 Rhywun maen nhw y byd. Rhywun maen nhw ymddangos спorth o cael llwy yw cyfaint o llwg cyflodau a gwrsiau ymgyrchu lleol ymlaenrif. Mae ymddangos rhanig iawn i'r ddechrau Llywodraeth yn gyffinol iawn ddechrau Llywodraeth ymddangos iawn i ddefnyddio'r llwg cyffinol iawn i'r cysylltu cyfanyddus yn gweithgwrs ym messedgu ddechrau Llywodraeth wedi'u gilydd. Efallee hynny ymddangos iawn i ymddangos iawn i'r ddechrau Llywodraeth o—— O— O— O— O O O O O O O O O O O I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, and as she will know, music has always played an important part in Scottish culture, particularly in the south of Scotland, where you will see it everywhere you go. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that participation and a future in participating, particularly in this high level of music, should be open to all young people and is she aware of an education committee's recent report on instrumental music tuition, where there are growing concerns about the inequality of opportunity for young people? Will she join me in making sure that all young people have an opportunity to go on to participate at this high level of music that you are currently supporting? I agree with the member. I feel passionately that music tuition should be accessible to all young people. It is unfortunate that some local authorities, including the one in which my constituency, have chosen to impose extremely high fees, where previously they have none, and there are councils that continue to provide free tuition. My responsibility is not in education or instrumental music tuition, but in the cultural aspects. Within that, I have managed on successive years to protect the Youth Music Initiative, which means that all children in primary school have access to participation. Our challenge is how to meet that growing demand when they go to secondary school. Indeed, the Cabinet Secretary for Education has met John Wallace and the Music Education Group, who have been working with a number of different partners to see how that vision that she and I share can be realised. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the South Ayrshire Council regarding the preservation of listed buildings and other built heritage. The Scottish Government recognises the economic, the social and the cultural importance of our built heritage and is keen to ensure that this hugely important asset is protected appropriately and proportionately. The protection of our heritage assets has been statistically delegated to local government in its role within the planning and development process and Historic Environment Scotland. The Scottish Government only becomes involved in strategic or specific issues. I am aware that officials have spoken with representatives of South Ayrshire Council regarding, amongst other subjects, the potential preservation and renovation of listed buildings, but those conversations are part of a wider discussion. John Scott will be aware of the expected reports on the station at Eleanor, which is a grade B listed building. If the structural report is optimistic about the practicability of saving the building, will the Government offer, through its various agencies, the practical and financial support to return the building to worthwhile public and private sector use? Obviously, in terms of development of the station, it would be led by South Ayrshire Council as part of its wider regeneration. Historic Environment Scotland is already involved in the Air Station Task Force group with other agencies. It also attended and spoke at an air town centre conference organised by the Air Station Hotel community action group civic society on this issue recently. It has also, in December 2018, provided a summary of considerations to Transport Scotland about what needs to be discussed or justified in any listed building consent application, depending on what proposal has come up with in relation to the future of the hotel. It will continue to provide active advice to help to secure the long-term future of the hotel in relation to what is decided by the local community and council of what it needs. It is already proactive in its help in funding. Obviously, some of the issues will be operational for Historic Environment Scotland, but I keep a watching brief on this and they report to me, and I will continue to take a keen interest in the issue. 3. Richard Lyle To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to help the film industry. Cabinet Secretary. We are strongly supporting our vibrant screen sector through significantly increased Scottish Government funding, while the recently launched Screen Scotland is helping to grow the industry with streamlined public sector support. Since its launch last year, Screen Scotland has expanded the production growth fund for film and introduced new funds for television skills and talent development, including the broadcast content fund. That fund has already awarded a fund supporting £1.3 million to 10 Scottish-based companies, including Firecress Films, once for farmers and Blais-en-Gryffin, to support production and new programme development. Figures from Creative Scotland's screen sector production spend has risen to a record high of £95 million, while we are seeing more high-profile films and network TV drama being made in Scotland, such as Outlaw King, The Cry and the Victim, and infrastructure is important to continue this growth. We welcome Screen Scotland's tender in December to seek a private company to convert and operate the Palamas building as a high-end studio, and we look forward to the outcome of the project. Richard Lyle I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, and that is quite impressive. What action has the Scottish Government taken or is taken to encourage outside production firms, on-and-fact producers, to company Scotland? Does any department within the cabinet secretary's portfolio have regular discussions with the film industry? The creative industry's officials within my department have regular discussions with film companies. I, myself, was at Blais-en-Gryffin, a Scottish-based company, only last week, and I discussed some of the opportunities that they have both on film and on television and, indeed, for their interests on gaming. However, the responsibility to support inward investment and production lies with Screen Scotland and, indeed, other city and other organisations within Scotland where a very attractive place to locate. However, the big difference with what we are doing now is to ensure that indigenous Scottish companies can generate recurring drama and films that are attractive to broadcasters to screen all over the world. Claire Baker Thank you, Presiding Officer. In November, at the culture committee, Ian Monroe from Creative Scotland, gave the committee an update on Scottish screen plans for a film studio and talked about the process for testing state aid rules. The cabinet secretary has already briefly referred to that, but can she provide any further information on progress in this particular