On Thursday 3 September, we celebrated merchant navy day with the red ensign being flown on many buildings throughout the United Kingdom, and sea Sunday was celebrated at the weekend. Ninety five per cent of the world’s goods are transported by sea. The British merchant navy plays a huge part in that and its ships, crews and former seafarers are a significant part of Scotland’s veteran community.

Will the First Minister join me in recognising and thanking our British merchant navy crews, ship owners and ship managers for the vital work that they do in crewing and operating our ships worldwide, particularly in light of the extended crewing schedules that are being experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic in order to keep our supplies moving 24/7?

I join the member in paying tribute to our merchant navy crews, ship owners, operators and all those who work so hard to provide and deliver those services, which are important for the reasons that the member has set out. Like the rest of us, their work has been made more difficult because of the circumstances that we are living through. My gratitude goes to them for playing their part in helping to keep the country going through the most difficult of times.

The Presiding Officer:

Thank you. My apologies to members whose questions we did not have time for. Parliament will resume at 2:45.

13:46 Meeting suspended.

14:45 On resuming—