Thank you, Minister. That concludes general questions. And we will now move on to the next item of business, which is First Minister's questions. And at question number one, I call Douglas Ross.

Thank you, President. The Deputy First Minister was interviewed last week about Michael Matheson's dishonesty.

She was asked if SNP ministers always tell the truth.

She was given multiple opportunities to answer with a simple yes, but she didn't.

So let me give her another opportunity today.

Do Scottish Government ministers always tell the truth? Deputy First Minister.

Before I answer the Member's question, can I begin by paying tribute to the late Lord James Douglas Hamilton?

Lord James had a long and distinguished career as a public servant in three parliamentary chambers, including this one.

Those of us who served alongside him here remember a kind, funny and warm gentleman who

embodied the spirit of cross-party friendship and collaboration, which is part of the ethos

of this Parliament and has served as well.

On behalf of the Scottish Government, I offer my condolences

to Lord James Family and to his friends.

In terms, of Douglas Ross's question, of course, it is for Douglas Ross to decide on his questions,

but it is very telling that for weeks now he has had nothing to say on the Tory autumn

statement that has been devastating for Scotland's public services, nothing on the cost of living

crisis, nothing to say on Grangemouth, nothing to say on the climate emergency, as leaders

gather to discuss the biggest challenge of our age.

Of course, these are Tory priorities.

But can I answer about his question, about what I said, of course, Minister should tell

the truth.

What I was referring to was the fact that sometimes people get things wrong, sometimes people make mistakes, including, of course, Douglas Ross himself, who made a mistake worth around £28,000 when he was late with his outside earnings. Of course, ministers should always tell the truth.

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