 rodym yn gwych. Felly roeddwn i gwellaintgyf scanffordd i gyfer y cyfnod ddynion i gweithio ddau i gael blyneddol i ddau. 1, Maurice Corry A tapewni ddewch chi, maeddan i, i ddiwedd i ddweud i ddangosu cyfnodperio a achieving i ddyddiantu gwaith rwyf yn y cadwysig a sinnes y Sears Cymraeg, y Cymru ddych chi ddiliadwch i dweud eu trefwyd? Mae Sears yn canigam i ddiliadwch i ddiliadwch i ddiliadwch i ddiliadwch i annid y Sears yn unig mai ffordd ac yn ymwyfent yn y strategaeth Gwyl Lleid. Mae gennym mwren plastig yw prydau mewn ymniadau gŽserol mewn hyd yn 4 cwrdd. Rwyf yn y spentid ynghylch i gweithio yn cael weltydd a bhlygau gwneudol i gweithio'r ysgol, ac yn ystod i gynnigrwch mewn drwdyn nhw'r uchynedd i hyrwan o ddysbosiblwr, mae'n cyfwilwch gweithfeydd. Felly, mae'n gweithio £500,000 i gwyntio i gyd ddwyllwch gweithwyr around the coast and to develop policy to address marine plastics, which will involve working with community groups. We will host an international conference in 2019 to discuss improving our marine environment and protecting our wildlife, focusing on marine plastics. We are introducing a ban on the manufacture and sale of rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads with the rest of the UK, which is expected to be in place 9 July 2018. We have also recently pledged our support of the Global Ghost Gear initiative to ensure that the issue of loss or abandoned fishing gear, often made of plastics, is addressed around the world. Maurice Corry I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer. It is clear that the UK Government is taking the lead in the fight against the scourge of plastic waste in our oceans. I am sure that we have all seen the scenes in Blue Planet recently in that documentary, which so vividly highlighted the damage plastic pollution causes to marine life. Will the cabinet secretary commit to working with the UK Government constructively in the light of the ban on microbeads and to consider how charges on single-use plastic items could help to reduce waste? Maurice Corry I thank Maurice Corry for that follow-up, although he will find that Michael Gove is on record as saying that there is a lot England could learn from the more ambitious approach that Wales and Scotland take on environmental issues. Of course, we support any initiative that the UK Government wants to take in respect of that. I hope that it will follow us in a number of the things that we are discussing. I am aware of the recent statement by Michael Gove on that. I am conscious that he is asking for a task force to look at environmental taxes. Maurice Corry will know that such taxes are not devolved to the Parliament, which is why we were more careful in our use of the word charges and levies rather than taxes. Of course, I welcome any moves. That is a global problem, and it will require a global effort. Kate Forbes As an MSP who represents east and west coastlines and who thinks that urgent action is required to reduce ocean plastics, does the Government agree with me that urgent action is required to crack down particularly on single-use disposable plastics such as straws, cotton buds and cutlery, which all have environmentally friendly alternatives, considering that the Government has taken the lead on changing behaviour through, for example, plastic bag charges? Kate Forbes Yes, I do. That is why we indicated in the programme for government that we were going to look very closely at single-use items. While coffee cups tend to be the one that most often refer to, there are a great many other items made of plastic, as we have all seen if we were watching Blue Planet, which can have an enormously damaging effect on our seas. I do think that all the options that are open to us should be looked at very carefully. That is why we flagged it up in the programme for government and we are considering a number of possible options that we can take forward in that context. Claudia Beamish I recognise the work that the Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland and others are doing on this very serious issue of marine litter and particularly plastics. Last week, along with members of all parties, I attended the Clean Beach Scotland reception, and it was truly inspiring what art can do to support communities and others in the work. Marine Conservation Society, Fidra, Scottish Fishermen's Federation and harbormasters from my region and elsewhere were involved, along with others. I wonder what work the cabinet secretary can highlight to ensure that all the partners are inclusively involved as we go forward. Claudia Beamish We are in an almost constant dialogue with just about all potential stakeholders. I too am struck by the extent to which this has become something that people understand at almost every level in society now. I would have to say that, even before Blue Planet, we were aware that, for example, many young children in schools have been coming to an understanding of the damage that this is causing. I know that schools such as Sunnyside primary school and ocean defenders have been set up, and I am aware that they have begun to work on a campaign of nace straw at all—plastic straws. That is one example of the many, many items that we could be looking at. We are working with absolutely everybody. The work that the various organisations that the member flags up is incredibly important. It needs to be backed up by both Government and global action, because, however strongly people feel about it and whatever the work that they do locally, without