Parliamentary questions
Tim Eagle
1,487 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
29 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce specific outreach programmes to increase awareness and the uptake of the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) among under-represented sectors, such as the agriculture or food production industries.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Freight Facilities Grant is a well-known scheme having been in operation since 1997. Transport Scotland continues to raise the profile of the scheme across all areas of the Scottish economy. In March 2025, it is intended to undertake an exercise with stak…
29 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) helps businesses meet their environmental and sustainability targets, and what specific metrics or outcomes are used to evaluate this.
Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Taking freight off congested roads and moving it by rail or water can have environmental and wider social benefits but it can be more expensive. Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) is therefore available to assist with the extra costs generally associated with mov…
29 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the highest (a) fine and (b) custodial sentence imposed has been each year under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021; how many people received this, and how this compared with the maximum sentence that was available.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: The worrying of livestock by dogs is completely unacceptable and is something the Scottish Government takes very seriously and any dog attack is one too many.We welcome the fact that in Scotland we have tough legislation in place to deal with livestock worryi…
29 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government who the members are of the Wildlife and Species Forum; on what date the Forum will next meet, and how many meetings are scheduled for the next 12 months.
Answer · Jim Fairlie: Membership of the Strategic Wildlife and Species Land Managers Forum (SWSLM Forum) is made up of representatives from the main public and private organisations that have a role in managing wildlife. However the constitution of the group may change on a meetin…
29 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many investigations have been carried out each year under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021; how many led to a report being made to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), and how many subsequent (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions th…
Answer · Jim Fairlie: I am aware of the recently reported worrying that is doing the rounds and that leading up to lambing I will once again be reminding people of their obligations to understand the responsibilities they have when in the countryside with dogs.The worrying of live…
29 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it will take to monitor the impact of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 on small- and medium-sized businesses in the local authority areas that apply it.
24 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of postcode areas that would be eligible for house building through funding from the Rural Affordable Homes for Key Workers Fund.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Rural Affordable Homes for Key Workers Fund operates in categories 4, 5 and 6 of the six-fold urban rural classification. We do not publish a list of postcode areas and applicants can check if a proposed project is located within an eligible area by using…
24 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of postcode areas that would be eligible for house building through funding from the Islands Housing Fund.
Answer · Paul McLennan: The Rural and Islands Housing Fund operates in categories 4, 5 and 6 of the six-fold urban rural classification. We do not publish a list of postcode areas and applicants can check if a proposed project is located within an eligible area by using the National…
24 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a list of postcode areas that would be eligible for house building through funding from the Rural Housing Fund.
Answer · Paul McLennan: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-34306 on 7 February 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committe…
22 Jan 2025 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what support it gives to Police Scotland to increase visibility in remote and rural communities and deliver the community policing model, as outlined in the Chief Constable's 2030 vision for safer communities, less crime, supported victims, and a thriving workforce.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed reduction in its 2025-26 draft Budget of fisheries harbour grants from £500,000 in 2024-25 to £200,000 in 2025-26 will have on future projects.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The expenditure budget allocated for fisheries harbour grants in 2025-2026 has been maintained at £500,000, the apparent reduction relates to the treatment of financial transactions income which will not impact on the funding available to harbours.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times since being appointed to the post the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and (b) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has met the Coastal Communities Network Scotland where the fishing industry was part of discussions.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with the Coastal Communities Network Scotland whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people were prosecuted on the suspicion of committing an offence listed in the Conservation of Salmon (Prohibition of Sale) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 in each year since 2021.
