Chamber and committees

Thank you, convener. I refer back to my comments on amendment 128. I erroneously cited Circularity Scotland, but, of course, I meant Zero Waste Scotland. I would be grateful if the record could be corrected.

Amendment 128 is a probing amendment. It is based on evidence that we heard at stage 1 and on the wider considerations of local government on the implementation of legislation and the Verity house agreement.

During the committee’s stage 1 evidence taking, both around this table and on our visits, we heard from stakeholders that appropriate and, especially, accessible infrastructure will be very important to individuals in all the constituencies and regions that we represent in ensuring that they are able to take items for reuse, refurbishment and recycling. In order to raise that issue, and to bring into service what is set out in paragraphs 129, 390 and 421 of the committee’s stage 1 report, I have lodged this probing amendment.

I am interested in hearing the minister’s reflections on the infrastructure issues. As I said in my speech in the stage 1 debate—and as others have emphasised, including at this meeting with regard to other amendments—if the people whom we represent cannot easily get to certain facilities or use the infrastructure to participate in the circular economy, it will not be realised in the way that we all want, if the Parliament passes the bill at stage 3. When we put ourselves in all our constituents’ shoes, we see that local authorities or the third sector need to provide adequate infrastructure to make a circular economy a reality. That is why I have lodged this probing amendment.

I apologise, convener. I had not recalled that I would have the opportunity to wind up.

I thank the convener, my colleagues and the minister for their responses to the issues raised in amendment 128. The collaboration with local authorities, third sector partners and other constituted organisations in the delivery of a more circular economy has been widely recognised around the table.

I want to emphasise the importance of the word “accessible” in amendment 128. I mean accessibility in the widest possible way but particularly in the sense that people should be able to take items for repair, refurbishment or reuse, ideally in their communities and certainly without any requirement to use private transport. That will be a challenge arising from the implementation of the bill, if it is to become an act.

I am glad that, as we move forward, the widest consideration is being given by all of us to providing the necessary infrastructure. I look forward to further consideration of and discussion on the matter, both in the next stage of the legislative process and if and when Parliament passes the bill to become an act. We can then look together at implementing it effectively.

At this juncture, convener, I seek to withdraw amendment 128.

Bob Doris has made some important points. Further consideration will need to be given to the funding streams for infrastructure when it comes to implementing the bill, if and when it becomes an act, and the question is whether that funding will go to local authorities, which will then contract out to the third sector; whether local authorities will provide the facilities themselves; or whether some facilitation will be directly funded by the Scottish Government, as is the case at the moment through some of what Circularity Scotland does.

Because that further consideration is needed, I will not be pressing my amendment. However, if and when the bill is passed, we as a Parliament—and, of course, the Government—will need to think carefully about the concerns that local government has expressed, sometimes understandably, about primary legislation being passed without the necessary consideration of its capacity to deliver any further obligations. It is a two-way process. The Verity house agreement is important in those considerations, as I know that the minister appreciates.

Bruce, do you want to add anything?

No. Thank you, convener.

Sorry—please excuse me.

Good morning. My questions are on further and higher education.

What is the scale of current Gaelic-medium further and higher education provision in Scotland? Perhaps you could build on what you said in your previous answers. What would be the benefits of delivering Gaelic-medium university provision? How successful has the Gaelic plans’ approach been in supporting the language in colleges and universities? Should the bill have a greater focus on the colleges and universities sector?

I have asked several questions there, but they are all in the same space. Please answer in whichever way you think might be helpful. I am not sure who would like to go first.

Thank you.

Thank you—it was helpful to hear your views. Following on from those answers, I am also interested to hear your views on the operation of the statutory process for requesting GME in primary schools. What are your views on its being extended to include Gaelic-medium early learning and childcare? Should there be a right to Gaelic-medium education? Given that I have a Gaelic-medium education primary school in my constituency, I know about some of those issues at first hand.

Mr Charity, do you want to come in on that question? It feeds back into some of the points in your previous answer.