 Good morning. We start this morning with general questions. Our first question is from Mary Friedy. To ask the Scottish Government when the transport secretary last met bus operators that served Renfrewshire. Cabinet Secretary, Michael Matheson. Last met with stagecoach on 5 February, 2019, I also met with first bus on 26 November, 2018? Mary Friedy. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. McGill's buses, the main operator running as a monopoly in many parts of Renfrewshire, have recently announced changes to services such as Axing the 907, Lincoln Glasgow and Renfrewshire 2, and originally proposing increases of up to 62 per cent for fares on peak time journeys between Erskine and Glasgow. The company has since backtracked and proposed fares increases of up to 30 per cent, with local MSP Derek Mackay championing this increase as a win for passengers. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that extortionate fare increases are only a win for bus operators and shows the need for regulating the bus industry across Scotland? I know from the discussions that I've had with Derek Mackay that he was concerned about the increases that were being proposed by McGill's on some of his particular routes. I know that he's been making strenuous representations to them in order to address that. I welcome the fact that McGill's have sought to reduce the level of increase that they were proposing. The member will also be aware that, in the transport bill, we have set out a range of options to help to strengthen the role that local authorities can have in how bus services are provided in their area, including that of bus service improvement partnerships, in order to ensure that there's a greater recognition of local need within the way in which bus operators provide bus services. Those measures, I believe, will help to strengthen the way in which we can ensure that bus services are delivered within local communities in a way that reflects their needs. I hope that the Labour Party will support that when it comes before Parliament. I add my concerns to some of those price increases in the west of Scotland. The minister talks about the potential of the transport bill to address some of the issues around local authorities setting up franchises. I haven't met a single local authority that's interested in doing this, or indeed will have any money to do this. Can the transport secretary tell us how many local authorities have expressed interest to him to set up these local bus franchises? The member seems to try to characterise this as though franchising is the only element that is being provided within the bill. As a member of the committee that is considering the legislation, we are aware that there is a range of measures that are being provided within the bill to allow local authorities a range of different options that are not available to them at the present moment. It has also been suggested to me by the committee that we should add further options to the bill, and that is something that we are giving active consideration to, and we will consider that at stage 2. It is important that the member does not characterise the bill as offering only one option. It offers a suite of options to local authorities to consider what best meets the needs within their local communities. To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to forge greater links with Singapore. Scotland's international framework sets out how our international work supports the Scottish Government's central purpose of creating a more successful country. The Scottish Government values and appreciates the long and positive relationship that we have built with Singapore, which has been an important trading partner for Scotland for many years. 2019 marks the 200th anniversary of trading between the UK and Singapore with the arrival of Stamford Raffles and William Farker, who was a Scot. Scottish Development International's Southeast Asia office has been based in Singapore since 2001, demonstrating our commitment to a strong relationship. In fact, Scottish Direct exports to Singapore went from £585 million in 2016 to £655 million in 2017, an increase of £70 million. We will continue to promote Scotland's trade capabilities in areas such as oil and gas, food and drink and renewable energy, as well as encourage inward investments in data analytics, life sciences, energy manufacturing and tourism. We will also continue to welcome exchange between Scotland and Singapore in education and culture. Rachael Hamilton I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. The cabinet secretary acknowledges the bicentenary anniversary of the founding of modern Singapore in January of 1819, notably two of the three main founding fathers were Scottish major William Farker and John Crawford. Given the significant historical ties that the renewed British Council NCA's Singapore memorandum of understanding and a greater need to forge links across the world, will the cabinet secretary support the establishment of an MOU between Creative Scotland and NCA Singapore? Rachael Hamilton I will be pleased for an MOU between Creative Scotland and the National Arts Council of Singapore to be signed. We are welcoming 70 technology leaders from Singapore and Southeast Asia on the connect government leaders summit in Edinburgh this July. That is very positive. Can Rachael Hamilton not consider that it is a bit rich for the Conservatives to come to this chamber, encourage more trading links but not leave the country to do so, not have our First Minister visit them? She is encouraging us to help support the 14th largest export partner for Scotland but not that that is the second. Our First Minister was championing Scottish business in France this week and in the US and Canada. Can she get Maurice Golden to apologise for attacking our First Minister? Is it a bit time that we, Presiding Officer, all come together to support Scotland and our business trading partnerships? Let us make sure that our First Minister and this Parliament can fly the flag for Scotland. Following on from reports of cancelled trade talks with China and souring relations with Japan as a consequence of the high-handed approach of the UK Government, which has indeed been described as gunboat diplomacy, the cabinet secretary outlined the approach that the Scottish Government takes and how that benefits Scotland in contrast to the reckless and incompetent approach that we have seen undertaken by the UK Government. In that considered question, I want to explain to Parliament that we are currently working on our trading nation, a plan for growing Scotland's exports, and we are expecting that to be published in spring 2019. It is of serious concern in terms of diplomatic activity that not just the defence secretary but also, very importantly, Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, has jeopardised very important trade discussions. The EU and Japan, as we know, have just signed an agreement that has come into implementation in relation to customs, exchange and exports. That is very important to business across the UK, but particularly in Scotland. It is very worrying indeed that some of the cac-handed approaches that we have seen from the UK Government are symptomatic of how they are treating the Brexit situation generally. It is really important that we all get behind our companies at these fragile and difficult times for our export companies. That needs leadership from the top and that does not need bumbling diplomacy that we have seen from the UK Government. Question 3, David Torrance. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of food banks and supporting people in receipt of universal credit. Even the UK Government has finally recognised, after years of mounting evidence, that rolling out universal credit has increased the need for food banks. Universal credit has caused huge damage and pushed people into debt and hardship, and we will continue to call for no one to be migrated to universal credit until its fundamental flaws have been fixed and it works for people, not against them. Recognising that people have been badly hit by UK Government welfare cuts and to protect vulnerable communities against the economic damage of Brexit, last month I announced a further £500,000 investment in fair share, which will further support organisations that are responding to food insecurity. That is in addition to our £3.5 million fair food fund to tackle food insecurity. Presiding Officer, though it is shocking that we have to take such measures because we want to reach more of the people who will need the help most. David Torrance. I thank the cabinet secretary for the answer. In my constituency, Cracodi Food Bank has seen a 90 per cent increase from a period of December 2017 to December 2018. Does the cabinet secretary agree that amber rods are recent acknowledgement of the link between the roll-out of universal credit and the increased use of food banks is too little, too late, and that accru on chaos actions of the UK Government has caused untold misery for thousands of families living across Scotland? Yes, I do. It is a long overdue acknowledgement from amber rod, but acknowledgement alone won't help families in Fife, Scotland or the rest of the UK. What amber rod needs to now do is to act and to change this failed system, and that means reversing the benefits cap and the benefits freeze and the parent rape clause. Then we can start to see the progress that doesn't leave people relying on food banks for that basic of need. Andy Leighton Smith. Since the cabinet secretary is clearly aware of the increasing necessity of food banks, something that's frankly shocking since we shouldn't need Victorian-style charity in 21st century Scotland, does she agree that the £5 child benefit top-up that Labour has been calling for would make a big difference to many families, including those in receipt of universal credit? That's why we're working currently on an income supplement, as the member knows. I think what the member should also do is recognise that we need to work together to put the pressure on the UK Government to recognise the failed system of universal credit, the impeding cliff edge that many people will face if there is a no-deal exit from the EU, which will punish those with least financial resilience the most. Does she not agree that we should unite on that message, especially when we've had to announce £500,000 to prepare for Brexit to tackle food insecurity, which we know will happen if there is a no-deal exit from the European Union? That, quite frankly, is ridiculous and is tantamount to the reckless actions of the UK Government, which will punish people who have least in this society the most. That is an absolute shock and indictment of the UK's approach to welfare reforms. Jenny Gilruth To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to modernise facilities at Carcody Sheriff Court. Minister Ash Denham The question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunal service. The service is currently creating a two-court criminal annex within Carcody police station to hear sheriff and jury cases and custody hearings. That is due to be fully operational by autumn 2019. Jenny Gilruth I thank the minister for that response and I welcome the Scottish Courts and Tribunals service investment of £3.7 million to modernised facilities at Carcody Sheriff Court, in line with recent recommendations from HM Inspector of Prisons. In the context of the new protecting vulnerable witnesses legislation, is there now an opportunity for Carcody Sheriff Court to lead the way in developing a pilot suite for child witnesses to give evidence on commission with the ethos of the Barnahouse approach at its heart? Minister Ash Denham I am glad that the member has made mention of the vulnerable witnesses legislation, and I am aware of the detailed consideration that Jenny Gilruth and her colleagues on the justice committee have already given the important reforms that are in this bill. In terms of investing in facilities, the Scottish Government has already provided £950,000 of funding to support the creation of new child and vulnerable witness friendly hearing suites in Glasgow and made another £1.1 million available to court service to upgrade other venues and also IT. As part of the upgrading work, the court service is also procuring portable recording equipment and camera operators. That will allow some commission hearings to take place in sheriff court buildings across Scotland. We are exploring how the Barnahouse concept could operate in Scotland, and we have asked Healthcare Improvement Scotland and also the Care Inspectorate to develop Scotland-specific standards, which will set out a road map for developing our approach. 5. Angus MacDonald To ask the Scottish Government when it last met Falkirk Council to discuss the proposed growth deal for the district. Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson My officials last met with representatives of Falkirk Council to discuss the development of their growth deal proposal on 16 January this year. The next meeting is scheduled for 28 March, when progress with the growth deal will feature on the agenda for a meeting of the Falkirk economic partnership. As part of our aim for 100 per cent coverage of Scotland with growth deals, the Government fully supports Falkirk's deal proposal. We will look to the UK Government to join us in common purpose and ensure that as much progress is made towards that goal in 2019 as possible. Angus MacDonald Cabinet Secretary for his reply. I am aware that the leader of Falkirk Council is meeting with the Secretary of State for Scotland today to discuss the proposed growth deal, and I clearly hope for a positive outcome from those talks. Given the significant investment plans by the private sector, not least the seven national-scale developments under way are being considered at present for Grangemouth, will the Cabinet Secretary highlight to the Secretary of State when he next meets him that the gross value added from the proposed growth deal would be in excess of £330 million across Falkirk district, and it will set a new course locally for sustainable inclusive growth? I will continue to highlight the potential benefits of the growth deal for the Falkirk area. When I last met the Secretary of State for Scotland to discuss growth deals at the end of January, I asked again for the UK Government to give a formal commitment to 100 per cent coverage of Scotland with growth deals. I am conscious that Falkirk Council is one of only three local authority areas that still does not have a formal commitment from the UK Government on this matter. My view is that working in partnership with the Scottish Government to achieve that would mean that real benefits for local communities right across the Falkirk Council area could be achieved in generating the investment that Angus MacDonald has highlighted, helping to create new jobs and to create wider economic prosperity within the Falkirk Council area. As has been mentioned previously, the Secretary of State is meeting with representatives from Falkirk Council to discuss plans today. I am sure that we all agree that the city and regional deals that thus far have gone through have been beneficial for Scotland. Can I ask the cabinet secretary if he could just assure me that any potential growth deal in Falkirk will include the regeneration of the town centre specifically, and not just as it is on the table going eastwards down towards Bangemouth? I am aware that the Secretary of State for Scotland is meeting with Falkirk Council today, and I hope that at the end of that meeting with Cecil Meecal-John, the leader of the council, David Mundell will give a commitment on the part of the UK Government to supporting a Falkirk Council growth deal, which it has not provided to date. However, the member will recognise that the various issues that are highlighted in a growth deal are for the partners to determine not the Scottish Government, and the content of that growth deal is one that is shaped in partnership with the different agencies who have an interest in developing that growth deal, and are not directed by the Scottish Government. No doubt, they will be looking at a whole range of regeneration projects that can help to support and sustain the Falkirk economy going forward in the years ahead. To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made on the Stirling and Clifmannanshire city region deal. The Scottish Government and its agencies are in on-going and constructive engagement with the regional partners as we seek to progress the Stirling and Clifmannanshire city region deal towards its final deal signing. Keith Brown Can I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer and point out that the investment of £45.1 million in the Scottish Government and £40.1 million in the UK Government is indeed a welcome transformative opportunity for both Clifmannanshire and Stirling. As the cabinet secretary will be aware, the UK Government pledged £8 million to Clifmannanshire as part of the deal to be developed collaboratively with Clifmannanshire Council and other local partners. I would like to ask the cabinet secretary his view and reports that the UK Government is actively considering bids for this fund from outwith the agreed formal governance structures, despite the risks of proper partnership working and the viability and sustainability of projects. To seek the cabinet secretary's assurance that when considering bids for the Scottish Government funds, he will ensure that the integrity of the local decision-making process is maintained. I am aware of the concerns that were raised with me by the leader of Clifmannanshire Council. I raised the issues with the Secretary of State for Scotland when I met him at the beginning of February. The Secretary of State has acknowledged the need to have proper governance and assurance around the process. He has assured me that he was dealing with the concerns that have been expressed by Clifmannanshire Council about the competing bids for projects to be funded through the Clifmannanshire fund. My officials understand that there has been a constructive meeting now taking place between Clifmannanshire Council and the UK Government to discuss those very concerns around the Clifmannanshire fund. We expect to get feedback from that in the coming days. What I can assure the member of is that I am very clear that regional partners need to be at the very centre of any city deals or growth deals. Stirling and Clifmannanshire have already established a city region deal joint committee to oversee and direct the implementation and delivery of the city region deal. The Scottish Government is clear that this committee has to be an integral part of any decision-making process. That is part of the agreement that we have in place with this particular city deal. I will continue to assert that view as we go forward with this deal and any other deals across the country. Does the cabinet secretary welcome the investment of more than £45 million from the UK Government in the Stirling and Clifmannanshire city deal? That includes £10 million for the establishment of a new national tartan centre that will create jobs and boost tourism in the Stirling region. I welcome any investment alongside the other £45 million that has been invested by the Scottish Government, which I am sure the member welcomes in order to make sure that we do everything that we can to help to support the regional economy within Stirling and Clifmannanshire. Equally, it is also important that that funding is utilised in a way that sticks to the agreement. That is to recognise that regional partners, particularly local authorities, are key to the decision-making and how that funding is used. I hope that the UK Government will ensure that that process is adhered to with this particular growth deal. Thank you. That concludes general questions. Before we move on to First Minister's questions, I invite members to join me in welcoming to the gallery his Excellency, Mr Vegard Stroman, ambassador of Norway. Would you also join me in welcoming to the gallery his Excellency, Mr Dan Mihalaki, ambassador of Romania?