Chamber and committees

Thank you.

Good morning, minister. I have two quick questions on transport in relation to supply chains and then one on free ports.

You mentioned remote communities being at the end of supply chains. Do you recognise that good transport links are vital to supporting access to markets for businesses in those areas and that the issues that face our ferry fleet, with ageing and increasingly unreliable vessels, are causing concerns for businesses and some of those communities? Do you also recognise that there is a fear that those problems will only get worse over the next three years?

Thanks very much for that answer. [Interruption.] I apologise for speaking over you, minister.

Can you provide any update on the green port proposals? What is the timeline for designation and implementation? Will there be any further talks with the UK Government about alignment with the free ports proposals? Given that it has been reported that the UK funding will allow for only one green port, as opposed to free ports, what impact will the Scottish Government’s decision to take forward the green ports model have on its ability to support the wider development of ports infrastructure?

Thank you.

Just quickly on that point, it is obvious that you cannot give us an exact timeline, but once those discussions have concluded and that information is available, will you be able to update the committee and Parliament?

One of my questions has been covered by the answers to Alex Burnett’s questions. As an islander, I am delighted that Harry Murray says that any disadvantages that island communities might have faced have been removed.

I have a quick question for the minister. There were 223 respondents and a 97 per cent approval rating for what is proposed, which is something that politicians can only dream of. Can you outline any issues or concerns that might have been raised about the changes?

The minister mentions a review. Improvements are needed to road infrastructure across the Highlands and Islands, which is my region, and throughout Scotland. Given the opposition of the Scottish National Party’s new partners in coalition, the Greens, to new road projects and waning commitments on the A9 and the A96, how confident can businesses and communities be that the Scottish Government will progress investment in our roads infrastructure that is vital for ensuring supply routes to some of our remote areas?

Thank you for that. There also seems to be concern or confusion over what might be considered to be a subsidy and what might be considered to be a straightforward loan. Government loans and guarantees have been used, but there are also straightforward subsidies. Are you confident that the definition, either in the bill or generally, is clear enough?

I certainly agree with you on that, although I might dispute some of your other comments. Convener, do you want to me continue?