eliau. Fyingu o unig te transgwaith bydd gwaesun i gyf dividingaidd. Rhaid Kollegin Wales di cwneltio gan ha knyff Logan Leatherham yn amdree, neu mae y dy Chest Cymru fy hunain ddau ato, a fel yr awd automatiad â ddisgrifennu a ph究u nôr gweithredu y myndazzillach yn gweithio i ddefnyddio cymaint o ddefnyddio gweithio gwyllwgol a wlad ai'n ddigwyddio eich curricul yn ei wneud o ddifrifio dda. Dgylchedd rydw i ymgwrdd gyda rai o'r ddeithas ymgyrch yn eu rodd. Pitch a chylywau. I'm grateful to the minister for that answer. I have raised the issue previously here and I will continue to do that until the SNP ministers address the problems instead of dodging the questions. a'r local authorities have made it abundantly clear that they do not have the powers to deal with unauthorised encampments. Will the minister commit to giving the police the powers and local authorities the resources to deal with those sites that cause so much distress to settled communities? I would say to the member that, of course, the lead responsibility as regards management here lies with local authorities. I would also say that, as far as policing issues are concerned, it is the case that, further to Crown Office, Proculator and Fiscal Service guidance, there is a presumption against prosecution for unauthorised camping. However, at the same time, I think that the member should be aware that this presumption can be overridden by public interest considerations such as, for example, road safety public health hazard grounds. Of course, at the same time, it is the case that the police will investigate any allegations of criminal offences or anti-social behaviours. That is the position as it stands. The member may also be aware that draft guidance on managing unauthorised camping has been worked up. That draft is currently with COSLA to give its final consideration to the draft, so I am sure that the member will be interested to see that guidance when it comes out, which I think is expected quite soon indeed. The final thing is that the Gypsy Traveller communities are varied and diverse and have a long and proud history and a right to exercise their traditional way of life, which, just like any other citizen, must be exercised with regard to others. John Mason, given that Gypsy Travellers are one of the clearly most discriminated groups in our society, can the minister give us any guidance as to whether local authorities, especially in the north-east, have gone anywhere in providing additional sites, recognised sites, which has long been a recommendation? I would say to the member that local authorities are required by law to prepare a local housing strategy, and that strategy must reflect accommodation needs in the relevant local authority area, which, of course, includes those of Gypsy Travellers. Of course, the decision as to whether or not to provide a particular site is a matter for the local authorities, but I will ensure that the member's comments are passed to my colleagues in the equalities and local government team. Does the minister agree with me that, instead of prosecution and persecution of the Gypsy Travelling community, we need a much more collaborative approach across all portfolio areas with local authorities and with local communities to not only ensure better site provision for the Gypsy Travelling community, but also a better understanding of their culture and lifestyle, which in turn would help to eradicate the discrimination that Gypsy Travelling communities face? I thank the member for a question. I know that she has a very long-standing and honourable involvement in that matter over many years in this Parliament. What I would say is that many of the issues that she raises do fall within the portfolio of my equalities colleagues, but again I would ensure that her comments are addressed and are passed on to them. Hopefully, the draft guidance that is shortly to be published will helpfully answer at least some of the concerns that the member has raised. Question 3 has been withdrawn. Question 4, Kate Forbes. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of the proposal to introduce travelling domestic abuse courts in the Highlands. Cabinet Secretary, Michael Matheson. Sheriff principles are responsible for court programmes that include domestic abuse courts. That includes assessing whether the volume of domestic abuse cases in a sheriffdom would support either a specialist court or custering of domestic abuse cases in other court locations. It is the statutory responsibility of the sheriff principle to arrange the court programme in their area, and the Scottish Government has no locus or control over decisions relating to court programmes. More generally, it is recognised that domestic abuse courts can play a valuable role as part of an overall effective court programming approach to dealing with domestic abuse cases. Specialist domestic abuse courts, clustering or fast-tracking of those types of cases is happening at courts around the country. In Grampian and in the Highlands and Islands, the Scottish Court and Tribunal Service are working with justice partners and the sheriff principle to continually review the arrangements for hearing domestic abuse cases and currently favour and operate a fast-track system, ensuring that such cases are scheduled within the eight to 10-week target. Kate Forbes? I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. Would the Scottish Government agree with me that having dedicated procurator ffiscals and sheriffs, specifically allocated to domestic abuse, would ensure that procurator ffiscals and sheriffs have the appropriate expertise and sensitivity to the cases and that there is consistency in procedures and sentencing? As I mentioned in my response to the member, there are several domestic abuse courts dedicated to domestic abuse in Scotland, in Glasgow and Edinburgh. We also have the cluster courts operating in Falkirkham, Firland, Livingston and Eir. As I mentioned, in other areas where there is not the quantity of cases, the throughput of cases in