that global and Government back up, it will continue to not be sufficient. Kenneth Gibson Having hosted an event in Hullary last August on behalf of the X expedition, an all-female around Britain expedition examining plastic pollution in our seas, I am delighted that the Scottish Government is working hard to decrease such pollution. Will the Government fund fuller research into the impact of toxins found in plastic entering the food chain and how that can be diminished? The member will have heard my comments about single-use items and the work that is beginning to go into looking at them. Marine Scotland Science has already researched the uptake of toxic pollutants by microplastics and their bioavailability to species in the food chain. In a sense, that is also an answer to Claudia Beamish, because Marine Scotland is also working with MASTS, the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland, co-chairing the microplastics group, which includes Herriot-Watt University, that has researched the impact of those toxins from microplastics. The member can be assured that we are aware of the concern, aware of the problem, and we are working to see what can be done to decrease that pollution. The constituency MSP for Sunnyside primary school, Eivor McKee. I am glad to hear that the cabinet secretary recognised the work of Sunnyside primary school ocean defenders in my Glasgow Provin constituency and the work that they are doing on their next draws a talk campaign. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that this shows that everyone has a role in marine conservation, not just those constituencies that have beaches? I think that that is really important, because there will be a tendency on everybody's part to assume that it is those coastal communities that somehow have more responsibility than others, but the truth of the matter is that we know that it is not necessarily populations in coastal communities that can be creating the biggest problem for our seas. The health of our seas and oceans is absolutely essential for everybody's health and welfare, whether they live on the coast or inland. I want to reiterate how impressive Sunnyside primary is in a draw a talk campaign, because it does send out exactly the right message. It highlights something that is unnecessary and wasteful when it comes to single-use items, and it flags up that that is the kind of behaviour that must change. It is innovative and creative, and it is coming from young people who, of course, are our future. We are looking very hard where and in what way we will be able to legislate to reduce single-use items, such as the one that is being flagged up by Sunnyside primary school. I hope that the continued support from across the chamber is something that we can count on as we move forward. Question 2, Liz Smith. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of concerns raised by COSLA regarding local authorities not being able to register all of their properties on the land register of Scotland by 2019. I should point out that this is perhaps a question that might have been more properly put to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, who is responsible for the land register. I can, however, advise the member that progress is being made by public sector bodies, including local authorities, to meet the 2019 target. A number of local authorities have voluntarily registered land assets, and Registers of Scotland have established a team of advisers dedicated specifically to supporting this task. We recognise that it is a challenging target, and we remain committed to working with local authorities on this matter. Liz Smith. I thank the cabinet secretary for her response, and I note to the comment about to whom it should be addressed. Nonetheless, COSLA has highlighted the issues with resources that can be leading to delay, meaning that that 2019 deadline will likely prove too much of a challenge given the number of titles that need to be added to the register. Could I ask the Scottish Government and her colleagues, if necessary, if it will provide assistance to help local authorities to progress with this matter? I am aware of the comments that are being made by COSLA in respect of that. The chamber should be aware that the Scottish ministers introduced a 25 per cent reduction in fees for voluntary registration in June 2015, which reduces the costs of registration for local authorities. Registers of Scotland have also extended their keeper-induced registration programme to include publicly owned land. It does not mean that the majority of not all local authority housing stock will be entered on to the land register by registers of Scotland with no cost or resource implications for local authorities. 