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From YouTube: General Questions - 5 October 2017
Description
Read the full transcript of General Questions in the Scottish Parliament Official Report: https://goo.gl/ZRpnBT
B
A
B
Thanked
the
cabinet
secretary
for
her
answer,
she
will
know
that
geese
damage
to
grazing
continues
to
be
a
major
issue
across
the
region,
particularly
in
the
US
and
on
Isla,
and
the
Crofton
committee
of
the
colonies
here
have
said
that
they
are
hugely
concerned
by
the
apparent
retreat
in
Scottish
government
support
for
the
existing
scheme.
Given
the
deep
levels
of
concern
from
crafters
and
farmers
about
their
livelihoods,
will
the
cabinet
secretary
today
confirm
if
the
Scottish
government
have
any
plans
to
review
the
level
of
funding
offered
within
the
skis
cameras,
energy?
Well.
C
Goose
policy,
a
review
of
goose
policy
is
undertaken
every
five
years
by
this
government,
so
in
effect
there
is
a
rolling
programme
of
review
and
in
2015
the
Scottish
Government
commissioned
the
latest.
The
current
review
of
goose
policy
and
that
included
issue
around
the
support
offered
to
farmers
to
manage
geese
in
Scotland
through
goose
management
schemes,
and
that
review
is
currently
being
considered
by
an
external
Quality
Assurance
panel
and
it's
due
to
be
completed
by
November,
2017
and
I'm.
Sure
the
member
be
interested
in
those
results.
C
I
should
add
presiding
officer
that
SNH
spends
a
considerable
portion
of
its
budget
on
goofs
management,
and
it
cannot
just
continue
to
rise
exponentially
because
that
isn't
sustainable.
What
we're
looking
to
do
is
to
try
and
enable
farmers
to
be
in
themselves
through
their
their
particular
management.
The
solution.
C
D
Does
the
cabinet
secretary
agree
that
customer
service
should
be
a
priority
for
Scottish
water
and
business
stream,
and
it's
not
good
enough
that
people
can't
resolve
issues
they're
facing
due
to
their
failure
to
respond
and
with
the
cabinet
secretary
also
agreed
to
write
to
scottish
water
on
behalf
of
my
constituents
to
try
and
resolve
these
issues?
Well,.
A
E
Thank
You
presiding
officer,
the
cabinet
secretary,
is
aware
of
the
long-term
flooding
issues
and
pressed
written
the
pressing
need
for
this
to
be
addressed
and
I
note
from
the
written
answer.
I
recently
received
that
the
allocation
of
funding
is
by
priority.
Can
she
please
assure
me
that
the
flooding
and
the
flooding
from
sewers
and
Prestwick
be
addressed
as
an
absolute
priority
and
that
a
flood
mitigation
scheme
will
be
drawn
up
as
soon
as
possible?
Please
cabinet
secretary
well.
C
I
think
John
Scott
has
been
here
long
enough
to
have
been
involved
in
the
flooding
Scotland
bill,
which
we
took
through
this
Parliament
some
years
ago.
We
now
have
a
very
carefully
thought-out
priority
program,
which
is
agreed
with
Khosla
and
that
informs
the
immediate
priorities
and
is
a
rolling
program
that
will
be
constantly
under
review.
Flood
protection
is
an
issue
for
local
authorities
to
address
and
I'm
very
happy.
C
If
the
member
wishes
to
raise
directly
with
me
any
specific
concerns
he
has
about
a
very
specific
program,
then
I
would
be
very
happy
to
speak
to
him
about
that.
Flooding
is
our
going
to
be
a
constant
and
consistent
problem
as
we
move
forward
and
I
believe
that
in
Scotland
we
have
the
best
possible
framework
within
which
to
manage
the
problem.
F
G
You
presiding
officer,
the
Scottish
Government
is
committed
to
community
empowerment
and
supporting
strong
local
democracy
in
the
programme
for
government.
We
say
our
plans
to
work
with
a
wide
range
of
organisations
to
deliver
a
comprehensive
review
of
local
governance
ahead
of
a
local
democracy.
Bail.
Later
this
Parliament,
we
were
ensured
that
listening
to
the
voices
of
remote
rural
and
island
communities
is
central
to
that
review.
Gilroys
thank.
F
The
Minister
for
that
answer,
having
had
a
lot
of
local
discussion
with
stakeholders
in
my
constituency,
I,
am
concerned
that
there
appears
to
be
a
large
disparity
between
the
effectiveness
and
inclusiveness
of
Community
Planning
partnerships
from
area
to
area.
Well,
the
Scottish
Government
consider
issuing
specific
guidance
to
make
partnerships
aware
of
their
responsibilities,
to
be
open,
inclusive
and
welcoming
to
all
members
of
their
community.
