Chamber and committees

I would like to ask the cabinet secretary about Historic Environment Scotland, which currently has about 60 sites that are closed, or to which access is partially restricted. I expect that the number of sites to which access is restricted will reduce over the next 12 months. Do you concur with that? Can you commit to opening, or have you asked Historic Environment Scotland to open, a specific number of sites in that period?

We have discussed the Ukraine situation, which has clearly had an impact on energy security, as you mentioned in your opening remarks. How do you intend to approach that issue? What implications might there be for Scotland and the United Kingdom?

The response to the energy security crisis has been positive, but it has also been reactive. Is the security of critical raw materials on the radar? Individual nations will need to work with one another on a critical raw materials recycling plant, because one nation cannot do that on its own because of the economies of scale. I would be delighted if that plant was hosted in Europe or, indeed, in Dundee in Scotland. How high is critical raw materials security on your risk register?

I also want to ask about net zero and climate change, in particular with regard to building infrastructure and more sustainable energy sources in the cultural and heritage sector.

We heard from Alex Paterson that part of the problem is around skills. He said that we will not achieve what we want to achieve as a nation without the skilled people whom we need to deliver these things.

Another part of the problem is clearly about funding. Nonetheless, I think that there is a role for Government, through both feasibility studies and assessment, to assist the sector, and potentially to provide a road map for it that involves not only Historic Environment Scotland but the sector more widely so that, despite the budgetary constraints, we can begin to see what is possible. Have you given any consideration to that?

Thank you for that response, cabinet secretary.

Finally, I will ask you about climate change and the creative sector. Last week, Iain Munro of Creative Scotland said that the creative sector

“informs and influences public opinion and behaviours ... but ... we need investment to ... achieve that.”—[Official Report, Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, 12 January 2023; c 39.]

How concerned are you about that statement?

Thanks for that, cabinet secretary. I think that you would make a wonderful new Barry Norman, if you do not mind me saying so.

Back to you, convener.

I will pick up the topic of net zero, and I will start with you, Alex Paterson, because you mentioned it in some of your previous answers. Clearly, net zero will remain a focus, but given the budget settlement and the capital budget in particular, what progress are you likely to be able to make in that area, particularly with regard to estates and buildings?

Professor Reid, on that specific point about contradictory legislation, from a legal perspective, which would have supremacy, and who would decide?

Would any of the other witnesses like to come in on that?

I would suggest that burden and standard cannot be completely equated.

I invite David Bowles to comment.