 sefydl, roedd hynny yn Eiw Llywodraeth, a'rwernt fachafolio i'w cysylltu swyddfaeth, ddaeth yn cael ei ddechreuadau, yn cael ei ddweud â'i cysylltu? Dydw i ddweud atredu o ran y ddechrau, a'r rei wastraeth i'n cysylltu? I'n ddefnyddio y cysylltu, a'i ddweud i'r ddweud i'u ei ddweud i'u cysylltu. Afrefgatau hynny yn ei ddweud i'u ddweud i'u ddweud i'u ddweud i'u ddweud i'u ddweud 1. Rachael Hamilton Sorry, Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government what support it is offering communities and organisations across Scotland to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Cabinet Secretary. Delight to hear the question. The Queen's Platinum Jubilee is a significant milestone on the Scottish Government welcomes the celebrations that will take place across the country throughout their special year. Jubilee celebrations are commonly community-led and Scottish Government officials are ensuring Lord tenants, community councils and local authorities are informed of opportunities to be involved in the celebrations. Rachael Hamilton I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. The minister will be aware that the UK Government has funded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee fund 2022 and crucially £70,000 has been earmarked for Scottish Borders Council. I would like to ask the cabinet secretary what specific support is the Scottish Government offering local communities, local authorities and charities to help their celebrations of this magnificent milestone in Her Majesty's, the Queen's Reign? Cabinet secretary. The Scottish Government officials are working with Her Majesty's personal representatives in Scotland, the Lord of Tenants, to promote the community-led events, which are so much a part of the historical celebrations of Royal Jubilees. We are also engaged with the Queen's Green Canopy via our executive agency, Forest and Land Scotland. If anything particular about what is planned for Scottish Borders, I would be delighted to hear and hear any suggestions about how those particular projects can be supported further. Question 2 was not lodged. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any legal advice that is sought for its proposed independence referendum bill. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. It's a long-established convention of this and previous Governments that legal advice is not disclosed other than in exceptional circumstances. This reflects the public interest and the provision of free and frank legal advice maintaining the right to confidentiality of communications between legal advisers and clients. Donald Cameron. A very specific supplementary question. I'm not asking for the content of any legal advice. I'm asking, has the Scottish Government taken legal advice, whether internally or externally, whether from the Lord Advocate or from any lawyer, on the question if its proposed independence referendum is within the legislative competence of this Parliament? Can he answer yes or no? Cabinet secretary. I'm going to rest on the answer that I gave previously to the learned gentleman who, as a member of the Faculty of Advocates, is well aware of the custom and practice in relation to the convention of legal advice. I'm not going to depart from that tradition today, although I'm grateful for his opportunity to do so. Two brief supplementaries on the legal advice first, co-captured. Okay. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Would the cabinet secretary agree with me that if members of the Opposition are so keen to discuss the on-going preparatory work for an independence referendum, they should join us in calling the UK Government to honour the democratic mandate granted by the Scottish people so that an open and fully informed dialogue on the opportunities of independence can begin as soon as possible. Cabinet secretary, we're not directly related to legal advice, but a brief response please. I agree, and I welcome the point raised by my colleague. 72 of the 129 MSPs elected to this chamber were elected on manifestos that commit them and this Parliament and this Government to a referendum on Scottish independence during this Parliament. The Bute House agreement reached between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party confirms and strengthens that clear mandate and it would be disappointing if democratically elected members of this or any other Parliament would seek to undermine the democratically expressed wish of the electorate in elections as was cast last year. Willie Rennie. It is extraordinary that the minister can't even acknowledge whether he sought advice. Not what that advice is, but whether he's even asked for that advice. I think that this Parliament deserves to know whether the Government has done its due diligence, whether it's carried out all the right preparations on a legal basis. Not what that advice is, but whether he's even bothered to ask. Can he give us an answer to that? Has he asked and has he received it? Cabinet Secretary, I don't know if Willie Rennie came into this portfolio questions not having heard me give the earlier answer because my answer hasn't changed. Rather than reading out the question that he wrote before arriving, perhaps he would have listened to the answer that I gave earlier and I rest by it. Question number four, Jamie Halcro Johnston. Government, whether it will ensure that any proposed legislation in the constitution of external affairs and culture portfolio is brought forward in a fair and transparent manner. Cabinet Secretary, all legislation that the Government brings forward will continue to be of the highest standard and open to the full scrutiny of Parliament. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Unfortunately that response and the response that he gave to my colleague Donald Cameron to Willie Rennie strikes at the very heart of fairness and transparency and suggests that that's not the case. If the cabinet secretary is to maintain the ridiculous position that in his own Government's words it's not in the public interest for the people of Scotland to know even about the existence on advice of the legality of their proposals then it's clear secrecy has trumped transparency. Can I give him an opportunity again? Has the Scottish Government taken legal advice on their plans for another referendum and if he still refuses to stay, will he at least tell us whether, as they did in 2013, will they spend taxpayers' money defending and pretending to hide that information from the public this time round? It's a curious thing, Deputy Presiding Officer, that we now have a third member who didn't listen to the answer to the question that I... Forgive me, Deputy Presiding Officer, give me a moment so that I can answer the question in exactly the same form as I already did and with your indulgence it reads as follows. It is the long-established convention of this and previous Governments that legal advice is not disclosed other than an exceptional circuit, rather than baracking the Conservative benches should listen to the answer having asked for one. Other than in exceptional circumstances, this reflects the public interest and the provision of free and frank legal advice maintaining the right to confidentiality of communications between legal advisers and clients. Does the cabinet secretary agree that Tory MSPs should be more concerned at the abysmal record of their own party and UK party leader, which, in the last few years alone, includes illegally proroging the Westminster Parliament, breaking receipt procurement regulations... Can you resume your seat, please? I've got a point of order. As much as I enjoy Kenny Gibson's interventions on those sorts of things, surely they should be relevant to the question that was asked. Mr Gibson was in the midst of his question. I'm sure he will tie it back in to the substance of the relevant question. Mr Gibson continues. Do you wish me to start again the question? I wish you to tie it into the question to which this is a supplementary, Mr Gibson. Breaking the procurement regulation and handing out PP manufacturing contracts to unsuitable companies at inflated prices and breaking Covid regulations all without any transparency. Cabinet Secretary, is that proof that it's possible? Yes, I do agree. What were the shifting sands of explaining parties in Downing Street to the unknown costs for their union unit, or as it's now called the Union Strategy Committee, which is buried within a headline figure of £81 million? The courts finding their Covid contracts going to party supporters unlawful. The lack of interest from the Conservative benches does appear to follow that old adjudige of do as we say, not as we do. As is so often the case, the double standards of the Tories help to make the case for independence. Questions 5 and 6 are joined to start with Fiona Hyslop. To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made on identifying support and aid that it can provide for people in Ukraine and Ukrainians leaving their country and seeking refuge. Minister Neil Gray. We have provided £4 million in humanitarian aid as part of global humanitarian efforts. £1 million has been allocated to the British Red Cross and Skiath. £2 million via the DECA appeal launched in Scotland and £1 million to UNICEF focusing on protecting children. Our first donation of medical supplies arrived in Poland on Thursday. The second donation left Scotland on Friday included more than 130,000 items of medical supplies. I was fortunate enough to be able to see that shipment leave Euro Central and thank all those who have helped to turn that around so quickly. We continue to press the UK Government to waive visa requirements for Ukrainian nationals and to offer immediate refuge and sanctuary for those who may be displaced. Today's Home Office announcement does not go far enough. Scotland is ready to offer a warm welcome to people fleeing Ukraine. I thank the minister for that update. Today's UK Home Office announcement of a streamlined virtual visa application process for Ukrainians is positive. Does the minister agree that what we really need is a fundamental shift by the UK to change the rules, not just the processes? Ukrainians still have to apply for visas. We have many seasonal workers in Scotland who can't even bring their direct families here. We have a massive humanitarian crisis faced by millions of Europeans and the Home Office's response is poor and pitiful. Does the minister agree that the people of Scotland expect to help and the Ukrainians seeking shelter deserve so much better? I support the passionate way in which Fiona Hyslop made her case. The response of the UK Government has been an international embarrassment. The UK's offer to Ukrainians is not a refuge route but a bureaucratic family immigration route, leaving thousands out in the cold queuing outside visa application centres. Progress is being made but waiving visa requirements and introducing a comprehensive settlement programme would resolve these issues if only there was a political will to do with it. There seems to be no one outside of the Home Secretary who doesn't see the need for more urgent action. 