 Gwneithio gweithio gyda'r ddano? Pawn Maarten. To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland used GPS technology to track registered sex offenders. Mycolaethol. Michael Matheson. Scotland's multiagency public protection arrangements provide a robust statutory framework to manage the risks posed by sex offenders. Every decision taken by the relevant MAPA agencies is taken with public safety at the forefront. We know from international allonwyr yn ei wneud i'w wneud i chi i gynnig oeddynt gan gweithio unrhyw opeidiogol cair gan gweithio o Your Majesty, the new research commissioned by the Scottish Government provides evidence to support the use of GPS as a replacement for the current radiofrequency technology and as additional tools for people who may have been convicted with the range of offences I have tasked an expert group with considering how all forms of electronic monitoring, including GPS, can be used more effectively in the future, and that group will make firm recommendations to me by the spring of 2016. I have to say that I am disappointed with the response from the minister. The technology for GPS systems to track signature six offenders has existed for some years, and I understand that there is evidence to prove that they are effective, but I also refer the minister to the justice to sub-committees recommendation that high-risk six offenders who fail to cooperate with the relevant authorities on the matter of the significance or abscond that their details should be provided to local communities and made available on websites such as Crimestoppers, the president also have evidence that at least four individuals are considered such children's six offenders at risk, and those individuals have not been provided on the Crimestoppers website. I wonder if the minister shares my concern in that respect, and I will ensure that there is no rare chance of that. First of all, I am dealing with the issue around GPS technology. We have commissioned this research that we have now received and the expert group that I have tasked to look at this matter will report to us in the spring of next year to look at how we can take forward that technology. I think that it is very important, though, in using this type of technology that we introduce it in a way that is measured and that we can be confident that it is robust and secure in a way in which it is being utilised. That is why the expert group is considering this issue in great detail, and we consider how we can roll matters out further from there. The member has made reference to the point regarding the availability of information, and, as he is aware, the police already have powers to disclose information relating to individuals, sex offenders, and that information can be provided to individuals or groups in a community where they believe that it is necessary for the prevention of a crime. If the member has some other specific information that he believes has not been made available where that should have been the case, I would be more than happy to consider that and to ensure that the member then gets an appropriate response from the agency that is responsible for dealing with that issue. Christine Grahame, as the cabinet secretary is aware, a sex offender released on licence and supervised under MAPA multi-agency protection arrangements must be released into the community from which he or she came, unless another local authority volunteers to take them. Does he agree with me that in rural communities that is a very specific problem for them, as everybody can, everybody else, and we sometimes have vigilanteism, and will he consider looking at reviewing the arrangements, particularly where somebody has been released back into a rural community? The member raises an important point, but I think that she is confusing two different things here, because it is a national accommodation strategy for sex offenders that sets out the approach that should be taken for the accommodating of sex offenders once they are released. That strategy is then used by MAPA in their considerations for a particular instance. I do not think that this is an issue that is to do with MAPA itself. It is more an issue around the approach that is set out within the national strategy. However, if the member has got some specific experiences that she believes need to be considered, I would be more than happy to hear from the member and to ensure that those issues are considered appropriately, probably, as I say, more within the national strategy rather than within the overall MAPA approach. To ask the Scottish Government what the objective is of its proposed Rhytm Branch review of the planning system. Presiding Officer, the objective of the review is to identify the scope for further reform with a focus on delivering a quicker, more accessible and efficient planning process in particular increasing delivery of high-quality housing development. The problem with planning in East Lothian is that ministers routinely and repeatedly overturn local planning decisions. From an unwanted incinerator to numerous inappropriate housing developments, ministers ride roughshod over my constituents' views. Does the minister's answer not suggest that this review is going to reduce local democracy further rather than improving the position? First of all, I do not agree with the description of the planning systems that apply to the member's constituency, but one of the objectives will be to look at how we can enhance further local democracy and participation in the planning system. Obviously, when ministers consider any matter relating to planning, they have to take many issues into consideration, and they take into consideration the views of local people. Obviously, as the minister knows from his own experience in Government, he has to take a wider view, and sometimes that means having to take a different point of view than those of local people. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Ensure that any long-term strategic planning review for housing needs includes how infrastructure is planned, managed and paid for, as well as how commuters and traffic movements are planned for in order for any local development plans to be made sustainable. Particularly in and around parts of the larger cities in Scotland, there are some major infrastructure challenges, particularly when it comes to housing development. Obviously, given the constraints that we have in the public sector budget at the present time, we need to ensure that the resources are available from whatever source to ensure that the infrastructure that is required to accommodate new housing developments is in place. In particular, for example, transport is a particular challenge in some parts of Edinburgh. I am aware that some members are experiencing difficulty in hearing the sound from their consoles. We have asked to go away and have it checked, and hopefully we will get it sorted in the very near future. To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport last met the board and chief executive at NHS Lanarkshire and what was discussed. Government officials regularly meet representatives of all health boards, including NHS Lanarkshire, to discuss matters of importance to local people. John Pentland? There is certainly a lot to talk about. Will the cabinet secretary now recommend that, given NHS Lanarkshire has gone from crisis to crisis with the very poor A&E waiting times, yet again the worst in Scotland last week, very high risk staffing as reported last week, possible A&E closure and GP out of hours caught from five to two centres, perhaps permanently, despite you saying that this would be an interim measure? Will she now recommend that the board calls on independent experts to undertake a thorough review of NHS Lanarkshire? John Pentland, the issue of A&E waiting times is a concern for Wishaw general hospital. We have been keeping in very close contact with NHS Lanarkshire about that. It has an action plan to improve performance at Wishaw general, and I am certainly happy to furnish John Pentland with more detail about that, but it is comprehensive. I think that it would be unfair to suggest that Monklands and Hairmire's performance has not been improving and they have been performing very well. Indeed, it is a pity that John Pentland cannot recognise that. There will be no A&E closure. I remind John Pentland that the only threat to A&E closures was from his own party, which, of course, had it not been for the fact that that had been overturned, we would not have seen the 500,000 attendances at the A&E department at Monklands, which, of course, if that was not the case, there would be a lot more pressure on Wishaw and on Hairmire's. John Pentland also referred to the out-of-hours review. As I have said to John Pentland many times before, the out-of-hours model is an interim one, approved by the health board back in May on the grounds of patient safety. The longer-term proposals will be developed in consultation with staff in the general public. As I have said before, they have to be consistent with the conclusions of the national review of out-of-hours services, which is due shortly. I hope that, from what I have said that John Pentland will be reassured, I am happy to write to him with more of the actions that NHS Lanarkshire is taking to address some of the issues at Wishaw general. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect employment in the Fraserborough area. Our continued investment in infrastructure, regeneration and business support is designed to support the area's economy and create and safeguard jobs. For example, an investment of £13.7 million of European Fisheries Fund assistance in Fraserborough supported harbour deepening and key improvements. That has ensured the long-term operation of the harbour and safeguarded the jobs of over 700 fishermen. I know that the member is aware of the situation with Young's and the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism has been working closely with the company. I firmly believe that we have offered them a very strong case such that maximum employment can be retained in Fraserborough. Stuart Stevenson May I take the opportunity of thanking the Government on behalf of the harbour board for the support that has been given. That is certainly a useful contribution to the economy. In more specific terms in relation to the situation at Young's, can the cabinet secretary give more details on the launch of the Fraserborough task force and how that may contribute to protecting and enhancing employment in the area? The member will be aware of the issues that we face in relation to the long-term future of Young's at Fraserborough. The Government has engaged very strongly with the company and Mr Ewing has drawn together all interested parties to ensure that we have a co-ordinated approach to addressing this particular difficulty. The task force will meet for the first time on Monday, although preparatory work has of course been under way to try to support in every way that we can the agenda to protect employment at Young's. I can assure Mr Stevenson that the Government will do everything that it possibly can do to safeguard what we know to be a very significant employer in the local economy. Lewis MacDonald The cabinet secretary will be aware that Perkish Ewing was quoted in the press a few days ago as saying that the Scottish Government would match any package of aid that was provided to Young's plant at Grimsby by the UK Government provided that it was compliant with state aid rules. Will Mr Swinney confirm that that is the commitment of the Scottish Government today? That is the commitment of the Scottish Government and I would reiterate the point that Mr Ewing made in his public remarks, that the assistance that we provide in all circumstances is state aid compliant and we would expect that of every other offer that is made in these circumstances. Question 5, Kenneth Gibson. To us, the Scottish Government, what action will we take to address the rising number of deaths as a result of alcohol misuse? Minister Morrie Watt The rise in alcohol-related deaths is extremely disappointing and concerning, particularly given that there is also a risk that consumption may be increasing again following a period of decline. We have taken sustained and effective action since 2009 through our alcohol framework, which has over 40 measures to reduce alcohol-related harm. The framework is having an impact, but we know that we need to do more. We are working on the next phase and intend to introduce it next year. Kenneth Gibson I thank the minister for that answer. She will be aware that alcohol-related deaths in Scotland rose 5 per cent to 1152 last year. Does the minister agree with Dr