 We will begin this with General Questions, question number one from Julian Martin. To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to assist businesses in the North East that have been affected by changes in global oil prices. Minister Paul Wheelhouse, the Scottish Government continues to support both businesses and individuals affected by the downturn in the oil and gas sector. The energy jobs task force is developing long-term solutions to the structural challenges affecting the oil and gas sector. Our enterprise agencies have engaged with more than 700 companies in the oil and gas industry. In addition to support for individuals through the transition training fund, we have also provided a further £12.5 million to support innovation and business resilience, informed by the work of the energy jobs task force. This included £10 million of Scottish Enterprise funding to help firms to reduce risks associated with carrying out research and development. To date, around 78 innovation projects with a total project value of around £16 million have benefited from around £7 million of Scottish Government support. £2.5 million was set aside for business resilience reviews, providing targeted support from industry experts with over £2.5 million committed investment so far. Scottish Enterprise and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise are providing practical assistance to the supply chain and have run six resilience in oil and gas events, welcoming 217 delegates from 144 companies to hear from experts on strategy, operations, finance and market resilience. In addition, our competitive business rates package also targets support where it is most needed, capping rates increases for it in the region of 1,000 offices in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, as the local area most adversely affected by changes in the oil and gas sector. Councils are able to apply further rates reductions and we continue to work with Aberdeenshire City and Aberdeenshire Council to inform that consideration. Thank you for that answer. Could the minister also outline what he believes to be the key asks of the industry to the UK Government at this time, which will support the considerable work done within the limited powers of the Scottish Government and may also allow companies and the oil and gas workforce to plan for the future? Minister. I certainly recognise the balance between devolved and reserved powers. It is encouraging that the chancellor has finally listened to repeated calls from my predecessors in the industry. I have been repeatedly making for some time to ensure that the right assets are on the right hand. We have seen some recent deals of that nature in terms of transferring some shell to Crissure and BP to Enquest, but it is crucial that the UK Government turns talk into action rather than simply forming further talking shops. While the panel has been established, we really need it to come forward with concrete proposals that can help the industry. This week's oil and gas UK business built and highlighted the urgent need for fresh capital investment to stimulate activity and maximise economic recovery. We believe that steps must be taken to incentivise investment and exploration, which would be of particular help to the supply chain, which is likely to continue to see some tough times ahead. We are doing everything that we can within our devolved powers, as I have outlined in my original answer, but we really need the UK Government to step up and stop talking and do something to help the industry. Ross Thompson Thank you, Presiding Officer. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, as well as the Minister for Business and Innovation, has said that business rates raised locally and collected locally stay locally. However, Aberdeenshire Council this morning, councillors were advised that of the £116 million that they expected from business rates next year, they are only getting £93 million from the Scottish Government. Can the Scottish Government tell us where the £23 million has gone? I think that the member raised an issue, which is important, but, as I stressed in my own attendance at an event in Inverourie, I think that Mr Thompson was present. This is an issue where revenue is retained by councillors, but on a multi-year basis. I will ask my colleague, Derek Mackay, to provide further detail of that mechanism so that it is understood by the member and other members in the chamber. Lewis MacDonald Thank you very much. The minister will know that, of the 10,000 businesses in the northeast hit by the recent rates to evaluation, 8,000 of those have had no benefit from the selective cap that was announced on 21 February. Will the Scottish Government not now offer some support to businesses such as that owned by my constituents, Graham and Linda Dawson, who have faced not only a 50 per cent increase in their rates liability but, as a result, have been taken out of any access whatsoever to the small business rates relief scheme, or was Stuart Spence of the Markliffe hotel right when he told this morning's press and journal, I just don't think that they have grasped the problem in Aberdeen? Lewis MacDonald As Lewis MacDonald knows and has been explained on this chamber on a number of occasions, individual rates valuations have been set by assessors. The Scottish Government ministers do not have any role in setting valuations, but what I would say is that clearly any business such as that highlighted by Graham and Linda Dawson in his constituency would be able to take forward an appeal. Speaking to the assessor for Aberdeenshire, it is very keen to engage with businesses on an informal basis to see if there is any mistake being made in the valuation and to take forward any changes that could be arising from that. If, of course, the Dawson's are unhappy with the outcome of that, they can still take forward a formal appeal and will have up to six months to do so. It certainly encourages them to engage with the assessor who seems willing to have detailed discussions about individual businesses on an open-book basis to see if there is any unfairness in the valuation that has been arrived at. However, we continue to support businesses as best we can with national release and, indeed, local authorities are taking forward local release as well. Alex Cole-Hamilton To ask the Scottish Government for what reason prisoners contesting their convictions are reportedly denied privileges afforded to the wider prison population. A system of privileges is in place in every prison in Scotland, although the system may contain different provisions depending on the security category of prisoners or for prisoners detained in specific parts of the prison, it does not restrict privileges for those contesting their convictions. Alex Cole-Hamilton I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. My constituents Stephen Green and Alan Dambrosio are both serving seven years in HMP Edinburgh. They both maintain their innocence, and I personally find the grounds for their appeal most compelling. They have already suffered unacceptable delays in the appeals process and have