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We have kept the wholesale sector closely involved in discussions relating to the development and implementation of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), in particular through engagement with the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA).

As table 1, page 12, paragraph 46 of the amended Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) for DRS makes clear, the SWA was consulted as part of the policy-development process that led to the amended BRIA.

Our Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is complementary to extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging, which we are working with the other UK administrations to introduce. Both DRS and packaging EPR will drive higher recycling rates for glass, creating a significant opportunity for the Scottish glass reprocessing industry.

There are no costs or benefits associated with the wholesale sector in the economic model underpinning the final Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment.

After intensive engagement with the wholesale sector we concluded that industry has options to minimise any costs of DRS for the supply chain.

Applications for development and capital funding are open. More information can be found on the Local Energy Scotland website here www.localenergyscot.org . Loan and grant capital funding is currently available to communities developing renewable energy, heat decarbonisation, and local energy system projects through the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES).

Funding is dependent on project needs and type. The CARES team work with projects from inception to completion and continue to offer a flexible package of support to a wide range of renewable energy projects and will also soon offer support through a framework of specialised technical consultants to make it quicker and easier for communities to explore options. More information on this will be published shortly on the Local Energy Scotland website.

From April 2022 CARES will also give greater focus to the decarbonisation of heat in buildings in line with the ambitions set out in our Heat in Buildings Strategy.

I have not had any meetings with British Glass regarding Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). We engaged frequently with British Glass during the policy-development process for DRS, and the former Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change, and Land Reform met them on 8 January 2020 in advance of laying the regulations to establish the scheme.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-07100 on 18 March 2022. 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 .

Protecting Scotland’s marine environment is of paramount importance to the Scottish Government. I am aware of the recent trials conducted by the Danish Navy into the deflagration method of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) disposal, and look forward to the data analysis.

The Scottish Government has recently signed a joint interim position statement together with other regulators and statutory nature conservation bodies. This statement sets out the Scottish Government's support for the use of lower noise alternatives to UXO disposal, and the expectation that licensees applying for a marine licence and European Protected Species Licence should prioritise low noise alternatives.

The collection of high quality data, including that from the trials conducted by the Danish Navy, will enable the Scottish Government, with support from NatureScot, to make evidence based decisions and recommendations around the use of alternative technologies.

We are aiming for a non-commercially sensitive contract to be available for publication by Summer 2022, once the necessary administrative work has been completed.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-06498 on 18 March 2022. 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 .

Transport Operators across all modes of public transport are fully committed to ensuring public transport is accessible to disabled people. They are also bound by legal duties under the Equalities Act 2010 which are strengthened through the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) to deliver equal access to their services.

Scottish Ministers have made clear their expectations through the Accessible Travel framework and its annual delivery plans, that Scotland’s transport operators will continually improve their performance to help disabled people travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity and opportunity as other citizens.

As a result, a number of improvements have been made by operators to ensure that key issues facing disabled people are met such as Infrastructure, Ticketing, Staff Training, Passenger Information and Assistance.