 given that the next item of business is a consideration of business motion 12046, in the name of Joe Fitzpatrick on behalf of the parliamentary bureau, setting out a variation and a suspension to standing orders to allow a debate on a Scottish statutory instrument this afternoon. I will ask any member who wishes to speak against the motion to press the request to speak button now. As no member has, I call on Joe Fitzpatrick Y lleiwl yn pethol plwy a'r gw Food reminds, ond rydychaid ierstiroriaeth,, wedi newid am cyffredin Imagins ynлом, yn ni a'r rai wrthio ddim y d SRF. P noble Command Government on allwn yonaievedarnwys, oedden ddeliw ruinom archi gwaeth pernt i'r cylaferei? Rwyf a execodd, flexwd, tyfu am auton o agafent enthrall, yn amlwnaeth ei gird sufnios fel siaradol, a dat abstract greifwyr a ddeliw rian, dan ddeliw~"r additional backsws genny? Be ddim codel, wedi streiw fthiriau i gyr dowell y cuit-ballau gydaid hyn amlawn A dda i'r Gweithdoedd ysgolwyr, mae'n teimlo'r ysgolwyr amser i'r sgolwyr cyflogau sy'n ffordd o'r rhaid i gael gwaith cyflogau sylwyr? Rwy'n cymaint yr ysgolwyr wedi gael sgolwyr yn ddi-flyg yn gwybodol o rhaid i ddweithio cyflogau cyflogau sylwyr o'r ddweithio cyflogau. Ysgolwyr cyflogau ysgolwyr yn yr ysgolwyr byw'r cyflogau sylwyr os ydw i'r gael gweithio'i llunydd, yn gyd, rydyn ni i fy rhan iawn i'r bergwy performingationalau, i ddigonwyd ac i'r cyfrifiadau syl блокwrs, ac i rhan iawn i'r cyfrifiadau sylwfranol, i ddigonwyd ac i'r cyfrifiadau sylwfranol, ac i ddigonwyd cyfrifiadau sylwfranol ac i ddigonwyd cyfrifiadau sylwfranol, i ddigonwyd cyfrifiadau sylwfranol i ddigonwyd, i ddigonwyd cyfrifiadau sylwfranol a'u lle yn llwynt gyda i'r cyrthifftsin i fynd i ddychliadau, gan gweithre Auto Lawr. 11,000 on 8 January. A total of 918 homes were without power for over 48 hours, but I'm pleased to say that the last few customers who were off electricity supply following the weekend storms have now been reconnected. Mike McKenzie The Secretary tells us what multi-agency support was provided for households affected by power outages over a sustained period of time. Over the course of the weekend, I convened a number of meetings of the Government's resilience operation supported by Mr Mackay, the transport minister and Dr McLeod, the minister for the environment, and worked with a variety of agencies. The Met Office, the transport companies, First Scot Rail and Network Rail, the power utility companies, Scottish and Southern Energy and Scottish Power, the work of SIPA, the Martin Coast Guard Agency, Transport Scotland and a variety of other organisations, including our local resilience networks. One of the things that I think we have concentrated on most directly, given the fact that there were a number of customers who were off supply for a significant period of time, was that there was integrated welfare support available to members of the public who were off supply, and I would compliment the power companies and local authorities and various other bodies at local level for working constructively together. Indeed, on one occasion, facilities were made available on one of the Caledonia McBrane vessels that was Verton Harris to provide support to individuals who were without power in the island of Harris. That is just some of the imagination that has gone into trying to support people in a very difficult set of circumstances. Mike McKenzie. I thank the Government Secretary for that. I know that he is thanked all involved, but I wonder if he would extend a particular thanks to the crews, the men that are climbing those poles, and the engineers who worked tirelessly in very difficult weather conditions to restore power to the homes that are affected throughout Scotland in very difficult conditions. Presiding Officer, I have written today to the chief executive of Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy to ask them to convey to their staff, as I have done publicly, the enormous debt of gratitude that we have to individuals who were enduring truly shocking conditions in trying to restore power supplies. A number of members of the public who lost power supply have seen on the media expressing their appreciation, having lived through the conditions that they were living through over the last few days, at the determination of the power supply workers to restore supply. I am very happy to put that comment on the record on behalf of the Scottish Government and have asked the power companies to convey our thanks directly to the staff that have been involved. I am sure that all members in the chamber will want to associate themselves with the tributes paid to the engineers and others who worked so hard to help those in need. In view of the increasing instances of extreme weather that we are now seeing, is it time for a review of transmission infrastructure more generally to ensure that it has the appropriate resilience to deal with such events? Those questions are consistently assessed by the distribution companies and, obviously, lessons learned from the experiences that we have. When you look at the scale of the disruption that was experienced and look at the recovery operation, there are two conclusions that can be drawn from that. One is that the scale of the