courts, in other areas that the Scottish Court and Tribunal Service almost share of principles tend to fast-track those cases. However, it is part of the work that is being taken forward under the equally safe strategy. The Scottish Government is developing delivery plans that will look at both medium and long-term improvements that can be made to the justice system for all victims of this type of violence, including domestic abuse victims and their children. Those delivery plans are currently being worked through with partners such as the Scottish Court and Tribunal Service, which are represented on the justice expert group on the Violence Against Women and Girls Joint Strategic Board. That work will be taken forward over the coming weeks and months ahead, with a view to addressing the types of issues that the member has raised. I know that the Crown Office is keen to play its part in ensuring that they have the right expertise in dealing with those cases when they are brought before our courts. Clare Baker I would like to raise two points. Although the cabinet secretary is correct in saying that the establishment of domestic abuse courts has been led by the senior judiciary, who has responsibility for the court programme in that area, can he confirm that it would be possible for the Scottish Government and the Parliament to legislate to establish domestic abuse courts if we felt that it was the best way to make further progress? In the debate in September, the minister raised training for sheriffs and summary sheriffs. Can the cabinet secretary confirm that, while it is part of the induction training for new members of the judiciary, domestic abuse education is not at the moment compulsory for all sheriffs and summary sheriffs? The member raised an interesting point about the suggestion that we could legislate the issue of creating specialist courts. Although that technically may be the case, I am not entirely sure whether that would achieve the desirable effect that we are looking for—that is the effective use of court time in dealing with those cases. That is why the Scottish Crown Tribunal Service, along with the Crown Office, has tried to take a flexible approach to those matters where they can cluster cases and clustering together so that they can make sure that they have the special sheriff alongside that and the ffiscals to be able to deal with it for that period of time and the necessary support services in the court, where they do not have that throughput of cases within those individual courts. They seek to fast-track them as quickly as possible and to make sure that they also have the necessary ffiscals and the necessary support services during the time when those cases are being taken through the courts. It is important that we take an approach that allows us to have a flexible model in different parts of the country that reflects the demand that is necessary in those individual areas. Sheriffs Principles and the Scottish Crown Tribunal Service are keen to make sure that they continue to take that type of approach. In relation to matters relating to training of the judiciary, the member will also be aware that matters in relation to training of the judiciary are not matters for ministers, they are matters for the Lord President, who is responsible for the training and support provided to members of our judiciary, including some of the sheriffs. The Judicial Institute, which is headed by the Lord President, is responsible for the training provisions. The member is correct to say that it is part of the induction training for judiciary domestic violence is an issue that they are provided with training in. There are training provisions for other sheriffs who can opt into those programmes as and when they choose to do so. I am sure that the member has got no doubt that those sheriffs who have a particular interest in specialism in this area are the very ones who are most likely to make use of that type of flexible training regime, which is there in order to make sure that they have been given the right type of support and advice and the right type of information that is necessary to ensure that they are able to discharge their duties as best as possible. To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last smid Scottish Women's Aid and what issues were discussed. Scottish ministers meet with key stakeholders such as Scottish Women's Aid and local women's aid organisations to help to inform thinking around strategies to prevent and eradicate violence against women. Most recently, I met representatives from Edinburgh's Women's Aid on 15 September last year and was given a tour of the services offered and spoke to staff and service users. I hope that the cabinet secretary could tell us what steps the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that children have equal access to justice as direct victims of coercive control in the draft domestic abuse offences bill and whether that is something that is under consideration because that has been raised by Scottish Women's Aid. The bill that we intend to bring before Parliament in this session in order to deal with psychological coercive and controlling behaviour related to domestic abuse gives us an opportunity to make additional provision for children who can very often be victims of domestic abuse that takes place in the household in which they are living. We have been engaged with a range of the stakeholders who have expressed a view to looking at making specific provision within the legislation. I am sure that the member will recognise that it has been appropriate for me at this stage before it is going to introduce to Parliament to give details on exactly what will be contained within the bill. However, I can give the member an assurance that this is an issue that we do recognise that there is further progress to be made on. For example, it could be the issue of an activation that could be provided within the legislation to try to address those types of issues to ensure that they are properly recognised by the court when a case is being considered. I can give the member an assurance that we are looking to try to address some of those issues in the legislation. I hope that, when the bill is introduced to Parliament, it will draw cross-party support, given its intention, in making sure that the Scottish justice system is one of the leaders in the world in making sure that we criminalise psychological, coercive and controlling behaviour that is related to domestic abuse. