There we go Welcome to vlog Thursday with Tom with a horse voice because he just got back from Datto con Episode 295 I have to keep it brief because I actually have to go do another speaking engagement And I don't want to wear my voice out here. I will keep sipping water and probably go grab some more cough drops It is the fun of going to a conference that I will lose my voice It is an expected outcome at this point in time That's just how these things go but hey, that's what makes them so much fun sometimes is because I get to talk to a lot of people unfortunately Talking over people sometimes is what ends up happening First thing I want to cover is I forgot to cover it until the last time But at the end but I will try to make these I have my little list pulled up here And these are the events I'll be at so for those you and this was a lot of fun being at Datto con I'd mentioned I was going many many of you maybe you You know heard me mentioning on the vlog that I'll be there But so many people came out to me and I had so many good conversations I like meeting people out there people talking suggestions and ideas about what they want to do It was just an overall wonderful time. The next event. I'll be at will be gher Khan GRR That'll be October 13th and 14th of 2022 IT Nation November 9th through 11th of 2022 and I'm pretty sure I'm going to the Ohio Linux Fest Which will be on December 2nd and 3rd now a pretty local event for me So excited to see any of you that will come up and say hi to me at any of those events if you're there So that's really cool On topics for today. What did I put all in the description? It is a busy busy day getting you take a few days off and go into a conference the next thing you know It's just wild how quickly I can get distracted Let's see what we got here Quad 9 dead Ocon MSP geek. So I want to start right and jump into the quad 9 thing. So the quad 9 is a Big problem that's the best way to describe it. I'll probably do a separate video on it, but at least want to throw it out there for some people just to talk about and Sony is suing quad 9 and you're probably thinking why would Sony sue a DNS company? And yes, Sony is suing a DNS company Specifically they're suing quad 9.  I mean, there's a lot of good detail here and The way you can support this is going to be basically donating to the legal Fund for quad 9. They are a nonprofit. So the way they're suing him is really interesting or why they're suing him first They are going after them for being able to resolve URLs Now they are making the stance that a resolver resolving is Actually a violation of Sony's copyright Basically, they're trying to shut down different scam sites or not a scam sites. I can't even say it that way I would say they're trying to suggest that certain sites may have copyrighted content of Sony's therefore Quad 9 should not resolve them. That's not quad 9's problem. This is a common carrier issue Essentially the way you look at it is, you know, if someone commits a crime You can't just go after well They use google maps to find the location where they wanted to commit the crime Therefore google should not have given them the location Or you can't try to say well, they use this type of vehicle to get to the crime Therefore the vehicle the vehicles, you know, these are larger outside analogies But you kind of get the idea that this is not the people to go after But why would you go after quad 9? That does seem a lot.  Google has better lawyers cloud flair Their dns resolves these URLs. They have more money more lawyers Please note that neither google nor cloud flair was named just quad 9 And we don't like the idea or the precedents being said that sony gets to choose what is or is not in the dns list Now if you're not familiar, I have done several videos on quad 9 and why I think they're a great place to use Because they do filter things they filter what they choose to filter and you can choose whether or not to use quad 9 But if the precedents is set that Sony can say I want companies to delist the ability to resolve these things and it's one business dictating to another business That's not a good case precedence upheld by law. So they went after them In some very specific ways to try to get a very specific outcome And yeah, the best thing you can do is don't need to quad 9 because uh, I'm not a lawyer Um, not even gonna pretend I'm a lawyer. I know lawyers are expensive Hence the reason sony is going to probably try to outlaw your them and they need more money Or if you're a really good attorney and no some, you know way to help stop any of this cool But honestly just they have a legal team working within their system throw money at them is the uh solution This is unfortunately a just it's to me is a giant waste of money Is on one side, but it's like this waste of money We have to waste so to speak against sony because we can't let them win. This just sets a terrible standard Uh for sony. So f u sony, um You've now have a dns company who has something in common with geo hats. By the way, look up geo hats wrap on sony I know it's from forever ago, but it always makes me laugh When they sued him when sony sued him for cracking the play station I mean by the way, he won and uh, unless that's pretty funny. So All right, that's the quad nine update Uh, the other thing I wanted to talk about is going to be Uh, daddell con just in general going to conferences and things like that. Like I said, I had a whole lot of fun Uh, it was just a great time. I posted a handful of photos and things like that. It was super cool um, I do like Meeting all the people that is like the real big thing That it's hard to say, you know, I always try to say oh I just prefer to be hiding the keyboard and things like that, but I got it made I mean, I'm having a great time being there kind of related It would be great if quad 90 listed sony. There's some funniness there, but I don't think sony would really care Um, but the uh conference went really well And I wanted to bring up msp geek kind of related because I hung out with the people there because I didn't have Maybe the best understanding You know just how good the people were over msp geek, but I've known him for a little while and I've you know Got to know him over the probably the last couple years So I wanted to give them a shout out and explain what msp geek is and why you might care And msp geek and there's a reason i'm holding uh the goose Goots and there's a little logo on it that says msp geek just had a lot of fun with our team But msp b is a 501 3c nonprofit community That is completely by msp's For msp's it's kind of the whole concept. They got get connected for free They have a huge number of members They very much moderate vendor participation but it's just a big community where you can go in here and Join participate in if you go to join you're going to get either to a Pull back over here Bring you to their slack or discord channels. It's just a lot of other msp's doing stuff talking to each other and things like that So I know there's at least a lot of people starting msp's That reach out to me that work in there and if you even if you're not an exactly an msp But you work any adjacent space of being an it might be interesting for you They have a really well regulated broke down group of channels. So I told them. I said i'm giving them a shout out There's it doesn't cost anything. There's no affiliate link. There's no code. Just go to the msp Geek.org they're a non-profit organization So that's just to see me giving them a shout out to them Because hey, why not? I thought that might be fun So let me go back over here because I actually can't talk for very long as I said I don't want to run my voice out Because I have to do a presentation. So I have a You know limited amount of voice it'll get back over days Before I did one video this morning. So I wanted to cover a topic which will address again later um What other things that I do there that I can share? uh I actually had a lot of fun and miss at least a few of you will recognize um John Hammond who I was hanging out with as well. Uh, he's a great youtuber does a lot of cyber security stuff It was actually a lot of fun hanging out with John Hammond in person and I was of course hanging out with um Actually, this is fun Kyle CEO of huntress and the professional Photo bomber John Hammond in the background there. So that's definitely he actually came up and goes Did you want a serious photo with Kyle? I said no, I think you improved it You made the photo just that much more fun. So, uh, yeah going to these events is definitely You know, it's exhausting but really worth it because I always got this Grudge like I don't want to go just on big msp event But then I get there and I'm like, okay, this was fun. I and yeah, I'm almost I mean, I'm exhausted, but you're almost sad when it ends. You're just like, oh the party's over Uh, but none the less you you learn a lot from these you have a lot of fun uh I got to see mark rober and even most more importantly than seeing mark rober is Seeing my friend kevin Interview mark rober and getting to talk about that. So, you know, I just wanted to talk a bit about that Kind of as a concept just going to these type of things and uh, this came up as a forum thread over in my forums and you know, it's just A lot of fun going to these it came up talking about which ones to go to if you go to like, uh Well, this is another place to go in terms of if you're looking for things like we'll go to reddit r slash msp This is also another big community group kind of related For when you want to dive into msp topics msp topics talk about things and it's also Moderated by several of my friends. There's about 135,000 people in there 438 of them right now. So another place you can have a good discussion on there I just wanted to kind of throw this out there because I've been thinking a lot more about community building and putting it together Um, I've debated as I keep going back and forth. I like my forums That's my place to hang out more and more people ask if I want to be more active Or if I should take the time to build a big discord. I don't know But I figured I give a shout out to people who have done a good job of building a big discord Which is going to be people like msp