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Minister, picking up on the point about your dialogue with Westminster, it is clear that the UK Government is taking a very different approach, which has been far more punitive than the public health approach that is being discussed here today. On the basis of the discussions that you have had so far, what scope is there to be able to do genuinely different things in Scotland? I appreciate that it has been a changing scene in Westminster and that you will meet a different person in December to those you have met before, but where are you in the discussions about having divergence in Scotland and being able to go ahead with some of the things that are within our competence, such as consumption rooms, as well as to consider other initiatives? How do you feel that you are getting on with that? Are you able to focus on specific proposals in your discussions?

Minister, as you are well aware, drug deaths are significantly higher in Scotland than in other parts of Europe. From the work that you have been involved with so far, and all the work that has been carried out, have you been able to come to any conclusions as to why that is? What evidence is there to show why we fare so badly?

That is helpful.

I ask COSLA to comment on what is being said about consistency. What does COSLA view as the major challenges? Are they resources and funding, or are there other issues? To what extent are there discussions in councils about how to proceed if the proposals, as we understand they are likely to operate, go ahead? What does that mean for the future of local government involvement in such services?

I appreciate your points about tendering, and Unison has a huge amount of experience of outsourcing and tendering processes that have not been positive with regard to terms and conditions.

Lynsey Smith made a point about consistency of service. Do you have any thoughts on whether there is an inconsistent service across Scotland? Is that a major concern? If so, how that might be addressed?

I have a question about body-worn cameras for the police. Police Scotland has told us that funding would ensure only 500 body-worn cameras, that specialist police arms officers in Scotland would have them and that a flat rate settlement would inhibit their roll-out.

As the cabinet secretary knows, in England and Wales, police officers already have that kit—and, indeed, are moving on to the second generation. Will you outline where you are on that issue, what discussions are taking place and whether you are looking at something beyond 500 and ensuring that the whole force is equipped?

I have another question for Lynsey Smith. In your contribution, you said that your view was that the status quo could not continue. Our understanding of how the national care service will work is that, unlike the national health service, it will not actually provide a service or employ any staff. A lot of us who campaigned for a national care service were campaigning for a body that would provide a service, which would employ staff directly and provide a high quality of service. Our understanding of how the national care service will work is that it will commission services and, effectively, put out tenders.

I will ask COSLA about this in a minute, but I have been told by people in local government that it is unlikely that many councils will participate in the process, because of their own financial situations. When you say that the status quo cannot continue, what are your reasons for saying that? Is the top reason the funding?

But is that the top problem at the moment—a lack of funding or resource?

It has come through clearly from all the witnesses that you feel that there is a lack of detail in the proposals. Obviously, the bill is an enabling piece of legislation, so there is not a huge amount of detail in it in general, but it gives ministers significant powers to create a new way of providing a service. It has been said that the inclusion of the sectors that we are discussing is overreach, given that they were not included in the Feeley report. Do you agree with that assessment?

Reflecting on the comments made by other witnesses, what does Unison feel are the major problems in this sector at the moment?

I have a brief question on the capital budgets and the modernisation of the prison service. We have heard some evidence that, to put it crudely, newer prisons are cheaper than older prisons. Have you considered that? Is there a business case for capital investment in that it will help budgets in the future?