Former Member of the Scottish Parliament

Robin Harper

Unknown party

At a glance Robin Harper was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Questions759 tabled

Robin Harper has tabled 759 questions in the Scottish Parliament.

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scotland-registered skippers have been prosecuted for illegally landing fish in … 7 Mar 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scotland-registered skippers have been prosecuted for illegally landing fish in each year from 2002.

Answer · Richard Lochhead · 16 Mar 2011

The term, illegally landing fish is a fairly general term which we have interpreted as either the landing of fish which has not been properly declared, or catches which are of themselves illegal in that the fishing vessel concerned was not authorised to catch a particular species, or the fish were juveniles which ought to have been returned to the sea. The number of masters of Scottish registered vessels prosecuted for these offences in each of the years since 2002 is: 2002: 16 2003: 6 2004: 19 2005: 16 2006: 2 2007: 3 2008: 3 2009: 9 2010 (to date): 0.

Answer · Richard Lochhead · 16 Mar 2011

No records are kept on the number of individual fish associated with any case of illegal fishing brought before the Scottish courts. However the quantity specified in such cases where the weight of fish was an integral part of the charge for which a conviction was obtained in each of the years specified (with the exception of 2002 for which figures are not available) is:- 2003 - 16.9 tonnes 2004 - 85.1 tonnes 2005 - 184.5 tonnes.

Answer · Richard Lochhead · 16 Mar 2011

The value of mackerel landed illegally in (a) 2002, (b) 2003, (c) 2004 and (d) 2005, is a matter that will be considered by the courts both in proceedings that are currently live and in further prosecutions that may follow over the course of the coming months. In would be inappropriate to speculate or pre-empt any determination which may be made in that context.

To ask the Scottish Executive what stakeholders it has met to discuss ways to establish a youth microcredit scheme. 3 Mar 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what stakeholders it has met to discuss ways to establish a youth microcredit scheme.

Answer · Jim Mather · 14 Mar 2011

Under the auspices of Financial Services Advisory Board (FISAB), work has already been undertaken, including desk based research and consultation with a number of key stakeholders, looking at the microcredit market in Scotland and considering whether gaps exist. With regard to youth microcredit, the Prince''s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) is seen as the main provider of support to young people and there is currently no evidence to suggest further provision is necessary.

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to explore ways to establish a youth microcredit scheme. 3 Mar 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to explore ways to establish a youth microcredit scheme.

Answer · Jim Mather · 14 Mar 2011

The Scottish Government is very supportive of the Prince''s Scottish Youth Business Trust''s (PSYBT) Revolving Loan Fund. This provides young people with access to loans of up to £5,000 to set up in business and offers a valuable aftercare service to successful applicants from a large number of volunteer business people across Scotland. PSYBT is particularly concerned with creating opportunities for disadvantaged young people. In 2009-10 and 2010-11, the Scottish Government, through Scottish Enterprise, enhanced the resources available to PSYBT by investing £200,000 per annum in the Revolving Loan Fund. It has also recently successfully secured ERDF to provide a tailored package of coaching and mentoring assistance to 1,700 young people over the next three years.

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the impact of new fish farm developments on local seal populations is assessed du… 9 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the impact of new fish farm developments on local seal populations is assessed during the screening process for new site designations and, if so, what reasons have been given by operators of new fish farms for applying for seal licences.

Answer · Richard Lochhead · 4 Mar 2011

The possible general impact of any proposed new fish farm development on local seal populations is currently one of a range of environmental issues that should be considered by developers and public authorities when considering relevant plans and development proposals including, where required, via strategic environmental assessments, environmental impact assessments and habitats regulations appraisals. The need for new fish farms to prevent serious damage to their site or stock and to protect the health and welfare of farmed fish against seal predation and the potential impact of this on local seal populations is considered separately by Marine Scotland as part of the process of consideration of any application for a seal licence under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.

To ask the Scottish Executive which elements of the National Marine Plan will ensure that the development of aquacultur… 9 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which elements of the National Marine Plan will ensure that the development of aquaculture sites does not lead to the harassment of grey seals and common seals at haul-out sites.

Answer · Richard Lochhead · 4 Mar 2011

The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 sets out that public authorities must take enforcement and authorisation decisions in accordance with the marine plan. The pre consultation draft National Marine Plan will include a map of seal haul-out sites as developed by the Sea Mammal Research Unit under consideration for designation under the act in order to protect seals from harassment. Once the plan is adopted by the Parliament any designated seal haul-out sites will be taken into account in planning decisions.

To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences to kill common seals in the Western Isles Seal Management Area under se… 9 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many licences to kill common seals in the Western Isles Seal Management Area under section 110(1)(f) and (g) of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 have been granted for the (a) Western Isles Seal Conservation Area and (b) the rest of the Western Isles Seal Management Area and for how many seals in each

Answer · Richard Lochhead · 4 Mar 2011

All licences issued for common seals in the Western Isles Seal Management Area also lie within the Western Isles Seal Conservation Area. The number of licences and the number of seals granted can be found in Tables 1 and 2 of the frequently asked questions paper at: <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/marine/licensing/seallicensing">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/marine/licensing/seallicensing</a>.

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Motions lodged302 lodged

22 Mar 2011	University of Edinburgh Most Energy Efficient Supercomputer	0 sig.
16 Mar 2011	Edinburgh Nursery Closures	3 sig.
15 Mar 2011	Scotland: a Safe Place for Child Traffickers?	0 sig.
15 Mar 2011	National Trust for Scotland	6 sig.
28 Feb 2011	Seal Culls	3 sig.
4 Feb 2011	Being Young Being Heard, Citizens Advice Scotland	14 sig.

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Seat & career3 seats held

Lothians (region) Regional MSP · Dissolution 3 May 2007 – 22 Mar 2011
Lothians (region) Regional MSP · Dissolution 1 May 2003 – 2 Apr 2007
Lothians (region) Regional MSP · Dissolution 6 May 1999 – 31 Mar 2003

Source: this MSP's profile on parliament.scot.

Source: this MSP's official Scottish Parliament profile. Last updated 26 Jul 2026.