6. Mark Griffin, who joins us remote. To ask the Scottish Government what work it has undertaken with its partners and funding it has identified to accommodate refugees from Ukraine. Scotland has a proud history of welcoming refugees and people seeking sanctuary from war and violence. The Scottish Government and Scotland's local authorities have made clear to the UK Government that we stand ready to offer refuge and sanctuary where necessary for those who may be displaced. We are therefore working with the Home Office, COSLA and local authorities and other partners to provide people with the safety and security that they need to rebuild their lives. The UK Government's current proposals to support Ukrainian refugees via community sponsorship routes are insufficient and we are still waiting on the full details of how exactly that will work. We continue to urge the UK Government to develop a comprehensive settlement programme to ensure that Ukrainian citizens can be befrided with the safety and security that they need to build their lives. The glacial response of the UK Government has been absolutely appalling. Yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government said that the Government is working at pace to ensure that we stand ready to receive people. Given that the Home Office has finally said that it will ease entry requirements but clearly not far enough, can the minister confirm that accommodation and homes are being booked, capacity in schools has been identified and funding is ready to welcome Ukrainians into communities here? Since it is clear that we cannot wait for the UK Government to develop a resettlement programme? Mark Griffin is absolutely right that the glacial pace at which this has been moving is desperate as an international embarrassment. I can confirm to him that we are working on all of those areas that he raises as potential routes to ensure that we can provide safe and secure long-term sustainable sanctuary to people who are looking to flee Putin's war in Ukraine. Raffernt Members to my register of interests, I am a seven councillor in East Ayrshire. COSLA has added the voice of Scotland's local authorities to that of the Scottish Government and Parliament in calling on the Home Secretary to step up the UK's Ukrainian refugee settlement programme, citing the expertise of Scotland's strategic migration partnership in supporting and integrating refugees and migrants into our community. Notwithstanding today's digital visa announcement, can the minister comment on the Home Secretary's claim that the UK is doing everything possible to speed up the remarkably slow roll-out of the visa scheme to Ukrainian refugees, especially in light of the fully willingness of COSLA and our councils to play their part in this Europe-wide effort? For doing everything possible, I think that Reid is doing the least that he feels he can get away with. We continue to call on the UK Government to urgently develop a proper resettlement programme. One of the reasons that the Syrian resettlement programme was successful is that it was a comprehensive programme where partnerships work to support people in need. I am proud that all 32 Scottish local authorities participated in that programme, welcoming more than 3,300 refugees into their communities. People and families were able to settle and make Scotland a home. I want to see that again. However, to do so, it is vital that rapid, safe and legal routes be established immediately and that the millions of fleeing war are given sanctuary through such a programme. Scotland stands ready to offer such a warm welcome and refuge to those who need a home. First of all, I commend the committee discussion that we had this morning to the minister. There were some excellent suggestions made there, in particular to gear up not just our councils but the voluntary sector as well to support people coming to Scotland for a raft of reasons. Can he also make a commitment to address the issue of working with our business, communities and public sector partners to support fundraising for the Disasters Emergency Committee to enable staff to make donations but also to do work to develop work visas so that people from Ukraine who have skills and talents are able to come to work in Scotland? Yes, I agree with Sarah Boyack that she thankfully gives me the opportunity to once again thank the people of Scotland for their incredibly generous support for the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal. Over £10 million has been raised here in Scotland for that, which makes sure that we are getting financial aid to where it is needed most effectively and quickly. On the other points around how we can support people arriving here in Scotland, we are working, as I said previously to Mark Griffin, across all areas of society to make sure that we have a co-ordinated response that ensures that people have a safe and secure place to call home when they arrive in Scotland. To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards the establishment of a peace institute by the end of 2022 as set out in its 2021-22 programme for government. Following an open tender process in January, we have contracted a consortium of expert researchers to help inform our thinking on Scotland's future peace offer. They will report back to us in the summer. Never has there been a more pertinent time to discuss Scotland's approach to peace and reconciliation. The Scottish Government has committed to establishing a peace institute with a focus on human rights by the end of this year. Amnesty International recently published a report into Israel's apartheid against Palestinians, which