Dr Alasdair Allan

13 Dec 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on (a) its progress so far on and (b) the next steps for its Islands Connectivity Plan.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I informed the Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee on 19 December 2023 that I have received the Islands Connectivity Plan Strategic Approach Paper and the Vessels and Ports Plan. I am now taking some time to ensure that they reflect the issues raised in t…

12 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of its new Carer Support Payment in the Western Isles and other pilot areas.

11 Dec 2023 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the letter from the UK foreign secretary to the constitution secretary, what its response is to reports that the UK Government may withdraw Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office support for Scottish Government overseas meetings.

6 Dec 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on SEPA’s proposed sea lice framework to manage interactions between sea lice from finfish farms and wild salmonids.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I can advise Parliament that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has today published its response to its recent consultation on ‘Managing interactions between sea lice from finfish farms and wild salmonids in Scotland’ . Our Vision for Sustai…

5 Dec 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action is has taken to support the recommendations of the Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic.

20 Nov 2023 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what support the Scottish Government is providing to households that are experiencing the pressure of increased energy bills, in light of Citizens Advice Scotland launching its Worried This Winter awareness campaign.    

16 Nov 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the next paper in the Building a New Scotland series will be published.

Answer · Jamie Hepburn: The Scottish Government continues to deliver on its commitment to give people the information they need to make an informed choice about their future, and I’m pleased to confirm that today we are publishing An independent Scotland in the EU. This is the seve…

15 Nov 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to issue government bonds.

30 Oct 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the provision of support for young people travelling on ferries.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: On 28 October 2023 the Scottish Government announced that the ferry scheme for young people is being extended to all island residents under the age of 22. The scheme offers four free single (two return) ferry journeys a year to the mainland. At present it co…

12 Oct 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the publication of the Remote, Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan.

Answer · Paul McLennan: I am pleased to announce that the Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan has been published today. https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781835210239 .

10 Oct 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the reported technical issues with MV Loch Bhrusda, MV Loch Alainn and MV Loch Portain, which have left the Western Isles with no inter-island ferry service, whether it will consider accelerating phase 2 of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: MV Loch Bhrusda and MV Loch Alainn returned to service on 11 and 12 October respectively. During the recent outage of MV Loch Portain, CalMac moved quickly to charter a vessel to provide replacement services. Early business case development work for the seco…

3 Oct 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on proposals from SSE Renewables to halve the number of gannets harvested in the annual Guga Hunt at Sula Sgeir to compensate for mortalities caused by the Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Scottish Ministers are currently processing applications from SSE Renewables (via its project company Berwick Bank Wind Limited) for the construction and operation of the proposed Berwick Bank offshore wind farm. This process includes consultations with statu…

26 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its housing strategy is supporting people on low incomes to move towards greener energy use in their homes.

5 Sep 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of its proposed Land Reform Bill.

29 Aug 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the announcement by the local government empowerment minister in July, whether it will provide an update on what discussions he has had regarding the roll-out of the Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund.

8 Aug 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Crofting Commission processing times of applications for (a) decrofting, (b) apportionment and (c) registration, and whether processing times have improved in the last five years.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Crofting Commission publishes its application processing times in its Annual Report & Accounts. The median turnaround times for applications completed during Q1 of 2023-24 is as follows: Croft House decrofting: 11 weeks Apportionment: 117 weeks The cro…

2 Aug 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding the reported shortage of specialist oncologists within NHS Highland.

Answer · Michael Matheson: NHS Highland’s oncology service is currently provided by a mix of substantive staff, locum consultants and some support from consultants based in other boards. This arrangement is ensuring all patients are receiving the treatment they need. Efforts to recruit…

20 Jul 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to develop a sustainable, diverse, competitive and economically viable aquaculture industry.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Today I am pleased to announce to Parliament the launch of our Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture in Scotland. This Vision sets out the Scottish Government’s long-term aspirations to 2045 for the finfish, shellfish and seaweed farming sectors, and the wide…

27 Jun 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will report on the outcome of the recent summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Jersey.

Answer · Paul McLennan: On 16 June 2023, the First Minister represented the Scottish Government at the Summit meeting of the British-Irish Council hosted by the Government of Jersey. The meeting was attended by Ministers from seven of the eight of the BIC Member Administrations with…

21 Jun 2023 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will update the Agricultural Reform Route Map.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I have today published on the Scottish Government web pages a revised and updated Agricultural Reform Route Map . The overarching aim of the Route Map is to help farmers and crofters prepare for the change needed to deliver the ambitious aims set out in the…

21 Jun 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report produced by the Short Life Working Group on Economic and Social Opportunities for Gaelic.

Answer · Neil Gray: The Scottish Government welcomes this report, commends the working group for its detailed work and recognises the important part that the recommendations play in creating a secure future for Gaelic in Scotland. The report’s recommendations will be allocated t…

20 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the publication, Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2022-23.

12 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to reform crofting law.

6 Jun 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the uptake in the Western Isles of R100 Scottish Broadband Voucher Scheme vouchers, worth up to £5,000, for properties for which there is no roll-out of superfast broadband planned.

23 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the outcome was of the public recruitment round for two non-executive director positions on the board of David MacBrayne Ltd.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: Following a fair and open recruitment exercise three successful candidates were selected by the DML recruitment panel. Two candidates subsequently withdrew their interest and pre-appointment checks are being completed for the remaining candidate. A new recru…

23 May 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress of its plans to bring empty homes back into use as affordable homes for key workers in rural areas.

11 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it can undertake with the UK Government to ensure that Scotland gets a fair allocation of Atlantic bluefin tuna quota.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Our key priority throughout the stocks and negotiations is always to protect Scottish interests by securing sustainable catching opportunities. Bluefin tuna quota is allocated to the UK via International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICC…

9 May 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle youth antisocial behaviour.

8 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it can make to the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) regarding dedicated capacity on the 1.8GW Western Isles HVDC subsea link for local community energy projects.

Answer · Gillian Martin: Electricity policy, including regulation of Great Britain’s electricity networks, is reserved to the UK Government. According to the terms of their licence, network companies must treat all customers in the same way and cannot ‘ring-fence’ capacity for one …

8 May 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to review the current Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) to ensure that it is able to effectively support community renewable projects in Na h-Eileanan an Iar.

Answer · Gillian Martin: The Scottish Government wants to realise as many opportunities as possible for community energy and to maximise the benefits flowing to communities from our energy transition. That is why we continue to invest in CARES, which is currently putting a strong foc…