 The final item of business today is a member's business debate on motion number 1-2-5-0, in the name of Annabelle Goldie, on Greenock Ocean Terminal. This debate will be concluded without any questions being put, and I would be grateful if members who wish to speak in the debate could please press the request to speak buttons now. I call on Annabelle Goldie to open the debate seven minutes or so, Ms Goldie. Deputy Presiding Officer, thank you very much indeed. I'm delighted that this motion has been selected for debate, and I want to thank everyone who has supported it. Greenock Ocean Terminal, in the beautiful Clyde Estuary in Scotland's west coast, offers a unique facility, a deep water key and modern key side facilities. The natural deep water port of Greenock offers a safe port for cruise ships of all sizes, accessible 24-7 with no tidal or lock restrictions. So, Greenock Ocean Terminal is a success story for Inverclyde, and I'm delighted to be able to debate this motion today. The terminal has arisen like a phoenix from the old Princess Peer, so beloved by the farm of passengers of the old Clyde steamers, and I'm indebted to the Greenock Telegraph for much of the information in my speech. Peel ports who own the cruise terminal have predicted that in 2015 it will become the first port in Scotland to handle over 100,000 passengers making it the biggest and busiest passenger port in Scotland. During the year, 56 ships transporting a total of 108,866 passengers are expected to call at Greenock Ocean Terminal, and that represents seven more vessels than in 2014. Passengers and numbers are interesting. They have more than quadrupled at Greenock over the last eight years in 2000. Over 28,000 passengers passed through the terminal, and last year the figure was in excess of 92,000. It has been predicted that the Inverclyde economy will receive an £8.7 million boost from the expected record-breaking number of tourists and visiting crew. Tourists and crew members spending locally are a huge help to local businesses. The terminal will also be visited by state-of-the-art cruise ships at Royal Princess, the Regal Princess and the Queen Mary 2, as part of Canars, 175th anniversary celebrations. There will be the first direct sailing from Scotland to the Caribbean with Fred Olson Line's Black Watch departing Greenock in November on a 32-day round trip. If I am not here, Deputy Presiding Officer, you know where to look. I have to say that breaking the 100,000 passenger barrier is an amazing achievement. Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gwrick used to be synonymous with shipping to and from all parts of the world, not to mention the flotilla of Clyde Steamers, which plied locally. Changing patterns of marine transportation and changing patterns of tourism all brought their own challenges to this great waterway, but the ocean terminal has found a niche. Proof of the efforts made to develop an enhanced experience of overseas visitors arriving at Greenock is there for all to see. The terminal works in partnership with the Inverclyde tourist group, which provides an ambassador service for the area by greeting cruise passengers on arrival. Because the terminal is a deep water port, cruise ships berth alongside the key and passengers disembark through a very pleasant and welcoming terminal and are met by members of the Inverclyde tourist group. I visited the group in 2013 and it was highly impressive. The group is from the Inverclyde area. It was formed in 2001 to promote Inverclyde in a friendly and informal way. It is made up of volunteers and the group is a non-profit-making organisation. Inverclyde tourist group members meet and greet cruise ship passengers, providing information and places of interest to visit, places to eat and drink, transport, local shopping, internet and telephone access, clan history and tartan. For cruise ship passengers, the group also runs local coach tours on cruise call days. The group members are proud to show to tourists around this lovely part of the west of Scotland. I congratulate them on their first-class efforts. Their hard work was recognised from Greenock Ocean terminal, which won the accolade of best cruise port reception in the world in 2013. I am delighted that the tourist group is there to sing the praises of Greenock and Inverclyde. As a Bishopton resident, a former Greenock Academy pupil and a Waterloo road honorehead, I am very well aware of what the local area has to offer and her friendly and welcoming local people are. On a glorious day, the views across the water from Greenock are stunning. Inverclyde is a terrific part of Scotland with shopping facilities, restaurants, cafes, pubs and a variety of sporting facilities. There are excellent rail links and the areas served by the M8 motorway, which makes it easily accessible by car. The Cruise