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We recognise that hygiene related needs in Gaza are acute. However, it is generally accepted as good practice to defer to the expertise of local humanitarian organisations that are best placed to assess and prioritise needs.

We have consulted with a number of UN agencies and international non-governmental organisations operating in Gaza who have also indicated a preference for sourcing locally.

This is why the Scottish Government has no plans at present to donate period products. Instead, we are providing £500,000 towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s flash appeal in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. These funds will support the immediate food, health, shelter and protection needs of people seeking safety.

With the escalation of violence, the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza is extremely challenging. A ceasefire from all sides is urgently needed to allow the creation of a secure and sustained humanitarian corridor to ensure the protection of innocent civilians, and the delivery of essential supplies including food, fuel, water, and medical provisions.

The Scottish Government has not engaged in any discussions with Norwegian Government ministers or officials regarding the Rosebank oilfield.

We are committed to a just energy transition for the North Sea. Collaboration with our Nordic partners on this transition – including in relation to offshore wind, Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage, port infrastructure and hydrogen – is a key area of activity for the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government’s Nordic Office was officially opened in August 2022. Based in the British Embassy in Copenhagen, it has a regional remit covering the Nordic countries, including Norway.

Scottish Government officials based in the Nordic Office have not engaged in any discussions with Norwegian Government ministers or officials regarding the Rosebank oilfield.

Collaboration with our Nordic partners on North Sea renewable energy policy – including offshore wind, CCUS, and hydrogen – is a key area of activity for the Nordic Office, with recent Ministerial visits to the region having focussed on offshore wind and port infrastructure in particular.

The Scottish Government has not been made aware of any discussions between the UK and Norwegian Governments regarding the Rosebank oilfield.

Oil and gas licensing processes are currently reserved to the UK Government. Scottish Ministers have repeatedly called for reform of these processes, to ensure compatibility with climate commitments and we will continue to look for further opportunities to make the case for reform.

There is no place for racism in the NHS and in Scottish society as a whole.

We have been clear to Health Boards that incidents of racial harassment must be taken seriously and fully investigated. In 2020 we launched the national NHSScotland Bullying and Harassment Policy to support staff affected by these issues. This includes information on sources of confidential advice and support.

We have also been clear that all instances of violent and aggressive behaviour, including hate crime, should be recorded and if it is a serious incident, then it should be escalated it to the Police, as quickly as possible.

The Scottish Government has a programme of work underway to integrate anti-racist/anti-discriminatory approaches and develop networks of allies across the NHS. We established the NHS ethnic minority forum in 2021 to amplify the voices of ethnic minority staff across the health service and tackle issues of systemic racism. We are working with the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights to develop anti-racist training resources for staff, by 2024. We are also working with NHS Chairs and Chief Executives to ensure they have anti-racist and wider equality objectives, including meaningful action on diversity and inclusion.

I refer the member to the answer to the answer to question S6W-22099 on 31 October 2023. 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 .

There has not been a reduction in Scottish Government's funding awarded to Creative Scotland. Over the last five years, Scottish Government has provided over £33m to Creative Scotland to compensate for the continuous shortfall in National Lottery funding.

As a result of rising costs and pressure on budgets across government, we are unable to make up the ongoing shortfall this year.

On 27 September the Board of Creative Scotland agreed to provide £6.6m for this financial year from its funding reserves, which totals £17m, to cover the shortfall in National Lottery funding. This means that none of Creative Scotland’s Regularly Funded Organisations will receive reduced funding this financial year.

Subject to the usual Parliamentary processes we will provide the National Lottery shortfall funding of £6.6m to Creative Scotland in 2024-2025.

On 26 October I met with trade union representatives from the culture and arts sector to hear the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. Funding for Creative Scotland was also discussed at this meeting.

The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has not met with trade union representatives.

There has not been a reduction in the Scottish Government's funding awarded to Creative Scotland. Over the last five years, the Scottish Government has provided over £33m to Creative Scotland to compensate for the continuous reduction in National Lottery funding.

As a result of rising costs and pressure on budgets across government, we are unable to make up the ongoing shortfall this year.

The Creative Scotland Board agreed on 27 September to use Creative Scotland’s National Lottery reserves of £6.6m to ensure all RFO payments are met in full as provided for in the 2023-24 Funding Agreement.

Subject to the usual Parliamentary processes we will provide the National Lottery Shortfall funding of £6.6m to Creative Scotland in 2024-25.

Responsibility for managing the police estate is for the Chief Constable under Scottish Police Authority (SPA) scrutiny. It is for Police Scotland to consult on the details of its planned estate changes, as approved by the SPA.

The Scottish Government has had no discussions with (a) North Lanarkshire Council, (b) South Lanarkshire Council and (c) Falkirk Council regarding police station closures, since 1 April 2023.

It is vital the public have confidence in policing. Vetting is a key strand in providing that assurance and we welcome the publication of the HMICS assurance review of vetting policy and procedures within Police Scotland.

The Scottish Government notes that work is already underway within Police Scotland to address the report’s recommendations for improvement. Since 2021, Police Scotland has introduced an additional vetting check just prior to new police officers taking their oath of office. Furthermore, as part of the UK wide integrity screening exercise earlier this year, Police Scotland has checked every officer and member of staff against the criminal records database and against their own vulnerable persons database. They have also committed to introducing a rolling programme to review vetting clearances, later this year.

The Scottish Government is committed to exploring the legislative basis for vetting, as per recommendation one of the HMICS review. The Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) Scotland Bill, introduced to Parliament in June 2023, will further improve police complaint and misconduct systems and processes.