Chamber and committees

Do you see a need or responsibility for business sectors to manage travel demand while, at the same time, focusing on business growth and productivity? I was struck by what Peter Clark said earlier around the fact that development of maturation facilities on Islay might be one way to reduce travel and freight transport demand. I was also struck by what Rob Dickson—I think—said about the growing phenomenon of people taking two or three cars to the islands on holiday with them. Can each of you offer some thoughts on whether it is the responsibility of Government to meet endless demand or whether we could manage that demand in a smarter way?

What about waste, such as draff and so on?

Is there a way to square that? Could processing or infrastructure investments make things more circular?

Sadly, around the world there are continuing wars, oppression and climate breakdown, and refugees are coming here from many different communities and different cultures. Different refugee communities have developed in Scotland in recent years, particularly from Syria and Afghanistan. Has there been any dialogue or shared learning with those communities and the approaches that have been taken to preserve, develop and integrate their culture in Scotland?

I have also been struck by some of the work that the Scottish Refugee Council has done with a number of those communities, and I was also struck by what Professor Sharkey said about the diversity of the conservatoire and people with very different backgrounds, histories and cultures coming together. Does anyone have any reflections on how that work has developed? Have you been aware of it? Have you linked it into it, learned from it or contributed to it?

It has been an excellent evidence session. I have learned a lot and I think that the points about partnership are very well made.

I had a lingering thought about Eurovision being hosted in Liverpool—sadly; nevertheless, it is in the UK—and whether you see that as an opportunity or entry point, particularly for young people in this country, to get a sense of Ukrainian popular culture. They might subsequently become curious about other aspects of Ukrainian culture, and that could be investigated and followed up.

I am happy for what I have said to sit as a comment.

Could you explain a bit more about your experience of being involved in that tender process?

Good. It is an important entry point to have that discussion within communities.

What have been the practical impacts of the exclusion of those flights up to this point? How has that affected the functioning of the ETS, its effectiveness or revenue raising?

If there is that wider experience, it would be useful to understand the reasons.