geek. So those are some of my thoughts on those topics um After that as he starts my list goes that's as far as I really got for today's vlog thursday But my talk today is that a security? Uh, it's a local security place and I wanted to keep doing the community and meet some local people so I'm actually putting together a Uh slide deck on pf sense. So um, which means and it's one of those things I knew if I said yes, I would do it and commit to it Which also means I'm making a 2022 edition of which it's almost 2023 I know but I'm going to make a 2022 edition of pf sense in a new video a whole Like hour and a half long deep dive in the pf sense. So The two are interrelated With each other there, but I will kind of open it up from now Um to dive into a few things. Oh, I'll mention I did do that video that was sponsored one of first sponsored videos other than like when people send me things Which is quasi sponsored someone sends me something review I do check the little sponsored box on it On youtube because someone sent me a thing and I disclosed that a thing was sent to me For that so Other than that the first actual sponsored post was uh john's company sas leo. So I did that video. That was a lot of fun You know, and I think you know, even though it was a sponsored post I think it's a product you might like I have a few more sponsors that Are reaching well people that are potential sponsors that are reaching out So, uh, but I'm going to make sure that they're going to be you know Something people want to hear about but of course they're dedicated videos So if you don't like that particular video you may skip that particular video As opposed to having to listen to every pre-roll for whatever mattress company I would select if I just wanted to get a generic sponsorship um So that's Do all right. I have to make sure my message is um All right, cool Just people tagging me. I don't know exactly what time I'm supposed to be there Uh, what time should I get there? Someone says I should be fashionably late I asked them when I should be at the talk because you know, I got a few more slides to add I um I do these in the most literal last minute And anyone who knows me personally says oh, yeah, that's that is kind of what tom does He kind of waits the last minute for things. It's it I haven't changed since high school So anyone who knows me from high school They they will probably know that too um It hasn't changed any at all Kind of related and you know, I wonder if I can share those slides I think there's a way I can actually share slides. Can I start? Oh, I can All right. Oh, I have to upload them google slides Add google. Well, I'll do that later. I don't know what's going to do I started a minute late because stream yard the tool I used to do this is changing layouts and uh, the layout's cool except for I didn't know where any of my stuff was I couldn't figure out how to set the things on there.  So These are the inside information things on there. They'll call me out on it and things like that Oh, let's see. What else here? Hey talk starts at seven. I think people showing up the restaurant ahead around 5 30 Oh, perfect So the people who are going the people watching me are knowing some of these people from These are michigan people posting talks are to seven. So I'll make sure to be there by six So I'm there early It's about 40 minute drive. I think 30 minutes depending on traffic I'd like to leave a little bit later because I know I'll miss some of that traffic. So that should work Oh, it will my talk will be strained. Yes. Um, I'll retweet it actually I already did if you look for me on twitter, you'll see that I tweet it I'll tweet it again, uh, because I they will be live streaming the talk. So All right, um Ooh, you got one of the fanless appliances I'm gonna you know, that's gonna be some of the talk, you know, to build it or buy it Uh, type of talk will be in there. So that's definitely part of the fun Gonna be uh, I'm looking forward to I like interacting with the crowd and things like that So, yeah, I'll make sure I tweet it out. You don't happen By the way, this is all stuff. You don't have to be logged in for so you can follow me on twitter without Logging in the twitter for those of you that would not like to participate. Uh in social media sites. I'm fine with that so And I'm gonna quickly knock this uh comment like I'm doing pf sense. I reviewed a machine and I got hacked. I we get some of those people that um The hacking or whatever they perceive to be hacking if it is, uh, it's pf sense is a solid product It's not someone just getting in there. You have something else going on. So I don't know what But pf sense unless you're opening up is not the source of your uh, hacking Is the net gate worth it? I would say yes for business. Um, I like it even if you're doing it for home They make a really good solid reliable product But if you're someone on a tight budget and you're going, hey, I can't really afford that I mean if you wanted to build on an old computer, that's fine for us for business deployments. We're net gate all the way Um, most all the ones we deploy are like that It'll just certain exceptions for things, but it's just kind of what works out best for us is doing it like that. So Just got my first two nash migration for boxbox local storage is easier than I thought still not sure If I go nfs or ice cozy freeing, uh, I would definitely go I'm partial to nfs because I think it's a little easier to manage but you know ice because I'm wrong ice cozy The protocol works so That's gonna be Um, kind of comes down how you do it. Yeah, I'm excited too. It'll be I seen somewhere Um, yeah, the the live streaming and stuff now the video I did today. I'll bring that up again Uh, I gotta admit sometimes I get things wrong. You know, it's amazing. I try to be right all the time I try to edit so I at least I look right all the time But I tweeted something out this morning that was Overhyped but I still thought it was worth doing a video on so I did a quick video talking about plain text clear text passwords Which almost feels like I need to do a follow-up video explaining why It's Done that way it's like people don't understand and they're like, oh the passwords should all be hashed I'm like, well, yes, but at some point they're clear before they're hashed That's why you're using things in memory and there's a lot of Obfuscation done in the browsers to keep this, you know from easily being assessed But it's still there and this is the danger of any time you get someone on your local machine It's just like somebody and sitting in front of your keyboard. They suddenly gain the level of privilege you have So this is still where a lot of that problem is but it's you know, uh You know where it all stood out in terms of like Making sure people understand that's why I wanted to make sure I did a video talking about okay Maybe it was over hyped but there's still a risk and the risk It's just because you're pointing it out it happens in teams, which is a very specific target There's still some of that in the browser as well.   It's hunter said so did um I didn't meet any new I well the problem is I didn't really meet any new vendors that made me go. Wow But uh, I just thought hunter said such a great job with the way they put things together and Huntress had a little let me find the picture here. I think I have at least one But the team at huntress did a little after hours talk and it was just Um It was just a lot of fun like they did this cool thing I just I realized I only have one picture. I think there's probably a few more pictures huntress tweeted of it Um, but they did some really strong and if anyone else did this I was just unaware of it They did a whole, you know off-site community engagement session. That was just really good Completely about cyber security just about cyber security. So that kind of thing is just great When I see a company do something like that And it's kind of I know it's just someone's going oh, of course So I'm like huntress these friends with them, but I'm like I couldn't name the next vendor that did community engagement. Well, I did go to dinner with lion guard I think lion guard does you know, I guess I should say lion guard has a good product We don't use them. Uh, they they seem to be pretty solid. I might be a little biased. Uh, finns finns security I've mentioned before I'm an investor. So I think finns security is good But they didn't do anything extra special so to speak at this event They were just at the event talking to people like all the other vendors were And not everyone has the ability at depending on where they are as a business to go above and beyond To do something like huge. So that's You know, it was it was so good I still had a lot of good interactions and I didn't have any bad vendors that I ran into Um, and depending on whether or not someone replies to my email and addresses an issue that came up in my forums Uh, I will decide later if I have a vendor that I will call out for their bad behavior Me and Jay slaggle did a video a few days ago or maybe last week now Where we talked about Komodo, Excitium and some of their bad behavior But I didn't see any specific bad behavior while I was, uh, there Can you recommend a specific server for vms? I prefer xcp ng I got my hands on a 6100. So I'll be upgrading from a 4100 Do you find the IPS? Uh, they're put still good with a few of my rules 4100 1 gig link went down by half Um, yes, we want a 6100, but uh, we don't have a 1 gig link, but it seems fine I even it seems pretty fast Do I know any uh msp's in Europe personally? Um Maybe I've met a few. Well, I take that back. Uh, my my friend kelvin, uh, you will know him as cybertrain. So there's uh So let me pull this up. Uh, I'd be good to hang out with Uh, a little bit with kelvin. He's a pretty amazing. He's a Uh, works for he's a ceo at cybertrain and creator Uh, see creator cipp microsoft mvp. Uh, it's just cybertrain.com So I'll throw a link out there for anyone that wants to join this, but if you're an msp, he's in europe he's in another lens, so Uh, kelvin's just great and does a lot for the community because he puts together Um, just a lot of great scripts power shell automation scripts Uh for setting things up. So if you're working in the