Scotland website sums up why cruise ships are picking Scotland as a destination. As a cruise destination, Scotland is undoubtedly up there with the best. Breath-taking scenery, stunning cities, haunting history, UNESCO World Heritage sites and a variety of ports, large and small, make Scotland the perfect cruise destination. Scotland's cruise ports are ideally located for inclusion in Britain and Ireland itineraries, transatlantic repositioning or for combining with cruises to Iceland, the Faroe Islands or the Norwegian Fjords and Europe. The Cruise Scotland website estimates that the market was worth more than £49 million last year to Scotland when 457 vessels brought 401,325 passengers with value and passengers reaching new heights and a number of ports breaking their own records. This has been an important opportunity to put in record this Parliament's recognition of the significance of the cruise industry in Scotland and to recognise the very particular success that is Greenock Ocean terminal. I once again thank everyone who has supported this motion and I look forward to their contributions to the debate. I congratulate all who have contributed to that success, which is Greenock Ocean terminal. Many thanks. We now turn to the open debate, speeches of four minutes or so, and I call Stuart McMillan to be followed by Margaret McDougall. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. At the outset, I congratulate Annabelle Goldie for securing this debate. I, for the first time ever, agree 100 per cent with everyone that Annabelle Goldie had to say in this chamber. In the past week, we have heard of further efforts being made to promote tourism in Scotland. Today, I would like to remind members of the chamber to recognise the importance of creating a prosperous tourism industry for all of us in Scotland. Inverclyde has been successful in growing its marine tourism sector over the last few years. As we heard from Annabelle Goldie, this year's Inverclyde economy expects an £8.7 million boost from the record-breaking numbers of visitors to the Greenock Ocean terminal. Inverclyde is readily becoming a set destination for port for tourists from all over Europe and from elsewhere. In 2015, for the first time ever—I meant that—it is an important point that we cannot stress enough for the first time ever. There is going to be a cruise line sailing from Greenock to elsewhere to the Caribbean. Peel ports, who operate the port, expect that each cruise ship visitor will contribute and average some £80 to the local economy. Let us not forget the 25,000 crew members who also spend money and time in Inverclyde and contribute to the economy. As I was putting some words together for today, I remember that I put forward a motion on a similar vein some years ago. It was in 2010—let us see if I can find the motion now—and certainly in 2010, the situation was nearly 40 cruise ships were going to go to the Greenock Ocean terminal. In terms of the sum, it was 50,000 tourists to Inverclyde. From 2010 to now, that is a huge increase—a doubling of the numbers of people who are going to the Greenock Ocean terminal and through the Inverclyde economy. As a consequence, the point that Annabelle Goldie raised in terms of lavishing the praise upon the people of Greenock Ocean terminal and the people of the Inverclyde tourist group cannot be understressed at all. We have to consider how much of an improvement that has been and how beneficial it will be to the Inverclyde economy. I want to allow some further praise on the Inverclyde tourist group. I have met them on a number of occasions and have spoken at a couple of their AGMs. It certainly was there again just last summer. I have met a wonderful bunch of people who have such a belief and a passion for the area of Inverclyde. Every single person denates their time and contributes their time and their efforts and their energies for no money whatsoever. They do it because they love the area and they want Inverclyde to be promoted as wide as it possibly can be. The efforts of every single person at the tourist group cannot be underswoken at all. They are just a tremendous group of individuals. On the issue of the visitors who go to Inverclyde, it is estimated that one-third of those visitors stay in Inverclyde. The rest will travel out and go to Loughborough, Glasgow or even Edinburgh for day trips, but one-third stay in Inverclyde. That is a huge amount of money and a huge amount of economic potential that can be benefited and also generated. I am certainly conscious of time, so I am going to wind up, but I could probably speak about that all day. Once again, I would like to congratulate Annabelle Goldie for securing that motion. I wholeheartedly agree with the comments and sentiments of the motion. Congratulations to Annabelle Goldie on bringing this motion to the chamber