 Good afternoon. Welcome to the first item of business today is portfolio questions. It's important to ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of deer control in urban settings. Cabinet Secretary for the Urban City Regime and 1961 Dear control in urban and lowland settings is just as important as that carried out in upland Scotland or any other land type. The likelihood of increased public presence in the urban areas will always be a key consideration gyda gynllunio cael cael cael cynllunio cael cael gafael ahnodol, ac mae cymdeithasol yn ddigthrenio cael cael gafael. Linda Fabiani? Does the cabinet secretary recognise the importance of local operatives such as those members of the south Lanarkshire Deer group in controlling the unique peri urban deer situation? Does she recognise also the potential of the work that has already started to identify local facilities to chill to store and to prepare venison for local consumption. Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that that would be good for the environment and good for health? The Scottish Government supports sustainable deer management that protects the public interest. We welcome the contribution of the South Lanarkshire deer management group and others in the Lowland Deer Network Scotland, who have an interest in deer management and deer welfare in Lowland Scotland. Lowland deer provide a range of benefits. That includes supporting by diversity, it includes venison as a healthy food source and it provides an experience of nature for many urban dwellers. However, deer have impacts on crops and trees and need to be managed to reduce risks of deer vehicle collisions, so there is an issue of management around that. The Scottish Government is very keen—I am sure that my colleague to my left here would want to endorse that—to support the development of more local food supply chains. I understand that grant assistance can be made for both the capital costs and co-operative marketing activities to assist with projects such as the development of a community deer larder in the central belt in Scotland to enable venison to be used locally. Developing a robust count programme is crucial to understanding the extent of deer numbers in urban settings. Following research in 2009, Scottish Natural Heritage pledged to use thermal imaging technology to monitor deer populations. How accurate are current estimates of urban deer populations? I will ensure that SNH gives a detailed response to the member in respect of that question. Obviously, counting deer numbers is a constant issue, whether you are in urban, lowland or rural Scotland. Deer numbers are a concern for everybody. Assessing the numbers is important, but keeping that assessment up-to-date is also important. I will get SNH to write to the member with the specific technical issues that he is raising. Has the issue of urban deer been considered in the Scottish natural heritage review of deer management in 2016? Has the review recommendation of advice and training in urban deer management for local authorities been considered? SNH is finalising its report on the review of deer management to be submitted to me by 31 October. It is imminent. It will cover a range of issues. It is of the current arrangements for the sustainable management of deer in Scotland. It will no doubt raise issues that have just been raised on the other side of the chamber. Whether or not the current voluntary system is working, it will include all deer. We can assume that the issues that Claudia Beamish is concerned about will be part of that. It will provide an update on the work of the lowland deer network, and there will be specific coverage of that. I hope that that is enough for Claudia Beamish to look forward to the report with some interest. To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to protect greenbelt land from developers in order to achieve outcome 3 of the 2020 challenge for Scotland's biodiversity. The Scottish planning policy sets out a range of policies to conserve and enhance nature, green space and landscapes. Planning authorities can identify green belts or review boundaries within local development plans. Those plans should also identify the most sustainable locations for longer-term development. The failure of the Scottish Government to seek the removal of the Camo estate from Edinburgh's local development plan in its recent report will lead to the loss of natural heritage and biodiversity in my constituency of Edinburgh, West End. In recent years, we have experienced a proliferation of house building in the west of the city, the eradication of greenbelt and also putting unsustainable pressure on arterial routes. In 2015, St John's Road and Queensferry Road were named as two of the most polluted roads in Scotland, given air pollution that causes 2,500 early deaths every year. Will the cabinet secretary work with ministerial colleagues to do more to protect our greenbelt in new legislation and, in particular, call in any future applications associated with the Camo estate? Alex Cole-Hamilton should be aware that I will not be calling in applications. That is a matter for my colleague Kevin Stewart. I have frequent conversations with Kevin Stewart, as I do with all my colleagues. Scottish planning policy supports the redevelopment of brownfield land before new development takes place on greenfield sites. That will continue to be the case. Greenbelt is a planning designation used to direct development to appropriate locations, protect and enhance the character landscape setting and identity of a settlement and protect and provide access to open space. In all those, it is fair to say that decisions are taken on the merits of individual cases. Maurice Golden Thank you, Presiding Officer. Biodiversity is critically important in both an urban and a rural environment. I would like to ask the cabinet secretary how many biodiversity surveys have been conducted by SNH and related NGOs in the past five years and what plans are in place to develop a baseline for biodiversity in Scotland. I will make sure that SNH gives the member the detailed information that he requires. 