Um it and m it and msp space both and far as that goes There's a ton of admin help that he offers through all of his scripting. So I I could say, yes, I do know at least one Um, msp they're in the netherlands I have a few others that I met that I've just met at datto that were at That are from the uk. So that was a lot of fun as well meeting all of them What specs should I VM with 50 sites and a thousand devices and ap's what your recommendations? um I don't know put together like 16 gigs ram eight processors in it. Uh, That should be fine See what else do we have here? My mac pro is giving to me. Uh, my dad's running, uh It won't show a boot option. I know nothing about mac What do you think of quad 9? Wondering since any topics I brought up earlier. They're being sued by sony. So, uh, that's my thoughts on that quad nine is a company Um, they're awesome. I highly recommend uh quad nine. I've got numerous videos if you type in quad nine You'll find a few videos where I did some deep dives with them great product Where's the msp geek love we'll give it again. We'll we'll bring it up here So, uh, we got kyle spooner here. We'll we'll bring up some, uh There we go. Join us join him and kyle. Let me know if people join Because i'm curious. I mentioned you at the beginning of it I kyle's probably got like a search coming up to see if on there kyle is one of the admins for msp geek Uh, so definitely like I said, I they're great people. So take the time to join Uh, highly highly recommend if you want to get in there, sue Oh, yeah, well, I'll rant about this later eric when I have some time. I'll I'll do some ranting about the, uh Sony in there. I'm probably going to do a dedicated video on there I'll reach out to the quad nine people first and maybe they want to come on and Talk about it, but it's a mess. It's a mess. It's completely sony and the wrong is wrong can be Um, there's nothing I agree with it But I was just reading it. I was reading the court case updates today And I was like, I'm gonna throw it up. There's a topic to raise some more awareness I'll probably do a dedicated video of being sued by sony sony suing dns. Sony. Sony hates dns I have no thoughts on the uh neckier switch because I don't really use them Can you explain, uh, what's about piehole and unbound? Why is this combination better than just piehole aggard? um Not really and I don't use it very often. So I'm probably not the best person to ask Oh, you moved to halo psa today. Cool. Halo is pretty extensive. There's a lot going on there Let's see Do you think, uh, churnash should support, uh, exporting today's that's no, I don't think so I don't think that's a good idea I mean, you could do it from the command line if you wanted. I don't think they should build in support for it Um, I don't think that's a great. It's just the the use case is extremely limited on that I'm gonna give this about five more minutes because I got to finish my presentation that I got to go do in an hour Oh, let's see Yeah, halo psa like they seem to become one of the more popular ones out there and it's just They you know, we're playing around with it right now because we don't we don't actively use it But it's a it's a pretty extensive product We we have the a lot of other things we're doing in integration in the back end of my company right now We're evaluating a few new products So we don't want to switch any some things because we're trying to drop a few new tools in there Including tools like saslio that I mentioned um, because we're In that mode, I don't want to you don't change too many things at once. Uh, you'll get a mutiny I think that's what they call it when I hear employees just really angry at you So Can I recommend an ether wiring tester, you know I won't lie the fluke one's really nice, but it's expensive Um, I've used the ideal one and I think that one works really well And I've also talked about the client tester. Uh, the client tester works really well client tester is going to be a whole lot less money Uh, and and it's a good one I think I have a list of a few if you type in like network tools I've talked about the client tester before it's I think under you can find it for even less on ebay But they're generally under a hundred dollars. Uh, the fluke one hey hands down love the fluke works great But I understand that price point is not going to be uh for everyone Do I know the brand ruji networks never heard? Uh, I think I've heard of them because people have asked me about them here But I don't know anything good bad or indifferent about them They're also using ethernet over poe Well, I'll take a few more questions for a few more minutes. Like I said, I got to get back to actually Finishing a presentation that will be live stream. So but I can't interact on live stream other people will interact on live stream I'll just tweet it out. I'm going to be standing up there pointing and talking about firewall rules and funds like that Uh Fun stuff and I know I I didn't really get to do a shout out for everyone from everywhere But it is cool that so many people are from so many different places Um, and depending on if I got time out, maybe I'll if I got time to do another live stream Uh Before next thursday because I like doing the longer live streams and uh talking to people Someone says someone on youtube said They're a very bad brand never use them. I've never heard of them But there's a few other companies out there I gotta admit it's hard to get a start in the network space because at some point Ubiquity was a newcomer in the network space and does that mean I should never look at a new product or whatever? At some point, you know, you I I think it's good to go look at new products But it's hard because it's hard to get a start on a new product It's hard to figure out, you know, do you want to take a risk on it Is the company solid someone has to in the beginning and I think it's great when home users do because it's less risk The risk gets higher and higher when we do so many large deployments So we've been using Ubiquity for example, I don't know pushing like seven eight more I feel maybe 10 years. I'm trying to remember the first one. We got it was a long time ago But that being said Now when we're doing deployments if we're doing 300 access points I can't pick a new company and then deploy 300 of some company. I never really spent too much time with Um access points and then trying to figure out when do you trust them enough? Is it is it after six months of testing the product? Is it a year? And what if that company you've worked with them a year and the next year they go out of business now I have 300 unsupported access points and I'm in a pickle. So it's really hard to get in there and do that. It's uh It's pretty cool To think about and or pretty scary. I should say think about but it's just these are all the little decision-making points That go into deciding on brands so uh Thoughts on ubiquity versus tp link Uh, ubiquity seems to be better at end of life than tp link and better at security updates than tp link so I from a mass deployment standpoint I'm going to stay with ubiquity over tp link but for a home user. I don't think tp links a bad thing. Um, they seem to work pretty good. So Yeah, and it kind of depends what similar products the only thing cheaper than ubiquity well. No, not the only thing The next popular brand cheaper than ubiquity is going to be tp link. Um, so yes, they're cheaper, but I don't know. I wouldn't trust them to a 300 uh device install But what I put them, you know, if i'm building a home lab and looking for some budget equipment I think tp link is good for that tp link has a reputation for making stuff that's reasonably reliable, but You know, it's their software. I don't think is near as good. So that's my thoughts on there It comes down to where you're based and of course that's uh That's going to be a big deal too. Uh, once you're outside the us the pricing differences are all over the place and You know, you got to buy what you can afford and especially if if it's substantial costs So that is something always to take into consideration All right Well, I am going to uh end this live stream. Sorry. It's only 30 minutes I usually go at least an hour or sometimes an hour and a half But uh links are down there to the quad nigh and links are down there to the msp geek. So reach out to Uh msp geek if you are an msp and thinking about joining and you know all fun stuff like that um This isn't this is probably a budget choice. I'll leave that with you Uh, if you can find something that you can reflash to open wrt, which is generally I think pretty well supported Been a long time since I used it that might make sense. So Uh, do I think my microtik could take any big goody to build a controller? That's a big if that's a huge if so if I don't know It's a maybe there's all kinds of quirkiness of microtik There's a good write-up in my forums that someone who deploys microtik at scale Has a nice write-up on all the problems with it of what they and their user of it. They still use it But they like oh this this this problem this problem this problem. Here's how you mitigate it. Here's how you mitigate it Here's a problem and here's a model you shouldn't get and you should get this model But make sure it's subversion this there's all these little nuances That they broke down. I don't remember the exactly a forum post But if you search for microtik You'll you'll find it you'll find some discussion about what people love or don't love about it So uh plenty of discussions over in the forums is one of the easier places to reach out and message me Thank you all for joining and i'll see you next time


