Good afternoon. The first item of business is

We can now move on to the long-anticipated portfolio questions on constitution, external affairs and culture.

1. To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to Pakistan, following the severe flooding that the country experienced in 2022. (S6O-02324)

2. To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting community-based facilities in the West Scotland region to preserve Scottish culture and heritage. (S6O-02325)

3. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported comments by Scottish Opera, regarding the disbanding of an orchestra due to the lack of young people in the industry. (S6O-02326)

5. To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting local theatres. (S6O-02328)

6. To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of Creative Scotland’s total awards funding was allocated to the Highlands and Islands in the last financial year. (S6O-02329)

7. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its progress in establishing a peace institute by the end of 2022, as set out in its 2021-22 programme for government....

8. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to accelerate the reopening of any sites that are currently closed due to inspections by Historic Environment Scotland. (S6O-02331)

The Deputy Presiding Officer: The next portfolio is justice and home affairs. If a member wishes to ask a supplementary question, they should press their request-to-speak button during the...

1. To ask the Scottish Government when the next regular review of the sentencing young people guideline is due to take place. (S6O-02332)

2. To ask the Scottish Government how forthcoming legislation will advance the rights of child victims of crime. (S6O-02333)

3. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the introduction of whole-life sentences as an option for judges in relation to the most serious offences. (S6O-02334)

4. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 has assisted the police in...

5. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that police officers are fully resourced. (S6O-02336)

6. To ask the Scottish Government what measures it will put in place to support women in the immediate days and weeks after they leave a coercive and abusive relationship. (S6O-02337)

7. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there are any gaps in Scots law in relation to tackling image-based sexual abuse. (S6O-02338)

8. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the second appliance at Methil fire station will be withdrawn from service by 4 September 2023. (S6O-02339)

The next item of business is a statement by Lorna Slater on the deposit return scheme. The minister will take questions at the end of her statement, so there should be no interventions or...

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-09339, in the name of Liam Kerr, on a thriving future for Scotland’s oil and gas sector and its workers. I invite all members who wish to...

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-09340, in the name of Liz Smith, on prioritising Scottish tourism. I invite members who wish to participate in the debate to press their...

The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-09361, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme. I invite George Adam...

The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S6M-09363, on approval of a Scottish statutory instrument. I ask George Adam to move the motion on behalf of the...

There are seven questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Neil Gray is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Sarah Boyack...