Thank you, Minister. That concludes general questions. The next item of business is First Minister's questions, and I call it question number one, Douglas Ross.

Thank you, Mr President. Rules of this Parliament prevent me from asking crucial questions about the scandal over the SMP finances.

So I cannot dwell on this year, but I do want to give the First Minister an opportunity

to be transparent with my opening question today.

Because last night the First Minister became the SMP's treasurer.

So while this is still a party matter, it is also now a government matter if the First Minister is compromised, if his

hands are tied, if the party of government is about to go bankrupt, or if he himself

may become involved in the police investigation.

Yesterday, the Deputy First Minister said this.

Going forward, the governance of the party needs to be about transparency, openness and people should be able to question about the accounts.

We agree and believe that there are legitimate questions that the Scottish public deserves to know answers to.

So in the interests of transparency, Humberusuf agree to make a statement to Parliament

on the financial scandal engulfing the party of government here in Scotland?

What I would say to Mr Ross is that, obviously, in terms of standing orders,

First Minister's questions is the opportunity

to put questions to the First Minister that fall within the responsibilities of the First

Minister as the First Minister and of course the responsibilities of his government.

Therefore, I am not entirely clear that that question has met the requirements of standing

orders. I am looking

at the First Minister to see if he is anything he wishes to add to what I have said.

I am happy to answer the question. I know there are some of course serious issues for the

party that I lead the SNP to address. I am not going to shy away from that,

...