I welcome everyone to the fifth meeting of the Justice Committee in 2015. Can I ask everyone to switch off mobile phones and other electronic devices? We have no apologies, although a couple of members have been delayed due to the weather. Item 1 in private, the committee is invited to agree to consider item 4 and EU engagement, item 5 and issues paper on the prisoners bill in private. Are you agreed? Item 2, paper 1 sets out the current position with each of our on-going petitions. I'll seek your views on each petition in turn. PE1281, Fadelax and Inquiries and Deaths Abroad. The committee has already agreed to consider this petition in the context of the forthcoming FAI legislation. We have received correspondence from the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, setting out more detail on this legislation. Do members have any comments on the petition or the minister's correspondence at Annex F, or are you content simply to note the issue? I'm looking around for some kind of inspiration. I'm ahead of you too fast for you all. You're very slow today, gentlemen and ladies. That's PE1280. I think so. Are you agreed? Thank you very much. PE1371 has been inquired into the Magrahe conviction. The committee has received record of the latest meeting in justice from Magrahe and Police Scotland in correspondence from GFM. I like to hear recent comments from Lord Anvil and the Magrahe investigation. Do members have any comments and material received or are you content to simply note the updates and developments with the SCCRC application referred to in the paper, which I should say that the application of the code will be subjudice.  Do you wish to just continue this to see the outcome of the other matters that are on-going? I'm pleased that the committee is content, but I think that it is important to pick up in some of the comments made by the justice for Magrahe people, not least the role of the Lord Advocate in the broadest sense, not specifically relating to the any on-going matter. We have a situation where September 2012, December 2012 and more recently in December of last year, the Lord Advocate in my mind has compromised the potential for him to be viewed as an honest broker when it comes to receiving the report from Police Scotland. I'm delighted that Police Scotland gets a ringing endorsement from Justice for Magrahe committee for the diligent work that they're doing. I think that there are challenges ahead that won't just relate to the delivery of these particular reports to the Crown Office procurator, fiscal service, which we may have some regard to in the future. It's a similar point that I go in opposite directions, so I would need to get some advice on this at some point. My view was, if we take, if we set aside this particular one, but just talk about the generality of people who have been convicted, that I think the Crown Office automatically makes an assumption and that is that they're guilty after they've been convicted and they will defend that position regardless, except when new evidence has brought forward for them to consider, maybe in an appeal or something like that. My view has always been, what my understanding was, that no matter what crime has been committed, you couldn't have the Crown Office. It's not a maybe's eye and a maybe's no. It's a clear somebody's convicted. That's how it is and it will stay that way and that's what they'll defend and tell new evidence comes forward. I would need some advice. I think it's appropriate if somebody's been convicted to consider that they were guilty. Otherwise, we have turmoil within the justice system, but I take your point. I've got some comment to make on that myself. I just wanted to highlight the fact that, as DCC Livingston says in the note, an independent QC has been appointed to provide the police investigation with an appropriate level of scrutiny prior to reporting the findings to the Crown Office, which is clearly not normal procedure. There is an acceptance that this is an unusual situation, so I think that Mr Finnie's comments should be tempered with that. Tempered was the word that I was thinking about. I think the issue also, however, we get to the number of it, who investigates the Crown. The Crown can't investigate the Crown, so we do have that. I think that's where you're going with your comments. Yes, indeed, and that's the area we looked at before. Mr Finnie always seeks to temper his comments and, believe you me, those are extremely tempered comments than what I would like to say. I think that there's an obligation on this committee, and that is when respected citizens are called conspiracy theorists and accusations they make in good faith are described as deliberately false and misleading, then that doesn't suggest an open posture being adopted by the Crown Office procreate or fiscal service. To theorist, John, do you think that it's members of the Cinema Siaf i Conspiracy? I think that the committee is waiting a judgment by Lady Dorian on the 27th of March regarding supporting evidence for McGracky's family, supporting their involvement. I did mention that, in fact, you can mention that, but that's as far as we can go because it's some due to say. So it makes sense that we... It's a connected thing. We have the police matter, then we have whether or not there'll be a further appeal, but I think that with all those things in the air, it is appropriate to continue the petition and the issues you've raised will no doubt come out if this goes any further in terms of the appeal procedure. Thank you. That's the case. So we continue the petition. Thank you very much. Multi-party actions, PE1427. The committee previously wrote to the Scottish Government inviting it to include the petitioner in its consultation of matters between four by primary legislation on recommendations on the Taylor review to respond to the petitioner's concerns, raised regarding withholding documents by private company. The Scottish Government has been invited to respond by 3 April. Are you content to keep it open pending the response from the Scottish Government makes sense? Sorry. Indeed. I thought you would say it doesn't make sense. I think that there's a further consultation on aspects of Taylor announced by the Government that went either Taylor under last week. That's one the petitioners can be included in. Thank you for that additional information. We continue this. PE1479, legal profession and legal aid time bar. The committee previously agreed to keep the petition open pending the outcome of the Scottish legal complaints commission's consultation on increasing the legal aid time bar from one year to three years. The consultation closed in 17 November last year. The new time bar was due to become operational from 1 January this year. However, the SLCC has decided that the time bar provisions will now be altered in July 2015 to coincide with the ADR directive coming into force with the start of a new operational year for the SLCC. I don't have any further information on what these time bar alterations would be. We don't have any information on it but something is in the air again. Do you want to keep the petition open until after the SLCC rules change? That's taking effect. Right, okay. We'll keep that going. PE1501, public inquiries into self-inflicted and accidental deaths following suspicious death investigations. The committee previously wrote to the Crown Office and the PF Service to ascertain that the level of investigation carried out to the 4,000 deaths classified as self-inflicted in the past five years. The committee also agreed to consider the petition in the context of the forthcoming FAI legislation. We've received a response from Cofras and a letter from the Minister about the petition. The petitioners indicate that the forthcoming FAI legislation is unlikely to directly address the issues in his petition. The minister has restated the Scottish Government's petition that it has no plans to introduce proposals along the line to request by the petitioner. After the meeting papers were published, the petitioner contacted the clerks to advise that he would like the opportunity to respond to the points raised in the Cofras letter. Are members content to invite the petitioner to respond to that letter and to consider the response that it has received? That's only just. Thank you very much for continuing that one. PE150 and 1511, police and fire control rooms. The committee last considered those petitions in the context of an evidence session with the police and fire inspectors. Audit Scotland is due to publish a report on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the spring. As part of our on-going monitor of fire reform, we may hold an evidence session with SFRS in autumn 2015. Would members be content to close the petitioner? Would you prefer to consider them during our next session with SFRS? Is there life out there? I look, I look in vain. Is it a drop in the temperature that's frozen the brain cells? Insofar as decisions have been made in our operational, it's a bit after the event. I don't want to stifle petitioners. My feeling, if you're not going to say, is that Audit Scotland is due to publish a report. Once we have that report, we could have an evidence session on it. I mean, we certainly don't want to leave it undone, but I think that that gives you the chance to go back and see the impact, so we'll do that. Thank you. So that's closed, but we're going to undertake an evidence session. It's closed because we're going to have an evidence session, I think. Is that right? What do you want to do? Sorry, am I moving too fast? Keep it open and do the evidence session. I'm not, I'm not. Easy peasy either way. Open and an evidence session after the Audit Scotland report. Then decide what to do. Christian, you've come alive. Then decide if you want to. Correct. That's where we are, right? Item 3, subledge. Consideration of two negative instruments. The first is the Victim and Witnesses Scotland Act 2014, prescribed relatives order, SSI 2014, slash 360. This instrument defines those relatives of victims to which measures introduced by certain sections of Victims and Witnesses Scotland Act 2014 apply. Do you have any comments in relation to the statutory instrument? Are members content to make no recommendation? You have a sound out of you to further the OR. The second negative instrument for our consideration is the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Amendments Scotland Regulations 2015, that's SSI 2015 slash 1. This makes provision to further facilitate the application of Scotland of Regulation number 1215 slash 2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. Do you have any comments in relation to that instrument? Thank you very much, Mr Paterson. Are members content to make no recommendation in relation to this instrument? Thank you very much. We now move into private session.