5. Gordon MacDonald To ask the Scottish Government what the annual cost is to local authorities of sending disposable nappies to landfill. 0 waste Scotland estimates that around 55,000 tonnes of absorbable hygiene products, which include disposable nappies, were sent to landfill or energy recovery facilities in 2014. Disposal fees for that amount of material are estimated to cost local authorities around £5.5 million per year. Gavin McKee Thank you. The cabinet secretary will surely agree that the financial and environmental cost arising from the widespread use of disposable nappies to local councils and ultimately to us all can be unafforded. What steps has the Scottish Government taken to alleviate that situation? I remind the member that the £5.5 million per year while it includes disposable nappies is not solely the result of disposable nappies. I agree with him that we would all rather see our communities save money and our councils invest in improving services rather than spending money to dispose of material in landfill. 0 waste Scotland has promoted the use of real nappies through its volunteer network, and for those who choose to use real nappies instead of disposable nappies, local real nappy networks and the real nappy information service also offer parents advice and support. To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making towards compiling an open, transparent and comprehensive land register. The land register held by the Registers of Scotland has been operational since 1981. In May 2014, the Government invited the keeper of the registers of Scotland to complete the land register by 2024 with all public land being registered by 2019. Work is well under way to meet those targets. On 11 September, we launched our consultation on proposals for a register of controlling interests in landowners and tenants. That arises out of the land reform legislation passed by this Parliament earlier this year. The regulations that we take forward following the public consultation will help communities and the wider public to know and understand more about the people who control landowners and tenants in Scotland. Scottish vacant and direct land survey of 2015 highlighted that there was 12,674 hectares not in productive use across Scotland that could provide the space for over half a million homes. What is the Scottish Government intending to do to encourage development in those areas in order to protect arable land from future housing developments? That links back to the earlier question on green belts. The Scottish planning policy does place a strong emphasis on achieving the right development in the right place and sets out guiding principles for development plans to promote a sustainable pattern of development appropriate to their area. Particular decisions to identify housing developments on vacant and derelict land would be a matter for individual planning authorities in their development plans. The vacant and derelict land fund can be used to cover a variety of costs associated with the remediation of vacant and derelict land so that, in future, it can be brought back into productive use. That could range from industrial, recreational, farm or forestry activities to a mixed-use development, which could also include housing elements. Such decisions on the future use and development of vacant and derelict land would be dealt with through the planning system. David Stewart Thank you, Presiding Officer. Does the cabinet secretary share my view that the holy grail of land reform must be a fully open and transparent land register? To me, that means no front companies, no shady shell, PLCs and no multinational tax havens registered in Panama. The history of land reform in the Highlands and Islands is littered with examples of abuse of power and privilege. Now is the time to open a fresh page on land reform. Cabinet secretary. I could hardly disagree with the member. His intentions for the future of land reform would certainly be mine as well. Unfortunately, we do not have power over all those issues. I would very much like to do so. I would invite the member to join me in calling on the Westminster Government to devolve the areas that would be required to be devolved in order to achieve the outcome that we both want. The question 6 has not been lodged. Question 7, Liz Smith. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that its land reform legislation does not have a negative impact on young people. Cabinet secretary. The Land Reform Scotland Act 2016 does introduce a number of key provisions to reform agricultural holdings legislation for the industry and to provide more positive opportunities to young people to gain access to tenant farming opportunities. Those were developed in discussion with agriculture and tenant farming stakeholder organisations, including the new entrant advisory panel, appointed by us to provide advice on issues around supported assistance to new entrants. We listened to those groups to ensure fairness to all regardless of their age. Land reform legislation as a whole helps in facilitating the development of sustainable communities that are at their heart, the need to provide local employment which will keep population in the area, including young people. Liz Smith. Thank you for that reply. The cabinet secretary will, I am sure, be aware of the recent debate in the Scottish Farmer magazine, which expressed the fear that the absolute right to buy entitlement is likely to create a barrier for new tenancies for young people, the point being that the landowners will not create new tenancies while the threat of being forced to sell their land hangs over them. Will the Scottish Government therefore give clarity to the farming industry and reassurances to young tenant farmers by guaranteeing no absolute right to buy when secondary legislation on the land reform act comes forward? The cabinet secretary for the rural economy is muttering at me that this is actually a question that is for him. I am aware of the debate that has been taking place and I am conscious that there is a discussion going on about the future of tenant farming. There is funding available to new entrants. I know that there is start-up finance also available and we are already doing work to enable younger people access to land. An independent group was set up in 2015, for example, to examine ways of increasing the number of starter opportunities on publicly-owned land. We are doing what we can to try and encourage more young people on to the land to ensure that young people are providing that generational input at the younger age range so that the age gap that is beginning to grow will not make things worse. I am sure that my colleague, Fergus Ewing, will, however, come back to the member if he feels that there are more specific issues that he would wish to discuss with her. To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to control the trade in puppies. The breeding and sale of puppies is strictly regulated by the breeding of dogs act 1973, as amended by the breeding of dogs act 1991 and the breeding and sale of dogs welfare act 1999. Commercial breeding and sale of puppies can only take place legally under the authority of a licence issued under this legislation by the local authority. Stricter measures to ensure that a dealer selling more than two dogs aged under 12 weeks in any 12-month period needs to obtain an additional licence were introduced by the licensing of animal dealers, young cats and young dogs, Scotland regulations 2009. Thank you for your answer. As the cabinet secretary will be aware, the SSPCA has identified the port of Cairnryan near Strunrar as a crucial point at which the illegal trade of puppies can be disrupted. Many of my constituents in the south west have expressed concern to me about that on animal welfare grounds. Some have even formed an action group. Does the cabinet secretary agree that a public information campaign highlighting good practice amongst breeders will encourage people to be vigilant when choosing whom to purchase a pet from, which will contribute towards disrupting this illegal and cruel trade? There is already a great deal of information available. Unfortunately, some people continue to choose to ignore it. The Scottish Government could have practiced for the welfare of dogs, which was approved by the Parliament in 2010. Does it advise potential purchases on the aspects to consider when obtaining a puppy and how to purchase it from a reputable source? The Cwyrra practice also provides details of animal welfare organisations that provide advice on the purchase of a puppy. The Scottish Government is currently commissioning research to consider how the demand for illegally traded puppies in Scotland can be addressed. Colin Smyth. The minister will be aware of the outstanding work that is taking place in Cairnryan involving the Scottish SPCA, the council's trading standards team, the police, the ferry firms and the local community to crack down on the illegal dog trade industry. Will the cabinet secretary ensure that that work is properly resourced by the Scottish Government and ensure that the current legislation is tightened up to support that work? The Scottish Government supports action that is being taken by local authorities and the Scottish Society for the Bridges of Cruelty to Animals regarding illegal sales and illegal imports of puppies. We also support the work of the pet advertising advisory group in highlighting the internet advertising of illegally traded puppies. We are already in the business of supporting the work. I am aware of the local group in Cairnryan that the member has raised. I know that a number of members in the chamber have been in conversations with that particular group. I think that they have had some considerable number of conversations with officials just about what some of the issues are around the illegal trading. I look forward to there being some continued communication between my officials and them in respect of the work that they are doing. As I indicated before, the Scottish Government is putting in support to local authorities to ensure that they are able to do what they need to be able to do in respect of the illegal import of puppies. I would like to ask when the research that the cabinet secretary referred to will be published, the timescales associated with that and whether you could detail the support that