2019 is a challenging target. We will hope to get as many areas of Scotland by that target date as possible. Question 3 has not been lodged. Question 4, Graham Dey. To ask the Scottish Government when it will bring forward legislation regarding the reintroduction of beavers. As the member will be aware, I set out the position on this on 11 December in answer to a written question. The date on which beavers will receive protection in line with the EU Habitats Directive and be placed on the list of protected species depends on the completion of the strategic environmental assessment process. The SEA was published for consultation on 12 December. It is expected that that will be completed and the Scottish statutory instrument laid in the first half of 2018. Graham Dey. I thank the cabinet secretary for the answer, but can I ask what progress is being made on a practical level developing an accompanying practical management regime? Will that be available for scrutiny alongside the secondary legislation and will there be a scheme in place to compensate anyone who is affected by serious and verifiable damage caused by beavers? There is currently good progress being made on the development of practical management arrangements, which were part of the agreement that was made at the start of the process. Our intention is that those arrangements should be sufficiently responsive and robust to prevent damage occurring in the first place. However, officials are indeed intending shortly to discuss with farmers and other land and fishery managers what sort of financial support may be appropriate where damage occurs and is attributable to beavers. Documents setting out the management regime and the associated financial arrangements will be made available for scrutiny alongside the secondary legislation when it is brought forward. David Stewart. Is the cabinet secretary aware of the trees-for-life assessment of beaver release in Strathglass in my region? Can I meet the cabinet secretary to discuss this issue further? I am always happy to meet David Stewart on whatever subject he wishes to raise with me. I am aware of the campaign that trees-for-life is running. I am conscious that there are issues in the members' part of the world in relation to beavers. I expect that that is exactly what he wishes to talk to me about. I will be happy to meet him. John Scott. The cabinet secretary is very aware of the illegal release of beavers in the take-catchment area, which in its own way is a wildlife crime. What steps is she taking to stop and discourage such illegal releases in the future of beavers and, indeed, other animals? John Scott may remember when I made the announcement in the first place that I was very clear that I would not tolerate continued illegal releases. The illegal release issue is—people need to remember this—criminal activity and needs to be treated extremely seriously. I am conscious that we have two major populations of beavers now in Scotland, one of which was there officially, the other that arose from an unauthorised release in the first place. Needless to say, it is the one that has arisen from the unauthorised release that is causing the greatest difficulty. That shows that, without proper planning and management in the first place, the release of any animal can create problems and the problems that are then created are more difficult to manage in the longer term. We will be taking decisive action when we understand that there are unauthorised or illegal releases. I hope that the member will take my absolute word that we mean what we say. Bill Kidd, to ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact of Brexit on environmental legislation. We are in regular contact at both ministerial and official level with the UK Government on the potential impacts of the decision to exit the EU. I met with Mr Gove, Ms Griffiths, the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs and officials from the Northern Irish Executive in November, where I set out Scotland's commitment to the core EU environmental principles of precaution, prevention, rectifying pollution at source and the political pace principle. We met again last week, where I reaffirmed Scotland's ambition to not only carry over the status quo but to keep pace with Brussels to limit any potential divergence in standards. The Scottish Government is carefully considering whether any gaps could arise in existing domestic monitoring and enforcement powers that would need to be addressed to ensure that Scotland maintains high standards of environmental protection. I have asked the round table on environment and climate change for its views on where potential gaps may arise and asked them to provide a range of options and how best to fill them. Bill Kidd. I thank the cabinet secretary for her kind and comprehensive reply. Here is the political bit. Does the cabinet secretary have confidence that the UK Government has the ability or possibly the desire to deliver what has been dubbed a green Brexit and what is envisioned as the potential impact of Brexit on Scotland's environment? It is fair to say that the quality and depth of engagement by the UK Government since June 2016 makes it very hard to judge the degree of readiness or commitment, and therefore it is impossible to be absolutely confident about an answer to that. How far an ambition for a green Brexit is shared among UK ministers, I am afraid I cannot tell. However, the Scottish Government remains committed to engaging constructively and at meetings with UK ministers. I continue to press on matters of concern for Scotland's environment. Brexit must not provide an excuse to lower environmental standards. Current environmental standards should be maintained, where it is in our interest to set higher standards. We should be absolutely free to do that. Recent dialogue to be fair to the UK Government has been more constructive. However, there are still some unanswered questions, not least in relation to devolved powers, which are currently exercised in the framework provided by EU law. There is still no clarity on what type of future engagement in European agreements and institutions will be agreed, or indeed on future funding guarantees. Miles Briggs To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce plastic waste in the marine