Christine Grahame

25 Jan 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scottish Borders Council and Midlothian Council in the last three months.

7 Jan 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether funding support being made available to businesses such as cinemas will also be made available to Bingo Halls, and what the reasons are for its decision on this matter.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government has provided a broad range of support for business in response to the pandemic. Within budget constraints and the context of continuing COVID restrictions on very large parts of business and society, we will continue to keep the needs …

5 Jan 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it will provide to assist older people in coping with the January COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

1 Dec 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its winter preparedness for the road and rail network.

16 Nov 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances it would consider blended learning or a complete closure of a school or schools within a local authority.

16 Nov 2020 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will consider putting travel restrictions into regulations, in light of reports that COVID-19 transmission rates are not slowing down sufficiently and, in some areas, are increasing again.

10 Nov 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what difference it anticipates Joe Biden taking over the Presidency from Donald Trump will make to its relationship with the United States and Europe.

2 Nov 2020 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of England entering lockdown and the Scottish Borders being placed at level 2 restrictions, what measures are being considered to ensure that only essential cross-border journeys take place.

28 Oct 2020 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will reconsider the policy of permitting Members' offices four mobile devices only, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic leading to an increase in the number of staff who are working from home and who require their own office device to be in contact with constit…

Answer · David Stewart MSP (on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate B: The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body recognises that, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic,  MSP staff working from home will be required to contact constituents in a variety of different ways.  As such, the SPCB has agreed to provide basic mobile phones to…

26 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which animal welfare organisations it has had meetings with in the last two years regarding electric shock collars.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has not held any meetings specifically about electronic collars since before the Guidance on Dog Training Aids was published in October 2018.  

26 Oct 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to prevent training days organised by dog trainers that involve the use of electric shock collars from taking place.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government has no locus to prevent trainers from holding training days involving electronic collars. The Scottish Government takes the welfare of animals extremely seriously and we expect organisers and participants of any training events to comp…

20 Oct 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what communications it has had with the UK Government regarding extending the furlough scheme.

9 Sep 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will amend COVID-19 regulations in Scotland to include fines for breaching gathering regulations by organising these in a similar way to those under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions on Holding of Gatherings and Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020.

Answer · Michael Russell: A specific offence of attending a party in a private dwelling was included in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirement) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 to address the specific risks posed by large gatherings. Ensuring police have the powe…

9 Sep 2020 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will pursue establishing an account to allow for the costs of COVID-19-related requirements at local offices to be paid directly by the Parliament.

7 Sep 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns regarding the term "likely" in relation to hatred being stirred up in Section 3 of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, whether it is reviewing that phrase.

31 Aug 2020 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister, in light of the approach of colder weather, reports of an increase in the COVID-19 transmission rate and concerns regarding some people not wearing face coverings in shops and public transport, how many fines have been issued for failing to comply with the face covering rules since they beca…

25 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the scientific evidence that restricts distancing in bingo halls to two metres but to one metre in public houses and restaurants.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Scottish Government advice is to stay two metres away from other people. On 9 July the First Minister advised Parliament that in a limited number of sectors, we will allow an exception to be made to the requirement for two metre physical distancing. However t…

19 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what contact it has had with Transport Scotland regarding the reopening of the A68 following the recent collapse of part of the road due to bad weather, and what the timescale is for the reopening.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland is in daily contact with the Scottish Government regarding the repair works being progressed at the A68 Fala to allow the road to reopen in the quickest and safest possible manner. The road is anticipated to reopen in early September subjec…

14 Aug 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an indicative timeline for resumption of (a) outdoor and (b) indoor pipe band practice.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Outdoor activities, including rehearsals and seated live events, are allowed to re-commence from 24 August in accordance with physical distancing and hygiene guidance for events – available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-events-sec…

23 Jul 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of mountain hare culling restarting on 1 August 2020, when the licensing scheme in compliance with the Animal and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 will be enforceable.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30665 on 30 July 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/2…

9 Jun 2020 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the economic impact on retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, what discussions the economy secretary has had with the UK Government regarding the £51,000 rateable value ceiling on eligibility for the £25,000 support grant.

8 Jun 2020 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will provide a weekly breakdown by local authority of the R number for COVID-19.

10 Mar 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to introducing driver awareness courses as an alternative to penalty points for motoring offences at the lower end of culpability.

Answer · James Wolffe QC: The decision to divert any case from prosecution is a matter for the relevant public prosecutor. In relation to certain road traffic offences Procurators Fiscal have discretion to refer an individual to the National Driver Alertness Course (NDAC) or the Rider…

17 Feb 2020 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what concerns the Scottish Government has regarding difficulties that people with visual impairment can have in accessing medical services because a digital by default approach is increasingly being used.

5 Feb 2020 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-15655 by Fergus Ewing on 1 May 2018, how many of the (a) cattle, (b) sheep, (c) pigs and (d) goats that were exported in 2018 for (i) slaughter, (ii) breeding and (iii) fattening/production had (A) Northern Ireland, (B) the Republic of Ireland, (C) …

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government takes the welfare of transported animals seriously, whether within the United Kingdom or for export purposes. Animals should be exported only in line with strict welfare standards, which ensure freedom from harm and sufficient rest and…

9 Dec 2019 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will ban the use of snares.

2 Dec 2019 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assistance it can give to Scottish Borders Council and the staff and pupils of Peebles High School should it remain closed beyond Christmas, including pupils preparing for their exams.

11 Nov 2019 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, with reference to its policy that does not permit parliamentary-funded publications to be issued within three months of a UK parliamentary general election or referendum, and, in light of the frequency of such events since 2015, whether it plans to revise its rules in …

11 Nov 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the review of mineral permissions, which includes peat extraction, currently taking place every 15 years, what its position is on whether this should be shortened, given changing attitudes to the importance of peat to the environment and habitats.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended, requires a 15 year periodic review of mineral permissions so that improved operating and environmental standards can be secured. There are no powers within this primary legislation that would perm…

1 Apr 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in the event of a no deal Brexit, what measures are in place to secure the welfare of animals sent through England for export to the rest of Europe.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Existing EU regulations will be retained in UK law in the event of an exit from the EU. Technical amendments to both this retained EU law and Scottish animal transport legislation have been made to ensure the continued operation of relevant animal welfare rul…