incidents that we have been resting has been exceptional in terms of the intensity of the wind strength and wind impact that has been experienced and the damage that has been caused. Secondly, in terms of resilience, the power companies are able to mobilise very significant resources to address those issues. One of the points that struck me in preparing for this incident, because our discussions were involved in discussions with the power companies long before any of the damage started being taken, was the degree to which the power companies were following the forecast on the Met Office, putting resources in place in different parts of the country where they did not have resources to make sure that they were ready for the damage when it came. That is an example of the significant approach that is taken to dealing with resilience by the power companies. Many thanks. Question 2, David Stewart. To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to resolve transport disruption caused by recent storms. Minister Derek Mackay. Transport Scotland and partner organisations activated the multi-agency response team on Thursday evening to oversee the direction of resources on the trunk road network. As you have just heard, both myself and the Deputy First Minister chaired regular resilience meetings to maintain contact with her key partners throughout the period of disruption and recovery. First Scot rail and network rail plan to operate a curtail timetable on Friday and widely publicise the likelihood of disruption in advance. However, the storm had a greater impact on services than anticipated and a suspension of all rail services was deemed necessary. During the recovery, network rail had some 400 staff available to repair overhead cables and remove obstacles from rail lines, including more than 500 trees. The scale of the storms did bring travel disruption with the cancellation of ferries and the temporary closure of some road bridges due to the high winds. With falling trees and debris on the road and rail lines right across the country, I would also like to thank all front-line staff who helped with the clearance efforts, sometimes during very difficult conditions at all hours of the day and night. Finally, I can inform the members that similar arrangements are in place for the various Met Office amber and yellow warnings for snow across much of Scotland, valid from this afternoon. The recent storms were unusual in that there was a one-in-ten-year event. Will the minister review whether the road network has sufficient variable message signs covering hotspot areas, particularly in rural and remote areas? Is the minister confident that the messages conveyed are accurate and current? Could better use be made of virtual snow gates, which are flashing signs that warn that the road ahead is adversely affected by snow, wind or rain, and that drivers should turn round at this location? I think that we have made considerable progress over the last number of years in our resilience and our response efforts. I have been able to deploy staff and teams where they are required in advance planning is very important. In terms of the use of EMS, the variable message signage, I will look again at how we use that to give accurate up-to-date information. In addition to the other sources of information that we have, such as radio websites on Twitter and other sources of information, but of course for the driver they will be seeing the live real-time signage, and we will undertake to ensure that it is as helpful as it possibly can be during these kinds of incidents. I should add, though, that some of our signage was affected in terms of power outages and so on, and we cannot avoid that, but that is where some of the mobile units may be even more helpful. However, of course, we will take every action possible to get information to drivers and travellers so that people can travel as safely as is possible. Will the minister review future design in new road construction such as the dualling of the A9? Does the minister feel that there is a need to have greater provision to cope with flooding, particularly to build super-large storm drains such as are developed across the United States? Well, certainly we want the new roads construction to be of the highest standard and we will design it to the conditions that are prevailing in Scotland. I am happy to look at further evidence, but bearing in mind, that was a particular incident of high winds and then rain, then back to high winds and now snow and ice in terms of the disruption that we faced over the last few days. Of course, any engineering solutions that we can find to cope with the emerging Scottish weather we will explore. The minister will be aware of the recent convoy transporting nuclear weapons on the M8 and M74 on Sunday, 11 January. That is terrible weather conditions. Can I ask, therefore, what advice have any Scottish Government or the minister given in regard to the safety of the population of Greater Glasgow where this transportation took place in the advent of the disruption in the severe weather conditions? Similar to warnings across the country, there were various information out there in terms of checking sources of information. Particularly in relation to