Seòmar agus comataidhean

Thank you.

I accept that—I understand that you are responsible for welfare at the track. However, I would suggest that there is a difference between an elite athlete suffering injuries and a greyhound doing so, because the athlete chooses to compete and the dog does not. Let us park that as a comment.

Let me move on to the GBGB. How far does your veterinary responsibility for the welfare of dogs extend? I understand from Mr Brignal that his responsibility is just at the track, though he may know other stuff through passing knowledge. For you, how far does it extend? For instance, does it extend to where the dogs are bred, how they are kept, what happens to them when they are injured and what happens to them when they can no longer run or when they are euthanised? When those things happen, how far does your responsibility extend?

I am not saying that that is happening. I am asking how you know what happens. You cannot know.

Do you put down dogs that are not injured?

Yes, that is not a problem—you have made it plain that you are responsible for their welfare only at the track. However, you have commented on the welfare of the animals with their owners when they are not at the track and afterwards. How can you know about that when you are responsible for their welfare only at the track?

Do you know that the dogs have been to physiotherapists?

Could we see a copy of that form, please, if that is appropriate?

Sorry. You misunderstand me. I am asking you what you know, not what you think you know.

To ask the Scottish Government what support it can provide to families of veterans. (S6O-02143)

I appreciate that this is perhaps not the minister’s portfolio now.

The wives and partners of people who are serving in the armed forces, such as those who live in my constituency at Glencorse barracks, find it very difficult to sustain employment because of regular relocation. Is there a role for Women’s Enterprise Scotland, for example, in assisting partners to establish their own businesses that they can take with them as they move around?