 The first item of business today is general questions and we start with question number one from Gordon Lindhurst. To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure that communities and town centres that provide at least a basic level of banking access, in particular for older and disabled customers and small businesses. The regulation of banking remains reserved to Westminster The Scottish Government cannot compel banks to maintain a branch presence where they have taken the commercial decision to close. The Scottish Government appreciates that the banks must make savings and efficiencies in delivering services to customers in a modern and changing world, but clearly there is a continuing need or strong preference for face-to-face provision of banking for some. Digital access will not be available to or indeed suitable for everyone. For the provision of key financial advice, many customers prefer direct contact. Hence, while we recognise declining branch activity may be a driver for banks today, we would urge banks to see branch closures as a last resort, and before closing a branch to consider consultation with local stakeholders and communities to explore all practical options. I thank the minister for that answer. The Scottish Government report in 2013, Sustainable Responsible Banking, recognised the future importance of accessible community banking. It said that the Scottish Government would, and I quote, explore the potential for promoting further community banking options in Scotland. End quote. The 2016 SNP manifesto also committed to encourage and support other providers of services in the banking sector. Given those commitments and also my understanding from the minister's recent letter to me was that he remains committed to that, and he mentioned, in particular, credit unions and post offices, will he and the Government commit to working with local community groups such as in Juniper Green in Edinburgh in order to explore options and viable alternatives for a continuation of banking services following the recent raft of branch closures? I certainly would accept that the recent round of branch closures has been a great concern. I know from representations that Mr Lindhurst and Mr MacDonald have made in relation to Juniper Green and the previous closures in the area of Pellence constituency and wider in Edinburgh that that is an issue that is causing great concern locally. As I indicated in my letter, we are very strongly supportive of the credit union movement and it is quite right to point out that banks are not the only organisations able to provide local banking services. Scotland is currently well serviced by credit unions and there are 99 credit unions in Scotland as at the end of June last year. The Scottish Government is working with the credit unions to grow the movement in Scotland, so there may be opportunities in localities such as those affected by the recent raft of branch closures to look at a credit union alternative. At this moment in time, Scotland has proportionally a higher level of credit union membership than England and Wales, so it is a well-established movement here. According to the Bank of England's most recent quarterly statistics, approximately 7.2 per cent of the Scottish population are enrolled in a credit union compared with only 1.5 per cent in England and 2.6 per cent in Wales. It is clearly an area where we could do more work, but we are already starting from a good base of support for credit unions. Gordon MacDonald By this summer, RBS will have reduced the number of branches available to my constituents from 6 to 0. The nearest branch will be at least two bus journeys away, and that will have an impact on the elderly and disabled and those constituents who prefer face-to-face banking. Does the minister agree that the very least large banks, such as RBS, who are completely withdrawn from communities, should extend their mobile branch network to provide a service to those who are unlikely or unable to take advantage of online banking? I will certainly agree with that sentiment that, where there is a reduction in coverage of bank branches, clearly there is an onus on the banks that have done that to try and make sure that they maintain access to banking services the best they can, and mobile banks are very successful, particularly in rural locations. There is no reason why that could not be rolled out in suburban Scotland and in the urban Scotland where it is required. I am grateful to know that RBS has delayed the closure from three months to six months in terms of the process to give more time to assist customers to be able to be trained to use digital banking. Clearly, as I said in my initial answer to Mr Lindhurst, not for all customers will that be a relevant means of accessing banking, so mobile banking may be a more acceptable option for many who prefer that face-to-face contact. If members would make them brief, I will take three other supplementaries on that. Kenneth Gibson, first. Thank you, Presiding Officer. The Clydesdale banks announced that it will close 40 of its branches in Scotland, including two of the three in my constituency beef and sawcoats, cutting jobs and greatly inconveniencing customers. Can I ask what representations the Scottish Government is making to the Clydesdale bank regarding those closures? Whether the minister shares my view that the Clydesdale bank has not complied with the British Banking Association's Access to Banking protocol, which requires that a community engagement and an impact assessment is published prior to the closure? On the latter point, I am particularly interested in that. I will look into whether, in this particular case, that has been taken forward. I know that there has been some concern expressed by members across the chamber around the degree to which consultations are actually meaningful. Hence, in my original answer, I was trying to stress that it is important that the banks consult genuinely with the community and the local customers that are affected before taking such a step and that it should be seen as a last resort. We do respect the commercial decisions when they have to be made. Clearly, some cases it will be necessary, given changes in preferences of customers for using bank branches, but we do have an honos to try and protect those who are most vulnerable. In terms of engagement with the banks through the financial services advisory board, the First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary and myself do engage regularly with the financial services industry and, on a one-to-one basis, I will have opportunities to raise this with Clyde Steel Bank and other banks. I will take that forward for the member and other members who have expressed concern. John Scott. Thank you, Presiding Officer. In declaring an interest as the convener of the cross-party group in towns and town centres, can I say that I am certain that the minister is aware of the rapid withdrawal of banks such as the Clyde Steel from Trun, in my constituency, and Cymru, in