There are three questions to be put as a result of today’s business.
The first question is, that amendment S4M-12958.2, in the name of Claire Baker, which seeks to amend motion S4M-12958, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on the contribution of culture, visitor attractions and events to Scotland’s economy and society, be agreed to.
Amendment agreed to.
The next question is, that amendment S4M-12958.1, in the name of Liz Smith, which seeks to amend motion S4M-12958, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on the contribution of culture, visitor attractions and events to Scotland’s economy and society, be agreed to.
Amendment agreed to.
The next question is, that motion S4M-12958, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on the contribution of culture, visitor attractions and events to Scotland’s economy and society, as amended twice, be agreed to.
Motion, as amended, agreed to.
That the Parliament acknowledges the great contribution that Scotland’s rich and diverse culture, events and visitor attractions make to Scotland’s society and economy; applauds the role that Culture 2014 and Festival 2014 played in the success of the Commonwealth Games; notes that Edinburgh’s festivals continued to achieve record attendances and box office figures during the Games; welcomes the 10% increase in visitor numbers to Scottish attractions in 2014, which outperformed the rest of the UK; recognises the key role that Scotland’s festivals, cultural events and attractions play in making the country a great place to live, work, study and visit and in enhancing its international reputation; welcomes the Culture Counts campaign, which promotes the value of culture in Scotland, including culture’s contribution toward improving learning, health, wellbeing, confidence and quality of life; looks forward to Voluntary Arts Week in May 2015, which highlights the positive contribution to Scotland’s vibrant cultural sector made by voluntary arts, including encouraging people to engage with arts and culture in their community; acknowledges the dedication and hard work of staff and volunteers throughout Scotland in ensuring that venues, creative hubs and organisations are accessible and welcoming to all, and believes that smaller cultural events and festivals have a crucial role to play in sustaining more fragile, remote rural communities.