environment. The member will have heard my initial response to his colleague at question 1. My answer to him would have been in the same terms. I say, Presiding Officer, that I am heartened by the significant interest in marine issues being shown by not just the Tory members but all members in this chamber. Miles Briggs The cabinet secretary for that answer. Can I ask this question specifically regarding any assessment that the Government has made with regard to sea bin technology, a floating debris interception device, powered by an underwater pump, which is now, I understand, being trialled in both England and 16 other countries. Does the cabinet secretary believe that the use of such technology, while not wishing to take away from any of the focus around prevention of plastic waste entering our seas in the first place, could actually play a significant role in reducing plastic waste from harbors, marinas and shallow coastal waters? Miles Briggs I thank the member for that question. It sounds like a promising piece of technology. We are embarking on a marine litter sink project. There is work being done with Arica having been identified as a case study area because there is very proactive community engagement there. I will ask a question as to whether this is a piece of technology that is being considered by that group. It may already be part of what they are looking at. Question 7, Colin Beattie. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to a recent study that found that air pollution can increase the risk of birth defects. I am aware of the study that is referred to by the member. The Scottish Government recognises the impact that poor air quality can have on public health, especially for the young and old and those with pre-existing conditions. For that reason, we have in partnership with others developed the cleaner air for Scotland strategy. It sets out a series of actions for government, transport Scotland, local authorities and others to further reduce air pollution across all areas of Scotland. Colin Beattie. Would the cabinet secretary agree with me that Scotland has the opportunity to be a world leader in the reduction of air pollution, in particular through steps such as the introduction of low emission zones? I would certainly hope that Scotland, where possible, would become a world leader on this as on other things. We face air quality issues in parts of Scotland that are principally local in origin, but transboundary pollution is also an issue. We will continue to play our part to reduce the impact of Scottish emissions, recognising our international responsibilities and working in partnership with other countries to learn and share expertise, which is something that I am very keen to do whenever I can. That concludes Environment Questions. We move now to rural economy and connectivity questions. Question 1 has been withdrawn. Question 2, Tom Arthur. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve rail services in the Renfrewshire South constituency. Minister Humza Yousaf. The Scottish Government is committed to improving rail services in Renfrewshire South. We have, through the ScotRail franchise, delivered enhanced passenger facilities such as the new waiting shelters, custom information screens, cycle parking and new ticket vending machines at stations in the constituency. In addition, the car park at Johnson station was expanded in 2015 to provide a further 80 spaces. In addition, more than £475 million is being invested in Ibello ScotRail's rolling stock, which will deliver major enhancements to train facilities and increase seating capacity by 23 per cent by 2019 to support growth in our railways. Tom Arthur. I thank the minister for that answer and I very much welcome the Government's commitment to invest in rail services in Renfrewshire South. However, my constituents are concerned that improved services could be threatened by the UK Government's proposal to cut funding for Scotland's railways by £600 million, which is why I raised the issue previously with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, who informed the chamber that the UK Government had failed to give a satisfactory explanation. Can the minister update Parliament as to whether there has been any progress on the matter and what support, if any, he has had for other parties in this chamber? I thank the member for the question. There has been a further update from Her Majesty's Treasury, which still leaves a shortfall of more than £400 million. That is £400 million short of not what the Scottish Government asks for or demands, but it is coming directly from the industry. That is what the industry tells us. It needs maintenance, operations, renewals and enhancements on the network in the future. I am disappointed by the Tory response, which came back to me by defending its colleagues in Westminster, but I have to say from some of the other parties that there has been no response in almost three months when I wrote the letter to Labour's transport spokesman and not a single response. He never writes, never calls, but all members, regardless of party affiliation, should join with the Scottish Government. It would do well to stand up for Scotland's railways against those savage Tory cuts. To ask the Scottish Government how much Scotland's food and drinks exports were worth in the first nine months of 2017. In the first nine months of 2017, HMRC estimates show that Scotland's overseas food and drink exports were valued at approximately £4.3 billion, which is £4,300 million. Representing an increase of around £500 million, or 13 per cent, compared to the same period in 2016. 