today. I totally agree with the sentiments of the motion. Greenock terminal has added to the economy of Inverclyde and the rest of Scotland, as we have heard from the speakers today. I am fortunate in that I have experienced the hospitality of the terminal when I have embarked on several occasions when I have sailed to Norway and Morocco from Greenock on cruises, which was delightful. One of the highlights of leaving from Greenock ocean terminal is the fantastic send-off that you get from the pipe band and the Highland dancers. Let us not forget the huge, big foam—I presume that it is a man inside it—but he is kilted and he has the berry and he is all made out in a Scottish outfit. He attempts to dance and jigs on the key side as well as the ship is departing. It is a great experience for those of us who are fortunate enough to go on a cruise. I know that the Presiding Officer has been on one of those as well. It is fantastic for the people who are not Scottish who join the cruise as well, because lots of people come from across the UK to join the cruises from Greenock. It is a fantastic experience, and I am sure that the same happens when you come in when you are visiting. That is why it is so popular with visitors. I, too, would like to congratulate Inverclyde tourist group for the service that they provide to the cruise passengers like myself and to the thousands of visitors, because, as we have heard today, they are the best in the world. I would just like to leave it at that. In which case I now invite Derek Mackay to respond to the debate, Minister. Seven minutes or so. Thank you, Presiding Officer. My day started pretty much in Inverclyde this morning, when I was visiting Ferguson's Yard, which is more good news from Inverclyde in terms of the work that is going on there and another reminder of the spectacular scenery that the area has to offer. I, too, would like to congratulate Annabelle Goldie on securing this debate and supporting Greenock Ocean terminal. I also share her congratulations to Peel Ports for increasing the number of vessels and passengers using this port, which is predicted to be in excess of 100,000 this year. Congratulations. I must also go to the Inverclyde tourist group, which, working in close partnership with the port, provides, as has been described, an excellent ambassadorial service for passengers. I encourage them to enjoy what the area has to offer, and, of course, thanks to Cruise Scotland, the industry body that has played such a leading role in promoting Scotland as a destination for all the major cruise lines. Cruising is an important sector to Scottish tourism. Although we cannot always have the weather that the Mediterranean or the Caribbean can offer, we have an amazing scenery, epic history and culture in events that continues to provide such a draw. Greenock provides the perfect location for one of Scotland's top cruise ports. At the head of the sheltered and scenic Clyde estuary, Greenock Ocean terminal hosts a deep water key, not only able to accommodate the growing size of cruise ships, but acts as the perfect entry point to the attractions of the west of Scotland and further afield. Indeed, thanks to an invite from the Federation of Small Business, my ministerial colleague, Fergus Ewing, has already had the opportunity to visit the port last August, along with Stuart McMillan and Duncan McNeill, who are meeting volunteers from the Inverclyde tourism group, and who are saying first-hand the impressive work that Peel Ports are doing to encourage further growth in this sector. For example, Peel Ports work closely with the tourist group to ensure a warm welcome always awaits every arrival. The group must be commended as a good example of local people passionate about their area of volunteering to act as ambassadors for Inverclyde. Their enthusiasm and knowledge helps to ensure that visitors get the most out of their time in the area, learning about the many places of interest nearby and offering free local tours. As Annabelle Goldie notes, 56 vessels are due to birth at the port this year, with Greenock welcoming some of the newest and most famous vessels. For example, P&O's newest liner, the Britannia, launched by the Queen this year, will be visiting in July as part of our maiden season. Queen Mary 2 will be arriving on 21 May to celebrate Cunard's 175th anniversary, and Cunard continues to maintain their proud relationship with the river and its people, evoking memories of the three previous Cunard queens launched on the river. It is good to see that Clyde and Greenock in particular are very much still working for Cunard. Greenock is not only a transit port, a harbour where passengers stop off as part of their cruise. It is also an important embarkation point, with 18 cruises this year commencing and ending in Greenock, servicing routes such as Baltic