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that victims in Scotland of unethical undercover policing have access to justice. The options available to any individual will depend on the facts and circumstances of their case. Depending on the particular circumstances, individuals may seek redress via the investigatory powers tribunal, which has jurisdiction to consider certain proceedings for actions that concern the use of investigatory powers. Additionally, individuals may seek redress through the courts, subject to the rules that determine the jurisdiction of the courts. Mr Finlay is also aware that I have directed HMICS to undertake a review of undercover policing in Scotland. The terms of reference were published today. The review will be essential in gathering facts about existing and historical undercover policing activities over the period of the Scottish Parliament when it has had responsibilities for this area and will inform any further decisions that we make in this area. Why is it that Scottish victims of illegal and unethical undercover policing activity carried out in Scotland prior to the year 2000 will not have access to any inquiry, yet victims in England and Wales will? The cabinet secretary has the opportunity to remedy that by ensuring that the strategic review of undercover policing in Scotland covers the same time period as the Pitchford inquiry in England and Wales, which is back to 1968. Why will the cabinet secretary want to do that? What advice does he have for victims who became victims in that time period prior to 2000? I consider that issue carefully. I believe that the most appropriate way in which, for the issue of undercover policing in particular, the activities of the metropolitan police units who were involved in undercover policing operations across the United Kingdom, Scotland and Northern Ireland should be addressed through the Pitchford inquiry. I regret the fact that the UK Government has refused to extend that, although, as the member will be aware, it is in the gift of the chair of that particular inquiry to consider evidence that comes from outwith England and Wales, so long as it relates to an undercover operation carried out by a police force in England and Wales. There are issues, but I believe that the UK Government should have addressed and they failed to do so. What I have done in establishing the inquiry by HMICS is to look at the period when this Parliament and the legislation that was established in order to deal with undercover policing was passed by both the UK and by the Scottish Parliament to look at the provisions that were in place during that period of time, the arrangements that the police had in place and, as a reference to what has been set out by the chief inspector today, will allow a thorough and detailed investigation to take place. If there are individuals who believe that they have been subject to some form of undercover policing operation that predate that period, I would welcome hearing that from them. However, to date, I have not received that type of information beyond what will be covered in the timeframe that has been set by HMICS and the terms of reference that it would publish today. I welcome the limited review that was announced today, but I am concerned about how the Scottish Government can restore public confidence in the police and maintain that confidence going forward. In light of that, can the cabinet secretary provide reassurances that sensitive operational techniques and details will be safeguarded throughout the review process? I am sure that the member will recognise that there is significant public confidence in the way in which Police Scotland operates and all the public services demonstrate that. In relation to that particular inquiry, it is for the chief inspector to conduct a very detailed and thorough inquiry. I am sure that the member will recognise the background of the chief inspector Derek Penman, who is an individual who has spent an extended period in policing in Scotland. There is a very distinguished career in Scotland at the highest level. I have no doubt that he will recognise and need to make sure that the way in which information is handled in relation to the issue, which is sensitive, is dealt with appropriately. I am sure that the member will recognise—as all members will recognise—that covert operations and surveillance operations play an important part in tackling serious and organised crime in this country and other serious threats in our society. It is appropriate that our police service and the police force have the ability to be able to undertake those types of procedures appropriately. Equally, it is also important that we have robust measures in place to ensure that those are appropriately and effectively regulated. I believe that we have strong regulation in place at the present moment. The Investigative Powers Act 2020 will change some of those provisions, which I believe will improve it in some areas—not entirely, but it will improve it in some areas—but it is important that we allow the police service to have those necessary powers. I have no doubt that, after we have received the report from the chief inspector, we will be able to reflect on its findings. If there are any recommendations that suggest that we have to take action in order to provide further safeguards or improvements in the way in which Police Scotland conducts those matters, then we as a Government will be determined to take them forward. I have no doubt that Police Scotland will be determined to implement them. Question 9, Neil Bibby. To ask the