Peter Benny, chair of BMA Scotland that it is a continuing frustration that legislation to introduce minimum unit pricing of alcohol has been delayed due to legal change with the Scottish Whiskers Association, and we once again call on them to drop the appeal and allow the introduction of this innovative and world-leading public health policy? Morrie Watt I share the frustration of Peter Benny and countless others across the medical profession that this life-saving policy has been held up in the courts while Scotland has seen alcohol-related deaths rise. The opinion from the advocate general last week very much left the door open for minimum unit pricing, and we are confident in the arguments that we can make to meet the tests that have been set out. We remain certain that minimum unit pricing is the right measure for Scotland and we are committed to its implementation. Richard Simpson Whilst we are awaiting the decision of the European Court, the final decision on minimum unit pricing, would the minister agree with me that the UK Tory coalition and now UK government on its own ending over the last three years the duty escalator, which was in place on alcohol, and indeed reversing the duty on alcohol has contributed to the price decrease, which is also contributing to the rise in deaths? Will the minister now discuss with colleagues publishing draft regulations for the introduction of the social responsibility levy to ensure that off licences and especially supermarkets do suffer a price penalty and, therefore, hopefully will increase the price of alcohol in line with the increase in wages that is now occurring and ensure that the local authorities have the funding to tackle alcohol problems? In relation to the point that Dr Rich Simpson makes about the social responsibility levy, can I refer him to the answer that John Swinney gave to a question of Kenny MacAskill's yesterday? We are very keen to build consensus on public health policies, particularly when they are important as tackling Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and we are always willing to look at ideas that may help. Question 6, Margaret Mitchell. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support carers in the central Scotland region. We introduced the Carers Scotland Bill, which is currently at stage 1 of the parliamentary process. The bill is an important part of our programme of health and social care reform, which will extend the rights of adult carers and young carers across Scotland. Other Scottish Government initiatives such as the voluntary sector short breaks fund and the carer positive employer scheme benefit carers across Scotland. Scottish Government carer information strategy funding to NHS 4th Valley and NHS Lanarkshire is over £865,000 for 2015-16. That is contributing to a wide range of support for carers in central Scotland. Margaret Mitchell. To minister for that comprehensive answer, but issue aware that rather than the local framework for eligibility criteria proposed in the carers bill, carers want a national framework within Scotland to ensure equity, fairness and consistency in order to avoid a postcode lottery. Is she sympathetic to that view? I say that my colleague Jamie Hepburn ministers for sport health improvement and mental health met with the North Lanarkshire carers together and the national carer organisation representatives on 27 August to discuss among other matters the proposals for the national eligibility framework. As a result of that, officials are currently considering the NCO proposal for a national eligibility framework. We are liaising with NCOs and COSLA on the framework and we will make a decision in due course. Question 7, Angus MacDonald. To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on repatriating the red meat lewy paid by Scottish livestock producers in England. Minister Aileen McLeod. The issue of red meat lewy repatriation has been an ongoing matter of concern to the Scottish Government for a number of years. While good progress was made at the last UK-wide industry forum established to consider alternative lewy allocation methodologies, this issue must now be resolved to bring an end to the disadvantage that has caused the Scottish red meat industry over the past decade, particularly to respond to the current challenges facing the sector. We will be pressing death threats to accelerate the process to provide a fair and equitable settlement. Angus MacDonald. I thank the minister for his reply. We have seen the good work that Quality Meat Scotland does promoting our world-class quality Scotch meat with the success of the recent Love Scotch lamb weekend being a great example. Clearly much more could be done if the lewys paid in England by our producers were returned coupled with capacity for slaughtering in Scotland being increased. Will the minister undertake to work along with the cabinet secretary and the industry to increase the capacity at Scotland's abattoirs and continue to lobby the UK Government to ensure that red meat lewys, due to us, are returned from England to help to further promote our booming food and drink industry? I wholeheartedly agree with my colleague on the very good promotional work that is carried out by Quality Meat Scotland, not least their recent lamb campaign, which I understand will target 3.7 million consumers and reach over 90 per cent of Scottish adults. I have no doubt that were the lewys that ended up south of the border repatriated, this would have had a direct and positive impact on the work that QMS would undertake. I can assure my colleague that the cabinet secretary and myself will not stop pressing on this issue until such time as it has a satisfactory resolution. Of course, not all of the lost lewys comes from the sheep sector, with approximately 30 per cent derived from pigs. In November this year, with the assistance of our £2.7 million grant funding, the new breakin facility opens. That effectively doubles the slaughter capacity for pigs and ensures that Scotland has the ability for all pigs born in Scotland to be slaughtered in Scotland. A recent study by Quality Meat Scotland confirmed that there was not a lack of slaughterhouse capacity in Scotland at the moment, excepting pigs. However, the Scottish Government is always ready to consider applications for support to invest in the meat processing sector, including avatars.