F
G
President
officer,
we've
recently
introduced
important
changes
to
strengthen
Community
Planning
since
last
December
community
planning
partnerships
have
been
subject
to
new
statutory
duties
introduced
by
the
community,
empowerment,
Scotland,
Act,
2004,
15
and,
of
course,
there's
support
and
guidance.
These
give
community
please
give
Community
Planning
a
statutory
purpose,
focused
on
local
public
services,
working
together
and
with
communities
to
improve
outcomes
and
to
tackle
inequalities
on
what
they
agree
are
local
priorities,
the
act
and
guidance.
G
Please
communities
at
the
heart
of
community
planning,
for
instance,
they
require
CPP
partner
bodies
to
take
all
reasonable
steps
to
enable
any
community
body
that
can
contribute
to
community
planning
to
participate.
As
far
as
that
body
wants
to
I
know
that
Gil
Ross
is
very
passionate
about
this
issue
and
about
empowering
communities
and
I'm
more
than
willing
to
meet
with
her
to
discuss
these
issues
further
Alexander.
H
Stood
Thank,
You,
presiding
officer.
The
minister
highlights
the
importance
of
local
government
in
planning
decisions.
Can
he
then
explained
the
utter
hypocrisy
in
his
answer
as
to
overturning
planning
decisions
taken
at
local
level,
such
as
unwanted
wind
farm
developments
and
Greenbelt
developments
such
as
Park
of
kea.
G
The
question
that
Gail
Ross
posed
presiding
officer
was
there
Bay,
Community,
Planning
and
mr.
Stewart
has
moved
on
to
spatial
planning.
Is
mr.
Stewart
is
well
aware:
the
there
is
a
special
place
in
the
ministerial
code
for
planning
ministers.
I
would
refer
him
to
that
and
he
knows
that.
I
cannot
talk
about
any
specific
case
and
I
would
refer
them
to
the
laters
that
go
out
which
give
my
decisions
so
that
he
has
the
reasoning
for
those
decisions.
J
How
they
use
it?
We
are
taking
a
number
of
steps
to
support
the
fresh
processing
industry.
We
continue
to
provide
vital
funding
through
our
European
fisheries
funds,
to
support
processors
to
invest
in
their
facility,
since
2007
waited
over
30
million
pairs
of
support
to
support
146
businesses
across
quote.
We've
also
published
proposals,
as
the
member
will
be
aware
for
a
Scottish
landings
target
to
increase
landings
of
fashion
by
Scottish
vessels
and
to
Scotland.
J
The
scoping
process
was
more
more
raw
material
to
market
and
we're
providing
250,000
pounds
per
annum
to
see
fit
Scotland
to
enable
them
to
promote
the
sector
in
Scotland
and
international
trade
shows.
In
addition,
we're
working
with
the
industry
to
develop
a
new
sector,
specific
action
plan
to
exploit
further
growth
opportunities,
Peter.
I
The
Minister
for
that
answer,
but
the
reality
is
that,
given
that
we
expect
increased
tonnage,
ease
of
fish
landings
boost
brexit.
It
is
very
concerning
that,
from
that
from
2008
to
2016
that
has
been
a
step,
a
four
percent
decline
and
fish
processing
factories
and
a
12
percent
decline
and
people
employed
processing
fresh
in
Scotland.
Now
these
fish
are
being
driven
to
L
is
like
Grimsby
with
significantly
lower
business
rates,
aren't
running
costs
and
there
is
seems
to
be
no
government.
I
A
J
A
remarkable
question
from
from
Peter
Chapman
for
a
number
of
reasons,
but
let
me
try
to
be
constructive
and
helpful
what
I
can
and
that
the
Grampian
seafood
alliance
recently
read
with
my
colleague
a
cabinet
secretary
for
finance.
He
of
course
wrote
to
Tory
laid
a
burden
and
a
burden
I
can
so
reminding
them
through
the
community
empowerment
legislation.
J
They
have
the
powers
to
introduce
specific
rates,
reliefs
for
those
industries
from
sure
PR
Chapman
will
join
with
the
cabinet
secretary
for
finance,
but
it
is
quite
incredible
that
Peter
Chapman
mentions
the
decline
and
employment
in
those
industries
when
I
look
at
Grampian
statistics
that
70%
of
those
employed
by
the
fishing
fish
processing
industry
in
Grampian
are
EU
Nationals.
Well,
he
not
join
with
this
government
to
call
on
the
UK
government
to
not
push
for
that
hard
breaks
it
to
say
that
EU
citizens
make
a
contribution
rather
than
fish
protesting.
J
Hospitality
are
many
sectors
across
gotten
a
father
to
that.
Well,
the
member
not
also
joined
with
the
Scottish
government
in
saying
to
the
UK
government
that
any
European
money
for
the
European
Marine
Fisheries
fund
that
comes
back
to
the
UK
must
come
back
to
Scotland
and
be
spent,
and
our
fisherman
here
in
Scotland
I
can
guarantee
mr.