includes the call for states to immediately suspend the direct and indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms to Israel. Will the Scottish Government's peace institute have the scope to review the nearly £10 million in Scottish Enterprise grants to arms companies that sell weapons to Israel given the human rights abuses faced by Palestinians? We are considering the form on which a peace institute may take. I encourage her to get in touch with any issues that she or colleagues feel should be considered as we make the preparations to step up and stand up the peace institute that is being planned. Will the cabinet secretary agree with me that the example set by our northern European neighbours, such as Norway, illustrates the positive diplomatic influence that nations of Scotland's size and character can have in promoting peace on the world stage? Norway is home to the Peace Research Institute in Oslo that explores peaceful relations between states, between groups and peoples. Our own research will consider the Norwegian approach and those of other nations to help us to determine Scotland's distinct peace offer. Like other nations of its size, Scotland is a wealth of soft power resources, in other words, assets making us an attractive, a trustworthy partner. The Scottish Government recognises that a good international reputation is produced by the country as a whole and will continue to collaborate with others to promote Scotland and our values on the international stage. To ask the Scottish Government what support it provided to scene Stirling and other organisations as they prepared Stirling's bid to be UK City of Culture in 2025. Let me first congratulate Stirling for reaching this stage in the competition. We expect the shortlist to be announced around the end of this month. Officials met with the Stirling bid team to offer support and help make connections with relevant partners. Additionally, officials worked closely with Visit Scotland and Creative Scotland, who sit on the bid working in steering groups and provided input on the bid proposal. Scene Stirling and Stirling Place partnership is jointly funded by Creative Scotland and Stirling Council and recently received a further £50,000 from Creative Scotland to build on their successful partnership work. I thank the minister for that response and also for his comments about Stirling. Achieving the status of UK City of Culture 2025 would be a fitting accolade for the whole of the Stirling region surrounding communities and indeed Scotland. The bid reflects the unique, historic, cultural and architectural heritage of Stirling and is also evidence of great collaborative work across the public, private and third sectors. Does the minister agree that achieving the status of UK City of Culture 2025 would see great benefits for the whole of the Stirling area and its constituents? Yes, I do. My alma mater is the University of Stirling, so I have a bit of an affinity there. I can see the obvious benefits that that would bring to Stirling and the local area. Again, I wish the bid team every success in the shortlist and process and we stand ready to continue to support as best we can depending on that outcome. I have a couple of supplementaries, hopefully, on Stirling's bid, starting with Mary McNair. Thank you, Presiding Officer. As Scotland emerges from the darkest days of the pandemic, many are again making the most of the rich cultural offerings all around us. Can the minister outline the ways in which the Scottish Government is supporting our culture heritage creative industries to flourish in the Covid recovery? That is not really related to the Stirling bid. Can you very, very briefly address that? Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have announced 256 million support for cultural sectors, allowing libraries to reopen, supporting organisations and freelancers to keep working, bolstering creative industries and ensuring the continuation of children's creative learning. That work does not stop there. To give just a few more examples, Creative Scotland has launched a recovery fund, supporting organisations to rebuild musicians and artists to apply for a Scotland on tour fund to make new work across Scotland. Screen Scotland has launched a fund to support cinemas to address the changes in the marketplace, including, I am sure, the Mac Robert in Stirling. Just at the end. Well done, minister. Fosal Tudry. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I wish Stirling's bid to be equal city of culture every success, but it is becoming clear that many cultural events, outlets and institutions across Scotland are struggling to keep the doors open in the wake of the pandemic. What more can the Scottish Government do to ensure that the cultural organisations are supported so that events such as the City of Culture have a fighting chance to return to Scotland in the future? The same approach, minister. I thank Fosal Tudry for that question. Recognising the challenges that there are in the cultural scene across Scotland in Stirling as well, we continue to do what we can to ensure that that sector is supported. Since January 2022, we have committed £81 million to the culture, heritage and events sectors to mitigate the impact of physical distancing on caps and attendances. I am very alive to the issues that there are in the sector and I am meeting regularly with stakeholders to ensure that the Government continues to do what we can to support them in the recovery. Minister, that concludes portfolio questions. There will be a brief pause before we move to the next item of business.