Ariane Burgess

26 Sep 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will overcome reported significant skills and supply chain shortages in the Highlands and Islands to deliver 11,000 rural and island homes by 2032.

19 Sep 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of the (a) pelagic, (b) scallop dredge, (c) demersal fleets and (d) vessels with an overall length of 12 meters and under are currently fitted with (i) a vessel monitoring system, (ii) an electronic logbook and (iii) a remote electronic monitoring system with cameras, sen…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: It is a requirement for all UK and EU fishing vessels with an overall length of 12 metres and over to be fitted with a Vessel Monitoring System and an electronic logbook, regardless of whether the vessel is involved in pelagic, scallop or demersal fishing ope…

18 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that sufficient accommodation is available for students with conditional offers.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government has no direct role in the provision of student accommodation. However, we are aware of the ongoing difficulties faced by students in accessing accommodation this academic year. We are currently undertaking a review of Purpose Built St…

18 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many acres of Scotland’s land are currently in community ownership.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The area of land in community ownership was estimated to be 191,261 hectares as of 31 December 2020. This figure has been taken from the Official Statistics publication Community Ownership in Scotland 2020 which is available at: https://www.gov.scot/publicat…

18 Aug 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many farm holdings in Scotland are over (a) 3,000 ha, (b) 2,000 ha, (c) 1,000 ha and (d) 500 ha, also broken down by region and also given as a percentage of total farm holdings.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The June 2021 Agricultural Census reported 50,231 agricultural holdings in Scotland. Of these 285 holdings were over 3,000 hectares in size, 433 over 2,000 hectares in size, 874 over 1000 hectares in size and 1,794 over 500 hectares in size. Please see the fo…

21 Jun 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that the future development of renewable energy involves communities meaningfully.

21 Jun 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Inverness, in light of its approval of LEZ plans for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The need for Low Emission Zones (LEZs) is for individual local authorities to consider based on specific air quality parameters within their respective areas. To date no LEZ proposals have been submitted for Ministerial approval by Highland Council. Any loca…

20 Jun 2022 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how avian flu is affecting bird populations.

15 Jun 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal's recent report on hate crime in Scotland, particularly the findings that in 2021-22 disability aggravated charges increased by 44% and transgender identity aggravated charges by 87% compared with 2020-21.

31 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to review the licensing process for mountain hare control.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Mountain hares are now a protected species following the passage of the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) Act in June 2020. The protection came into force on 1 March 2021, meaning that the species can no longer be taken for sporting or …

31 May 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider extending the Fair Fares review to include the Aberdeen-Inverness train line, in light of the public ownership of ScotRail and in order to tackle congestion on the A96 and reduce carbon emissions.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is undertaking a Fair Fares Review to ensure a sustainable and integrated approach to public transport fares as the country recovers from the pandemic. The Fair Fares Review will look at the range of discounts and concessionary scheme…

23 May 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government is celebrating Scottish Bus Week.

11 May 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it can support households with the cost of living crisis through a wellbeing economy approach.

26 Apr 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve support and care for people experiencing perimenopause symptoms.

Answer · Maree Todd: Through the Women’s Health Plan, we are committed to improving support and care for people experiencing perimenopause symptoms. A menopause platform has launched on NHS Inform to ensure women have access to information on menopause, including the signs and s…

20 Apr 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support the creation of new rural jobs, including in nature restoration.

21 Mar 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the Spring Statement.

7 Mar 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government will do to mitigate the impact of volatile gas prices.

17 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the 2021 report published by NatureScot, as part of the Scottish Entanglement Alliance, Understanding the scale and impacts of marine animal entanglement in the Scottish creel fishery, which identifies concerns about the entanglement rates of minke whales, humpback whales an…

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government recognises the threat that bycatch and entanglement in fishing gear can pose to our iconic marine life. We therefore welcome the Scottish Entanglement Alliance project which improves understanding of entanglement of sensitive marine sp…

20 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when all state-owned ferries will be replaced by zero or low emission vessels.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: We will explore and consult, as part of the Islands Connectivity Plan, on pathways to zero/low emission ferry transport, learning from experience in other countries and on other modes. In the short-term, there are possibilities for replacing smaller CalMac v…

13 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government on reported plans to bring forward UK-wide legislative proposals to ban the domestic sale and advertising of tourism experiences overseas that involve unacceptable animal welfare practices.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government is aware of the UK-wide legislative proposals and officials across the UK have held constructive discussions on a number of measures related to the welfare and conservation of animals overseas. We are carefully considering our position…

12 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is assisting SEPA in response to the data breach in 2020, and when information that is vital for assessing fish farm applications will be made publicly available.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Scottish Government officials continue to hold frequent meetings with SEPA to support the organisations recovery measures following the cyber-attack in December 2020. All applications made to SEPA for authorisation under the Water Environment (Controlled Act…

21 Dec 2021 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support small community businesses.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government supports businesses of all kinds through a wide range of interventions delivered through our enterprise and skills agencies and partner organisations and values the role small community businesses. In August 2021 we launched the £10 …

20 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the independent review of the aquaculture regulatory and planning framework will publish its recommendations for further work by the end of 2021, as committed to in the Scottish Government’s and Scottish Green Party’s Shared Policy Programme.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Professor Griggs sought additional time to undertake further engagement before producing the report for the Aquaculture Review. We expect to receive that report shortly and will of course consider its findings fully, updating Parliament when appropriate.

14 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of applications for planning permission for the proposed Hoy and Quanterness wind farms.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Ministers granted permission (subject to conditions) on 21 December for the proposed Hoy and Quanterness wind farms in Orkney, on the basis that they are justified by their benefits, including their contribution towards the case for a new electricity intercon…

13 Dec 2021 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how a Just Transition can be secured for the Highlands and Islands.

1 Dec 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what projects it is developing in Moray through the Just Transition Fund; where they will be located, and how it will ensure that Moray will benefit equitably from investment in (a) projects, (b) jobs and (c) skills development.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: We set out an initial £20 million allocation for the Fund in our draft Budget document on the 9th December. Building on our commitment to co-design, we will take forward a series of engagements in the new year with partners across the region to design the app…

23 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in relation to the provision of "additional support for rural and islands homes which require bespoke and targeted advice", as set out in its Shared Policy Programme with the Scottish Green Party, how rural and island residents and communities can apply for the support; which organisati…

Answer · Patrick Harvie: The Scottish Government will consult on a draft Islands Energy Strategy in 2022, setting out its approach to supporting island residents and communities to develop renewable energy solutions that can promote resilience, enhance sustainability, and meet their …

18 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next review the impact of the sections in the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 regarding occasional licences.

Answer · Ash Regan: The Scottish Government consulted in 2019 on a number of areas associated with the legislative regime for occasional licences. This included the level of fees and whether or not there should be a limit on the number and duration of occasional licences for pre…

2 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to update COVID-19 guidance on international school trips.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The guidance on international school and educational visits was updated on 10 November to confirm that international school trips and wider educational and youth work visits can now be arranged. The guidance is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/…

25 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent Court of Session judgement on beaver licences issued by NatureScot, what steps it is taking to ensure that all other species licences are legally compliant.

Answer · Lorna Slater: The Scottish Government and NatureScot are currently considering the wider implications of the Court of Session judgment in relation to licences issued for the purposes of beaver management. Of the five complaints under consideration by the Court, four were…