Chapman.
If
he
does
that
he
will
not
be
receiving
I'm
sure
his
p45.
J
I
thought
a
member
for
the
question
the
Scottish
Government
welcomes.
Of
course,
the
success
of
the
North
Course
500
recognises
the
importance
of
the
North
Course
500
root
to
the
Scottish
economy
in
terms
of
Road
Safety
Scottish,
Ministers,
I,
directly
responsible
for
trunk
road
sections
of
the
NC
500,
which
compromised
approximately
22%
of
the
route
through
sections
of
the
a35
in
1989,
the
safety
performance
of
the
trunk
roads,
elements
of
the
NC
500
is
reviewed
annually.
J
The
focus
for
2016
are
lower
than
the
average
for
the
three
years
before
that
it
was
promoted
in
2015
the
partnership
approach.
A
partnership
approach
has
been
taken
to
improving
safety
across
the
whole
ANC
500,
and
the
transport
subgroup,
which
has
been
set
up
by
the
NC
500
working
group,
includes
officials
from
Highland
Council,
police,
Scotland,
Transport,
Scotland,
bear-bear,
Scotland,
NC,
500
and
visit
Westeros.
Options
that
are
being
considered
includes
include
passing
places
on
single
track,
roads,
Lord
edge
edge,
strengthening
improved
tourist
routes
lining,
as
well
as
general
road
safety
and
Driver
behavior
education.
J
K
The
Minister
for
that
answer,
the
north
coast,
500
us,
obviously
been
a
tremendous
boost
to
the
highlands.
Many
people
who
live
near
it
believe
that
it's
combination
of
in
experience,
driving
on
single
track
roads
and
frustration
that
causes
accident
will
the
government,
because
the
Highland
Council
are
finding
it
difficult
financially
help
take
the
lead
in
increasing
signage
on
the
route
to
mitigate
these
two
particular
problems.
Minister.
J
I
mean
I
will
look
at
any
proposal.
Of
course,
along
with
colleagues
from
Highland
Council
as
part
of
and
I
would
suggest
that
the
working
group
that
we've
set
up
in
the
transport
subgroup
is
the
appropriate
place
to
do
that.
Some
of
the
interventions
that
we've
made
recently
do
focus
on
signage,
do
focus
on
single
track
roads
and
passing
police's.
So
if
there's
a
proposal
that
comes
from
Highland
Council,
we
well
look
at
that.
I
would
say,
of
course
the
Highland
Council.
You
know,
we'd
expect
local
roads
to
be
funded
from
that
Block
Grant.
J
L
You
presiding
officer,
would
the
Minister
join
with
me
in
congratulating
the
Northeast
Scotland
driver
awareness
team
who
have
produced
a
road
safety
leaflet
but
driving
on
single
track
roads
on
the
NC
500
and
beyond,
and
does
the
minister
share
my
view
that
the
NC
500
route
is
a
stellar
success
for
tourism,
but
perhaps
more
work
needs
to
be
done
and
promoting
the
specialists
and
technical
skills
needed
to
drive
on
single
track
roads?
Yes,.
J
Yes,
I
agree
with
all
of
what
Dave
said.
Thank
you
also
to
Dave.
Let's
do
it
for
the
member
for
giving
me
a
copy
of
that
leaf.
I.
Think
it's
an
excellent
leaflet,
which
many
of
those
who
drive
the
NC
500
would
do
well
to
look
at
so
where
we
can
support
initiatives
like
that.
Of
course,
we
absolutely
should
and
of
course,
as
I
say,
what
more
the
government
can
do
transports
corn
can
do
is
part
of
the
NC
500,
a
group
that
subgroup
on
transport.
Then,
of
course,
people
look
to
do.
N
Very
disappointed
that
Babcock
International
is
considering
closing
the
Stirling
workshop.
Although
I
understand
that
a
final
decision
has
not
yet
been
made.
A
very
much
hope,
along
with
the
member
who's
made.
Many
representations
on
this
that
the
excellent
work
of
the
highly
skilled
workforce
is
recognized
as
a
result
of
the
consultation
and
that
we,
in
any
event,
stand
by
in
the
Scottish
Government
to
provide
what
support
we
can.
M
Thank
the
cabinet
secretary
for
his
reply
is
the
cabinet
secretary
aware
that
the
defense
of
operation
in
Stirling
as
the
central
point
for
the
maintenance
of
military
equipment
and
the
last
of
its
kind
in
Scotland
there's
a
cabinet
secretary,
agree
with
unites
the
Union,
who
represent
many
of
the
56
highly
skilled
workers
at
both
side
that
the
proposals
from
Babcock
represent
a
potential
logistics
nightmare
for
the
armed
forces
in
Scotland.
