Chamber and committees

Thank you, convener. I will do that, but I will first make an observation on something that Vicki Swales and others have said. It is interesting that people talk about the contradictions that are probably not there and about the tensions that are there in some of those questions. It occurred to me, when people were talking about that issue, that there is a lot of consensus, too. It is interesting, for instance, that Scotland is the only country in the UK that still recognises production through basic payments. It is interesting that there is a recognition by all parties that agriculture is a biological process and that there will be some emissions from it. It is also interesting to have a conversation like this, which can build on some of the areas where there is consensus.

My question is about indicators, and my interest is in less favoured areas, given how much of Scotland is less favoured areas. People will not be surprised to hear that I am specifically interested in the issues that have been raised by crofters. For instance, are the indicators that we have flexible enough to cope with the different land types in Scotland? I am talking about those people who work in less favoured areas who might be crofters and certainly those who are working in the production of store animals.

My question continues the discussion that we had when I kicked off about less favoured areas. Clearly, change will come to the agriculture sector over the coming years, and everywhere will be part of that. Do people have a view about whether the options that exist for change in agriculture are more limited in some of our less favoured areas than in other places? Do we have to talk about change in a different way in those parts of the country?

I know that you are not, but it is worth putting that on the record. It is something that this committee has had concerns about in the past.

I have a brief observation on what David Thomson said. The committee has discussed it before. You mentioned that supermarkets offer people a wide choice—but it is a range of items that the supermarkets have chosen and it is a choice that, compared to supermarkets in other European countries, in some cases does not involve very much Scottish or local produce.

I apologise for being slightly late in getting to the chamber.

With the islands growth deal now in its delivery phase, positive outcomes are already evident, such as the recent completion of the £2.3 million University of the Highlands and Islands north-west and Hebrides campus transformation project. Can the Government give an update on some of the many other ways in which, working in conjunction with the deal, the Scottish Government continues to support the growth of economies across the Highlands and Islands?

The Government’s recent consultation on a cruise ship levy included the option of a port-of-entry model, which has been welcomed by the tourist sector in the islands. Can the First Minister confirm that the Government will give consideration to the views that the sector expressed about that as a potential model for island areas?

As the cabinet secretary might be aware, Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath, which is one of the many excellent and very active historical societies in my constituency, is working to open a new heritage hub at sgoil Chàirinis. Can the cabinet secretary say anything at present about what further support will be available to community organisations such as local museums and historical societies, particularly in Scotland’s Gaelic heartlands, in the light of last week’s passing of the Scottish Languages Bill?

I warmly welcome the First Minister’s recognition of the grievous wrongs that have undoubtedly been done to the Gypsy Traveller community over the decades and the national apology that he has just made. Can he say anything further about the significance of the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s on-going spotlight project on the cultural recognition of Scotland’s Gypsy Traveller community? When will the findings of that research be published?

As the minister is aware, change on this scale must bring everyone with it, including island communities. Can he provide an update on the Scottish Government’s engagement with stakeholders—including those who are covered by the provisions of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018—to ensure that, as the strategy is developed, islands remain at the heart of the nationwide transformation of services?

A bheil an Leas-Phrìomh Ministear ag aontachadh nach eil e dìreach a’ dèanamh ciall gu bheil daoine no dhà bho àm gu àm ag ràdh nach iad an aghaidh na Gàidhlig ach dìreach gu bheil iad an aghaidh a’ Ghàidhlig fhaicinn?

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

Does the Deputy First Minister agree that it simply does not make sense that, from time to time, some people say that they are not against Gaelic, only that they are against seeing Gaelic?