Chamber and committees

I know that there is a lot of work going on regarding sales, marketing and advertising. I am interested in following what is being done in Ireland and the evidence for segregating sales.

I want to pick up on what Clare said about cross-border purchasing, because there needs to be some myth busting and debunking of the idea that folk are driving fae Ecclefechan tae Carlisle to pick up whatever alcohol they want. If they did that, they would have to buy 33 bottles of vodka to save the five quid on petrol that it costs to go the 20 miles fae Ecclefechan tae Carlisle. Also, my understanding is that the price of alcohol is the same in Hawick and Berwick, so if you live in Coldstream you would be crossing the border to go for your shopping anyway. There are not the booze cruises that keep being touted.

I would be interested to hear about the research that is debunking the myths about cross-border purchases. Can you tell us about that?

Okay. Thank you.

Good morning, everybody. I am interested in how we compare with other countries that have introduced minimum unit pricing. I know that Canada, Wales and Ireland have done so. I have in front of me a World Health Organization report that talks about how we are reducing alcohol deaths by introducing minimum unit pricing.

What work has Public Health Scotland done to look at other countries? Canada introduced MUP in 2014. Is there something that we can learn from other people?

Good morning, panel. I am interested in the secure care standards and pathways. I have just read that there are 44 standards that describe care that should be delivered with dignity, compassion, sensitivity and respect and in a person-centred way, in the sense that children make their decisions but with the involvement of everybody in the team. How do the regulations intersect with the secure care pathway and standards, and should the standards be referenced in the regulations?

We talk a lot about helping to deliver the aims of the Promise. How does that align with what is being proposed for the work at Foxgrove? That work is in addition to the secure care pathway, and it is also delivering the outcomes of the Promise.

I will make a short comment. The regulations introduce a brand new facility for Scotland. It will be the only specialist adolescent in-patient service in Scotland, and I look forward to its progress. Because it is a completely new facility, I would be interested in the committee continuing to get further information by correspondence or face to face as the matter progresses so that we can inquire about operational issues and the facility’s effectiveness.

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am a registered general nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The vision for mental health rightly has a focus on promoting positive wellbeing. Across remote and rural Scotland, many people—particularly older people—experience social isolation and loneliness. Will the minister provide an update on how the plan will seek to tackle loneliness and isolation, particularly in remote and rural areas such as Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders?

The member mentioned that the only time that ferries are in the news is when there is an issue to do with CalMac. Does he not remember when P&O Ferries sacked its workers? That is a private company.

I do. I seek clarification on whether the member has got a school or a pub.

I thank Scottish Land & Estates for the helpful briefing for the debate and for the work that it does to support Scotland’s estates, which play a crucial role in Scottish society and the wellbeing of our nation. I congratulate Finlay Carson on securing the debate—it is really important that we are here to discuss the issue. I give a peedie mention to the fact that I am co-convener of the cross-party group on wellbeing economy, as well as co-convener of the cross-party group on rural policy with my colleague Edward Mountain.

Given that Scotland’s 1,125 rural estates cover a combined 4.1 million hectares—around 57 per cent of Scotland’s rural land—those who are familiar with the sector are well aware of its contribution to the Scottish economy and society. It is important that we highlight that as good news. However, outwith the sector, the contribution is not well recognised or widely understood. I want to touch on some of my engagement with estates across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders on the important role that they play in supporting our rural communities, rural economies and in promoting and protecting biodiversity and wellbeing.

Rural estates generate an estimated £2.4 billion each year and support thousands of jobs, as has been mentioned by members. That makes a significant contribution to Scotland’s economic growth—an important indicator of economic progress—but it is an even more important contribution to Scotland’s rural communities. I welcome the fact that many of Scotland’s rural estates—around 64 per cent—pay staff at a wage that is on average equivalent to or higher than the national living wage.