is being provided to local authorities with respect to the illegal transport of puppies. The research is in the process of being commissioned, so information about the timetabling of that, I am afraid, is not yet available until we proceed with the commissioning. We will not have an answer to that. He is asking details of the support that we are putting in place. We are, as I indicated, supporting local authorities and the SSPCA regarding the illegal sales and illegal imports of puppies. We are doing what we can in respect of penalties as well and ensuring that information is available to all those who are thinking about buying a dog, but a considerable amount of the work that is involved in that is the responsibility of local authorities. They are, of course, operating under a bigger financial deal than simply the specifics of that. To ask the Scottish Government whether its climate change plan will contain sectoral targets for areas such as waste, buildings, heat and transport. The climate change plan, the third report on policies and proposals will set out how we will meet Scotland's next batch of statutory climate change targets out to 2032. We are already working to identify the best way to deliver those targets, including the contribution from individual sectors. In developing the climate change plan, we need to consider all options for reducing carbon across the economy, as well as the interaction between the sectors. To support development of the plan, the Scottish Government commissioned an energy modelling system, shorthand times, which provides insight into future technologies and energy sources. That modelling allows us to develop scenarios for delivering the targets in least cost ways by assessing how effort is best shared across sectors. Alexander Burnett 59 per cent of Scotland's properties are rated EPCD or worse, and the Scottish Government will not meet its target to eradicate fuel poverty by November 2016. A leading economist from the University of Strathclyde and the London School of Economics this week said that if all homes reached EPCC standard, then 9,000 jobs will be created, fuel poverty cut, emissions reduced and ill health prevented. Does the Minister share the Scottish Conservative ambition to achieve an EPC rating on all properties by the end of the next decade at the latest? There are key policy issues that need to be addressed in the climate change plan. They include investing in the national infrastructure priority to improve the energy efficiency of homes. I hope that the Conservatives will be supporting the proposals of this Government. That will be using a warm homes bill to support accelerated deployment of renewable and district heating and reducing transport admissions. Rural Economy and Connectivity Questions 1 Miles Briggs To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to improve the quality of urban broadband. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Fergus Ewing. Presiding Officer, whilst commercial investment is the key driver of the quality of urban broadband networks, our investment through the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme is improving coverage in a number of urban areas. At the same time, we regularly engage with telecom suppliers to encourage investment, and we are working with Ofcom to ensure that the regulatory environment stimulates that investment and ensures quality of service. Miles Briggs I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. During the election campaign and in recent weeks, I have met with a number of constituents who have outlined to me the poor broadband levels that they are receiving in some parts of Edinburgh. The capital city has some of the greatest differences in broadband download speeds, with recent tests ranging from 0.47 megabits per second in Craig Lockhart to 109.6 megabits per second in Morningside. What actions has the Scottish Government taken to address the urban variations in broadband provisions? When will the suppliers and providers of that be asked to address those variations? Miles Briggs I have met with a number of the companies involved since I was appointed as cabinet secretary. Plainly, our ambition is for everyone to have high-speed broadband collections in Scotland, and we have set out a pass to do that within the period set out in a manifesto. However, the duty to provide service in city areas rests primarily with the commercial operators. It is not an obligation that rests on the public sector. I am sure that that is not something that the member intended to imply, although many may have done just that. However, I am able to reassure him that where our responsibility rests, which is to tackle the gaps in other parts of Scotland, we are discharging that duty. Since I have nine further questions on that, I hope to have ample opportunity to expand on that. Thank you, but more than that Minister, Ash Denham. Could the cabinet secretary advise how much the Scottish Government has already invested in fibre broadband, and how many premises in Scotland now have access to fibre broadband? I may say that that is an extremely helpful question. Thank you. I think that the public will wish to know the facts. The facts are that the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme is delivering £400 million of investment with the Scottish Government and public sector partners investing around £277 million to deliver fibre broadband coverage to at least 95 per cent of premises by the end of next year. I see lots of faces, not