42 per cent of those exports were worth around £1.77 billion, were to the EU. For food exports alone, almost 70 per cent were to the EU. I apologise to the member. I think that I cut him off mid-flow. David Torrance, I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Can the cabinet secretary advise the Parliament as to the value of Scotland's farmed salmon exports, which countries are the best importers of Scottish farmed salmon? Does he share my concerns about such exports being held up at the borders due to a hard Brexit, a result that the Scottish salmon producers organisation says would be a disaster? Yes, the member is correct. Salmon exports are extremely valuable. They were worth £483 million in the first nine months of this year, an increase of 56 per cent in value from 2000, a really quite staggering increase, with France being the number one destination. The EU remains the biggest single regional market for our salmon, importing £215 million in the first nine months of this year. I share the concerns that Mr Torrance expresses. A hard Brexit risks access to Scotland's biggest overseas regional food and drink export market and could risk increasing the cost of exporting to the EU. The Scottish Government position remains clear that the whole of the UK should remain in the single market. If that is not possible, Scotland should, like Northern Ireland, be entitled to a special arrangement. That is essential in order to maintain a successful and sustainable aquaculture sector in Scotland. Indeed, for similar food sectors, Mr Torrance can be absolutely assured that I and my colleagues will continue to make these points to the UK Government at every available opportunity. Edward Mountain. I would like to refer members to my register of interests that I am a member of a farming partnership that produces food. The figures that the cabinet secretary replicated, and those of the latest figures in 2015, are that £1.8 billion of Scotland's export went to the EU, where £4.1 billion went to the UK—that is £2.3 billion more, cabinet secretary. Does the cabinet secretary believe that the UK single market in 2018 will remain more important to Scotland's food producers than the EU? Of course, all markets are important. That is why, in working with Scotland Food and Drink, we are going to be doing even more to build up further trade in the UK market. However, the threat to the existing market at the moment is to the EU. That threat is because of Brexit, and the SSPO, the salmon producers organisation, has put forward a very clear set of concerns that include an automatic inheritance, continuation of bilateral rights and obligations for the UK under existing international trade arrangements with third non-EU countries, clear and reliable legal redress and dispute resolution mechanisms, a definitive position on the jurisdiction of courts, a clear and definitive position on arbitration mechanisms, continued harmonisation of UK and EU laws and others that I cannot mention. None of those questions have been answered, and we are very close to Brexit, so the loss, the threat to the market that Mr Mountain seems to think is not of concern is a huge concern to the salmon producers, and the UK market will continue, and we will build on it further. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the Secretary of State for Transport to discuss cross-border rail services. Keith Brown, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, met the Secretary of State for Transport on 3 July. I am currently in an exchange with Mr Grayling, the Secretary of State, regarding cross-border matters of mutual interest. In fact, today, later on, I will be signing off a letter in relation to the east coast partnership. I thank the minister for that answer when ministers next meet with the Secretary of State for Transport can ask him to raise the concerns of the hundreds of thousands of passengers who now use Lockerbie station in the south of Scotland. As a direct result of the UK Government's current franchise and delays in awarding new franchises, those passengers for Lockerbie see more trains pass through the station than stop there. They still do not have a direct service early morning to Edinburgh. There are no services to the capital from 10am to 2.30pm. They regularly suffer from overcrowding and they even find themselves banned from booking seats from Lockerbie to Edinburgh during busy periods. Will the minister raise the plight of those passengers and fight for extra services from Lockerbie station? I think that the member raises a good point. Just as a bit of context, it is probably worth noting that, as he alludes to the cross-border franchises, they are specified and awarded by the UK Government by the department. For Transport now, we have a generally good relationship with the DFT and we look to input that where we can. I will certainly take the points that he has raised. If he wants to formalise them and add to them in terms of future west coast partnership franchises, I will certainly do that. It is probably worth noting at this point that it is because of this Government's direct intervention that there are stops to Lockerbie and Motherwell on the west coast mainline that were not there before. Wherever we can input into strengthening those services, he has an absolute guarantee and an absolute assurance from me that we will make that case to the UK Government. Any cross-border