driving, there was a message, clear message, to drive with caution and drive to the conditions. In terms of some of the bridge infrastructure, there were some restrictions on the bridges to, for example, high-side aid vehicles. I ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to assist dairy farmers contracted to first milk, who have been notified over the weekend of a further reduction in price and the postponement of payments due. Understandably, many farmers will be disappointed and anxious following the recent announcement by First Milk. I spoke to the company's chairman, Sir Jim Pace, last week, who confirmed that it had taken a decision to protect its long-term viability against the backdrop of continued uncertainty and volatility in the global dairy sector. I am now conducting a number of meetings in the coming days, including a meeting with the NFUS and other industry representatives tomorrow to hear about the impact at first hand, and I will get a further update from First Milk when I hopefully meet them next week. The Government will continue to make every effort to support farmers in difficult times, and they are taking forward a number of work streams through a recent dairy review, known as Ambition 2025, in particular to encourage farmers to contact the recently launched dairy hub, which is a free advice and support service on a range of issues. Equally, we are also looking for support from retailers in Scotland and throughout the islands to make sure that they are supporting local producers and paying a fair price for their dairy produce. I am grateful for that answer to the concern that the cabinet secretary has shown. He will be aware that there are 51 dairy farmers in Argyll and Bute who are members and suppliers to First Milk and who feel badly let down by the company, which, from 1 February, will be paying £18 a litre—that is 12.5 pence a litre less than it was being paid on 1 June. It is five and a half pence less than the nearest payment from other suppliers, and it is at least 7 p less than the actual lowest cost of production. In addition, the capital retention and the delayed payment schedule from First Milk is causing insecurity, worry and hardship. In Canter, that is added to by the question marks over the creamery and the lack of uptake by First Milk of the investment offered. Will the cabinet secretary agree to meet a delegation of dairy farmers from Canter and Bute to hear about those issues first-hand and the particular hardships that members of First Milk have? Secondly, will he intervene urgently with the banks to ask them not to take any precipitate action regarding those matters, particularly with those member suppliers to First Milk until this matter is resolved? Michael Russell quite rightly highlights the fragility of many of the businesses in his constituency. That is replicated in other island and rural communities in Scotland, given the importance that our dairy farming sector plays in those particular communities. I would be happy to meet Michael Russell and a delegation from his constituency in the very near future. We can arrange that shortly. In terms of contacting the banks, I think that Michael Russell makes a very good point. I often meet the banks to discuss some of the issues that are facing our rural industries. I would be happy to arrange a meeting with the banks again in the very near future to follow the points that were made by Michael Russell. The key issue that First Milk has made much of is the downgrading of world demand for milk. However, there is another very important issue that I know that the cabinet secretary is aware of because of his passionate advocacy of Scottish food. That is the extraordinarily low price of milk in supermarkets. When supermarkets are selling milk at less than the cost of water, then something is wrong. The message needs to go from this chamber, from the minister who has greatly supported Scottish food to supermarkets and to the public, that the price of milk has to be realistic in order to support a dairy industry in Scotland. Could he say what actions he might take and that the Government might take in its food policy to make sure that there is a realism about the price of milk that cannot be produced for less than a pint of mineral water? It is certainly the case that there are a range of factors affecting the price of milk at the moment. There is the decline in the demand from China, for instance. There is the Russian food import ban, which means that there is more dairy produce in Europe that has to be sold, and that increases the supply of dairy produce in Europe and, therefore, the price comes down. Of course, there is the fact that Michael Russell has quite rightly highlighted that milk has been devalued. If we think of the amount of effort that is put into producing liquid milk, which we all buy as consumers and require to live our daily lives, and the fact that that is now selling at four pints for £89 in some of our key supermarkets, it is such a pity to see such a good product being devalued. It does also highlight that we have to add value to the product in Scotland to ensure that we have better security in the future. In the meantime, I will take the message that Michael Russell suggested to