Scottish Government what response it has received to its consultation on the integration of the British transport police in Scotland into Police Scotland. An independent analysis report on the response to the consultation was carried out by the research shop and can be found on the Scottish Government consultation hub website. Responses to the consultation have now been published online. Railway policing in Scotland is now a devolved matter—a decision reached with cross-party agreement through the Smith commission. That means that we need to put in place a framework to deliver appropriate accountability for railway policing to the Scottish Parliament and the people of Scotland. The Scottish Government has set out why it believes that integration is the most effective means of achieving that, as well as providing operational benefits through direct access to a range of specialist support within Police Scotland. That will deliver much stronger and more effective accountability than could be achieved within a cross-body public body structure. Neil Bibby. It is concerning the consultation. It did not specifically ask the question, do you support the merger or not. We know from the responses that the Government received that there is significant opposition and concerns about the proposed merger from rail unions, trains, companies and police officers. The transport minister claimed that the Government has a manifesto mandate to push through the merger, but they do not. Given all of that, given the level of opposition among people who work on our railways, the problems that we have seen from the creation of Police Scotland and other public sector reforms, what confidence can the public possibly have that the merger is a good idea and will be a success? As a member may be aware, the view of the Scottish Government in integrating British transport policing into Police Scotland is not a new idea. It is an idea that was set out back in 2011, which my predecessor had pursued as well. It was a policy that we had also set out in our white paper. The member will also recognise that the Smith commissions at recommendations reached through cross-party agreement, including his own party, which was at the functions of British Transport Police in Scotland, should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. It is appropriate that we put in place a structure in order to provide appropriate accountability in order to take that forward and to ensure that there is accountability to this Parliament and to the Scottish people. Given the political interest that there has been in this matter, I was struck by the lack of response from any of the other political parties to our consultation on the issue, including no response from Mr Bibby's party on our consultation into this matter. Given that he believes that it is such an important issue, I am surprised that he did not take the opportunity to make his view known to the consultation process. This is an opportunity for opposition parties to make their views very clear. The Scottish Government's own analysis of the responses to the consultation highlighted the prevailing opposition to full-on integration. Does the cabinet secretary not agree that the best way to maintain our high standard of specialist railway policing and ensure the safety of rail passengers and staff is not to radically alter an established and successful model and that could be achieved under the Smith agreement? There we are again. We have cross-party agreement that we should have the devolution of railway policing to the Scottish Parliament, but there is no idea on how that should be achieved, because yet again this is another party who failed to even bother to respond to the consultation exercise. Clearly this has been a high priority, but it does not have the ability to set out how they believe that it should be done, which I think is rather telling on the opposition parties on this issue. I have no doubt that the way in which we can deliver effective and specialist policing on our railways is to have integrated within Police Scotland, as Police Scotland has already set out the intent to have specialist railway policing continue to be provided once it has been integrated into the service. In doing so, that will allow them to have access to the specialist assets that Police Scotland has as a national force as well. In addition to that, it will provide accountability to the Scottish Parliament and to all the parties in this chamber as to how policing is delivered on our railways. It is disappointing that none of the parties have bothered to take the time to make their views known during the consultation exercise. We move on to culture, tourism and external affairs questions, and we will start with question number one from Edward Mountain. To ask the Scottish Government how important it considers superfast broadband is to tourism in the Highlands. The Scottish Government considers superfast broadband as very important to businesses in the Highlands and Islands and tourism in particular. Commercial coverage provisioned by the UK Government would have only reached 21 per cent of the Highlands and Islands. That is why we are investing £400 million in the digital Scotland superfast broadband programme to extend fibre access to at least 95 per cent of premises by the end of 2017, and we are committed to delivering 100 per cent coverage by the end of this Parliament. Edward Mountain. I am constantly asked in the Highlands when provision of broadband will be, especially for those last 5 per cent. Will the Government, apart from their R100 programme, let businesses know the likely roll-out dates for superfast broadband? That will allow businesses to commit to alternative broadband version until the terrestrial broadband promised by the Scottish Government is available. Cabinet Secretary? It has been extensive coverage, but it is quite right to identify the last 5 per cent, and I think that the communication, particularly of the procurement process, for that final 5 per cent that we are embarking