam Tomkins, before by Pauline McNeill. I thank Sandra White for bringing this matter to the chamber. The cabinet secretary for the Tone and Tenor of her answers so far. This is the third major fire in the Stockheal Street area of Glasgow City Centre in the last four years and the second, of course, to afflict the much-beloved Mac building of the Glasgow School of Art. This looks like it is by far the most serious of the three major fires. It is not just the Glasgow School of Art that has been all but destroyed. It is also the much-loved and very successful music venue, the O2ABC, where I, like many members of the Scottish Parliament and many of the people that we represent, will have spent much time enjoying all sorts of music events. The economic devastation to this part of Glasgow City Centre is immense. Could the cabinet secretary please explain in a little bit more detail than she was able to in her first answers to Sandra White exactly what support the Scottish Government can give to the businesses of the Stockheal Street area of Glasgow City Centre to ensure that that part of the city centre can continue to thrive and prosper in the future, as it has done in the past? Again, the member reflects on the seriousness of the fire to other buildings as well. I also want to reinforce the point that it is quite amazing that there has been no casualties bearing in mind the proximity of that fire to what could have been a very extensive incident in relation to movement of people in that area with the O2ABC and, indeed, the neighbouring nightclub. The fact that it did not happen an hour or two later when there were many people more expected in that area is testament to the services and their evacuation. On the point about the economy of Stockheal Street, there are a number of immediate issues that are to do with access to the cordon and any short-term business rates zero rating, which I understand is happening. I also understand that the city council leader is meeting with businesses this afternoon, so let us hear from them what their views and concerns are. I think that the point is that the night-time economy of Glasgow is extremely important. That part of Glasgow is vital to the night-time economy of Stockheal Street, so I am very conscious and aware of that. I can assure the members that, when I reported to Cabinet yesterday when we met in Cymnick, one of the aspects, of course, was about the building and, of course, Glasgow School of Art as an institution, but I also made the point that, in our response, we had to recognise the wider implications. I am not going to give immediate solutions to this issue. The fire only happened on Friday night, but I am trying to make sure that businesses can be sustained in the short term, but, more important than that, development in the long term, I want to speak to Glasgow City Council and those who are involved in the night-time economy and elsewhere. I want a vibrant art scene in Scotland at the School of Art, but I also want a vibrant music scene. I think that those things have to be addressed in our response. Presiding Officer, I would like to associate myself with the remarks that were made by other members. I am pleased that the cabinet secretary has recognised the importance of the Stockheal Street and the Stockheal Street area to the economy of Glasgow and to the music industry in Scotland. She is well aware that there is a serious concern that the Stockheal Street, if it does not get the right support, might not recover from that, as Tras is already concerned about the impact of its businesses. The leader of Glasgow City Council announced this morning that the zero rates will apply to those businesses in the Cordon, but it is not clear what happens to those businesses and surrounding businesses after the Cordon has been lifted. Is the cabinet secretary able to comment on what support can be given to those businesses in relation to business rates specifically? Further to that, I would also like to associate myself with the same remarks of Adam Tonkin and the cabinet secretary. The O2 academy is a world-renowned, world-class music venue, and I know that its future will not be sidelined by some of the other issues around it. It is a very special place, and I believe and I hope that the cabinet secretary and everyone who is involved will work very closely together to ensure that all the institutions have a future where they are. I hope that the member understands what the remarks have already made. I understand the issues around Stockheal Street and the importance of the O2 ABC in relation to the music scene, not just in Scotland but in a further field. It is quite interesting that the questions have had to date. I have probably had more questions about that than I have had about the Macintosh building itself. I think that Parliament has spoken in that regard, but I want to reassure those who may be watching this that we understand that the support has to be for the institution itself, the Class of School of Art, to assess the building itself, the Macintosh building, which has great love, loyalty and affection from those who have studied and worked there, but also recognising that it is a wider area. I think that the response has to look at that in a wider area. The point that I made in saying that I brought this to the cabinet's attention yesterday but did so deliberately to say that those are wider issues and that cabinet colleagues from other portfolios would have an interest is something that I will certainly reflect back to cabinet again the views of the MSPs here, particularly for the role of the Minister for Finance and perhaps there may be some other business rates longer term or perhaps in a wider area that can be considered. I want to hear directly from the businesses themselves, from the task force that has been set up, to hear what they think would be the most useful thing for them. I think that that is a very important step in terms of the Government's wider response, not just the heritage response that I will lead on. I will take Patrick Harvie. There are a few more members who wish to ask questions. I will take a few more questions if there are questions, not just expressions of sympathy and short questions. Patrick Harvie, first. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Given the series of fires that we have seen, which were mentioned by Adam Tomkins, not so many years before the fire that destroyed the shack just around the corner from the art school, is there a wider question about not only reassuring the public about the safety of our built environment but being proactive, not leaving that to a question of heritage alone? Do we need to take a more proactive approach to ensuring that our built environment, whether in Glasgow, in Characross or anywhere else, is being proactively looked after so that we do not see those situations happening to buildings that we frankly cannot afford to lose? I think that the member makes a very valid point. Again, something that we discussed at Cabinet was the importance of ensuring that all built environment, particularly of the heritage nature, has a clear understanding of the responsibilities and actions that are required to ensure that as much safety and fire prevention can take place. However, he makes a very valid point. Sometimes it is not until a disaster happens that people are conscious of the importance of built