and the Western Isles. It is new for this year, as Stuart McMillan has mentioned, to offer a direct cruise from Greenock to the Caribbean this November. This benefits Scottish consumers who wish to cruise avoid needing to take the long journey south to Southampton. It is also worth noting that it is not just passengers who benefit the local economy. As Stuart McMillan has also mentioned, 20,000 crew members contribute to the local economy as well. Last week, Cruise Scotland attended the global industry's premier event, Cruise Shipping Miami. Cruise Scotland, as the industry-led marketing body, used this opportunity to further promote Scotland as the ideal cruise destination, even using a whisky tunnock's taste off to entice delegates present. Cruise Scotland represents all the main cruise ports in Scotland, from Lerwick to Leith, Greenock to Invergordon. They continue to actively market Scotland with forthcoming attendance at the major European cruise event in Hamburg this September and on-going familiarisation visits for cruise line executives. 2014 had been the best year for the cruise industry in Scotland, and 2015 is on track to beat that. Cruise Scotland estimated that the market was worth some £49 million last year, when 457 vessels brought over 400,000 passengers and increased nearly 17,000 passengers in the previous year. While they expect the same number of vessels this year, a trend to larger vessels, some having as many as 16 decks taking around 4,000 passengers, should see an overall increase in the number of passengers up by an estimated 8 per cent to more than 430,000. It is good to see that the appeal of Scotland, even in the cold season, means that the cruising period has extended from March to mid-December this year. The Scottish Government is very supportive of this industry and engages with Cruise Scotland and other key stakeholders. Stuart McMillan, the convener of the marine tourism cross-party group, is already aware that the Government was able to provide support to Cruise Scotland to assist the trade body in attending the EC's inaugural pan-European dialogue with cruise stakeholders in Brussels earlier this month. That helped to ensure that the Scottish cruise sector's interests were fully represented. That illustrates the kind of stakeholder commitment that we have. With outlined importance in Scotland's national marine plan, recognising that cruise tourism is one of the growing sectors, demonstrating strong potential to expand further. We have secured appropriate infrastructure being made available to accommodate larger ships. The emphasis on the marine plan and the national planning framework on sharing port infrastructure developed for other commercial reasons will assist, for example, renewable energy, which may offer further opportunities. Visit Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are all represented in the Cruise Scotland steering group. Visit Scotland engages with local bodies such as the Inverclyde tourist group keen to market their areas. In relation to Greenock, Visit Scotland will also be chairing a riverside Inverclyde workshop next month aimed at businesses hoping to maximise opportunities from the cruise market. However, the Government continues to remain concerned about the damaging effect that the uncertainty around the unconsulted upon face-to-face passport checks introduced by the UK Government in 2012 continues to have on the cruise industry and the delay for passengers that that creates. It is most unhelpful. We continue to press the UK Home Office for a proportionate process in response to the cruise industry and local authority concerns around their actions. The cruise industry view is clear on the issue. The industry needs a bankable written commitment from the UK Home Office that, for as long as it continues to insist on stopping visitors and cruise passengers and checking their passports, it will meet the costs involved. That said, the cruise industry would of course prefer that the UK Home Office operated in a manner that enabled all of the UK to compete for cruise traffic on the same footing as Norway, France and other nearby countries, relying on advance information from the ship and stopping only those very few, of course, who might be of interest. Such an approach would only encourage further traffic at existing ports and enable smaller ports to consider entry into the expanding niche cruise market, with smaller vessels but targeted destinations. Inclusion, Presiding Officer. We hope that the partnership working, the assets that we have and the support that we provide will all be well received. Once again, we congratulate all those involved with Greenock Ocean terminal for the success and long may it continue. Many thanks. That concludes Annabelle Goldie's debate on Greenock Ocean terminal. I now close this meeting of Parliament.