on as part of this additional funding that is part of the budget going forward for 2017-18 and throughout this parliamentary term, it is key that we can plan and respond. That is also critical, not just in terms of knowing when that activity will be available, but for skills and training, because the use of digital marketing is a vital part of that tourism offer as well. Liam McArthur. Thank you very much for that. I welcome the comments that the cabinet secretary made in relation to that final 5 per cent. Even for those businesses that currently have a broadband service, they can be adversely affected by weather disruption at this time of the year, many wait weeks if not months in my part of the world to get those faults fixed. That can have a huge impact on tourism and the deed of other businesses, not to mention the household. Will the cabinet secretary undertake to ensure that the Scottish Government makes representations to BT to ensure that they have the resources and what they require to ensure that those faults are dealt with far more speedily than appears to be the case today? I am afraid that I am not responsible for the weather, but in terms of his identification of the disruption that can cause, particularly to some of the connectivity issues, although it is not my direct responsibility, I will make sure that Derek Mackay, who is the cabinet secretary responsible, makes sure that the business needs and the business opportunities and the business losses that can accrue because of that disruption are brought to the attention of BT in particular. In my discussions with BT, as a tourism secretary, I will also make sure that that is raised. To ask the Scottish Government how it is promoting culture, towns and cities. The Scottish Government promotes culture in a wide variety of ways across many portfolios, not just my own, for example in education. We promote culture through our supporting guidance to national cultural bodies, to letters of grant and guidance, which they can deliver in towns and cities. For example, through Creative Scotland's place partnerships or through outreach work from our national performing companies in the collections. The cultural strategy that we are preparing will also provide more opportunities to explore that. The jointly cosla chaired culture conveners and local government meetings that I have initiated will help to identify other opportunities for our towns and cities. George Allen. I thank the cabinet secretary for her answer. Would the cabinet secretary agree with me that cultural activities can be a key factor in town, centre and city regeneration, particularly for a town like Paisley, with its vast iconic cultural background? Even Edinburgh's world fame, Tugmanay party, was taken over by Paisley acts this last year. Is this not another reason and example of why Paisley should be the UK city of culture in 2021? As the member knows, he is a great champion of the Paisley case for UK city of culture. I strongly believe in the regenerative powers of culture, both in a social individual but also in an economic sense. We are seeing that in towns and cities across Scotland, not least obviously Dundee, but I would also point out to the member as part of the campaign for Paisley in particular. On Monday night, I was speaking at the Creative Industries Federation, and I met the award-winning fashion icon, Pam Hogg, who was advocating Paisley's case through the many hundreds of people who were there at that event. I joined Mr Adam in supporting his bid for Paisley's UK city of culture, for something that we share on this side of the chamber. A big part of culture of our towns and cities in Scotland are our historic castles and ancient monuments. I could ask the cabinet secretary for her response to this week's analysis by Historic Environment Scotland that shows that up to £65 million will be required to maintain and keep the sites in satisfactory condition. Given that we are seeing a four and a half per cent cut to our country's national collection in this year's budget, how confident can this chamber be that this Government will protect our historic sites? I welcome the report, because I commissioned it. It is the first time in hundreds of years that we have a proper survey of what the demands and requirements are. He will also be aware that on Monday this week I announced £6.6 million of capital investment for Historic Environment Scotland precisely to invest in the work to restore and conserve our properties and care. That helps skills and training. It also helps local contractors and needs Historic Environment Scotland to spend around £3 million a year with local contractors on that work. However, his point about the investment in Historic Environment Scotland has seen an increase precisely because of the additional £2.4 million of additional capital investment to Historic Environment Scotland, and its position is much better than it has been for many, many years. Because I strongly and firmly believe that if we are going to have tourism at the heart of our economy and our historic environment, our buildings and castles are places that people want to visit, we have to invest in it. That is why I made that announcement this week. It is also why I commissioned the report that he referred to. 3. Douglas straws Thank you, Presiding Officer. To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the tourism sector in the Highlands and Islands. As one of our key growth sectors that is vital to all of Scotland's economy, the latest Scottish Government statistics for the Highlands and Islands show an increase in tourism employment and GVA together with visitor numbers and spend. O and S statistics published on Visit Scotland's website on 10 January show that, between 2014 and 2015, the number of people employed in the sector across Scotland grew to 217,000. The 11 per cent increase in Scotland is above the 4 per cent rise in Great Britain as a whole, and the 217,000 members of the Scottish tourism industry and employees of the industry represent 9 per cent of