Chamber and committees

Good morning to the minister and her colleagues. The phrase

“as far as I am aware”

is not exactly a great endorsement of the powers that you believe that you may or may not have. With vapes, I hope that you would be a little bit surer than

“as far as I am aware”.

Also, in relation to the points that Daniel Johnson raised and your response to them, perhaps, if some of that detail had been done before on DRS, we may not have seen the complete boorach that it ended up being. Have lessons not been learned from that? Surely some of that engagement that was done with stakeholders, including businesses, would be of benefit.

What assessment has been done of the economic benefits of the circularity bill?

Given that you have suggested big-picture economic benefits rather than a financial figure, why is there not more detail on the economic cost to businesses, particularly small businesses, in the financial memorandum?

You are able to say, “This will have great and wider economic benefit in recycling and wastage,” but you cannot be more specific about the potential cost to businesses.

Okay—thanks.

Good afternoon. First, I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of interests as a partner in a farming business and a member of National Farmers Union Scotland.

The convener mentioned earlier the £31 million that has been taken out of the rural affairs budget. Can you confirm that that money was ring fenced for agricultural and rural affairs use?

The £31 million is being reprioritised. Can you say where it is being reprioritised to?

This is money associated with the uplift from or linked to the Bew review. Is that right?

But there is a guarantee that that money will be returned.

Okay.

I have a quick last question. With regard to rail services, I note that £5 million of technical adjustments have been made in respect of the sleeper service. Can you give us more details on that? Does it relate to the move into public ownership?

Have you had any conversations with it at all?