environment, whether it is in terms of roofing, repairs or fire safety. The country needs to come to terms with the fact that there are so many older buildings, particularly in Glasgow. I think that putting a focus on that would help us in trying to make sure that we can prevent issues in the future but also take that responsibility for our built environment, which is so precious but potentially so dangerous if fires or other incidents happen. Thank you very much. The artist Lachlan Glowdy described Glasgow School of Art as the most important piece of Scottish art probably ever produced. While I think that it is concern to Glasgow and the businesses and to express sympathy with other members, I think that this is about our nation and what it gives to the world. This is of world significance. On that note, the cabinet secretary will be aware of the report by Sir John Cole into care construction, who was the contractor responsible for Glasgow School of Art. Sir John Cole was extremely critical of care construction's work on the Dumfries leisure centre. In fact, he described it as virtually unprecedented in its level of faults, including inadequate fire stopping. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that it is shocking that this particular company was in charge of the restoration of the most important piece of Scottish art ever produced? The member has made a point. I cannot, as a Government minister, rush to judgment on anything that can be said about the incident of the fire without the explanation that we can have from the investigations that are taking place. I would caution members in terms of what they accuse other institutions of doing or not doing until that information is there. People can express their views, people will express their opinions, but as your Government minister, I think that I have a duty and a responsibility to make sure that we have the facts and the evidence in place before I can make any judgments whatsoever. Glasgow School of Art is so important to Glasgow and Scotland's historical, architectural and cultural legacy and its future. It was devastating over the UK to see the scenes that we all witnessed. Can I ask the cabinet secretary if she can update us on any initial structural engineering reports and if it is not yet safe to carry out those reports when she thinks that that information might be available so that we can fully understand the options that might be for the art college going forward? I think that I would need to emphasise the point that we are still in a period where safety and security is paramount and there has still been appliances on site right through the weekend and into Monday, Tuesday, so until it is safe to go on site, then that level of structural assessment cannot take place. There has been initial structural assessment, very superficial, as the word I would describe. There will be drones that can be used that are perhaps in a more safe environment. Those things are just only taking place today and in the next few days, so it would again be too premature to definitively say what the status of the building is, but the security of the building and the surrounding areas is paramount. Once that has been secured and we are reassured of the security and safety aspects, those assessments will take place primarily by building control from Glasgow City Council in the process, but we are all anxious to find out how secure, particularly the shell of the building is. It is quite obvious that the internals have been lost. I visited there in February, but, again, that is quite different from the last fire. The last fire, the east wing, was by and large protected by the swift actions by the fire service. The ferocity of the fire, severity, the complexity and the challenge of it has still been dealt with as we speak, so I think that if people can bear with us until such times as the structural engineers can have thorough access, it is premature to be able to see what the condition of the building is. Cabinet Secretary will be aware, even though it is the Glasgow School of Art that many parts of Scotland have a deep connection with the school, including Murray, where the school's rural campus is based, and will she convey to the authorities and staff and the students that if there is anything that people of Murray or the rest of Scotland can do to help that we stand ready to do so? That is a very important point. The messages of support and the solidarity of the people and the institutions of Scotland and, indeed, from places like Murray but elsewhere are messages of support that I think will be well received. I met, as I said, with the Glasgow School of Art senior leadership last night. They have been working extensively right through from Friday night. I think that it is important that they hear from everybody the support that they have for what Jo McAlpine has described as the best piece of Scottish art. Therefore, in terms of how we can support them, those messages are very important indeed. We stand with Glasgow School of Art, we stand with the people of Glasgow and, I think, internationally, the world of art stands with Charles Rennie Macintosh. Thank you, cabinet secretary. I apologise to the members who could not get in there, but that concludes our topical questions. We will turn to the next item of business, Mr Finnie. Yes, point of order from Mr Finnie. Presiding Officer, you will be aware that under rule 9B1, subparagal 1, this Parliament refused to consent to the European Union with drawable. Last week, despite that lack of consent, the UK Government's timetable allowed the UK Parliament just over 15 minutes to debate our concerns and, indeed, all issues that related to devolution in Scotland, Wales and the north of Ireland. I understand that no MPs representing Scottish constituency had the opportunity to speak. I am also a member of the Parliament's justice and rural economy and connectivity committees, and for several months now, we have attempted unsuccessfully to get Government ministers to come before us. They have often cancelled at very short notice. I understand that other committees have been treated with similar discurtsy. The Parliament has been treated by the UK Government and, in particular, by the Secretary of State for Scotland. Under rule 3 1D, the Presiding Officer shall represent the Parliament in discussions and exchanges with any parliamentary, governmental, administrative or other body. Can you please advise members whether you have had or planned to have any discussions with the UK Government or the UK Parliamentary authorities regarding the contempt that Scotland's Parliament has shown in recent times? I thank Mr Finnie for giving me advance notice that he intended to raise a point of order. As he and perhaps other members will recall, I did, in response to a point of order, at the time that the Parliament's position on the LCM was agreed to. I did advise members at that time that I would write to my counterparts at Westminster and in other legislatures around the UK to make them aware of this Parliament's position in relation to the EU withdrawal bill, and I did exactly that. In line with normal procedures, the chief executive of this Parliament, the clerk, also wrote to his counterparts in the UK Parliament. The UK Parliament is therefore fully aware of this Parliament's position. Well, now we move on to the next item of business, which is a state