the country's total employment and is the highest tourism level since the business register employment survey records began in 2009. Of those, the 15,700 tourism workers in the Highlands make up 14 per cent of the reasons total. I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. She will be aware that, as today is the 11th of January, it is also the date of the burning of the clavy in Burghead. That attracts thousands of tourists and local people to the village. As clavy king Dan Ralfin is crew prepared to carry the flaming wooden clavy barrel filled with tar on their backs around the village, stopping at several doorways to hand out the burning embers before finally being wedged on Dury Hill, will the cabinet secretary join me in praising this tradition, the interests it generates both locally and from further afield, and the enthusiasm of younger members of the clavy team, such as Jamie Davidson, Scott Crawford and Keir Irwin, who are following in the footsteps of their ancestors being part of the clavy crew. I would like to congratulate the clavy king and all those involved in what I understand is a really vibrant and inclusive event, which I think put place tribute to the long-standing heritage of not only just that place itself, but of Scotland, of course, we are now in 2017. It's the year of history, heritage and archaeology, and it's not just our built environment that we want to celebrate, the intangible heritage of this country, which includes the traditions that he's just referred to, is very much part of Scotland's heritage as well. The numbers of tourists going to the Isle of Skye are growing exponentially year on year, contributing to Scotland's national economy, but also putting huge pressure on our infrastructure. Will the cabinet secretary meet with me to discuss ways to ensure that our services and infrastructure can meet the rapidly growing demand? Clearly, tourism is growing. I've talked about the employee numbers, and obviously, in terms of recent announcement, the rough guide has pointed out that Scotland is the number two place in the world to visit this year. We have to make it the number one place, but with that demand creates tensions in terms of infrastructures in a number of places, and particularly in the Highlands and Islands and I know in Skye and other areas, that is creating real challenges. I'm more than happy to meet the member to discuss the issues in her constituency, as I've offered to other members for the North Coast 500. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any communication that it has had with the UK Government regarding the publication of Scotland's place in Europe. The First Minister spoke to the Prime Minister upon publication when Theresa May repeated her pledge made in July that the UK Government would give full and fair consideration to our proposals designed to mitigate the risk for Scotland of being taken out of the EU. In addition, our Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's place in Europe spoke with the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU and the Secretary of State for Scotland and highlighted the need for full and constructive debate of our proposition. The Scottish Government will formally table our proposals at the joint ministerial committee EU negotiations next week, and I hope that discussions take place in the spirit of agreeing a UK approach. The UK Government has emphasised the need for Scotland's full engagement and an agreed UK-wide approach before the triggering of article 50, and we welcome that commitment. At those discussions, would the cabinet secretary agree with me that there is a need also to emphasise the fact that there are deep concerns, not just for myself, but also from constituents in my constituency and across Scotland, as well as clarity on the position on the paper? We also need clarity for the EU nationals in our community who still have not had any clarity from the UK Government as to the rights of their ability to stay in Scotland. I absolutely agree, and this Government has been clear right from day one that the position of EU nationals living in Scotland and working in Scotland and contributing to our economy and society have to be secured. I think that it is essential that we do that sooner rather than later. I am concerned that the UK Government has not chosen to do so, not least because it will be required to do so at some point. I think that going into negotiations with the other EU countries and the EU itself, it really is important that they are not used as pawns, but that the goodwill, faith and confidence of respect for each other's citizens needs to lie at the heart of whatever solution can be realised as part of the overall negotiations and having confidence, faith and trust in people who are working here will give great confidence, I think, in other EU countries in approaching those negotiations when they start in good faith and in goodwill. Jackson Carlaw Can I again, on behalf of Scottish Conservatives, thank the Scottish Government for the publication of the Scotland's Place in Europe, acknowledge that it is a substantial document, and indeed note that there are certain recommendations within it that enjoy all-party support. Does she share the disappointment of some, however, at the fact that the document has been dismissed out of hand by certain European capitals and Governments? How, in the face of that, given that it would need the unanimous support of all the capitals of Europe for those provisions to proceed, would she advocate that the UK Government takes matters forward? I would gently correct the member that it has not been dismissed out of hand by certain capitals and countries. I, myself, have spoken to a number of Governments, either at ministerial or ambassadorial level. He may be referring to remarks made by the Spanish European Minister, the same comments that he made three months ago, recognising that it would be the UK that would be the negotiator, and that it would expect the position to be put forward, would be one put