 We turn now to general questions. Our first question is from Gordon Lindhurst. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help boost Scotland's exports. Minister, Ivan McKee. The Scottish Government has embarked on an ambitious course of action to grow Scotland's exports. A trading nation represents the most comprehensive analysis of Scotland's export performance alongside market opportunity ever undertaken by the Scottish Government. We seek to grow the value of Scotland's exports as a percentage of GDP from 20 per cent to 25 per cent over the next 10 years. Resources will be directed towards delivering export growth and forcing a step change in performance to deliver a resilient, internationalised and inclusive economy. We are bolstering our existing support in an additional £20 million of investment over three years. That investment will be maximised by focusing on the sectors, markets and businesses where our efforts and those of our delivery partners can have the most impact. We will monitor progress and keep our actions and evidence under review. Gordon Lindhurst. Page 73 of the recently published Scottish Government's plan, A Trading Nation, discusses the importance of air routes connecting to Scotland's international markets, including Edinburgh Airport. It accepts that Scotland has fewer direct long-haul flights than similar-sized European nations. Can the minister comment on the effect that his Government's U-turn on air departure tax will have on the ability to attract those routes, which are so vital to increasing exports? The Scottish Government recognises the importance of air routes to growing our economy and our exports, as is clearly specified in the plan, but we also recognise the fact that there is a climate emergency. The word that we are undertaking both in the economy portfolio and with our environmental concerns to the fore is to ensure that we deliver both to meet the requirements of the climate change emergency and to grow Scotland's economy in a sustainable way, built to a not insignificant extent among the significant expertise that we have among renewable energies as an exportable commodity. Fulton MacGregor. The minister will be aware of the recent food and drink statistics that put the value of Scotland's industry exports at over £6 billion. Does the Scottish Government agree that the progress in growth is put at risk by the Brexit pursued by the Tories and the Labour Party? Indeed, Brexit has the capacity and capability to impact right across our economy, particularly on our export sector. A sector such as food and drink, as we all know, is very much dependent on supply chains to market and rapidly getting product to customers. That is a significant risk to that sector and many others by the reckless behaviour of the Conservative and Labour parties with regard to Brexit. 2. Lewis MacDonald To ask the Scottish Government on what grounds Transport Scotland has failed to reveal which further option or options it has abandoned for dualling the A96. As is the case for all major road projects, it is important that we maintain transparency throughout the route selection process and that we provide everyone with an interest and equal opportunity to view our plans and discuss them directly with the project team. The member is fully aware that public engagement events are due to be held from 28 May to 31 May, which will give local communities and road users the opportunity to see and comment on the options being taken forward for further assessment. To ensure that, as many people as possible are aware of the events in advance, they have been widely advertised with approximately 3,500 invites having been issued to everyone who has expressed an interest in our proposals, which includes the member. Lewis MacDonald is well aware of the environmental impact and cost of building a modern dual carriageway where no such road exists at the moment and that most of the options that Transport Scotland has been considering involve a whole new route for the A96 between Huntley and Cintor. Given his own prediction that dualling the A96 will cost the taxpayer four times as much as the AWPR, is it not time that Transport Scotland looked for an alternative approach that would minimise the environmental impact and command public support? I do not know if the member has tempted me to say that we should abandon the dualling of the A96. I am sure that that is not the case. However, environmental assessments are a key part of the route assessment process that is being undertaken. Those will be taken into account before a final decision is made on the preferred route. On the wider environmental agenda, of course, as the First Minister has already indicated, we are looking at a whole range of different policy areas across Government, including in my portfolio, about how we can address some of the wider issues that address our climate change challenge. However, I can assure the member that the environmental impact assessment is a key part of the decision making that will inform the decision on the preferred route option. Gillian Martin, to be followed by Peter Chapman. Gillian Martin, thank you, Presiding Officer. Last month I asked the Government if the traffic flow as a result of the completion of the AWPR would be taken into account in the assessment of the best route for the dual part of the A96 from Cintor in Vruida to Huntley. Can I ask how long the assessment is going to take and what importance has been placed on it as a preferred route decision that is reached? Given that the AWPR is now open, there will be traffic surveys undertaken in the coming weeks, and the data that is collated from that will help to inform our decision in making a choice on the preferred route by the end of this year. Peter Chapman, thank you, Presiding Officer. The Cabinet Secretary is well aware that there is a very strong feeling in the Inverury area that, during the existing road around Inverury, is the best and the most cost-effective route to upgrade the A96. Why has this option been ruled out and why has the Cabinet Secretary refused to meet with a group who is pursuing this option? I am aware that when you undertake a major infrastructure project like this, you will have different groups of individuals who will have different opinions on what the preferred route should be. However, as part of the engagement process that has been undertaken this May by officials within Transport Scotland and their consultants, I will set out the details as to why they have rejected some of those proposals, a particular one. The online upgrade that the member is aware of, having raised the matter before, is because of the impact that it would have on existing residential premises that would be affected by a loss of their garden areas and, in some cases, their properties altogether. That is why it was one of the routes that was ruled out. However, I can assure the member that, as a Government, we are committed to making sure that we improve the infrastructure in the north-east of Scotland, as we did with the AWPR, as we are doing with the upgrading of the line between Aberdeen and Inverness, with a £300 million rail infrastructure investment, and with the upgrading of the A96 to make sure that we deal with the route between Aberdeen and Inverness. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the National Federation of Subpostmasters regarding additional charging of non-domestic rates for external ATMs at post offices. It has specifically commended Angus Macdonald's support for the Federation in that conversation. This afternoon, I wrote to them regarding the valuation of ATMs in post offices, but I am happy to answer any specific queries that the member may have. I thank the minister for a reply, whilst I acknowledge that, under the Community Empowerment Act 2020, each local authority has powers to create rate relief to reflect local needs. Does the minister agree that acknowledgement should be made at the Government level of the increasing contribution that local post offices are making in the wake of significant local bank branch closures? As post offices effectively become the new banking facilities for the respective communities, does the minister agree that there should be more cognisance of that fact, and a start would be to stop crashing external ATMs as another business, adding extra financial pressures on subpostmasters of more domestic rates, when in fact ATMs are already integral to the post office services? Angus Macdonald is right about the importance of post offices to local communities and economies in Scotland, particularly in light of bank branch closures. That is why we have some reliefs in place already, particularly for ATMs in rural areas that are exempt from rating. That includes buildings in which the ATM is situated if the building is used only for the purposes of the ATM. There is also relief to post offices in rural areas and post offices, with a rateable value of £8,500. The only post office located in designated rural areas is also eligible. However, I would be happy to discuss any specific concerns that Angus Macdonald might have, particularly in his more urban constituency. A post office in my constituency in Pawsal Park requires to pay rates on the ATM at his premises, which is supplied by Bank of Ireland. Those ATMs are the only machines that customers with a post office card account can use. They cannot use any others. Does the minister agree with me that the POCA card ATM can be a lifeline to the most vulnerable societies such as pensioners, the disabled and families on benefits? Therefore, minister, would you request an urgent review of the rateable value on such ATMs, as business costs levied are effectively passed on to local businesses that are providing a vital service? If those ATMs are withdrawn, it is my constituency that will suffer. I thank Bob Doris for that question. I absolutely understand the importance of those services to his constituents. If the Scottish Government can do more to help, we will certainly consider that with the caveat that rateable values are set by independent assessors. The Scottish Government has no remit to interfere in that process. Nevertheless, if perhaps Bob Doris and Angus Macdonald would like to meet to discuss their specific constituency issues, I would be happy to do so. To thank the Scottish Government in light of the potential impact on the local natural environment, what its position is on whether the proposed development at Lomond Banks near Baloch is an acceptable proposal for a national park? As I am sure the member will understand, ministers cannot comment on the specifics of the proposed development, as it is a live planning case. Maurice Corry I thank the minister for her reply. Nevertheless, tourism does not mean that we have to have commercialisation at the expense of the quality of life of local residents. Surely the minister would agree with me that the Loch Lomond and Trussick's national park must put residents of Baloch an area first and foremost, particularly when Visit Scotland's trend document, which states that Visit Scotland recognises it, and I quote, friendly locals add to a tourism experience and living in a tourist area has an impact on people's lives. I would simply refer the member to the initial answer that I gave him. I am sure that Loch Lomond and Trussick's national park will consider all relevant information pertaining to the case, because I would emphasise that it is for the national park authority, as the relevant planning authority, to determine the application. Any development must be in keeping with the statutory aims of the national park and compliant with Scottish planning policy and the development plan. Jackie Baillie Scottish Enterprise purchased the land for the proposed development about 20 years ago at some £2 million. Now I understand that they intend to sell it for £200,000 to Lomond banks for a significant difference. Indeed, Lomond banks are likely to receive a grant, so public funds could be used to pay them to develop this area. Does the minister regard that as an appropriate use of public resources? Will she consider, with planning colleagues, whether to call this application in, which would provide confidence in the decision-making process? Again, I would refer the member to my initial answer that this is a live planning case, and I simply cannot comment on that. If there are any particular issues that Jackie Baillie would like today, I would urge her—I am sure that she already has—to submit a comment to the planning application, as it is at the moment, and to highlight those issues. Question 6, Maureen Watt. To ask the Scottish Government how the draft neurological action plan will help people with ME. Minister Jofi Spatrick. We want to ensure that