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The Canadian Ambassador to the EU and I held a positive meeting in May last year, in which we spoke about trade and cultural links between Scotland and Canada, as well as both countries' energy and climate change priorities.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during international meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The New Zealand's Ambassador to EU and NATO and I held a positive meeting in June last year, in which we spoke about cultural, trade and civic links between Scotland and New Zealand.

The subject of Scottish independence was not an agenda item in discussions, however Scottish ministers will always be polite enough during meetings to answer any questions put to them about the Scottish Government's stated policies, including a legal, constitutionally sound referendum, as set out in our Programme for Government.

The Business Investment Framework was updated in March 2022 to take account of developing best practice and recommendations from Audit Scotland. In the spirit of continuous improvement, Scottish Government Officials continue to review the Business Investment Framework to ensure it remains fit for purpose and offers up to date guidance to applicable users. This of course involves ongoing engagement with Audit Scotland to strengthen processes and procedures in line with their recommendations. The next planned update to the Business Investment Framework is Q1 of FY 23-24.

The Scottish Government expects NHS Boards to provide high quality, person-centred care and support for all people, including those with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS). Support is often provided via primary care, with specialist referral if necessary to rule out other causes of symptoms.

PoTS UK is a charity which provides information about managing and living with PoTS. This includes information and advice on self-management, mental health support and medication guidance. Their full resources can be found here: Managing PoTS - PoTS UK . Additionally, STARS (the Heart Rhythm Alliance) provide information on PoTS and resources for patients, which can be found here: Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) – STARS – UK (heartrhythmalliance.org) 

Student Satisfaction statistics are published on an annual basis. The latest Student Satisfaction statistics published by the SFC show that nine out of 10 (90.2%) full-time students were satisfied with their college experience in 2021-22. This is a positive improvement on the previous year’s statistics and similar to the figures for years preceding the pandemic. These figures will continue to be monitored.

Operational decisions are matters for colleges to determine and they must adapt and respond to the current economic needs flexibly. The future financial position remains exceptionally challenging and consequently, colleges are considering the steps that they must take in order to ensure their financial viability and sustainability. It is for each individual college to determine how best to secure its sustainability while continuing to deliver provision to meet the needs of their regions, communities and students.

Both passenger ships, MS Ambition, Glasgow and MS Victoria, Edinburgh were contracted as a temporary measure to ensure Scotland could respond to the humanitarian crisis facing people in Ukraine and provide an immediate place of safely for displaced people.

All guests successfully disembarked MS Ambition before the contract ended on 31 March and were supported into alternative accommodation and we are now working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to support guests on board MS Victoria to disembark before the contract ends on 11 July.

The Scottish Government continues to work intensively with local authorities to match people into longer-term accommodation and our priority is to ensure safe and sustainable accommodation can be provided. We are keen to continue to work together with the British Red Cross to utilise their experiences and expertise as we continue to settle displaced people from Ukraine into our community.

The Scottish Government has committed to funding this audit and a letter setting out the details has been sent to the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

Portfolio responsibility for COVID-19 Inquiries rests with the Deputy First Minister. There have been no meetings between other Ministers, including the former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, and the Chair of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry, the Hon Lord Brailsford, since his appointment.

The Scottish Government and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have consulted each other at various stages in the development of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. This has included CMA providing general guidance on competition matters relevant to DRS policy. Executive agencies of the Scottish Government have not consulted CMA on DRS. I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-15101 on 20 March 2023 that decisions regarding contracts entered into by Circularity Scotland are for them as a private non-profit organisation. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

The Scottish Government is developing a Strategic Framework for Scotland’s Early Learning and School Age Childcare Profession which will set out the priorities for the sector and actions we will take to ensure a sustainable, thriving childcare workforce. We will consider the payment of SSSC fees as we develop the Framework.