forward for the UK as a whole. If he listened to my first answer, I was quite clear, as the Government has been, that it is part of a UK negotiation that we are putting forward the proposals that are in the paper that he has said has been well regarded in a number of substantive points that I think can get cross-party support. I think that we have got to be very careful not to put words in the mouth of other Governments. I think that that one is undiplomatic, but secondly, I do not think that it helps Scotland's case. Let's try and identify the areas that we can agree on and take them forward as part of the UK negotiation. That is the spirit that, when we publish the document, we will also take them forward in the discussions that we will have with the UK Government. Thank you very much. The cabinet secretary mentioned that she intends that her proposals will be tabled at the meeting of the joint ministerial committee next week. In that context, can she tell us what discussions her colleagues may have had with the Welsh Government or with other devolved Administrations in advance of that meeting in order to ensure that the proposition of a joint UK approach is one that has broad support? I may reflect to the member in the chamber that the reason that Michael Russell is not answering those questions personally himself is because he is precisely engaged in discussions on that issue with other Governments in particular. We have had discussions on a bilateral basis with the other jurisdictions in Scotland and the British Irish Council. Indeed, both in a formal and informal context around the British Irish Council, I spoke to the Welsh Government at Cameron Jones, the First Minister and the other ministers attending. We are very conscious that, in a lot of those discussions, there will be common interests and there will be different ways of approaching it. However, what is essential is that we are now getting on to the importance and centrality of the single market that has been part of whatever proposition the UK negotiation puts forward and how we express that collectively across the jurisdictions and also from this chamber will be very important in influencing the final result that we get. 5. Dean Lockhart To ask the Scottish Government how it is implementing the strategy Tourism Scotland 2020. The Government's economic strategy identifies tourism as a key growth sector. The Scottish Government is therefore assisting public bodies to support the tourism sector right across Scotland via the industry-led Scottish tourism alliance tourism strategy 2020 collectively across the public agencies, especially Visit Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Hansons Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Development International, and the relevant local authorities. 5. Dean Lockhart I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. Given that tourism is indeed one of the Government's key growth areas and is an increasing contributor to the Scottish economy with increasing tourist numbers this year or last year and given all the opportunities highlighted by the cabinet secretary, can I ask why it is such an important stage in implementing this strategy? Has the Scottish Government decided to cut the resources for tourism by 10 per cent in the draft budget? And why have critical agencies such as Visit Scotland faced a 20 per cent real-term reduction in funding over the last eight years? I would correct the member's understanding. If he refers to last year's budget and this year's budget, he will see from Visit Scotland that there is a flat cash announcement in terms of their funding. Indeed, if he paid attention to the evidence that was given by the chief executive at the budget session, he specifically said that he welcomed the flat cash funding that was available for them to spend. Some of the issues that he endukes at last year's budget, the contribution from Visit Scotland to the strategic forum was identified in last year's budget. This year, we have made it clear up front what the resources are. The flat cash settlement for Visit Scotland has very much been welcomed by not only the organisation but others as well in the tourism sector if he had the opportunity to speak to them. To ask the Scottish Government what the implications are for creative Europe-funded projects in light of the EU referendum result. The creative Europe programme has been of significant value to the Scottish cultural sector. Following the EU referendum result, the Scottish Government is concerned about the future of the programme. I would indicate that, since its foundation in 2014, there have been 33 projects with funding of more than 11.5 million euros. I thank the cabinet secretary for the answer to several projects. In my constituency, why dance, in particular, has received reports from creative Europe. It is very important, and I think that the cabinet secretary agrees with me, that it is very important that areas like why dance and creative Europe funding continue. Does he agree that it is probably one of the worst things to come out of Brexit in Europe if funding is not continued? Absolutely. In terms of the creative industries and culture, so much of the value of it is the exchange of ideas and experience, and creative Europe certainly does that and facilitates that. It is actually being able to develop your practice with international connections that is as important as the actual grants and skills itself. Again, as part of our on-going work on the EU, one will be encouraging people to still work with the creative Europe desk. They certainly have the opportunity to do so, and we want to make it clear that this is one of the organisations that we expect and the funding streams that the UK will either replace or preferably continue after the EU referendum, because some of those relationships are absolutely vital to the heartbeat of our cultural sector. Thank you, and that concludes portfolio questions. We'll just take a few moments or two to change seats for the minister for the next debate.