all of them smiling yet, but there is time. The cabinet secretary will be aware of lower-than-hope for broadband speeds in my constituency, particularly in the Wellington square area, which is the heart of the business community in my constituency and, coincidentally, where my office is located. Is there anything that he can do to further encourage those who would provide us with better broadband speeds to do so, forthwith? It does not seem to have impeded the efficacy of the members' outputs. I am pleased about that. I think that he raises a perfectly good point. As do all members, the plan is one of the priorities for us all across the islands over the next few years. It is absolutely serious. It is vital that we are working together, but not letting the commercial operators off the hook deliver collectively a better service. Without that, it is not possible, as Mr Scott points out, for businesses to do their business, to be open to market, and it is a perfectly fair and reasonable point. Therefore, I am keen to work with all members to achieve the objectives that we have set out. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the United States Department of Agriculture regarding relaxing the import restrictions on Scottish beef and lamb. Meetings with the US Department of Agriculture with regard to imports are carried out through the UK Export Certification Partnership and DEFRA. A number of those meetings have taken place to push for progress on opening the US market for UK beef and lamb. The US lifted their ban on EU beef in 2014. The previous Cabinet Secretary of Rural Affairs, Richard Lochhead, MSP, visited the USA and Canada last year and secured a commitment from the USDA to set a clear timeline for the approval process for the importation of Scottish beef and lamb. As a result, largely, I may say, Presiding Officer, due to the efforts and persistence of my predecessor, Richard Lochhead, I am delighted that the US recently played open for consultation a proposed rule change to lift the ban on EU lamb. I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. Can the cabinet secretary indicate the value of the lifting of these restrictions to our red meat industry, and does that mean that Haggess will finally be able to be served at burn suppers in the US? I cannot give a precise estimate, but I can say that the Republic of Ireland's meat sector gained access last year and exports of approximately £3 million of fresh and frozen beef were made to the US. I would be absolutely delighted if Haggess could once again be presented on the dining tables on the USA. I would be happy to provide an address to the great chieftain of the Putin race personally on the occasion of a burn supper held especially on the occasion of the legalisation of Haggess in the USA. I welcome the news that, in February, Scottish beef and lamb exports landed in Canada for the first time in 20 years. Can the minister provide an update as to the success or otherwise of red meat exports to the Canadian market? I can certainly provide the member, Mr Chapman, with details of that. I will get the precise information of what data there is. I am really determined, Presiding Officer, that we make progress with the lifting of the BSE ban in Scotland. We have been BSE free for the requisite period. We are proceeding with the consultation as quickly as possible. I am extremely well aware of the meeting with the meat wholesalers representatives. There is a great head of steam behind this application now, and Quality Meat Scotland has done great work. I am very hopeful that we can see the lifting of the ban and achievement of BSE negligible status. That is something that I think would be endorsed by all of us around this chamber. To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in providing high-speed broadband to rural areas and town centres that are served by exchange-only lines. The Scottish Government is making substantial progress on this issue. Although delivering fibre broadband to exchange-only lines is more time consuming and complex, our investment through the digital Scotland superfast broadband programme has made so far extended fibre broadband access available to more than 170,000 homes and businesses served by exchange-only lines, with more being connected every day in some of the hardest to reach communities across Scotland, as well as towns and cities. Permit me to declare an interest since the superfast broadband came to my town of Stonehaven over three years ago in a blaze of publicity. I have still been unable to obtain a connection since I am on an exchange-only line. Correspondence with digital Scotland has indicated that there is no timescale in place. Given the promises that have been made by Government in recent months, would it be possible to achieve a programme and a timescale that will tell individuals who suffer from this disadvantage exactly when their problems will be solved? I will certainly look into the position in relation to Mr Johnson's own case. The Scottish Government is committed to delivering 100 per cent superfast broadband across Scotland by 2021. Members will be interested to know that we have published the prior information notice, PIN, last week, as the latest step in achieving that ambition. I am not entirely certain that that procedure is appropriate for the problems relating to Mr Johnson's house, because I do not know the exact whereabouts nor how it is classified. I am happy to receive an invitation to it, and that would put that right. It is