Answer · Angela Constance: There were no prosecutions under the Conservation of Salmon (Prohibition of Sale) (Scotland) Regulations 2002, where main crime, between 2021-22 and 2022-23.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people were prosecuted on the suspicion of committing an offence listed in the Salmon (Fish Passes and Screens) (Scotland) Regulations 1994 in each year since 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Salmon (Fish Passes and Screens) (Scotland) Regulations 1994 were revoked in 2013. Therefore, there have been no prosecutions for offences under these regulations since 2021.The Salmon (Fish Passes and Screens) (Scotland) Regulations 1994 were revoked in …
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people were prosecuted on the suspicion of committing an offence listed in the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984, broken down by offence, in each year since 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government does not have the powers to prosecute Marine and Fisheries offences, these powers lie with the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) who prosecute on our behalf. This is a technical point.The 1984 Act is one of many acts and o…
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times since being appointed to the post the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and (b) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has met Scottish Environment LINK where the fishing industry was part of discussions.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with Scottish Environment Link whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to encourage more people to participate in recreational fishing.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government supports participation in recreational fishing in several ways.For example, £17,000 was awarded in 2020 through the Marine Scotland Fund to Fisheries Management Scotland for the creation of the Scottish Angling National Developme…
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many sites across Scotland require individuals to obtain a permit in order to participate in recreational fishing.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of sites across Scotland which require individuals to obtain a permit to participate in recreational fishing.Permits to participate in recreational fishing are sold by owners of fishing rights on…
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the proposed reduction in its 2025-26 draft Budget for the Marine Directorate from £83 million in 2024-25 to £79.6 million in 2025-26 will have on its ability to operate effectively.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The 2024-25 budget that was used as the comparator included a number of transfers that occurred at Autumn Budget Revision. The main transfer related to the inclusion of deferred Coastal Communities payments from 2023-24, this was a one-off occurrence which re…
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times since being appointed to the post the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and (b) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has met Friends of the Earth Scotland where the fishing industry was part of the discussions.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with Friends of the Earth Scotland whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times since being appointed to the post the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and (b) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has met Open Seas where the fishing industry was part of discussions.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with Open Seas whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times since being appointed to the post the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and (b) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has met Stop Climate Chaos Scotland where the fishing industry was part of the discussions.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people were prosecuted on the suspicion of committing an offence listed in the Freshwater Fish Conservative (Prohibition on Fishing for Eels) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 in each year since 2021.
Answer · Angela Constance: There were no prosecutions under the Freshwater Fish Conservative (Prohibition on Fishing for Eels) (Scotland) Regulations 2008, where main crime, between 2021-22 and 2022-23.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people were prosecuted on the suspicion of committing an offence listed in the (a) Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003 and (b) Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007, in each year since 2021, broken down by offence.
Answer · Angela Constance: The latest available information on convictions is for the financial year 2022-23.(a)Number of people prosecuted under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation)(Scotland) Act 2003, where main crime, 2021-22 to 2022-23. 2021-222022-23Total prose…
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many people were prosecuted on the suspicion of committing an offence in Scotland listed in the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967, broken down by offence, in each year since 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Scottish Government does not have the powers to prosecute Marine and Fisheries offences, these powers lie with the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) who prosecute on our behalf. This is a technical point.The 1967 Act is a parent act under whi…
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times since being appointed to the post the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and (b) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has met the Marine Conservation Society where the fishing industry was part of the discussions.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with the Marine Conservation Society whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many times since being appointed to the post the (a) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and (b) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has met the Scottish Wildlife Trust, where the fishing industry was part of discussions.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have not met formally with the Scottish Wildlife Trust whilst the fishing industry were present as part of the discussion, since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many instances of (a) EU and (b) non-EU vessels catching fish using inappropriate gear, and therefore being in breach of catch composition rules in Scottish waters, have been recorded in each year since 2021.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: It was not possible within the timeframe to produce data for 2021 to 2023. This is because of the way the data was previously processed and would require manual analysis of all reports to distil the correct data. As part of our business improvement strategy i…
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government on how many occasions the current (a) Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands and (b) Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity has met with the Orkney Fisheries Association since they were appointed to their role.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Myself and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity have met formally with the Orkney Fisheries Association on two occasions since we were appointed to our roles in May 2024.
21 Jan 2025 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which routes has the Marine Directorate deployed (a) patrol vessels and (b) patrol planes to in each year since 2021, and for what reason.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Marine and aerial taskings are determined by a rigorous risk assessment process, using live data and intelligence to prioritise the areas where assets are directed.In 2024 our three patrol ships carried out 866 patrol days, and our two-surveillance aircraft u…