area and the tender process? The tender process is proceeding. The Scottish screen and within Creative Scotland are finalising that process. I am not in a position to share that, but it is reaching the final stages of that tender process. Stuart McMillan Thank you, Presiding Officer. Does the cabinet secretary agree that with the high demand for quality productions is ever increasing, that additional studio capacity should always be under consideration and that, therefore, a studio in Inverclyde would offer such additional capacity? Screen Scotland leads on the expansion and delivery of infrastructure for the screen sector. Currently, the market is 136,000 sqfts of full-time converted stage space and 335,000 sqfts of build space across Scotland. I have just answered a question about the current on-going tender, but I have said repeatedly that there is room in Scotland for more than one studio. Indeed, we already have a studio in World Park. If there is a private sector company willing to take forward development of studio space in Inverclyde, that would be very welcome. Indeed, I am not aware of current plans or proposals to do so. To ask the Scottish Government what research has taken place into citizens engagement and satisfaction with the new BBC Scotland channel. The Scottish Government welcomes the launch of the new channel in Scotland and continues to urge the BBC to take a strategic lead in developing the creative industries in Scotland. UK regulator Ofcom carries out research into public attitudes to the BBC, including in Scotland, to inform its assessment of how the BBC is performing against its public purposes. Television viewer figures are clased by the broadcaster's audience research board. Gil Ross I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer. There is a perception that the majority of the filming and production for the new channel is concentrated in the central belt. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that this is the perfect opportunity to enable all parts of Scotland, including my constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, to produce quality and meaningful content for the new channel? Will she encourage the BBC to make use of the talent that we have throughout the country? The BBC is independent and makes its own individual creative decisions, but in our arguments to ensure that there was more spend in Scotland, I and indeed the other MSPs within this Parliament argued that all of Scotland should be represented. Therefore, in terms of encouraging them, I encourage them to locate productions in different parts of Scotland. BBC Alba, a vast majority of its output, is from independent commissioned producers. They do so very effectively, and we would encourage the BBC to do so also. However, she might be aware that a number of the production companies that exist and are performing very well in terms of new productions are located themselves within the central belt. A part of growing the sector is to ensure that, when we have more successful production companies that have recurring series, particularly drama, we can see the opportunities for creative work to happen all over Scotland. However, I would say that the BBC is independent of Government, so I cannot tell them what to do. To ask the Scottish Government what support it offers to tourism businesses in the northeast. The Scottish Government supports VisitScotland to maximise the economic benefits of tourism across all of Scotland, including the northeast. VisitScotland works closely with public sector partners and local tourism businesses to ensure that Scotland's destinations offer an enjoyable and desirable visitor experience. On 20 March, I had the pleasure of addressing the Visit Aberdeenshire conference during Scottish tourism months, discussing the tourism and business needs of the industry in the northeast. VisitScotland's public accreditation projects are very successful in the northeast, with 487 businesses in the quality assurance scheme and 184 members of the visitor information programme. Hotels and restaurants in the northeast, which are crucial for our tourist offering, still feel singled out for high business rates. Given the importance of tourism, which is a key sector of growth in the region's economy, will the cabinet secretary back the calls by Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce to bring forward the next revaluation to 2021, as both the UK and Welsh Governments have already done? The member will know that we have the most competitive rate system in terms of number of businesses, not least because of the hospitality discount that was continued, and there was an ounce that continued to the next revaluation in terms of the Barclay review. They will be familiar with the Barclay review, and we are carrying out due process. We conducted research extensively in consultation on that. I know that there are challenges, and I have been up front about the challenges and the costs that many hospitality tourism businesses face. We have increased numbers of visitors, but the spend is not commensurate with the increase in numbers. Therefore, I am very sympathetic to any support that we can give to the hospitality sector. However, I emphasise that we have already reduced rates substantially and kept the cap in for the position of hospitality businesses, including those in the hotel sector. I understand the answer and am grateful for the comprehensive answer, but will the cabinet secretary back the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce to bring forward the revaluation? How many chamber of commerce have not written to me? I have not seen their proposals. I am not responsible for the finance and business policy of this Government. That is a responsibility for the finance sector secretary. I am sure that he would understand that, in terms of timing of any revaluation and in the position, he would need to take that in the round, not for one area and not for one sector individually, but for all of Scotland. With the Presiding Officer's understanding, it is not my role and responsibility to answer questions for the finance secretary. I encourage the member to ask the same question of the finance secretary. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the cabinet secretary for culture, tourism and external affairs has had with the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands regarding the importance of ferry services to Arran's tourism industry. The importance of physical digital connectivity support our visitor economy in all our islands, including Arran, together with on-going Scottish Government investment in new vessels and ferry infrastructure is a frequent topic in my discussions with colleagues. Island connectivity and the crucial role of sustainable tourism plays in island economies were amongst the topics that were related to the 2020 year of coasts and waters, which I discussed with the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands at our recent meeting on Tuesday 23 April. Neil Bibby Is the minister aware of reports from the Arran ferry committee that the number of cancelled crossings has doubled over the last year? In a damning report, the committee state that the current service promotes frustration, confusion, low confidence and reputational damaging, threatening the current and future sustainability of our island. This disruption affects many aspects of island life, including Arran's tourism industry. Given the only way that tourists can get to Arran is by ferry, will the minister ensure that those concerns are acted on and that confidence is restored in the ferry service, that there is such central importance to the island's tourism industry? As you will know, I am not responsible for ferries either, and that is a responsibility obviously lies within the transport portfolio. However, I recognise the absolute importance of ferry connections to tourism in the island's economy. In August 2018, the Scottish Government announced a £3.5 million resilience fund, with an additional £4 million being allocated to it within the 2019-20 budget period, which we are now entering to ensure future reliability and availability of vessels to ensure that continuity of service. However, the Scottish Government has increased other measures, such as road equivalent tariff, which has also benefited the islands considerably and increased visitor numbers. Kenneth Gibson Can the cabinet secretary indicate what impact the decision of this Government to increase the number of summer sailings and implement road equivalent tariff in 2014, which will have very fairs from what they were under labour? The provision of the £12.6 million MV Katrina operating on the Lachranza to Cloning route has had an Arran's tourism industry. Cabinet secretary. So, despite the fact that I am not responsible for finance or indeed ferries, tourism is everyone's business, and that is why connectivity matters so much. I am appreciative of the concerns. What I can tell the member is that on the main address and project routes, single car fares were reduced by 64 per cent as a result of this Government, and passenger fares by 46 per cent as a result of this Government's introduction of RIT on the Arran links in particular. We know that more people are travelling to and from Arran with an average increase across both Arran routes of around 40 per cent for passengers and around 60 per cent for cars since the introduction of RET. I think that that demonstrates the commitment of Scotland to North Ayrshire, Arran and indeed our tourism sector in that area. Jamie Greene The cabinet secretary will be relieved that I am not going to mention the late delivery of the new Arran ferry, although I just have it, but on another ferry route in the same area, outside my regional office, I often see cars queuing mainly tourists and peak season but often locals as well. They can queue for up to two hours just to make the short 10-minute journey from Largs to the island of Cumbria. Can I ask the cabinet secretary if she thinks there is a role for government in assisting perhaps local authorities in better ensuring that there are more parking facilities in the mainland and indeed good public transport on islands to encourage tourists to travel as food passengers, rather than feel the need to often take their car instead? The cabinet secretary will be aware that there are very regular, very frequent ferry services to and from the area. Obviously, in terms of peak times and flows, that is something that should be managed and the local council can do that, but those are the results of success. I am very pleased that, with the Ayrshire growth deal that the Scottish Government has been instrumental in, the focus on the marine economy and tourism more generally is a key part of that. It is something that I will keep a keen interest in. When I was in North Ayrshire announcing the £300,000 from the Scottish Government to include the COIG investment, or the five different routes investment, which includes Cumbria, that again demonstrates our commitment to Ayrshire, to tourism and to the tourism businesses in that area. However, everybody has a role to play and it is the partnership that will see the success of that and I would encourage councils to make sure that any waiting time is limited where possible and to look at the surrounding areas. However, local councils are independent of government, his party is always reminding us of that, so we have to respect the independence of councils to make those decisions. To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes tourism in the Clyde and Beath constituency. The Scottish Government fully recognises the importance of tourism to the economy and continues its benefits across the whole of Scotland. Only yesterday, I launched the new fourth bridges strategy, highlighting Fife's role as a gateway to the north across the iconic Queensbury crossing. The constituency of Cowed and Beath possesses its own unique attractions for visitors and locals alike. With Visit Scotland, we will continue to work with local authorities, destination management organisations and businesses to ensure that each of Scotland's destinations can offer exciting, enjoyable and high-quality experiences. I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer and I welcome the launch of the new fourth bridges strategy. The cabinet secretary may be aware of another recently launched initiative, which is the new five-pilgrim way. One of the starting points of the new five-pilgrim way is that North Queensbury is in my constituency and the pilgrim way passes through historic inverkething and the scenic Loughborough Meadows country park. Can the cabinet secretary advise as to what plans the Scottish Government has to promote this important tourist route that winds through the heart of Fife so that maximum benefit for local communities can be ensured? I am very keen that we support the pilgrim way. It is something that I know has been thought of and planned for some time. Visit Scotland is working closely with Five Council and Five Coast and Countryside Trust on the launch of the pilgrim way. I think that all communities must benefit from the new route. The member points out that it starts in North Queensbury, where I was yesterday. That is the starting point of the pilgrim way. The fourth bridges tourism strategy is a great opportunity. It is a 10-year plan to make sure that we can grow tourism using the opportunity that is provided by the iconic three bridges. And certainly North Queensbury has other attractions as well, including the Stevenson lighthouse, on which I had the pleasure of lighting yesterday. I am delighted that the local volunteers who run that lighthouse presented me with certificates demonstrating that I have passed the short introductory course in lighthouse keeping. I do that cheery note. Apologies to Jenny Grewth for not reaching the question. That ends our topical portfolio questions. We are going to move on to the next item of business. We will just take a few seconds for ministers and members to change seats.