Does
he
further
agree
that
our
plans
to
move
significant
parts
of
the
service
mainly
to
Yorkshire
and
bhavat
in
proceed?
N
I,
certainly
do
not
doubt
the
importance
of
the
DSG
sight
and
the
skills
of
the
people
employed
here
and
the
embodies
brutal,
basing
cuts
announced
last
year
have
left
a
number
of
outstanding
questions
on
the
operational
and
economic
impact
of
their
proposals.
The
member
may
be
interested
to
know
that
there
have
been
many
representations
from
Conservative
MPs
down
south
about
closures
in
this
area,
not
one
representation
from
conservative,
MSPs
or
MPs
in
relation
to
the
basing
cuts
in
Scotland,
which
is
absolutely
astonishing.
N
But
these
proposals
further
underline
the
importance
of
mmod
ministers
coming
to
Scotland
to
engage
digitally
on
the
impact
resulting
from
decisions
to
close
defense
sites,
including
stalling
by
2022.
They
continue
to
refuse
to
do
so
with
one
exception.
Lord
Duncan
did
accept
my
invitation,
although
we
still
have
not
managed
to
progressed
towards
an
actual
meeting.
I
hope
that
meeting
will
take
place,
but
in
conclusion
I
would
say
to
the
member
I
do
agree
is
very
disappointing.
N
A
O
Thank
you.
Given
that
Stirling
counsels
local
development
plan
zones,
the
defence
support
group
site
for
much-needed,
Housing
and
regeneration,
why
is
the
Scottish
going
once
again
undermining
the
local
development
plan
and
undermining
regeneration
in
Stirling
with
its
tonnes
Cavanaugh
secretary
well,.
N
I
think
we
just
heard
from
the
elected
constituency
MSP
from
darling
the
views
about
employment
currently
in
the
area.
No,
we
do
to
very
seriously
employment.
That's
why
we
have
one
of
the
lowest
ever
employment
unemployment
levels
in
Scotland
and
one
the
highest
in
fact
the
highest
of
our
employment
level,
so
him
jobs
are
extremely
important.
Of
course.
We
and
of
course,
in
this
case
the
mo
d,
can
look
at
what
proposals
may
be
able
to
accommodate.
Further
housing
study
needs
further
housing,
but
we
don't
want
to
be
doing
that
at
the
expense
of
good.
N
P
N
Of
course,
I'm
always
willing
to
meet
with
their
members
and
I've.
Had
discussions
with
my
colleague,
Bruce
Crawford
anybody's
willing
to
help
the
campaign
to
make
sure
we
can
keep
these
jobs
here.
I
think
would
be
important
and
perhaps,
if
Dean
Locker
is
willing
to,
we
can
extend
that
conversation,
the
future
plan
closures
by
their
moody
installing
and
the
rest
of
Scotland,
because
that
would
allow
us
to
address
a
much
wider
problem.
N
Q
R
Q
I
think
the
cabinet
secretary
for
his
response,
the
Scottish
Government,
has
written
to
all
the
opposition
parties
asking
us
to
set
out
our
plans
for
income
tax
in
advance
of
the
budget.
Now
we
are
quite
clear
in
this
party.
We
do
not
want
to
see
Scottish
taxes
set
at
a
higher
rate
than
elsewhere
in
the
United
Kingdom,
given
that
we
are
showing
the
cabinet
secretary,
what
our
plans
are.
Why
do
we
have
to
wait
to
hear
what
his
our
cabinet.
R
Secretary
well,
mother,
Frieza
Israel
in
the
regard
that
neither
the
Conservative
Party
or
the
Labour
Party
has
responded
to
the
challenge
on
contributing
to
the
debate
on
income
tax.
But
you
see
the
only
principle
the
Tories
have
is
to
simultaneously
cut
taxes
and
spend
more.
At
the
same
time,
that's
the
budget
contribution
from
the
Tories.
The
Scottish
Government
has
outlined
our
position
and
principles
around
taxation
that
includes
certainty,
collecting
tax
in
a
progressive
fashion,
supporting
public
services
and
not
passing
austerity
on
to
those
it
was
the
lowest
incomes.
R
Last
year
in
the
budget,
the
opposition
parties
asked
me
to
listen
to
them
and
listening,
but
you
have
to
give
a
clear
possession
where
the
sums
actually
add
up
and
the
budget
negotiations
will
be
crucial
in
setting
our
plans
for
Scotland,
in
which
we'll
engage
with
the
other
parties.
Now
I
will
put
forward
our
discussion
paper
and
I
hope
that
the
other
parties
engage
in
a
mature
and
rational
fashion
to
inform
that
debate,
and
in
that
sense
the
Scottish
government
will
show
leadership
were
engaged
with
other
parties.
They,
as
we
should.