(a) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where all commercial fishing is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 60 square kilometres. This is less than 1%, of both, waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and waters in the inshore MPA network. The presumption for MPAs is that their use will be sustainable use, therefore fishing gears prohibited in MPAs is based on their potential impact on the protected features of the site, usually allowing some fishing to continue.

(b) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where scallop dredging is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 4,753 square kilometres. This is 5% of waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and 13 % of waters in the inshore MPA network.

(c) Nephrops trawling is included in measures restricting trawl, bottom trawl or mobile gear. The numbers presented below reflect this. The area of Scotland's inshore waters where trawling is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 5,084 square kilometres. This is 6% of waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and 13 % of waters in the inshore MPA network.

(d) The area of Scotland's inshore waters where creeling is currently restricted, which are within the MPA network, is 2,659 square kilometres. This is 3% of waters up to 12 Nautical Miles and 7% of waters in the inshore MPA network.

The MPA network includes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Special Areas of Conservation(SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and RAMSAR sites. The area calculated for restrictions is based on where there is a limit on the fishing activity all year round dependent on, for example, vessel size and power usage as well as where there is a complete ban on that type of fishing activity in a designated site as part of the MPA network. The Scottish Government are currently developing fisheries management measures for MPAs where they are required, but not already in place, and for Priority Marine Feature (PMF) management areas outside of MPAs.

Every effort is being made to minimise disruption during these works on the A9 between Kincraig and Dalraddy. In advance of the works commencing, road-side signs were put in place and travel bulletins were issued to broadcast travel desks. The works have also been promoted on Transport Scotland’s website and Twitter account, and information is available on the Traffic Scotland website.

As these works are in the immediate vicinity of the live carriageway, traffic management is essential to ensure that they can be completed in a safe manner. This traffic management has been phased to minimise the impact to road users, with only half of the 5 mile dual carriageway restricted to a single lane and 50mph over the 8 week period.

As a result of this phasing, overtaking opportunities and speeds will be reduced, with the expected impact being a one minute delay through the works over the 8 weeks. I would like to reassure road users that journey times through the works will be monitored regularly by Transport Scotland’s site team.

In 2017, around a third of all Scotch Whisky exports, amounting to £1.37billion, went to the rest of the EU.

The Scottish Government believes that Scotland’s future is best served by continued EU membership, in line with the wishes of the Scottish people, expressed in the 2016 referendum. Brexit will mean that there will be a need to introduce customs and excise procedures between the UK and EU. At present the UK enjoys the benefits of rules that facilitate duty suspension on movements in the EU. If these rules fall away, industry will need time to prepare for the new procedures that will apply after transition. That preparation time will be anything upwards of 12 months and could be longer if new customs arrangements are agreed. It is important that any new customs and excise regime does not place an undue burden on business.

Failure to reach a comprehensive trade agreement and achieve minimal regulatory divergence with the EU on all goods could result in increased costs for the industry. While Scotch Whisky will continue to benefit from a zero tariff on exports to the EU, competitiveness could be put at risk because of the effects of tariffs on supply chain inputs on such things as glass bottles (3-5%), closures such as corks (5%), distilling machinery (1.7%) and on cereals ( 93/1000kg on barley).

It is also vitally important that the UK will continue to benefit from the existing EU bilateral trade deals that have been previously negotiated, with countries like South Korea, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Morocco, as these represent 10% of Scotch Whisky exports.

Scotch Whisky is recognised around the world as a quality product. That reputation is maintained through adherence to high standards which are set out by a framework of EU laws and regulations, which include that the product must be produced in Scotland according to traditional practice. Robust legal protection of Scotch Whisky in the UK, EU and global markets will continue to be essential. Stability in these rules will be critical to Scotch Whisky‘s reputation, which is why incorporating all EU laws into UK law is vital. As part of maintaining Scotch Whisky’s status as a product of the highest quality, there is a need through trade agreements to secure robust legal protection for Scotch Whisky as a Geographical Indication (GI) to safeguard this vital sector.

As outlined in the Best Start, care of women who have suspected or confirmed foetal disorders should receive holistic and multidisciplinary care. Every Unit in Scotland has a Lead Clinician with expertise in foetal medicine. In highly specialist cases, care may be provided at a regional or national level. We expect Boards to have robust referral pathways in place and good communications with parents.

The First Minister visited Brussels on Monday 28 May. Her visit included a meeting with the European Union's Chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, to discuss the key issues of concern for Scotland as the Brexit negotiations continue.

Following the meeting with Michel Barnier, the First Minister held a series of media interviews and also hosted a round table discussion with representatives from think tanks and the business community in Brussels. The First Minister also officially opened the refurbished and expanded Scotland House Brussels - part of the Scottish Government's network of hubs across Europe with offices now in London, Dublin, Berlin and soon to open in Paris.

The Scottish Government has progressed the work of the Scottish Cosmetic Interventions Expert Group significantly with the development, consultation and implementation of new legislation to regulate all independent healthcare clinics in Scotland where services are provided by a doctor, dentist, nurse, dental care technician or midwife.

All clinics run by this group of healthcare professionals are required to register with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) and meet their conditions for registration, including the environment in which the work is undertaken and the business viability. Failure to register with HIS could lead to the clinics and their management being referred to the Procurator Fiscal’s Office which could result in a criminal conviction. By introducing this legislation the Scottish Government has acted to regulate cosmetic hair transplants carried out in independent healthcare clinics as described above.

This legislation, the first in the UK came into force in April 2016 and required significant new duties on both clinics, including private dentists, travel clinics, slimming clinics as well as cosmetic clinics from both the regulator (Healthcare Improvement Scotland) and the independent sector.

Phase two work is steadily progressing with the SG holding several meetings with key stakeholders and commissioning evidence gathering by researchers and external parties. There remains a lack of detailed evidence and work is now underway with a view to understanding experiences in Wales and England to determine the best course for Scotland. Options will be offered to Ministers in due course.

Phase three will look at the work of healthcare scientists including the use of lasers.

At the time of the UK Autumn Budget in 2017 we announced that the introduction of Air Departure Tax (ADT) in Scotland would be deferred until the issues raised in relation to the Highlands and Islands exemption had been resolved. The Scottish Government has been clear that it cannot take on ADT until a solution has been found to the Highlands and Islands exemption - to do so would comprise the devolved powers and risk damage to the Highlands and Islands economy.

The Scottish Government and UK Government have continued to work together, at both ministerial and official levels, to seek a solution to the Highlands and Islands exemption issue. Despite these efforts, and combined with the continuing uncertainty as to how Brexit might affect aviation, it has become clear that aiming to introduce the tax at the beginning of the next fiscal year, April 2019, is not possible.

The Scottish Government has a longstanding commitment to reduce ADT by 50%, and we are doing all we can to work with airlines and airports to help grow the direct routes which are important for our tourism sector and Scottish businesses. While we work towards a resolution to the Highlands and Islands exemption, we call on the UK Government to reduce APD rates to support connectivity and economic growth in Scotland and across the UK.

Freedom of religious belief is an important feature of Scottish life that must also apply in schools.

The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 provides a statutory basis for local authorities to provide Religious Observance and Religious and Moral Education in Scottish schools, with RME also embedded in Curriculum for Excellence. The legislation also gives parents a right to withdraw their child from these activities, with Scottish Government guidance stressing the importance of including children and young people in any decision to opt out.