I say with the greatest respect that all the current economic and social challenges that are being faced are actually arguments for Scotland becoming an independent country.

The Conservative colleague and I are going to disagree in our views on this matter. However, as I have done a number of times in this place, I would appeal to colleagues, as fellow democrats: do not stand in the way of people having their say. The people voted in an election last year to return to this place a majority so that a referendum could take place. Let us agree as democrats that the people should be able to have their say. We may be on different sides of the argument on whether to vote yes or no, but in a democracy, and as democrats, we should agree that the people should be able to decide. They should have their say.

The Conservative Party lost the election saying that it opposed a referendum, and the Scottish National Party won the election.

I will, and I have done so at every possible opportunity. I take the opportunity to welcome the Scottish Parliament’s support for our rejection of the bill. The bill and the attitude of the UK Government pose an existential threat to devolution and will wreak havoc across a swathe of vital sectors. It should be withdrawn.

The UK Government has chosen to introduce the bill, but the Scottish Government does not want it, and following last week’s vote, it is clear that the Scottish Parliament does not want it, either.

For guests on board the MS Ambition, our priority is to ensure that they get the support and access to services that they need ahead of moving into appropriate longer-term accommodation. In relation to general practitioner services, we have issued guidance to health boards setting out our expectation that displaced people from Ukraine have access to GP practices.

It is vital that Ukrainian children and young people access education, which is why we work closely with Glasgow City Council and the ship’s management to ensure that a reliable system is in place to transport Ukrainians to a variety of schools across Glasgow.

If the member has any further questions or issues that he wishes me to raise, I will make sure that the minister responsible, Neil Gray, answers them as a priority.

It is a curious thing, on one hand, to call for support for tourism and, on the other hand, to condemn those who make an effort to promote it internationally. [Applause.] That is a very odd approach to take. With regard to giving assurances about ensuring that Historic Environment Scotland is funded, and about the speediest possible reopening of historic and cultural sites, I give Finlay Carson the assurance that I, and my colleagues, are working extremely closely with the agencies involved to do just that.

I recognise the immense value of significant historic sites such as Linlithgow palace to local communities as well as to our national heritage and tourism. I confirm that a full inspection of Linlithgow palace is under way to inform the subsequent repair programme, which is likely to be significant at that site. Historic Environment Scotland anticipates that the inspection will conclude by the end of January.

The Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development and Minister with special responsibility for Refugees from Ukraine regularly engages with Historic Environment Scotland about that issue. I will ask him to ensure that Fiona Hyslop is kept up to date on progress.

Recent polling is very encouraging—in fact, today’s polling is extremely encouraging—and suggests that there is greater support for independence than there is for the union. We should not forget that the independence issue was fully aired in last year’s election, when the people elected to the Scottish Parliament a majority of members who are in favour of another referendum—a majority that is greater than the majority for a mandate in the 2011 election.

Through the “Building a New Scotland” prospectus series, the Scottish Government will continue to set out what could be done with the full powers of independence.

With more than 21,500 arrivals from Ukraine with a Scottish sponsor, Scotland continues to provide sanctuary to more displaced people from Ukraine per head of population than any other part of the United Kingdom does. We continue to support the thousands of displaced people who are already here, and those who continue to arrive. That includes taking action to provide displaced people with a range of information, as early as possible, to help to inform their employment decisions. We are also working with local authorities and partners to understand the needs of Ukrainian children and ensure that they can access appropriate education.

We will continue to make all necessary preparations for a referendum on Scotland’s future, because that is what the people voted for. That is how democracy works.

We have heard nothing from the UK Government since the Supreme Court judgment, but we would encourage it—again—to stop denying democracy and agree to Scotland holding a referendum to allow the people of Scotland to choose our own future. Not only was the largest-ever majority with a mandate to hold a referendum returned to this Parliament in last year’s Scottish Parliament elections, but today we see in the latest Ipsos MORI poll that support for independence itself has jumped to 56 per cent.