Emma Harper

2 Mar 2022 · SPCB Oral Question

To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what action it is taking to advance and support the use of the Scots language across the Scottish Parliament campus.

2 Mar 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its housing strategy will support local authorities to take action in relation to vacant, derelict and abandoned buildings.

28 Feb 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government plans to mark Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2022.

24 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with JDH Exploration Ltd regarding licensing for mineral exploration across south west Scotland, and whether it is aware of any mineral exploration by JDH Exploration Ltd in that area.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The rights to naturally occurring gold and silver in this area are managed by Crown Estate Scotland, not by the Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Government is aware that Crown Estate Scotland have issued two Mines Royal Options to JDH Exploration Ltd within D…

23 Feb 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had with the land reform minister regarding the future funding of Regional Land Use Partnerships.

14 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether, during the period from 1 January 2016 to 20 February 2022, it received any information from Crown Estate Scotland regarding any expressed interest by any company over mineral exploration across south west Scotland, and whether it will provide details of any licences for mineral …

Answer · Mairi McAllan: The Scottish Government is aware that Crown Estate Scotland have issued Mines Royal Options Agreements for gold and silver exploration in south west Scotland. The Scottish Government do not have direct involvement in this process, and do not hold details of C…

8 Feb 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the Scottish Eating Disorder Services Review 2021 recommendation, what progress has been made in establishing a lived experience panel to work with the implementation group.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: We will be publishing the Lived Experience Panel Specification shortly.

24 Jan 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its position on the effectiveness in Scotland of the UK geographical indication scheme, which replaced the EU protected geographical indication scheme.

19 Jan 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Skills Development Scotland to engage with the agriculture and rural sector to promote opportunities and apprenticeships for young people as a positive career destination.

12 Jan 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce a scheme for people to obtain a COVID-19 proof of recovery certificate for the purpose of travel to countries where such certification is required.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Proof of recovery status was added to the international page of the Covid Status app on 9 January. This is the easiest way for someone to demonstrate they have had Covid in the previous 180 days when travelling to countries where certification is required. I…

15 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has allocated in its draft Budget for 2022-23 for building social and affordable housing in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.

1 Dec 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its policies and actions across government will support Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

22 Nov 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote the use of the Scots language and to further Scots language education.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Scottish Government has made clear its support for our indigenous languages, including Scots. It is essential that those that wish to use the Scots language are given every opportunity to use the language of their choice. For many, Scots is the language o…

10 Nov 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the rural affairs secretary has had with ministerial colleagues and rural businesses regarding action to improve and enhance rural skills development.

3 Nov 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it is supporting Police Scotland to implement and enforce legislation on the control of dogs.

19 Oct 2021 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote manufacturing in Scotland.

5 Oct 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to publish the independent expert working group report on achieving a 48-hour working week (without averaging) for junior doctors.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Scottish Government acknowledges that publication of this report has been delayed due to our pandemic response efforts. We will be publishing the Independent Expert Working Group report on 6 October 2021.

29 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its £500 million of funding to modernise the prison estate, including any updates to HMP Dumfries.

28 Sep 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the NHS will continue on the emergency footing that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care previously extended to 30 September 2021.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Once again, I want to thank our health and care staff for their magnificent work to date. Whilst we are beginning to see a reduction in the numbers of new Covid cases, the last few weeks have been enormously difficult and our health and care services are cont…

22 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the commitment in its Programme for Government to deliver £6 million for the regeneration of the Stranraer East Pier and Waterfront.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Scottish Government and Dumfries and Galloway Council officials engage regularly on how to progress this commitment and a further meeting is planned in October, which will also involve South of Scotland Enterprise.  

20 Sep 2021 · Topical Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the impact of the increase in wholesale gas prices on food and energy availability in Scotland, particularly ahead of winter.

15 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to improve journey times on the Dumfries-Glasgow and Stranraer-Ayr railway services, to help reduce emissions from the use of other modes of transport.

14 Sep 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress on the Cairnryan Border Control Post project.

Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Scotland did not vote to leave the EU, but the UK’s departure means that there is now a trade border between Scotland and the EU. While our preference remains to have tariff and barrier free trade with the EU, as a responsible Government, the Scottish Governm…

8 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed the control, use and licensing of shooting ranges and firearms with Police Scotland.

22 Jul 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with the COVID-19 vaccination programme since March 2021, including a potential future COVID-19 booster vaccination programme.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: I am pleased to announce our second update to the Covid-19 Vaccines Deployment Plan will be published later today. The Plan reflects on our progress since March 2021 and explains how our COVID-19 vaccination programme is designed to be inclusive and that no-…

20 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government which of the recommendations from the October 2020 Scottish Land Commission Report into derelict and vacant land it will implement, and what the timescales for implementation are.

Answer · Mairi McAllan: We are committed to exploring opportunities to target long-term vacant and derelict land to deliver sustainable inclusive growth and mitigate climate change as part of the Green Recovery. In October 2020 we welcomed the Vacant and Derelict Land Taskforce’s r…

19 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of dental surgeries in Annan, Kirkcudbright, Dumfries, Newton Stewart and other locations in the South Scotland region temporarily suspending the acceptance of NHS dental patients due to a backlog of treatments as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, what action is bei…

Answer · Maree Todd: The Scottish Government has recently announced a suite of measures to continue to support NHS dentistry, including a vital funding package of up to £5M for improved ventilation in dental premises, and an extension of free PPE for the dental sector, which from…

9 Jul 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the Department for Transport regarding the action it is taking to address the backlog of people waiting to sit their (a) theory and (b) practical driving tests in Dumfries and Galloway.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The UK government`s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is responsible for the delivery of driving tests in Scotland. However, Transport Scotland meets regularly with the DVSA to explore ways in the delivery of driving tests could be expedited to ensur…

30 Jun 2021 · Inspired Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a bursary for student paramedics in time for the start of the 2021-22 term.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Eligible Scottish domiciled (home) students studying towards a degree in Paramedic Science (BSc) at Scottish universities will be eligible for a new paramedic bursary and the additional allowances which will fully replicate the funding and administrative arra…

29 Jun 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reported plans to develop a shooting range in Eskadalemuir, and related concerns raised over safety and noise, whether it will review the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, in order to bring the licencing of shooting ranges under the control of the Scottish Government.

Answer · Tom Arthur: Licensing of shooting ranges and gun clubs is a function of Police Scotland and is not part of the planning system. Decisions on planning applications, including for shooting ranges, are primarily a matter for the relevant planning authority. Scottish planni…