Hi guys, happy Wednesday. Welcome back to my channel. Today's video I'm going to do like a first impressions review video of Cyclebar. I kind of want to just give you a video on like what to expect for your first ride because I recently had my first ride and I just jotted down some notes. So I just wanted to talk about what my experience is like. If you guys are new here, make sure you are subscribed to my channel and also turn on your post notifications and a follow me on Instagram because it would mean the world to me. So starting off, if you don't want to watch the entire video, my first impression is that I really, really liked it. It was really fun and my instructor was really, really cool and nice and she just seemed to have like a really good time while teaching. So A+, I really liked the environment, the vibe, everything. And you guys know I'm pretty brutally honest. So I am genuinely saying that my ride was free because it was like my first class but even if it wasn't free, like I would consider like doing drop-in classes or whatnot like in the future. So I'm just going to go down my little list here on my phone and tell you kind of the ideas and things that stood out to me and everything right after the class. This is kind of like a side note but I was a little hungover because the night before we went to this like really big party and stuff but this has nothing to do with like my physical like being during it. It was just like general things. So the first thing I jotted down was love the instructor and I already said that. She was really like inspiring and like she was like, if you're holding on to something like this is a time to like let it out and just like forget about it and we're working on ourselves. Like, oh, I just really enjoyed that part of it. And I was just like, yes. And it like got me pumped up and everything. And then I love the atmosphere. So the atmosphere, I took some clips. So I'll overlay that but the environment, it was kind of like dark. They turned on the lights and then there was like a bunch of like red and just the atmosphere was really cool and it was like super air conditioned. So when you get really sweaty, it feels nice. But it was a very dark room and but then she would like turn on the lights, overhead lights a little bit. It was just like the environment was super cool and it was really different. Like it's hard to describe but it was like a dark room and you're like cycling and there's like red around the room kind of which is cool. You have to be really good at coordination. I sometimes struggle with that to be honest. So if you're doing like an arm workout, your legs still have to kind of be pedaling. With time, you'd get better at it. But I did have a hard time with that to be honest. But it's nothing that you can't do. It's just really weird because I'm like, okay, I'm like focusing on my arms. But I also have to be doing this motion with my legs and it's just kind of interesting. It's very different. So just know that. So I wish they'd like explain the numbers on the screen better and like that you could turn the little wheel for like resistance a lot more than just like 90 degrees because like I don't know. I didn't like turn the wheel a lot. So I just had some trouble with that. So I wish they'd like explain that better because I was like a little lost with that. We cut the time a little close. So maybe like that was the reason why. So it's nobody's fault, but it's just like, I don't know. The numbers kind of like did confuse me if I'm being honest. I loved the weights. So they had these like bars, one weighed four pounds. And then the other weighed, I think six. And I did try to use the six one just because I typically use an eight pound weight at home. But I'm kind of glad that it was only six pounds because I could barely do that and like try to focus on the pedaling and like doing the arms. And I thought I was going to fall off the bike, but you're like, your shoes are like attached to the pedals. And again, I will do some overlays so you can kind of understand what I'm saying. Yeah, your feet are like actually attached. Like there's no moving.  But I did have like some trouble with that at the beginning of like with the weights and stuff. And then my arms were just like shaking and I like put my arms down sometimes and it's just like, oh my gosh. So it was just a little difficult for me. Okay, so this was like not the girl's fault because again, we were kind of rushed. But the thing is like, since it was my first class, like no one really, I mean, I wouldn't expect the girl to like know my height for the seat. But I feel like my seat was a little too high because like my butt kept hitting the seat when we had to like stand and do the motions. So that was very interesting. And I think now I know like I would just do the seat and everything like by myself because like I'm more familiar with it now. But yeah, my seat was definitely too high because I was looking at other people and their butts weren't hitting the thing. So I was like, oops. It was just a little, it was a little hard. I did love the shoes. I put love the shoes, I guess. I just liked the fact that they are like bolted in so your foot isn't like moving all around the pedal. And sometimes I felt like, and I think it was because I had too little resistance. I felt like I was losing control of the bike. And if that happened and my shoe wasn't like attached to the thing, we would have had like some chaos. So I did like the shoes and everything. So because I was new, I feel like this is something that you would obviously just get used to again. And that is my butt hurt so bad. So when I was like doing the bike and everything and she was like, okay, you can go on the saddle now. I was like, okay. So I'm like on the saddle. And then like it's still a little sore, but like my crotch is just sore just in general. I don't know. But over time you get used to it and everything. And at towards the end of the class is when it started getting sore. So like during the arm thing, I was like, oh, I just want to stand up again because like my crotch is hurting so bad. I think just with time it would get better and everything. And you would get used to it.  And then I want to talk about the numbers on the screen. So I think, I don't know this for a fact, but I think it's like calculated by like your resistance. So the power, no, it's not the power. I don't know. It's just this like one little bottom number on the screen. And if it's higher, then that means your resistance is higher obviously. And it's harder to like pedal and everything. So the higher that is, like it's easier for you to rank higher on or in the class. And I don't know. I just find it kind of weird, but there's different like styles because I know my friend, she loves like seeing the metrics and seeing the numbers and everything, which is really good for some people because it really does challenge you in a sense. But for me, like I don't really feel like it's my jam because as long as like I am having fun and everything, it's fine for me.  It's all like learning and stuff. Again, if I had understood the numbers more, I would probably have like tried to try more, I guess. But the good thing was the trainer, she was like, I wouldn't have guessed this is your first class. So that was also good. Just like the numbers and metrics. I mean, again, when I, even when I went to orange theory, like I didn't really care that much. I feel like the old lady was like beating me on the treadmill when we got to like run. And I'm like, how is this happening? But then again, you know, I'm just not really good with machinery and stuff. Half of the time I don't know what I'm doing. So I think it's more me, but overall the environment, the people, the class itself. And when I was going to bed, I was like, I want to like pedal more. You know, it's just that type of thing. So I did hear and I kind of want to try a SoulCycle class just because I would want to compare the two just for reference. But I think I've heard that they don't have like the screen or the metrics, which would be interesting just because like for me, that's just not a big deal. So I don't know. Let me know down below what you think of cycle bar if you try to class or if you want to try a class because I definitely think you should. Overall, I was really impressed and I enjoyed my experience and I would totally do it again. Think I would do better if I was like not hungover. And now I've already had my first class so I kind of know what to expect. Also too, I love that they provide you a towel and a water bottle like holder thing. Very nice. But anyway, yeah, that's pretty much it for my video. I'm so behind. I'm literally filming this on the day. It's going up. I need to work out and I need to eat. So yeah, hope you guys enjoyed. Give this video a thumbs up. Don't forget to subscribe and I'll see you guys in my next video. Bye.


The first item of business today is portfolio questions, and the first portfolio is rural economy. I remind members that questions 2 and 4 will be grouped together today and come to question number 1, John Scott. I declare an interest to ask the Scottish Government what its position is on encouraging behavioural change with regard to food production in the light of evidence received by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee from the Committee on Climate Change. Scotland is a world renowned for the quality and the provenance of its food, and we want farmers and food producers to work with us to produce more of it sustainably. We are supporting behavioural change and shifts to low-carbon farming practices through a range of activity, including the Farm Advisory Service, the beef efficiency scheme and QMS's monitor farm programme. I thank the minister for her answer, and she will be aware of the Climate Change Committee advice on the need to reduce red meat consumption significantly to meet future targets. Is the Scottish Government of the view that that is necessary, or does the Scottish Government and the Minister support my view that the access to a balanced diet should include sufficient red meat consumption and that there should be a matter of individual choice, particularly as most of the red meat production in Scotland is grass-fed? I thank the member for that question, and I am aware that the Environment, Climate Change Committee took evidence from the climate change committee as well this week. We want to continue to lead in promoting behavioural change towards low-carbon farming. As I mentioned in my first answer to John Scott, we have done that through the establishment of the beef efficiency scheme and our support for the agri-environment schemes by ensuring that high-quality advice, information and on-farm demonstrations are available through the Farm Advisory Service and farming for a better climate. Of course, we want to work with farmers and to do that. I said that in the statement yesterday, and I know that the cabinet secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform feels the same. However, we are in a climate emergency, and this is an issue that we have to try to tackle together. That is why we have a number of initiatives here. We also have our climate change champions, who are hoping to lead by example and to show how we can still have livestock farming and how that can still contribute to what we are aiming to do in this climate emergency. In order to change practice, farmers and crofters need advice and information, but they also need financial support. Can I ask what measures will be in the new agricultural support scheme to help farmers and crofters to make the required change in practice? I would say that, as I have already highlighted, we have a number of schemes already available at