our retailers that they have to ensure that they do not devalu this product and that they pay a decent price for it to their suppliers. I have great sympathy with Mike Russell's constituents when it comes to the fragility of the situation, but I can assure the chamber that that fragility is not just confined to our Gail and Bute, as the whole of the south-west of Scotland has affected it. I think that it is worth noting that if the worst happened and first milk was to collapse, there would be a further 800 million litres of milk looking for a home across the UK. The principal reason for that has already been mentioned. The principal reason for the disaster to fall in the price of milk is the massive surplus of liquid milk on the world markets at the moment. That is out with any individual dairy farmers control. Can I ask the cabinet secretary what steps his Government has taken, is taking and will hopefully continue to take to encourage investment in further milk processing facilities that would reduce the surplus of liquid milk on the world markets? Despite the very serious challenges that we are discussing in the chamber today, the longer-term outlook for dairy produce in the world is actually quite optimistic and demand is expected to rise dramatically, which should open up opportunities for Scottish dairy producers if we can add value to liquid milk and capture those niche markets around the world. Just as we have done with beef, lamb and whisky and other products, we should be doing the same with dairy produce. That was the core purpose of the dairy review that we did carry out and now the plan has been put into practice. We have a dairy growth board and we have the dairy hub being set up to give advice to dairy farmers. That is certainly on our agenda and I very much recognise the concerns that Alex Ferguson expressed, given that, of course, the majority of dairy farmers in Scotland are based in south-west Scotland and we are paying close attention to what is happening with first milk and the fortunes of his constituents. Claudia Beamish Thank you, Presiding Officer. I am looking at the longer term and building on what the cabinet secretary has already said this afternoon in support of dairy farmers. Can the cabinet secretary reassure the chamber about the initiative that the Scottish Government and Food and Drink Scotland are taking to help to support niche markets for dairy products, such as Arnick Shablw and Lock Arthur cheeses, which are made in my region, and to help to develop new products for the home and export markets? Would he consider, if he is not doing so already, featuring Scottish dairy products and producers in the 2015 year of food and drink for Scotland? As I said, there are many opportunities for increasing dairy exports to around the world and, indeed, I remember leading a food and drink mission to Dubai and also to other markets. Subsequent to some of those missions, there have been new markets opened up for cheese exports from Scotland, so that is certainly something that we are targeting. However, as is highlighted by this particular issue that we are speaking about today, there has got to be a lot more of that in the foreseeable future. Claudia Beamish is quite right that she mentioned some fine cheeses, but we do have a lot of fantastic dairy products in Scotland and 2015 is the year of food and drink, so it gives us an ideal platform for making sure that we get the message across to the Scottish public and the wider markets beyond Scotland that we should be exporting to those markets in order for people to enjoy our fantastic produce. The cabinet secretary will remember that I discussed the issue of milk prices and particularly the impact on farmers in my sterling constituency before the Christmas recess. I wonder for the longer term if he could tell us more about what we will be able to do to support the processing industry for milk in Scotland, given that it is a crucial role for the future, and particularly take lessons from what has happened in Denmark and Ireland about how they have managed to grow their processing industries, particularly given that this particular year is the year of food and drink. We are always hopeful of supporting as much vertical integration in the supply chain and the dairy sector as possible to capture the value in Scotland of our dairy produce and also to share the benefits of that across primary production and processing as well, but in terms of the relationship between the different parts of the supply chain, of course, recently we saw the setting up of the grocery code adjudicator by the UK Government after many years of lobbying by many parties in this chamber, and of course I think there may be a case for the adjudicator to shine more of a light on the contracts across the supply chain. Yes, between the primary producer and the processors, but also the processors and the retailers, and we have to make sure that we continue to shine that light on that supply chain to ensure that everyone is getting a fair share of every pound spent on dairy produce. Many thanks. That concludes the topic of questions, and we now move on to the next item of business, which is a debate on motion number 12034, in the name of Keith Brown on protecting