Jean Freeman's constituency, as well as, as I have already mentioned, in Mr Gibson's constituency, thereby reducing their presence significantly in Ayrshire and elsewhere. I will also be aware of the proposals to end coming from free banking, the free use of cash machines coming from the banking sector, and noting those two facts, what specific measures can the Scottish Government take to reduce the impact of this reduction in access to banking services, particularly for the elderly and our least well-off town centre users? Minister. Well, I certainly note the impacts on Mr Scott's constituency and other parts of rural Scotland. I know that they are particularly hard-felt when there is the last branch in a town leaves and it can have a big impact, both on the business community as well as customers. So clearly it is important that we try and think through how we can support that. We will obviously listen keenly to any suggestions as to government action that can help with this, but as a point to the regulation industry is obviously still reserved. We can, as I said in my response to Mr Lindhurst, look at alternative services where they may help, particularly vulnerable groups, to access local banking, whether it is through a post office or indeed through credit unions. I certainly give an undertaking to Mr Scott if there are options he is aware of that we could do something in respect of his own constituency. I will listen to that. Daniel Johnson. Thank you, Presiding Officer. The minister mentions post offices and indeed it is with deep worry that the recent announcements of Crown post offices, including the Morningside post office in my constituency, would he join me in condemning the announcement by the post office and indeed the UK Government? Very briefly, minister. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Clearly we share concerns about the contraction in the post office network and we make representations to UK ministers on that issue and I know my predecessor, Fergus Ewing was very active in that as well. It is an issue of concern but we will look closely at whether we can do anything to support communities that are affected but clearly where credit unions post offices are available. They are important alternatives to branches and I would hope that the post office will take into account the wider impact of what they are doing on access to key services. Question 2, Donald Cameron. You asked the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that suitable vessels are deployed on the Malague to Armadale ferry routes. Minister, homes are used. I am, of course, aware of views of communities served by this service. I can reassure them that Scottish ministers remain committed to the Malague Armadale service in its long-term stability and growth. The Clyde and Hebrides ferry services are operated by CalMac under contract with Scottish ministers. The operator charters the ferry fleet from CMAW under the public service contract. CalMac is, of course, responsible for the deployment of vessels to individual routes to best deliver the contracted services across the whole network. For summer 2017, CalMac will run a two-vessel service on the route, deploying the MV Loc Fine and the MV Lord of the Isles. CalMac anticipates the vessel deployment on the Malague Armadale route this summer will offer additional capacity and sailings, as well as greater reliability. That should provide ferry users with an improved service on the route this summer. I thank the minister for his answer. As a result of this saga, visitors and locals have faced massive disruption. Communities on both sides of the sound of slate have suffered. While many of the issues lie with CalMac in relation to vessels, is the minister responsible for both ferries and the islands? As a member of a Government who awarded the tender to CalMac, will he take personal responsibility for pursuing an urgent solution to this problem? Minister. Can I say that I fully accept and I made this point last year and last summer to the communities in Slate and Malague and Armadale that there was an unacceptable level of service and disruption that took place last year. That is why I tasked CMAAL and CalMac to come up with a better and more improved service. They have done that with this two-vessel solution, which will offer more sailings. It will offer an increased number of return sailings per day and across the summer season. In addition, there will be more cars that will be able to be taken on the route as well. The lock fine will go through some modifications in order to make it more suitable for the route. CalMac has also offered support to the businesses in terms of marketing support and promotional support as well. CalMac, on the other hand, has dedicated a point person who will lead on engagement with the community for that route. Of course, because of the tidal nature of that route, there will be some element of disruption but what is important is that CalMac has a much better idea of when that disruption might occur and put in place as many mitigating measures as possible. I am confident that the summer timetable should run better this year than it did last year. Of course, I will keep a close eye on that. I thank Kate Forbes and Anil Blackford, who have been raising the issue with me consistently since I came into post. Kate Forbes. Can the minister advise what long-term decisions are being made to ensure that we invest in our fleet of ferry vessels so that all coastal communities are served? Minister. Transport Scotland publishes an annual vessel replacement and deployment plan, which looks at a programme of vessel retention, cascades, acquisitions and disposals. To take the general point that the member raises, it is a very important one. Is this Government's successful introduction and roll-out of RET that has brought more tourists and more people on to these islands, which is a great success story for a slightly ageing fleet of vessels, but we are taking steps, of course, to upgrade that fleet. We know that we have two hybrid vessels coming in 2018 that will be of great use across the network. The member's point generally is one that I think is well made. Question 3, Neil Findlay. To ask the Scottish Government when it will introduce its weld fisheries bill and what it will contain. Draft provisions of a weld fisheries bill were consulted on last year. We will shortly conclude our consideration of the results of that consultation. In doing so, we will in particular take account of the need to protect angling participation and access to angling. As stated in the 2016 programme for government, our intention is to introduce a bill during this parliamentary session. The next programme for government will set out further detail on the Government's future legislative programme. Neil Findlay. Will the minister take the opportunity now to rule out completely changing the law that would mean fishing for freshwater fish without a landowner's consent would go from being a civil case to a criminal case? I am not