Emma Harper

23 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with its plans to increase the presence of Scottish Development International in Europe.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government proposes an increase in the number of people working for Scottish Development International in Europe from 20 to 40 over the next two years. Detailed work, including location proposals, is currently being undertaken to ensure that addi…

23 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the establishment of a respiratory task force to help tackle lung disease.

9 Nov 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service and what issues were discussed.

8 Nov 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in reducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to negligible risk status.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government submitted an application for BSE Negligible Risk status to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in October 2016 and an outcome can be expected in May 2017.

3 Oct 2016 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the proposed deadline of March 2017 for the triggering of Article 50.

28 Sep 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made with the construction of the new district general hospital for Dumfries and Galloway.

21 Sep 2016 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for the removal of CTS links in Scotland and whether there be any cross compliance implications for farmers in Scotland.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: CTS links will cease to operate in Scotland at the end of 2016. The Scottish Government has been working with the joint industry working group and invested in ScotEID to develop a new and innovative system, ‘ScotMoves’ which allows the use of an online holdin…

21 Sep 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to widen university access.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: We have already delivered substantial progress on access: in 2014-15 there were 1,000 more university entrants from our 20% most deprived communities than there were in 2006-07. However we recognise that there is more to do. That is why we established the C…

20 Sep 2016 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when its accessible travel framework will be published.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Going Further - Scotland’s Accessible Travel Framework was published on 21 September 2016. The document is available in SPICe - Bib number 58195.

14 Sep 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what type of digital mapping system it uses for making rural payments.

7 Sep 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it takes to control the trade in puppies.

11 Aug 2016 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to hasten the pace of application and approval of forestry planting.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I am determined to achieve a step change in pace and scale of new planting to ensure long-term availability of timber and to meet our climate change commitment to plant 10,000 hectares per year. Following discussions with stakeholders, I have asked Jim Mackin…

18 Jul 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how European funding supports the science, data and compliance costs for the sea fisheries sector.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The newly reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides a set of rules for managing European fishing fleets and for conserving fish stocks. The implementation of the CFP is directly supported by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund for the period 2014-2…

18 Jul 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much money Scotland receives from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government will receive up to 107 million euros from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. This will be converted to sterling, at the appropriate rate, at various points up to 2023. This represents 46% of the UK allocation.

18 Jul 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it has supported the development of the fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors through the previous European Fisheries Fund.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has supported the development of the fishing, processing and aquaculture sectors by delivering £77 million grant assistance through the European Fisheries Fund, between 2007 and 2015. This has created/safeguarded up to 2000 jobs while …

18 Jul 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the value is of Scottish fish and seafood exports to the EU and what percentage this is of its total food exports to the EU.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: IIn 2015, Scotland exported £438 million of fish and seafood to the European Union. This accounted for 62% of the total value of its food exports to the European Union.

28 Jun 2016 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in issuing basic payments to farmers and crofters.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: We have made significant progress since May. As at close on 28 June payments had been processed to over 16,400 farmers and crofters, which represents almost 91% of the estimated eligible population worth over £283m in total.   Over the last four weeks we hav…

28 Jun 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in issuing basic payments to farmers and crofters.

7 Jun 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many staff NHS Dumfries and Galloway employs, and how this compares with September 2006.

Answer · Shona Robison: Under this government, the number of staff working in Scotland’s NHS has risen to a record high. As at March 2016, 3,485.8 whole time equivalent staff were employed in NHS Dumfries and Galloway – a 5.3 per cent increase since September 2006.* *Source: ISD S…

7 Jun 2016 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with its commitment to invest £6 million in the regeneration of Stranraer waterfront.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: We are committed to the package of measures announced by the Deputy First Minister during the election campaign. You will appreciate though that the overall level of investment will be subject to the spending review. Further details will be available in due c…

26 May 2016 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to boost GP recruitment.

26 May 2016 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much money patients and staff have saved as a result of parking charges at all NHS-run hospital car parks being abolished.

Answer · Shona Robison: It is estimated that since car parking charges were abolished from 31 December 2008, patients and NHS staff have saved around £27 million.