Emma Harper

9 Apr 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the potential impact of Brexit, including tariffs, is on Scotland’s dairy sector.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: A no deal Brexit is by far the biggest threat to farming and to our successful food and drink sector with a wealth of evidence indicating that Scotland’s farmers and food producers will be worse off under any scenario compared to remaining in the EU and maint…

29 Mar 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recent report by Healthcare Improvement Scotland regarding the clinical management of breast cancer in NHS Tayside.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: The Scottish Government, along with NHS Tayside, will, as a matter of urgency take into account the findings and recommendations of the Heath Improvement Scotland Report – “Clinical Management of Breast Cancer in NHS Tayside”. In order to progress matters as…

27 Mar 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it defines trail hunting in relation to its proposals for legislative changes to fox hunting practices.

25 Mar 2019 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what progress is being made with the implementation of Frank’s Law.

20 Mar 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much of its Budget it allocated to the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland, and how the finance secretary reached this decision.

11 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the maximum toll or charge for use of a public road or bridge in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales.

Answer · Michael Matheson: There are no tolls or charges for using public roads or bridges in Scotland. The Scottish Government does not hold information on tolls or charges on public roads in England and Wales. This would be a matter for the UK and Welsh Government respectively.

11 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the latest available combined costs for prescription charges and eye tests in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: Prescription charges were abolished in Scotland on 1 April 2011. Prescriptions issued on Scottish prescription forms (GP10) are dispensed to the patient free of charge by Scottish community pharmacies. The current prescription charge in England of £8.80 per i…

11 Mar 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the latest available figures for tuition fees for a first full-time degree in (a) Scotland, (b) England and (c) Wales.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: Eligible students studying their first full-time degree in Scotland would not be expected to pay any tuition fees, due to the Scottish Government’s commitment to paying the tuition of qualifying first full-time undergraduates. Students studying in England fo…

27 Feb 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the potential impact on sheep farming of Brexit.

27 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact reduced levels of immigration as a result of Brexit could have on Scotland’s public services.

Answer · Ben Macpherson: The UK Government proposal to end free movement will significantly reduce the number of people coming to Scotland to live, work and study. The recently published independent report of the Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population estimates a reduction…

21 Feb 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an analysis of responses to its recent consultation on rates reform.

Answer · Kate Forbes: The Scottish Government has today published two reports. Firstly, an independent analysis report [ https://www.gov.scot/ISBN/9781787815797/ ] of the 148 responses submitted to the Barclay Implementation: A consultation on non-domestic rates reform . Secondl…

20 Feb 2019 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the South Scotland region and other rural areas.

Answer · Christina McKelvie: It is important that our work to address social isolation and loneliness is inclusive of rural communities. I was pleased to learn from the member of the great example set by the Retired Farming Social Group in Dumfries and Galloway at the debate last month, …

19 Feb 2019 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of properties in each local authority have had access to broadband in each year since 2014.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: Due to the commercial nature of much of this information, the Scottish Government does not hold data on broadband coverage percentages. However, independent broadband analysis site, thinkbroadband.com - the same source that the UK Government quotes for its ow…

30 Jan 2019 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what impact UK Government austerity measures have had on its overall budget, and how this has impacted the local government settlement.

Answer · Derek Mackay: As a result of the amendments agreed at Stage 2 of the Budget, total spending power for local government will increase by around £620 million in 2019-20 – providing a real terms increase in spending power on both resource and capital for local authorities. T…

16 Jan 2019 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans testing fisheries management measures relating to nephrops in inshore fisheries.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: In June 2018 the Scottish Government announced the outcome of an Inshore Fisheries Pilot consultation. At this time three Inshore Fisheries Pilots were announced.A seasonal restriction on mobile gear fishing near Mull;A restriction on creel numbers in the Out…

26 Nov 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to tackle the illegal puppy trade.

21 Nov 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the full report of Dr Anne MacDonald’s research into out-of-area placements and delayed discharges for people with a learning disability.

Answer · Clare Haughey: I am pleased to announce the publication of Dr Anne MacDonald’s report today. I am very grateful for her work on this issue over the last two years. There is a general consensus that we need to do better and I am delighted that Dr Macdonald’s report gives us …

15 Nov 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress being made with the integrated health and social care workforce plan.

Answer · Jeane Freeman: We are making good progress with the integrated workforce plan. A draft has already been circulated to stakeholders and we continue to work closely and constructively with them as we develop the plan towards finalisation. It is important to ensure that the p…

7 Nov 2018 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update regarding the structural issues at the Station Hotel in Ayr.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse: South Ayrshire Council contractors continue to encapsulate the Station Hotel building to minimise the risk it poses to public safety. Encapsulation of the Hotel roof will commence shortly to further reduce this risk, enabling the reinstatement of all rail ser…

17 Oct 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Respiratory Improvement Taskforce.

4 Oct 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made to deliver a BPS loan scheme in 2018.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Today, over £241 million will arrive in the bank accounts of 10,684 farmers and crofters all over Scotland through the 2018 BPS loan scheme. This is before the CAP payment window opens and is the earliest we have made funding available. We are paying loans th…

28 Sep 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its consultation on restricting the promotion and marketing of targeted food and drink that is high in fat, sugar or salt where they are sold to the public.

Answer · Joe FitzPatrick: The consultation paper will be published on 2 October 2018. The consultation will run until 9 January 2019.   It will be available online at https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781787812567.

19 Sep 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it provides for veterans.

3 Sep 2018 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail and South Ayrshire Council regarding the implemented exclusion zone around Ayr railway station, which is causing disruption for passengers travelling south of Ayr to Girvan and Stranraer.

23 Aug 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure the long-term health of Scotland's forests and environment by reducing chemical use in forestry while protecting young trees from fatal attacks by pine weevils.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government supports the appropriate use of regulated chemicals as part of sustainable forest management, as well as seeking to identify non-chemical alternatives through collaborative research and development programmes. The government recognise…

13 Jul 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to help manage the expansion of Phytophthora ramorum on larch trees in Scotland’s forests.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The threat to our trees from pests and diseases is growing. Climate change, global travel and imported plants and wood can increase pests and diseases and their impacts. First found in Scottish plant nurseries in 2002 and in gardens/parks in 2007, Phytophtho…

18 Jun 2018 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government has received details of the financial implications for Scotland of the UK Government’s investment in the NHS.

13 Jun 2018 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the work of the Respiratory Improvement Taskforce.

12 Jun 2018 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to empower community groups in South Scotland.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I am pleased to advise that on 1 June 2018, Forest Enterprise Scotland approved the following Asset Transfer Requests received under the Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS): CommunitySitePeebles Community   TrustEshiels Wood:6.9 ha   alongside the River Tw…

11 Jun 2018 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be for Scotland’s (a) farming and (b) fisheries sector following the decision by the UK Parliament on the EU Withdrawal Bill.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government regards the passing of the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill by the UK Parliament as a clear and fundamental breach of the Sewel Convention, and as an attack on the existing devolution settlement. These actions undermine the trust and c…