going to pre-announce details of the bill's content ahead of the conclusion of our consideration. I can advise the member that discussions are current and active. I have had some communication with MSPs about a number of different issues that were part of the consultation, but those were options that are not new. They did not signal Government intent. There are risks to angling participation and access associated with some of them, which will be key factors influencing any final decision that I make. Finlay Carson. Can I ask the minister what progress has been made to review the inadequate compensation packages that are currently offered to businesses carrying out traditional fishing methods such as half poke and steak netting on the Salwy Firth? As the member is aware, those conversations are on-going. We are looking at the issues in connection with half netting, for example, which is part of a project on-going. It started in June last year and a licence application is being prepared to continue the science work in 2017. Those are all on-going discussions and I am very happy to have a separate conversation with the member if he wishes to come and see me. I think that that would be again about this and any other matters related to wild fisheries. Question 4, Gillian Martin. To ask the Scottish Government how its learning director assists young carers in accessing their right to education. Cabinet Secretary John Swinney. Today's young carers awareness date in which we are all invited to recognise the unique challenges that young carers in Scotland face. I am happy to do so and to acknowledge that when this Government states that it is determined to ensure that all of our children and young people get the same chances and choices to succeed at school and in life. That includes young carers as well. The work that is underway across my portfolio from the transformation of early learning and childcare entitlement to 1,140 hours by 2020, to deliver excellence and equity in school education, and to take forward measures to widen access. Review student support and reformer learning journey will consider the needs of young carers to determine what more might need to be done to enable them to fulfil their potential. Gillian Martin. Cabinet Secretary, I agree with me that solutions lying across Government portfolio approach cannot be looked at purely in an educational context and are wider than a Scottish Government responsibility. I accept that point. It is important that we co-ordinate and link up at all levels of Government, not just within the Scottish Government, but also in local authorities and communities, whereby we focus on the needs of individual young people and ensure that those needs are met. There are many good examples in the public services of where that thinking is brought to the fore. It delivers much better outcomes and opportunities for young people and it makes sure that they achieve the support to which they are entitled and the Government is committed to working in such a fashion. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that both parents can play an active role in their children's lives following divorce or separation. Mr Mark McDonald. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of relationship support given the impact that divorce and separation can have on children. That is why we are providing around £2 million per year through our Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention Fund to organisations that provide relationship support, including Relationships Scotland and The Spark. We have also funded Relationships Scotland to develop a new parenting apart service with the specific aim of helping separating or separated parents to support their children through what can be a difficult time. We continue to support ParentLine Scotland which provides advice and information to parents and families on a range of issues relating to the break-up of relationships. Ivan McKee. I thank the minister for that answer. Family breakdown can be a difficult time for all concern, particularly the children. Recent research from Sweden where shared parenting following family breakdown is now the norm and where gender stereotypes regarding childcare responsibilities are becoming a thing of the past has shown that when children spend significant amounts of time with both parents, social, psychological and emotional outcomes are improved. Can the minister undertake to look into this research and to evaluate how it might inform the approach to family law and contact arrangements in Scotland? I'm happy to assure Mr McKee that we are aware of this research and it forms part of a wide body of international research and evidence which helps to inform our own approach in developing policy. Mr McKee may also wish to know that we are already acting in this area to update and publish information to support separating parents. To review the legislation the Children and Scotland Act 1995 the intent behind our manifesto commitment in this area is to consider how to ensure that the child remains at the centre of responsibilities and rights relating to parenting. In addition, we wish to ensure that the legislation enables children to maintain relationships with significant adults in their lives when in the child's best interests even if their parents' relationships break down. We also need to protect children from inappropriate continuing contact. Question 6. To ask the Scottish Government to give an update on the roll-out of fibre optic cables across Rutherglen constituency. The Scottish Government's investment through the Digital Scotland Superfast broadband programme has delivered fibre connections to more than 6,100 homes and businesses in the Rutherglen constituency with more than 99 per cent of those connected able to achieve superfast speeds. I thank the minister for that answer. It's been brought to my attention that some new housing developments in my constituency of Rutherglen have been built with only partial access to fibre optic internet connectivity being made available at the time homes are constructed. I understand the UK Government has struck a deal to avoid this situation going forward. What assurances has the Scottish Government received from the UK Government that this will apply to housing developments such as the in Rutherglen? What we have done in the Scottish Government has discussed the issue with BT Open Reacher, whom we now understand offered to provide fibre to the premises connectivity to housing developments of 30 properties or more and have a tariff proposal for smaller developments. I intend to have further discussions with BT about that. From the first of this month the building regulations set out a standard in building physical infrastructure for high-speed electronic communications networks. That is rather a mouthful but what it means is that it enables easier installation of fibre at any time to existing buildings. The Scottish Government has acted in both respects for the important matter that Clare Haughey has raised.