services will require extensive community buy-in, therefore outreach will be needed to ensure transparency and accountability. One of the ministers could tell us how the Scottish Government is engaging with stakeholders and community groups to ensure that any cross-border real services meet their expectations. The member raises a good point. It is worth mentioning that those contracts are specified and awarded by the UK Government. We have some limited input in that. We have already started conversations in the west coast partnership with the three bidders that have been mentioned. We will continue to exchange with MSPs across the chamber. That is an open invitation to any MSP that wishes to write to me about what their expectations are of future cross-border franchises. I will certainly take that forward with the appropriate UK Government minister. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take regarding Northern Isles, Interisland ferry services, in light of the debate, on 6 December 2017. The 2016 S&P manifesto contained a commitment to, and I quote, take action to reduce ferry fares on ferry services to Orkney and Shetland. That Government is delivering on that commitment, and that is our priority. The Interisland ferry service, which the member talks about, of course, is the responsibility of the local authorities. There was never an agreement that the Scottish Government would automatically fund the council's financial ask. There is no provision within the draft budget for 2018-19. For that topic, we look to continue to work constructively on that issue. There is a window of opportunity for other political parties to engage constructively in that we would ask the question that if the funding is in the budget, will Rhoda Grant vote for it simply yes or no? Would, of course, suffice. Despite promises made to the Northern Isles council, the minister has confirmed yet again today for the second time that there is no additional money in this year's budget, not a penny for the Northern Isles interisland ferry services. Worse than that, there are huge cuts to council budgets making those services even more precarious. When will the Scottish Government implement the policy of fair funding for ferry services and stop playing politics with lifeline services? She is, of course, wrong on the premise of her question. There has been a cash increase in the draft budget to local governments, so they have been treated well. Now, there is a window of opportunity. Instead of reading from her pre-prepared script, she could have, of course, looked to answer my question, which was that if that funding is included in the finalised budget, will Rhoda Grant vote for the budget? She said she will not. Will she say from a sedentary position that she would not vote for additional funding for internal ferries? Well, there you have it. They are playing politics. Instead of standing up for their constituents, they are, of course, siding with their political party. Liam McArthur Thank you, Presiding Officer. Three years ago, the transport minister's predecessor, Derek Mackay, informed me in this chamber that the provision of transport services should not place a disproportionate financial burden on any council, particularly with reference to revenue support for ferry services. Does Mr Yousaf believe that the lifeline internal ferry services in Orkney, which account for 14 per cent of OIC's total annual budget, represents a disproportionate financial burden? If not, why not? Of course, Orkney and Shetland Island Council receive additional funding through their special islands need allowance. The member is probably aware of that. Once again, I go back to the point that the promise made by the Scottish Government was to engage constructively in dialogue. We have done that, in fact, after the last meeting between myself, Derek Mackay and the leaders of both Shetland and Orkney Island Council, the leaders of those councils said that that meeting was constructive, that the engagement was positive. To the member, of course, there is a window of opportunity. On the fifth time of asking, would he vote for that budget if, of course, it includes funding for internal ferry services, he has refused to say that he would? Jamie Halcro Johnston Just last week, in response to the member for Orkney asking, I quote, when will the Scottish Government honour the commitment that it made in 2014 to provide fair funding for those lifeline services? The economy secretary responded that the commitment was made, and I quote again, as long ago as when I was transport minister and directly to the councils involved. Will the minister now accept that there is a clear commitment from the Scottish Government to deliver fair funding for Orkney and Shetland's internal ferries? Will he advise us on how the Scottish Government plans to deliver on that clear commitment? Jamie Halcro Johnston That was quite unbelievable, the hypocrisy of a Conservative member standing here, while they cut this Government's budget by £500 million over the next two years, demand that we reduce taxes and then demands that we put in funding for something that is not even this Government's responsibility. Does the member have no shame or no understanding, of course, of how budgets tend to work? Once again, I present to him with an opportunity, with an olive branch, if you will. If that money has been put in the budget by the time we get to the finalised budget scrutiny and process, will the member vote for that budget? Yes or no? So far, he has not said that he will. Jamie Halcro Johnston Minister, the questions are to you, not to the members in the audience. Jamie Halcro Johnston Question number six, Gordon Lindhurst. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce overcrowding on trains. Minister Humza Yousaf The Scottish Government is committed to significant investment in new and refurbished rolling stock in order to reduce overcrowding. Since 2007, 160 extra carriages have been introduced to the ScotRail fleet, with an extra 200 carriages to follow in the next 18 months. Over 475 million is being invested in ScotRail's rolling stock fleet during the franchise term. That includes new class 385s, which will provide almost 26 per cent more capacity. When they operate on seven cars and eight cars, that will be an increase of 44 per cent. When we introduce the 26 fully refurbished high-speed trains between Scotland's main cities from summer 2018, that will provide an additional 121 coaches, which is 40 per cent more seats. In the short term, the recent introduction of seven electric class 380 trains operating on the Edinburgh and Glasgow route will provide an increase of about 9,500 seats across the day. Gordon Lindhurst. I thank the minister for that answer, but what matters to commuters and those coming in to and from Edinburgh at the minute of this festive time of year is what is happening now. We have heard stories in recent weeks of customers fainting, bursting into tears and panicking as they are, and I quote, crammed in like sardines. The question is, what is the minister and the Government doing now to improve the rail passenger situation and make train services more efficient now? What I would say is that ScotRail is aware of the fact that during the festive period our trains are busy and they do what they can to strengthen services where possible. At the moment that they are using an automated passenger counting system, that gives them a more accurate idea of where some of the services have a heavier load. An example of that would be, for example, strengthening the 17 North Berwick to Haymarket weekday service from four carriages to six. Where they can strengthen services, they absolutely will. There is an understanding from passengers and commuters that, particularly during the festive periods, get towards Christmas in that last minute, Christmas shopping and people travelling rightly to winter markets and so on and so forth. There will be more passengers on our train service. I would say that, similar to my question, my answer to my colleague Jamie Halcro Johnston, I find it a tad bit hypocritical that the Conservatives stand here demanding more money for our railways while simultaneously cutting the budget by hundreds of millions of pounds for the railways. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the implementation of integrated smart ticketing on public transport. Smart tickets can now be used to make journeys on rail, on bus, subway, tram and air. Work is progressing with ferries. That means that Scotland has one of the most advanced smart integrated multi-modal public transport networks in the UK outside of London. Integrated ticketing between Glasgow Subway and ScotRail, as well as the introduction of multi-operator bus smart zones in Aberdeenshire, Dundee and more recently in Glasgow, with the hope that Edinburgh will soon follow in early 2018, have proven successful. Transport Scotland is now looking to expand the cross-mode interoperability for the full saltire smart card estate. In addition, we are working with the industry to support the contactless bank card payment system to bring more convenience to the travelling public. I thank the minister for that answer. A constituent of mine from Hamilton has raised concerns over the delays in implementing an integrated smart card system for our railways. His worry is that the ScotRail smart card will not be as functional as Oyster or perhaps the SPT Subway smart card and will have little advantage over paper tickets. I know that the Government has consulted recently and I wonder when the results will be published. While the aim of having one form of ticketing is a worthy one, is the minister satisfied that this proposal has been an effective use of money, especially when so many people are struggling to pay the increasing fares of transport operators such as ScotRail? Just on our final point, it is worth noting that this Government has capped any increase in fares, but the points raised by Monica Lennon on behalf of her constituent are a very fair one. The more integrated and seamless access to transport can be, the better for everybody. I should say that smart ticketing on ScotRail, the use of that has increased by 50 per cent in the past six months. 2.4 million journeys are now done on ScotRail using smart. More and more of ScotRail's ticketing options are coming on to smart. However, as I said to the member, I think that going by her supplementary, she probably agrees with this, that a lot more focus is now going on to EMV contactless solutions, which again will make that system even more accessible. I am more than happy to, of course, take further suggestions from Monica Lennon on her constituent and others. I would say that, as she has rightly alluded to, the consultation has just closed on this. Of course, I will keep it updated on the analysis. Thank you very much, minister and members. That concludes portfolio questions. We'll now move on to a statement on the Scottish Energy Strategy. We'll just take a few moments to change seats.