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I presume that the rationale behind that is that, if you are a retailer, you would want to be part of the scheme because shoppers looking to make purchases will, for the sake of ease and simplicity, choose to shop with a retailer where they can also return their empties. It is just easier not to have to go to one place to shop and another place to return. I can see the rationale for that.

Will you explain the rationale for having that same opt-out system of exemptions for the hospitality sector? That seems to be a different case. I am not sure that the ability to return an empty item will influence customers when they are choosing a hospitality venue in the same way that it would when they are choosing a retail business. Can you explain the rationale for extending that opt-out to hospitality rather than making it opt-in?

I referred to increased handling fees.

So, a bar or a cafe that operates in a closed-loop system is not obliged to be a return point.

That is debatable.

It is ideological.

I understand that there was consideration of a potential grace period for small producers. Are we now in that period, or are you still considering that?

The rationale for that is to have that footfall.

That is clear. Thank you.

I understand that a couple of adjustments have been made to the guidance on return points. There is new guidance on exemptions and there are increased handling fees, and amendments have been proposed on online sales. It would be helpful to hear to what extent those changes have addressed industry concerns. Is the Scottish Government still hearing concerns from businesses? To what extent have the adjustments helped?

Am I right in thinking that closed-loop hospitality venues are obliged to be return point operators unless they opt out?

But could they opt in if they wanted to?