fair to say that all members across this house have had many constituents. That has been raised by a great deal of businesses. We see that that has moved up to the top of the agenda in Scotland, both for individuals in their ordinary lives and for businesses. That is precisely why we have devoted so much public money to tackling the problems. We are also acknowledging and pressing the commercial operators to do their bit. I am very happy if I am asked more questions about this to elaborate even further. Tens of thousands of homes have benefited from the Scottish Government's investment into superfast broadband. Clearly, there is some frustration over those homes, particularly in rural areas, who still are without wells to see other homes getting even faster broadband speeds. Is there any pressure that can be brought to bear on BT to try and ask them in demand that they prioritise such homes, as opposed to being solely numbers driven? We are in a contract with BT in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area, as Mr Lockhead well knows, and we are in partnership with them. The contract has proceeded well. In fact, under a Gainshare Clause, where BT gained more than anticipated number of customers that have set out in the contract, we have received more money back to reinvest in additional coverage. That has been evidence that our contract has been fairly well framed and it is delivering more benefits than were originally intended. Of course, Mr Lockhead is absolutely right that there are still some people who are not covered. For them, it is very little consolation that a great deal of people are now receiving coverage and have adequate broadband speeds. We are pressing BT. I met Brendan Dicker last week and representatives of OpenReach, and I said at that meeting that I believe that OpenReach and BT need to improve their performance in Scotland. However, I was pleased that the tone of the meeting was constructive and that BT has, in a number of respects, indicated that it wants and plans to do more. I urge all members to join with Mr Lockhead and myself to make it known to BT and to OpenReach that Scotland deserves the best possible service and that BT, with the position that it operates, is the major players in providing the commercial solutions that are required. Given concerns about BT's monopoly position in delivering superfast broadband via exchange lines, not all is efficiently, will the Scottish Government consider supporting other forms of delivery to homes and businesses such as Whitespace broadband? Of course, we are open to the various different methods of delivering the objective that we all seek. There are a number of different mechanisms that are possible, and Mr Gibson mentions one that might fall into that category. One of the conditions attached to the UK Government's new state aid scheme for broadband is that all major new public investment in broadband is delivered via new procurements. That should allow us to drive more competition and deliver a better outcome. We anticipate that reaching 100 per cent superfast coverage will involve a mix of technologies and delivery models, including potentially TV Whitespace, which is being trialled in Orkney as part of the Scottish Government's demonstrating digital programme. I was interested in the cabinet secretary's previous answer, in which he said that BT had reached more people than had been intended under the contract. What percentage was in the contract? As I understand it, the promise made to Scotland was that 75 per cent would be reached by superfast broadband by the end of this year. My understanding is in parts of the Highlands and Islands that a little over 50 per cent would be interested to know what was in the contract. It is fair to say that the progress that we have made has been acknowledged by Audit Scotland. That is the first point to say, but there is much more to be done. I will provide the precise figures in relation to Gainshare to the member. I know that she has a serious interest in this matter, and I take this opportunity to apologise for being unable to meet her earlier at lunchtime today because of other matters that I meant to do privately, but there we are, because it is on the record. However, I will provide full details in all seriousness, and I will be happy to discuss that at the meeting, which I look forward to with great pleasure. With interest, the cabinet secretary's response to Richard Lochhead earlier in relation to the white space project that has been piloted in Orkney. Obviously, there is a wide range of technological solutions that can help to deliver the superfast broadband commitment of 100 per cent by 2021. Can he reassure or reassure my constituents that those in more outlying areas, even if they have access to it, will not be paying through the nose and far more than constituents in other parts of the country will be paying? I think that that is a very fair point that Liam McArthur raises. It is one that is absolutely well made. Of course, we do not want anyone in Orkney or in any rural or island community to pay more than in urban communities. Of course, that does happen in many, many, I see Mr Scott nodding sagely, even as I speak. It happens in many other... Mr Scott does not nod in any other fashion. It is a perfectly fair point to make. The answer is not passing the buck, but it is a matter of fact that the responsibility for the regulation of telephony rests with the UK. Therefore, it is a matter for off-com and for the UK Government supervising off-com. I did meet with Sharon White, the chief executive of off-com. Recently, we had a very productive meeting as a result of which a number of things were going to take forward. I am very grateful for that point. I will add that to the list. To ask the Scottish Government what impact withdrawal from the EU would have on the digital Scotland superfast broadband project. The potential withdrawal of the UK from the EU will have no immediate impact on the Scottish Government's digital Scotland superfast broadband programme. That is always a bit of a mouthful, Presiding Officer. The DSSB project covering the rest of Scotland benefited from funding from the 2007 to 2013 ERDF programme, but has now been drawn down in full. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. The cabinet secretary will also be aware that changes to mobile roaming charges are due to be introduced in 2017. Is he concerned that Scots travelling in Europe might now miss out on this benefit, should Scotland be taking out the EU against our will? Off-com sets the UK telecoms regulation in line with the principle set out in the EU's regulatory framework. It is not yet clear how the UK Government will take forward post-Brexit telecoms regulation, nor to what extent it may diverge from the status quo. That includes the position raised by the member on the imminent abolition of mobile roaming charges—something that we all welcome. Therefore, I recognise that there could be a need for the Scottish Government to engage both with off-com and the EU regulatory bodies to protect the interests of Scotland, both on roaming and more widely to ensure that the regulatory framework continues and does more to improve rural coverage. I am delighted that both Mr Russell and Ms Hyslop have the responsibility of ensuring that Scotland gets the best possible deal in the difficult situation in which we find ourselves will be taking this forward with me. To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides to farmers who are in debt. Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills. We are committed to providing support across the agricultural community. The whole farm review scheme provided financial advice and action planning to support farmers and crofters. It is now closed for applications and we will be announcing a new support scheme in the near future. The Scottish Government also works with the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution, donating £50,000 in August 2015 to the charity to help it fund financial assistance and support to people who have worked in Scotland in land-based occupations and who are suffering hardship. Maurice Corry I thank the minister for his response. The statistics released on Monday showed that farm debt has risen to the highest level since records began in 1972. The NFU Scotland says that increased debt has been caused by late support payments and lower market prices. Can the minister guarantee that the CAP payments will be made on time next year? As I said yesterday, we have announced a package of injecting up to £300 million, and the aim is to do that in the first fortnight of November. I was very pleased that the NFU welcomed the measure as an enormous contribution to the rural economy. On the issue of debt, I appreciate that many farmers have had a difficult time in respect of a number of factors, including difficult prices across several ranges of their activity. However, I would also point out that, for the sake of accuracy, since somehow it was omitted from the points made by other members on the same issue yesterday from the Conservative ranks, that, although the level of debt has risen in Scotland by a certain amount, it is actually risen by a higher amount south of the border. Therefore, right across the UK, farmers have increased their debt. It is entirely wrong to say that this is somehow a Scottish only matter, but it is a very serious issue. Therefore, we continue to work with the banks who have provided enormous help. I am slightly surprised that we have not heard some sort of recognition of that support from other members, but perhaps it is just an inadvertent omission. I thank the cabinet secretary and I thank him for his comprehensive answers, although I have to apologise to all the members. I was not able to call for questions. We now move on to the next item of business. The point of order, Mr Fraser. Thank you, Presiding Officer. You may recall, Presiding Officer, that I raised before the summer recess the point of order about availability of printed copies of the business bulletin at the back of the chamber. At that time, I think, in correspondence, you undertook to ensure that these would be available to members coming into the chamber. I notice today that there are no copies available at the back of the chamber. It was a similar situation last Thursday when, at the start of First Minister's Questions, there were no copies available. I wonder if you could endeavour to ensure, Presiding Officer, that there will be sufficient copies available for members to come in and wish to consult a paper copy in future. I thank Mr Fraser for that point of order. I am only surmising at this stage. I suspect that there were a limited number, but not enough to meet demand today. However, I think that the point will be taken on board the fact that we are not enough last week and today. I will make sure that the parliamentary officials take note of that and try to meet their requirements and the whole chamber's requirements from now on.