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The Scottish Government began preparing its proposals for protecting Scotland’s interest and to stay in the single market immediately after the EU Referendum vote. This is being informed by the Standing Council on Europe, which was established by the First Minister to provide the Scottish Government with independent, expert advice on how Scotland’s interests can best be protected following the EU referendum.

It is for individual public bodies to determine their approaches to consideration of the implications ofthe EU referendum result, in the context of wider business planning and risk management. The Scottish Government has discussed this issue with Chief Executives of these bodies.

The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave the single market. The Scottish Government has met with the UK Government to discuss negotiations and will update the Scottish Parliaments as negotiations unfold.

The Scottish Government 2015 Sea Fisheries Employment Report estimates that:

• 73 per cent of employees working in the Scottish fleet are UK citizens;

• 8 per cent are citizens of European Economic Area countries; and,

• 19 per cent are citizens of countries outside the European Economic Area.

Scotland currently has 14 products that are registered under the EU Protected Food Name Scheme:-

Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop Cheese

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar

Stornoway Black Pudding

Scottish Wild Salmon

Shetland Lamb

Orkney Beef

Orkney Lamb

Scottish Farmed Salmon

Scotch Lamb

Scotch Beef

Arbroath Smokie

Native Shetland Wool

Teviotdale Cheese

Bonchester Cheese

We are looking at all options for ensuring the continued protection of Geographical Indications, including protected food names, and are in discussion with the current holders to determine the potential impact of any change to their status.

The Scottish Government is exploring all options and will table specific proposals in the coming weeks to protect Scotland’s interests and keep us in the Single Market, even if the rest of the UK decides to leave.

This information is commercially confidential.

Scotland is an active and valued partner in European research collaborations. Higher Education Institutions in Scotland have secured a total of 185 million and Research Institutions secured 18 million under Horizon 2020 (up to July 2016) based on our world-class research.

The UK Government’s guarantee on European funding, including Horizon 2020, is welcome as far as it goes. However, the guarantee fails to take account of the impact of uncertainty on potential collaborations and it does not take account of the longer-term funding and other benefits that we otherwise would have received through continuing membership of the EU—including through future framework programmes.

The Scottish Government will publish proposals over the coming weeks that would allow Scotland to stay in the single market and to preserve aspects of our relationship with the EU, even if the rest of the UK is intending to leave.

The Scottish Government has not estimated the specific impact of the introduction of tariffs on raw construction materials following the Brexit vote. As the UK Government has not yet set out its approach to trade post Brexit, it is not possible to make any meaningful estimate. However, whilst there may be some import substitution, it is clear that any increase in tariffs on raw materials from the EU or the rest of the world will push up costs for public infrastructure projects, including housing.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-04281 on 16 November 2016. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.