been told that they cannot progress to Castle Huntly, and the significant privileges that are for them have already been given to them. They have been told that they cannot progress to Castle Huntly, and the significant privileges that that affords while they are contesting their verdicts. Does the cabinet secretary agree that denying prisoners progression in this way puts unfair pressure on those who might be innocent to abandon their appeals, and what steps does he plan to take to address that? Alex Cole-Hamilton It would be appropriate for me to comment on an individual case relating to two of Mr Cole-Hamilton's constituents. Those are matters for the courts to determine if any appeal is being pursued. What I can say to the member is that denying the index offence does not automatically exclude an individual from progressing to less secure conditions. However, the Scottish Prison Service must consider the risk of an individual before they consider whether they should move to less secure conditions. The process for that work is being taken forward within the Scottish Prison Service through the risk management team within an establishment that is responsible for considering whether a prisoner should move to less secure conditions. Where an individual denies some or even part of their index offence and that that restricts their access to being able to participate in any of the behaviour programmes that the Scottish Prison Service operates, the risk management team can also consider the findings within a psychological risk assessment as well. It does not place a complete provision that prevents them from being able to progress to less secure conditions. However, those matters are considered and decided upon by the risk management team within the establishment. Claudia Beamish To us, the Scottish Government, whether it will provide an update on environmental concerns regarding the aquaculture industry production targets. Minister, Aquaculture Scotland provides world-class products, namely farm salmon and trout, which have the potential to contribute £3.6 billion annually to the Scottish economy, supporting 18,000 jobs across the supply chain by 2030. The sector supported by the Scottish Government must strive to be a world leader in innovation and demonstrate a global model for sustainable growth. At the same time, however, we need to ensure that there are appropriate measures in place to protect Scotland's water environment from any adverse impacts. Claudia Beamish I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. The industry is significant, of course, for employment to fragile coastal communities. As the industry develops and the Scottish Government consultation, which I understand is about to open, goes live, it is important to consider environmental and welfare issues as well. Will the Scottish Government and the cabinet secretary consider welfare assessments into delicing treatments and the success or otherwise of cleaner fish, which is a more environmentally friendly way of dealing with this intractable problem? As I brought forward in my amendment, which was actually turned down by the Scottish Government to the Aquaculture Act as it now is, a farm-level assessment for reporting with a delay to give companies an opportunity to sort out any problems and to protect their reputation. Michael Matheson In principle, the member raises very reasonable points and one that we all share. As I have already said, we need to have appropriate measures in place to protect our water environment. She is quite correct that there is a forthcoming consultation on a new licensing framework. This new framework will seek to help the aquaculture to expand, but within sustainable limits. I am pleased to inform members who may not follow this as avidly as I am. Figures published by the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation on 13 February show that reported sea-lice levels during quarter 4 were the lowest since 2013, which is very welcome to use. However, we need to do a lot more work, including the thorough assessment of all planning applications, and I can assure all members that that is the approach that we take. Tavish Scott I hope that the cabinet secretary might accept that fish farming is one of the most regulated industries in Scotland and needs to be supported through that regulation. Would he include a beamish's point, though, except that the marine centre in Scalloway is undertaking field trials into the use of lump-sucker fish as a mechanism for dealing with sea-lice, which is indeed a grave problem for the industry? Is that the way forward that he proceeds for the industry, and will he make sure that his research funds go into supporting that kind of initiative? Michael Matheson Yes, I am very happy to agree with the member, and indeed I was not so long ago in Shetland and more recently last week in Fort William, unable to speak to people about the success that fish farming provides in Scotland for our most rural communities, where there would not really be many other obvious employment alternatives. I think that Tavish Scott would also agree that salmon is the most climate-friendly food with the lowest carbon footprint of any food so far as I know in the world. This is a great Scottish success story and we are determined to write new chapters there and then. Liam Kerr To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed integration of the British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland. Minister, how is it useful? The Scottish Government's railway policing Scotland bill was published on 8 December 2016 with the objective of paving the way of integration of British Transport Police into Police Scotland. The bill is currently subject to parliamentary scrutiny. Liam Kerr It is the opinion of, among others, the rail operators, the rail unions, the travelling public, the BTP federation, the BTP itself—now even Police Scotland—that this merger is unnecessary and threatens passenger safety. Deputy Chief Constable Hanstock has said that we have not been able to identify any operational or economic benefits. The BTP federation has said that the force is an established and successful model and highlighted an inspection that was so successful that no recommendations were made. Minister, the British Transport Police is not broken. What is the Scottish Government trying to fix? Minister. Let me make a couple of observations from the remarks that the member has made. The first I will like to remind the member that, of course, the devolution of British Transport Police is a result of the Smith commission that is reached by all parties coming together in consensus. The second point—oh, they do not like that very much at all. They will not like the second point that I am going to make, either. At that point, of course, is that I was looking through the consultation responses to this very bill that we have brought forward, desperately looking to what the alternative is that the Conservatives are proposing. Presiding Officer, I could not find any consultation response from the Conservatives whatsoever. Let me say this. What we are doing with British Transport