the moment where we are investing in that change. That is something that we will have to continue to do. Research and innovation will be absolutely vital as we move forward and as we try to work with farmers and crofters to see how we can tackle the climate emergency together. As I mentioned in my previous response to John Scott, we have the climate change champions, the farming for a better climate as well, where we are looking at soil regeneration. There are a whole number of schemes that the Government is currently providing funding for, and when it comes to research and innovation moving forward, that is something that will of course become a vital part of support as we move forward. Deputy Presiding Officer, to ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the food and drink sector in Canbasslang. Direct investment and support from the public sector, which helps to promote the food and drink sector in Scotland, equates to approximately £100 million per annum across a range of areas, including skills, education, research, industry development, standards and capital investment. That funding is provided on a national basis and would be available to any business based in Canbasslang. I thank the minister for that answer. The minister will be aware that the two sisters chicken processing plant in Canbasslang closed last year. That was despite the payment of £650,000 in regional selective assistance to two sisters on the basis of keeping the plant open. That money is now in the process of being repaid, but the Scottish Government has confirmed to me that it will be recycled for general economic activity and not invested in Canbasslang despite an assurance from the First Minister in November that Canbasslang would be involved in consultation of how that money is spent. Therefore, I ask the minister if she agrees that the money that is being repaid should be invested in Canbasslang and that the Government will urgently review its decision on that. I would say that, contrary to Mr Kelly's comments, the Scottish Government's position on that has been clear. The position and commitment in that sense has not changed. The First Minister had previously explained in the chamber that the process that Scottish Enterprise would embark on to obtain repayment of any moneys paid to two sisters in relation to the site of Canbasslang. That process has been undertaken, and a repayment plan has now been agreed with two sisters to return the moneys in full. I know that that was explained to Mr Kelly in a recent letter from my ministerial colleague Jamie Hepburn. The First Minister also said in the chamber that we would, in due course, have discussions with the local community about future investment. I know that, since then, Scottish Enterprise has been in discussion with South Lanarkshire Council on the actions that are needed to boost economic growth in the area and how they might be reflected in the council's refreshed economic strategy, which is supported by the £500 million Scottish Government commitment in the Glasgow city region deal. Further discussions are planned on 13 June, and at that meeting there will be a discussion to identify the key economic challenges across the authority area, aligning with the Glasgow city region plan, and particularly around the five city region deal projects that are relevant to South Lanarkshire, which, of course, we are fully committed to, and where there are suitable projects both in the Canbasslang area and wider area. To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the food and drink sector in Glasgow. Glasgow is home to a wide range of food and drink companies and plays a key role in our food and drink success story. Since 2012, four companies have been supported, with £2.31 million in food processing, marketing and co-operation grants, including McQueen's Dairy, which I believe are based within the member's constituency. Bob Doris? I thank the minister for that answer. I draw the minister's attention to the company, The Vegan Kind, who is a hugely successful vegan retailer, including foods based in Maryhill. They use an online platform for their sales. I understand that their growing success is boosting demand for vegan foods and creating new opportunities for vegan food producers, including here in Scotland. Can I ask how the Scottish Government might consider supporting innovative models of food retail such as The Vegan Kind in Maryhill, given the boost that their success can offer both vegan food producers here in Scotland and offer additional accessible dietary choices to families? I would say that the growing vegan market still offers opportunities for Scottish food producers and businesses to develop the produce using our natural lardar here in Scotland. I know that Scotland Food and Drink is supporting food and drink producers to capitalise on that growing demand. I would say that there is another company, Fodolicious, that produces fresh convenience food using quality, locally sourced Scottish produce to help with special dietary requirements. Having started in the free-from market, they have now developed a successful vegan range. Although I know that some adhere to a strictly vegan diet for a variety of reasons, I am keen that we continue to promote healthy, locally sourced Scottish produce and produce grown and made here, which supports jobs here, supports livelihoods and, most important, helps to reduce food miles. I wonder whether the minister would agree with me that the biggest threat to the food and drink sector in Cambuslang and beyond is Brexit. It would help quite a lot if Mr Kelly and his chums were to come off the fence and oppose Brexit. Mairi Gwtiaw. Probably won't surprise the member that I agree very much with him in that statement, because we've been clear from day one that leaving the EU, specifically without a deal, would have an absolutely catastrophic impact on the food and drink sector, and it's expected to cost us about £2 billion, and that's from the UK Government's own figures. That impact would be felt whether that's on our exports, our PGI status for some of our most important products, and the free movement of people, too. I talked about some of the other impacts on our sheep sector in the statement that I made to this Parliament yesterday. The Scottish Government has always asserted that the best future for Scotland is to remain in the EU and, second best to that, to maintain as close an alignment to the EU as we possibly can. I think that it's high time that others started realising that, too, if we're to avert the untold damage that we've brought on, not just in this sector, but in our wider economy as a whole. To ask the Scottish Government what action it plans to take in light of the Scottish Affairs Committee's evidence session on seasonal agricultural workers. Presiding Officer, seasonal migrant workers have a vital contribution to farming and food production in Scotland. We share NFU Scotland's concerns about the availability of suitably skilled workers and the risk that that presents to this year's crops and harvests. The UK Government's future migration proposals do not meet Scotland's needs. The evidence presented to the committee highlights serious issues with the pilot scheme, which seeks to recruit 2,500 workers for the whole of the UK, not enough to meet the needs of a number of current vacancies in the horticulture sector in Angus alone. We will continue to monitor the situation and work across the Government to address skills and employment needs throughout the rural economy, but it is clear that one of the key solutions is to fully devolve immigration powers so that Scotland might develop a tailored migration policy to meet our needs. Presiding Officer, agricultural seasonal workers are often seen as low-paid and low-skilled, but all the evidence suggests that many of the jobs are highly skilled. Losing the workers will not only be a hard-boat employers and the local economy, but will have a significant knock-on effect on the de-population of ready, fragile, remote communities. Will the cabinet secretary join me in supporting the workers from Europe and beyond to form a vital part of the backbone of rural Scotland, providing school labour and injecting a fresh breath of fresh air into our rural communities? Yes, I am very happy to agree with what David Stewart has said. I am very pleased that he has made those remarks. Those workers work extremely hard—certainly in the berry picking. The day starts very early and the conditions are tough. The work is hard, and we really appreciate and welcome what they do and the contributions that they make to the economy and society in rural Scotland. We think that they should continue to be welcomed in Scotland. That is why it is so important that freedom of movement should continue to be the policy. I very much hope that the Labour Party in Scotland will support freedom of movement, because Mr Corbyn does not seem to. Subumentary from Richard Lyle. Would the cabinet secretary agree that it is scandalous that, after three years after the Brexit vote and Tory inaction, farmers still do not have any certainty or clarity about their workforces? Fagrishu. He has put it very clearly. The Tories are laughing. I do not know why they are laughing. That is extremely serious. Just about every employer in the rural economy in Scotland has made the same point for three years now—three years in which to find a solution to allow people from other countries who are working hard in rural communities and whose work is indispensable as a sine qua non of the rural economy functioning, and the Scottish Tories have said nothing about that for three years. It is an absolute scandal. Mr Lyle is quite right. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with representatives of the fishing industry and what was discussed. The Scottish Government met with the Clyde Fishmen Association on 11 May and meets regularly with representatives of the fishing industry. Enforcement of marine protected areas is already very difficult, which allows a small number of rogue fishing vessels to wreak havoc in protected habitats and undermines the fishing industry for everyone else. Last December, the Parliament voted to roll out electronic monitoring of fishing vessels across the whole fleet to ensure that enforcement can be effective. When does the Government expect to be able to properly enforce marine protected areas by monitoring all fishing vessels? I am delighted that the Scottish Government is investing £1.5 million in fishing vessel tracking and monitoring. I myself had an excellent and productive meeting with the stakeholders about precisely how this investment is made to get best value and to be the most efficacious. That is one of the most practical things that can be done to ensure that sustainable fishing takes place. I am determined that that will be done as quickly as it can, but the real priority is to make sure that it is effective, that we have the right systems and that there are options available and that it is efficacious to secure the objective. As Mr Greer referred to and alluded to in that debate, it is important that we get it right. However, I can absolutely assure the member that there will be no feet dragging. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the food and drink sector and what was discussed. The Scottish Government meets representatives from the vital food and drink industry on a regular and on-going basis to discuss the range of issues. I will also be attending the prestigious Scotland food and drink excellence awards next week in Edinburgh to meet representatives from the sector and to celebrate the best that our successful industry has to offer. Months ago, I have met a number of local businesses in my constituency, including an impressive family-run business, Fife Creamery. They are just one of a growing number of companies who have become increasingly aware of their environmental responsibilities and the importance of phasing out single-use plastics in their packaging. Can the cabinet secretary advise what support and guidelines exist for businesses who are keen to invest in the greener and more sustainable alternatives? Yes, Zero Waste Scotland's Food and Drink Advice and Support Service provides audits to businesses to help them to reduce their food and drink waste, and it has an £18 million circular economy investment fund to support investments in that matter. I am indebted to my hard-working energetic colleague, the Minister for Rural Affairs, Ms Gougeon, who has assured me that she has recently met the company and that it does great work. We are keen to continue that work with them and our agencies to ensure that the changes that are made in respect of the matter and the objectives that we all share are pursued in an effective and pragmatic fashion to help businesses such as those who, quite rightly, want to do their bit by the environment but want to do so in a way that is sensible, well-thought-out, pragmatic and deliverable. To ask the Scottish Government whether all outstanding agri-environment climate scheme claims from farm businesses in the north-east for the 217-year claim will be paid by the end of June 2019. The remaining cases from 217 have been complex to process, with eligibility issues associated with each claim that staff are currently working to resolve. My officials assure me that they are confident that all outstanding issues will be cleared over the next few weeks, allowing all remaining claims to be paid by 30 June this year. Tom Mason I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer. I appreciate that this is not an instantaneous process and there are going to be some delays along the way. Given that the total Scottish farm debt is currently around £2 billion and almost half of our farmers are famed to make enough money to pay themselves the equivalent of the minimum wage, those resources are vital and important. What safeguards can the cabinet secretary put in place to make sure that such delays are lessened in some of the years? Michael Matheson I think that Mr Mason raises a perfectly fair and correct general point. It is precisely because of that point that, in Scotland, at my specific direction, working with the full co-operation of colleagues, including the finance minister, that farmers in Scotland last October, starting on 5 October, and crofters in Scotland received, in most cases, effectively advanced payments of up to 90 per cent of their full entitlement, starting from 5 October. Nearly £18,000 offers over £317 million from memory, Presiding Officer. That money was received in farmers' and crofters' bank accounts around two months before any other farmers south of the border. Yes. It is precisely because of the need to make sure that, in these difficult times, facing the enormous uncertainties caused by Brexit, Mr Mason's party's preferred policy—at least we think so anyway, they do not really say—that, because of these difficulties, we have made sure that farmers and crofters get their money and get most of it earlier than the rest of the UK. I want to keep it that way. Can the cabinet secretary confirm that the payments for 2018 are on time, and can he also confirm that the Scottish Government wants to keep farmers farming in Scotland and producing food, contrary to what Mr Gove told us this morning? We have made a strong start to the payment of the 2018 claims. We have commenced 2018 payments on 29 March. That is two months earlier than the 2017. Over 47 per cent of claims have now been paid were £7.8 million. At the same point last year, we had not yet begun making payments, so I hope that members will agree that that is an excellent progress. I pay tribute to all the hard-working staff in the office of the country who are delivering the work. They do a superb job, they are respected by the farming community and I am wholly indebted to them for their efforts. That concludes questions on the rural economy. I will move on to questions on transport, infrastructure and connectivity, please. 1. Liam McArthur To ask the Scottish Government when road equivalent tariff will be fully introduced on Orkney and Shetland ferry routes. Paul Wheelhouse The Scottish Government is engaging with the European Commission following a stated complaint made to them by a private operator on 8 June 2018 regarding our plans to reduce ferry fares to the Northern Isles. Officials met with the commission officials on 12 November and we await a formal view from the commission regarding next steps. In June 2018, we reduced passenger and car fares on routes to Shetland by 20 per cent, with that being possible to implement as it did not affect Orkney services. We remain committed to pursuing all avenues to reduce fares for Orkney and Shetland. 2. Liam McArthur I thank the minister for that response. Next month marks 12 months since RAT was supposed to be rolled out on ferry routes serving Orkney and Shetland. Over that time, those using those lifeline routes have been forced to continue paying over the odds. Will the minister commit to reinforcing with the commission the urgent need to conclude its investigation, reach a decision and allow those who rely on those lifeline services a fair deal? Will he also commit to ensuring that the money that has not been spent on RAT over the past year is directed to supporting the internal ferry services in Orkney and Shetland? Paul Wheelhouse Thank you very much. On the first point that Liam McArthur raises, just to reassure him that we continue to engage, as I say, with the European Commission regarding the state aid complaint made by the private operator. We have recently written in light of the judgment made by Lord Boyd of Duncan's Bay in relation to the judicial review that was held in the court session. Of course, the member will be aware that there is now a potential appeal to that decision, so I cannot comment further. Just to reassure the member that we continue to engage with the commission to urge for as quick as possible resolution to the state aid complaint. On the second point that Liam McArthur raises, we have discussed the point regarding the use of RAT revenues or funding allocated for RAT for internal ferry services. It is something that was raised by Orkney Islands Council's leader, Councillor Stockin, when I last met him recently in Parliament. Orkney Islands Council has committed to taking the issue away to engage with local stakeholders, presumably Mr McArthur and other local elected members. I will discuss the issue further and I remain open to holding further discussions with the council on the issue. On the subject of RAT, the minister will be aware from his recent visit to Dunoon that local residents there have asked whether or not RAT would be applied to this particular service now that is in the CalMac portfolio. Can he provide Parliament with an update on that? Indeed, that is an issue that has been raised. As the member may be aware, there was, for a period, a risk that there might be a judicial review of any decision to implement RAT on the Gwyrwch Dunoon route. However, I am pleased to say that indications from the private operator in the area of western ferries is that they would not pursue that option and are keen to discuss with ministers the implementation of RAT on the Gwyrwch Dunoon services. We have indicated to local stakeholders, including the ferry group, that that is a discussion that we wish to have. Certainly, our intention is to take that forward positively. Rhoda Grant Could the Scottish Government look at indemnifying private operators who implement RAT in the Northern Ireland Isles route prior to receiving reassurance from the commission? That would allow the Scottish Government to implement RAT sooner rather than later. Paul Wheelhouse I have not looked at that specific proposal before that Rhoda Grant raised. However, we have to tread carefully. There is a live complaint and we are continuing to gauge with the commission to as early as possible resolution, as I said to Liam McArthur. Clearly, I think that we all have an interest in making sure that that happens as soon as possible, and we have made a commitment to implement the policy when we can do so. However, I certainly have not looked at a particular opportunity that Rhoda Grant raises and I will think about that and perhaps write to Ms Grant about that particular issue. 2. Jamie Greene To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the development of ferry vessels 801 and 802. Paul Wheelhouse The delay to delivery remains a concern to Scottish ministers and we share the frustration of the communities affected and the workforce in the yard. The management of the contract is, for Ferguson Marine, limited. However, Scottish Government officials have written again to FML this week, suggesting or requesting information relating to vessels 801 and 802 to support a detailed programme with key milestones to support a revised cost to completion for both vessels. In order to move matters on, Scottish ministers have sought an independent view of the contractual dispute between FML and CML. Jamie Greene We learned this morning in rural economy committee that the first of the new ferries might be ready in about a year or so, more than two years behind schedule. The second ferry might be complete at some point next year. It might be over budget, to the tunes of £10 million, and the public purse might have to foot the bill. Is it not simply the case, Minister, that your Government might just have made a complete shambles of this? Paul Wheelhouse I think that Mr Greene might want to reflect on the views that are held strongly in Inverclyde about his lack of support for the shipbuilding sector in Inverclyde. The Government has made a commitment to try and support shipbuilding jobs in the Clyde, and we are working very hard to ensure that those vessels are delivered. I hope that Mr Greene will reflect on the fact that, as much as the Government is doing, given the contractual nature of the dispute between Ferguson Marine and CML, we are trying to bring that to a resolution, as best we can. Clearly, we have had revised timescales indicated by Ferguson's foredelivery, which the member has alluded to, and I believe that my colleague Michael Matheson discussed this morning with the committee. As I have said in my original answer, we have sought further detail to underpin those estimates, because we want to see detail about the work plan. Indeed, Mr Greene can trunter from the sidelines. I am trying to answer his question, and I would have thought that he would want to listen to the answer. We are trying to make sure that we get the detail. Mr Greene can continue to criticise, but I expect that Mr Greene and other members would expect us to get the detail of the commitments from Ferguson Marine to deliver the vessels in our revised work schedule and key milestones, so that we can manage that contract to completion. To do anything else, I think that it would be a mistake, and I hope that he reflects on the nature of his question today. I have three supplementaries that I would like to take, and I ask them to be quick, please. Stuart McMillan. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Notwithstanding the issues between CMAL and FMEL regarding those vessels, can the minister confirm his support for the workforce at the yard, who are attempting to make sure that those two vessels are built and that they will help the CMAL fleet? Paul Wheelhouse. Absolutely. The member who represents and reclides me makes a very important point that whatever the issues that have arisen, there is a recognition that the quality of the workmanship at Ferguson Marine and the standard of the skills that are there are not in question. I have certainly made very positive remarks around the workforce that are at Ferguson's. We clearly want to do all that we can. As I have said, the actions of this Government, led by my colleague Derek Mackay, have been to try to support the shipbuilding sector and ensure that there is a long-term, sustainable future for the workers in the yard, and that is what we continue to try to focus our efforts on. Colin Smyth. Given the impact of the dispute on Ferguson's Marine, in particular in the fact that the workforce wants to see this issue resolved more than anyone else, can the minister tell us a bit more about what has been done to support the workforce specifically and, crucially, to protect the long-term future of the yard and the vital jobs and skills that it delivers? Paul Wheelhouse. Clearly, I appreciate that it is probably a matter of record now the significant funding that the Government has provided to ensure that it is worth stating that Ferguson has won the contract fair and square, but, thereafter, we have been trying to support the yard to continue the work and to make sure that there is sufficient resource there to see the contract through and support the workforce during that period. Obviously, we continue to engage in terms of, as we would expect with the business, of all the support that we can give to investment in skills and to continue to look to establishing a longer-term pipeline clearly for the whole shipbuilding sector in Scotland to ensure that there is visibility of further work. Most latest vessel, of course, that we are currently doing design for, is the Isle vessel, and that will obviously be an opportunity for Ferguson's other yards to tender for. We are trying to make sure that we do a number of things across the spectrum, but I am happy to meet Colin Smyth if he wishes to discuss this matter further. Kenneth Gibson. Thank you, Presiding Officer, and will the minister confirm that the Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to the completion and delivery of the Glen Sannocks, 75 per cent of which has already been outfitted to serve the address and to Brodic route, as well as boat 802? I would say to the minister that, unlike Mr Greene, having asked the question, I will now listen to the answer rather than heckle it. Paul Wheelhouse. Thank you very much to Kenneth Ferguson for the question. The contract, I want to use this opportunity to stress, the contract for the vessels for CMAL is with FMAL, as the member has indicated. We are currently seeking details, as I said to Mr Greene, on the programme to complete the vessel. I would not want to comment the exact percentage of the work that we understand has been completed at this time, but I note the figure that the member quotes, but I obviously seek to have that confirmed and have further detail of the work that remains to be completed on 801 and 802 as well. As we previously stated, we remain absolutely committed to the completion of those vessels, to their deployment to serve the communities such as those in Arran and North Ayrshire, more generally, who are served by them, and to ensuring that we rebuild the future of shipbuilding at the site and make sure that it continues for the long term. Question 3 was not lodged. Question 4, Peter Chapman. Presiding Officer, thank you. Do you ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the signage for the AWPR? Michael Matheson. A significant consultation was undertaken prior to designing the signage for the project. That resulted in a strategy that was agreed with local authorities during the design development stage. Prior to opening to traffic, all new sections of road undergo a safety audit, which includes a thorough review of signage. All signage is reviewed to ensure that it fully meets the required design and road safety standards. The audit confirmed that all signage is compliant with the appropriate standards and the aforementioned strategy. Consequently, no further changes are planned. Peter Chapman. I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, but I am disappointed with it because there has been a litany of issues with the management of the AWPR project. Signage is one that is still causing problems. I can give the cabinet secretary three specific examples of where they fall down. Signs at the start of the AWPR at the Stonehaven end do not include major north-east towns such as Fraserborough and Peterhead. As a result, I have been contacted by local businesses in these areas as drivers heading to these towns who do not know the area, do not take the AWPR and end up going through Aberdeen as a result. Secondly, the signage still does not show that tractors are banned, causing confusion and disruption to the local farming community. Thirdly, local businesses on the old routes have had their own signage removed because Transport Scotland does not allow it, but refuses to work with them to find a compromise. It is clear that the signage is not up the scratch, so I would ask the cabinet secretary to commit to working with north-east councils and communities and to conduct a full further review of it. Excuse me, I will decide when a question is taken too long. Would you like to finish, please, Mr Chapman, in signs? Thank you, cabinet secretary. It is clear that the signage is not up the scratch, so will the cabinet secretary commit to working with north-east councils and communities and to conducting a full further review of it? There was a delay in the completion of the road, but it took some 65 years for the Government to make sure that it is delivered for the north-east of Scotland. I can say to remember that he is incorrect, because the standard of the signage is correct. The strategy for the signs were agreed with the local authorities. That is what has been complied with in the completion of the route itself. In relation to some of the signs not being able to hold local route information, part of that is because to do so would mean that there is too little room on the signs themselves to carry the information that is required. I know that the member has raised the issue of tractors being allowed on this road on a number of occasions, but the orders to designate this road, a special road, were issued back in 2010. Therefore, it is a special road that is not allowed to be used for agricultural vehicles of the type that I know that Mr Chapman is keen to see using the AWPR, but I am afraid that they are not allowed. Question 5, Mark Ruskell. To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures— Sorry, Mr Ruskell's point of order, Mr Chapman. I have just realised that I have been speaking about tractors and I did not declare an interest as a farmer, so I need to do that now. I am pretty sure that most people would have guessed that you were a farmer. Mr Ruskell's question. Thank you. We can move on from the tractors and start talking about airplanes. To ask the Scottish Government how it ensures that communities are protected from the effects of aircraft noise. Michael Matheson. I recognise the impact that noise from an airport can have on those affected. While airspace management is reserved to the UK Government under the environmental noise, Scotland regulations 2006 airports are required to produce noise action plans that set out the actions that the airport will take to mitigate the impact of its operations on local communities. An airport is required to use all reasonable endeavours to take action set out in its action plan and we would take action under the regulations if we thought that an airport was not doing so. Mark Ruskell. I thank the cabinet secretary for that response. He outlines the range of powers that airports have particularly as competent authorities in relation to noise regulations. They also have very wide permitted development rights in planning, which often allows their unregulated, uncontrolled expansion. Does the cabinet secretary believe that, in the case of Edinburgh airport, the minister should have more control over operating conditions through formal designation of the airport and the use of powers under section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act. Michael Matheson. As I mentioned, the powers that we would use as Scottish ministers would be under the environmental noise Scotland regulations 2006, which impose a requirement for the airport to have an action plan in place in relation to tackling noise. Any actions that were taken by Scottish ministers would be in relation to those particular regulations. That is the approach that we would take in relation to Edinburgh airport. On the point that he made in relation to permitted developments, he is correct to say that airport operators have permitted development rights. Within the area of the designated airport, permitted development rights are set out in secondary legislation under the existing planning powers. We have committed to reviewing permitted development rights following at the passing of the present planning bill before Parliament. Question 6 was not lodged. To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in transport infrastructure in the north-east in the last decade. Michael Matheson. In the last decade, the Scottish Government has invested in roads that benefit the north-east, including the £745 million Aberdeen Western peripheral route and the Balmedie project, the Inveramsey bridge improvement and our planned dualling of the A96, which will see approximately £3 billion invested in the dualling of the A96. We have also invested some £11 million in sustainable active travel and allocated some £7.8 million to north-east councils for cycling, walking and safer streets. We are funding the £330 million rail improvement project between Aberdeen and Inverness and Aberdeen and the Central Belt, which includes a new station at Lawrence Cook. We are purchasing of four vessels operating ferry services between Aberdeen and the Lollarnyles, and support of a further vessel and harbour improvements also totals some £59 million. Our annual support of £200 million to buses, including the national concessionary travel scheme, brings significant benefit to the people of the north-east of Scotland. Stuart Steele. Well, Presiding Officer, I think that that would, in any other context, be worthy of a round of applause. What we are saying from Aberdeen-Constantine is that there is a substantial increase in the number of views that potential customers are taking of houses to the south in Stonehaven and to the north of Aberdeen. Is this not a serious early indication of the 16,000 new jobs that it has predicted the AWPR might bring to us and other benefits from that massive investment that has just been described? Michael Matheson. All the early feedback on AWPR has been overwhelmingly positive, in particular those who recognise that it is transforming journey times in the north-east of Scotland, including helping to improve and boost the north-east economy. The type of feedback that the members just referred to is an example of the economic benefits that are starting to be realised by the Aberdeen-Western peripheral route. This is a demonstration of the Scottish Government's determination to make sure that Scotland has a strong and robust economy, including in the north-east of Scotland. We will continue to invest in major infrastructure projects, not just in the north-east of Scotland but across the country, to help to support our communities and the Scottish economy. I am sorry that there is no time for supplementaries. The afternoon's business is very packed. Question number 8 was not lodged, and that concludes portfolio question time. We will move on.