Thank you. That concludes general questions. The next item of business is First Minister's

questions. And at question number one, I call Douglas Rawls.

Thank you, Mr President. Tens of thousands of people work in Scotland's North Sea oil and gas sector.

It raises billions of pounds to support public services and it's crucial for Scotland's economy. But this week, across

the Atlantic in the United States, Hamza Yusuf said that Scotland will no longer be the

oil and gas capital of Europe. So why has the SMP turn sour on Scotland's oil and gas?

Deputy First Minister.

We, of course, are committed to a just transition for the oil workers in the North East.

I want to pay tribute to the sector and, indeed, the workforce, for the over £400 billion

that they have generated for the UK coffers, much of it of

course squandered. But of course we are committed to a just transition because we know

that the unlimited extraction of fossil fuels is not consistent with Scotland's ambitious

climate obligations and we have to ensure a planned and fair transition

that leaves no one behind. But I think Douglas Ross is very brave going on this subject

today. In a week where his Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has essentially pulled the rug from

under the net zero ambitions, not just of the UK, but potentially

damaging the net zero ambitions of Scotland.

That doesn't just damage the environment, it damages jobs into the process, and he should

be ashamed to stand side by side with Rishi Sunak on that matter.

Douglas Ross.

What a predictable response from the Deputy First Minister, because the SMP love to talk a good game, but keep missing their own climate change targets.

And the Deputy First Minister wants to pay tribute to oil and gas workers in the North Sea.

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