Police is ensuring that it has the same level of accountability as Police Scotland to this Parliament, which, of course, previously did not have. If Mr Kerr, in the way of being constructive, would like to join in the next meeting that I have with rail operators, as I did yesterday with ACC Higgins Police Scotland and the British Transport Police, he is more than welcome, because he will find very, very soon that the way that he has characterised their views on British Transport Police integration is not their view at all. In terms of being constructive, I will come forward with the proposals of what the alternative may be, but I will come and have a conversation with the rail operators and you will find that the way that he has characterised it is not the way that they view integration at all. Kenneth Gibson Thank you, Presiding Officer. Can the cabinet secretary confirm the integration of British Transport Police will mean a more efficient and effective service? Rather than wait on occasion for a considerable period of time for BTP colleagues, local police officers can be drafted in to deal with crimes on our railway network much more quickly. It was touched on there in the previous answer, minister, but you are not surprised why the Tories in this place are so opposed to this, why their colleagues in Westminster were so keen to devolve it. Kenneth Gibson A couple of observations, of course. The UK Government is looking at integration of British Transport Police south of the border with other infrastructure authorities as well. Now, it has not made an announcement on that, but I assume that the Conservatives in this chamber will be equally vocal in their opposition to that as they seem to be on our plans at the moment. The second point that I would make is that the ACC Higgins at the Justice Committee just on Tuesday gave an absolute assurance to the British Transport Police that we know that they have expertise, and that expertise will be maintained in a railway policing division within Police Scotland. That expertise, which has been gained over many years, will be protected. The funding that goes to the British Transport Police is protected, triple-lock guarantee in terms of jobs, pensions and pay. That means that the safety of the commuter passengers and those who use our railways is paramount in our minds as a Government and, indeed, in the minds of Police Scotland and, of course, the British Transport Police. 5. Jackie Baillie To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's review of GP out-of-hours services. The out-of-hours primary care system has been facing increasing challenges with pressure of work rising due to significant numbers of people seeking help and due to the lack of available GPs willing to participate in the out-of-hours service. It was with that in mind that we published the report, Pulling Together, Transforming Urgent Care for the People of Scotland in November 2015, which was led by Professor Sir Lewis Ritchie and followed extensive consultation with stakeholders. The review highlighted the need to think anew about what is best for urgent care for the people of Scotland and that that would require transformational change across many sectors. The review by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has been undertaken to ensure a safe and sustainable out-of-hours service. We have been assured that the board will be undertaking meaningful engagement with the public to shape its future provision of its out-of-hours service. Jackie Baillie The cabinet secretary will be aware that, over the last three weekends, there have been no GPs available to cover the out-of-hours service at the Vale of Leven hospital. Although I understand that the health board is reviewing the service, it has given absolutely no guarantee about operating hours continuing. Will the cabinet secretary guarantee that current evening and weekend services will be fully retained after the review, or will there be cuts at my local hospital? The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport has advised that the closure of the out-of-hours service at the Vale of Leven hospital on the dates that Jackie Baillie referred to was a temporary measure taken to protect patient care due to a staff shortage. The hospital did continue to have medical and nursing staff on-site in the minor injury service, and patients requiring emergency medical attention were treated by the service. For those who needed a primary care service but were deemed not to be in an emergency, transport was offered so that it could be transferred to an alternative out-of-hours service. In terms of going forward, the review will be getting under way. We need to wait until we see the outcome of that review. However, it is clear that we need a robust, safe and sustainable out-of-hours service that is available to people within Jackie Baillie's constituency or elsewhere within Greater Glasgow and Clyde. We should allow the review to take its course. I will then make sure in discussion with Glasgow and Clyde that that aspiration is delivered. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of ambulance provision in the Moray area. The deployment of ambulance resources is an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. The service continually reviews demand and resourcing throughout the country to ensure that it is delivering a safe and effective service that meets the needs of the people and their communities across Scotland. Cabinet Secretary will be aware that, last week, 95 per cent of ambulance staff who are unite members supported the call to start official dispute talks with management. Staff have said that bosses are clueless and more interested in spin than sorting the service. In Moray, we have had a new ambulance not being used for months because of a lack of driver training. Administrative errors, meaning that the stock of oxygen in Elgin was so depleted that it had to be rationed by ambulance staff because their tanks were in the red. What is the cabinet secretary's response to the catalogue of problems in the area and will she agree to meet with me and members of the Scottish Ambulance Service to urgently discuss those issues to ensure that local ambulance staff are properly equipped to do the job and the public in Moray get the service that they expect and deserve? Cabinet Secretary? I am aware of the issues that are raised in the north of Scotland and have been in contact with the service to discuss those matters. In fact, I discussed that with the chair of the Ambulance Service, David Garbat, just this week. I am reassured that work is on going to address the concerns that are raised. It is very important that those concerns are addressed and have been asked to be kept informed of any developments. I should say that the Scottish Government has invested an extra £11.4 million in the Scottish Ambulance Service, and that has helped in the recruitment of 200 additional paramedics this year, 30 of whom will be working in the Grampian area. I would hope that that is something that the member would welcome, because that is important resources that his constituents will benefit from.