everyone living with ME in Scotland is able to access the best possible care and support to live well on their own terms. That is why we have made it a priority through a programme for government to implement Scotland's first national action plan on neurological conditions. That has been produced in collaboration with the neurological community and will be published in final form later this year. Maureen Watt. I thank the minister for that reply. I have a very courageous 17-year-old constituent who, despite being diagnosed with ME and having missed substantial periods of school, has gone on to pass six of their national five exams and hopes one day to attend university. They have expressed concern that ME is not included in the action plan. Therefore, can the minister take this opportunity to reassure my constituent and others that their opinions will be reflected in the final report? First, I congratulate your constituent on their exam results and wish them the very best for the future. The national action plan for neurological conditions is not condition-specific. It encompasses all conditions, including ME, and it is a broad approach that aims to make improvements for everyone, regardless of the specific neurological condition that they live with. We are currently reviewing responses that were received during the recent public consultation. We want everyone to fully embrace the action plan and to recognise that it represents their condition and circumstances. Therefore, we will take on board the feedback that we have received and endeavour to ensure that the final plan is clear throughout that it is not in its intent and scope for all neurological conditions, including ME. Miles Briggs I agree with the points that Maureen Watt just made, but what discussions have the Scottish Government had with ME charities and other stakeholders about how to increase the current levels of funding around research into ME? Will he agree to meet ME and the charities to discuss how we take this forward? The Scottish Government frequently meets a range of stakeholders, but if Mr Briggs wants to have a discussion about it specifically, we meet on regular occasions, so I am sure that we can include that in our next meeting. Rwda Grant To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support health services in rural areas. We are supporting rural general practice with a comprehensive package of measures, including increased investment in recruitment incentives and relocation costs for GPs moving to rural posts, investment to support IT improvements and to support rural dispensing practices. Together with investment to support GPs recruitment and resilience schemes and the new GP contract negotiated and agreed with the BMA, which aims to provide a more attractive career in rural and urban practices by enhancing the GP role as expert medical generalists supported by a multidisciplinary team, dedicating more time to patients who are in most need of their skills. Rwda Grant Following the Starrick report, employees in a number of health boards are now raising similar concerns about bullying. My constituents in the western aisles are raising worrying concerns with ME and are keen that their situation is also independently investigated. Can I ask what steps she has taken to investigate bullying in the western aisles health board and what comfort can she give to my constituents about the allegations and how they are going to be dealt with in order to create a safe working environment for them? Of course, I would share Ms Grant's commitment to the creation of an increasingly safe working environment for our staff in the health service. I am aware of recent media reports and have had some discussion with the board of western aisles on the three individuals and the three allegations of bullying. If Ms Grant has other allegations from constituents that she wishes to raise with me, I will look at those very seriously. The Starrick report itself, while focused on NHS Highland, as I said in my statement at the time, produces significantly important points for us to consider across our NHS. We will consider individual situations as and when they arise, but, equally importantly, we are pursuing the work that I outlined in my statement to ensure that, across our health service and collaboration with our royal colleges, our trade unions and recognised employee organisations and with the regulatory authorities, we continue to take the steps that are necessary to promote a positive working culture in the NHS. Joan McAlpine To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met the UK Secretary of State for International Trade and what was discussed. Minister Ivan McKee The then Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work met the UK Secretary of State for International Trade on 2 November 2017. They discussed the UK trade bill and the involvement of the Scottish Government in developing future UK trade arrangements. Additionally, I, along with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work, are due to meet the Secretary of State on Friday of this week. We will take that opportunity to impress the importance of Scottish involvement in the negotiation and approval of any future trade deals that may be signed by the UK post-Brexit. Joan McAlpine I thank the minister for that answer. The Parliament's Culture, Tourism and European External Affairs Committee recently took evidence from expert trade negotiators who told us that it was vital that devolved administrations were consulted ahead of any negotiating position being reached on future trade deals. They also said that the UK Government ought to be able to exclude Scotland's NHS from any future UK-US trade deal. Has the UK Government engaged with you on those particular matters and do you expect them to? The minister said that the UK Government has not engaged with us on those specific matters in relation to Scotland's NHS. I can reiterate the Scottish Government's position that we would be strongly opposed to anything that opened up our NHS or any other aspect of our public sector to unwanted interests from businesses that might seek to privatise otherwise challenge some of those services. That underlines and highlights the critical importance of Scottish engagement in the process of negotiating trade arrangements by the UK Government. Thank you very much and that concludes general questions.