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From YouTube: General Questions - 21 September 2017
Description
Read the full transcript of General Question Time in the Scottish Parliament Official Report: http://goo.gl/8TFH7J
1. Stewart Stevenson: To ask the Scottish Government what the timescale is for a feasibility
study into developing carbon capture and storage at St Fergus. (S5O-01275)
2. Peter Chapman: To ask the Scottish Government what policies it is implementing to support
the development and progression of the farming industry. (S5O-01276) R
3. Miles Briggs: To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve access at
Waverley station for disabled, blind and visually-impaired people. (S5O-01277)
4. John Mason: To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the proportion of
retailers adhering to single use carrier bag legislation. (S5O-01278)
5. Stuart McMillan: To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to
implementing a European-style ticketing model for rail travel. (S5O-01279)
6. Ben Macpherson: To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to increase social
housing in Edinburgh. (S5O-01280)
7. Joan McAlpine: To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the importance of rural
schools. (S5O-01281)
8. Liam McArthur: To ask the Scottish Government, further to its response to the Barclay Review
on non-domestic rates, how the continuing consideration of the valuation methodology for licensed
premises will be carried out, and when this will be concluded. (S5O-01282)
9. Bill Bowman: To ask the Scottish Government what assurance it can give businesses in the
north east that they will not be financially disadvantaged by any change to the 12.5% business
rate cap. (S5O-01283)
10. Willie Coffey: To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the economy
in the Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley constituency. (S5O-01284)
Published by the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body.
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A
C
Acorn
CCS
project
will
be
officially
launched
in
Aberdeen
on
26th
of
September
2017.
The
launch
will
signal
the
formal
start
of
the
feasibility
stage
of
the
project,
which
is
anticipated
to
last
18
months.
The
Acorn
project
is
managed
by
pale
blue
dot
and
energy
transition.
Consultancy
based
in
banki,
Aberdeenshire
Stevenson
may.
B
I
welcome
the
commitment
of
the
Scottish
Government
to
this
in
fergus
project.
Does
the
minister
share
my
disappointment
to
the
UK
government's
anti
carbon
capture
and
storage
in
action
at
some
Fergus
and
the
proactively
hostile
actions
regarding
it
at
peterhead?
Does
that
put
a
risk
and
opportunity
that
will
not
only
benefit
the
environment
that
create
jobs
and
boost
the
economy
right
across
Scotland?
Mr.
C
Thank
You
presiding
officer
I
certainly
agree
with
the
Stevenson's
assessment
that
the
UK
government's
decision
to
scrap
the
previous
1
billion
pound
carbon
capture
and
storage
program,
which
of
course
included
a
strong
commitment
at
that
point
to
peterhead
has
been
a
disgrace
and
a
lost
opportunity
for
Scotland,
and
indeed
the
UK.
Had
this
competition
been
allowed
to
run
its
course.
The
world's
first
commercial
skill,
gas
power
CCS
plant
could
have
been
built
in
Peter
hate
and
the
world's
attention
would
have
been
drawn
to
the
UK
and
Scotland
as
a
trailblazer
in
this
technology.
C
Unfortunately,
this
first
mover
advantage
has
been,
to
some
extent
lost
and
we're
done
daily.
It
would
have
attracted
significant
investment
to
UK
and
brought
with
it
further
opportunities
for
job
creation,
skills,
development
and
position.
You
keep
with
the
potential
to
take
its
place
as
a
supply
chain
for
Europe
in
this
important
technology.
It's
worth
stressing,
presiding
officer
that
the
need
for
CCS
remains
and
in
the
fact,
the
international
panel
climate
change
see
that
it
would
cost
130
percent
more
to
achieve
a
2
degree.
C
Celsius
climate
change
mitigation
scenario
without
carbon
capture
and
storage
and
despite
the
clear
need
for
CCS
all
UK
government
efforts
to
bring
forward
this
technology
have
filled.
Given
us
track
record
of
failure
and
in
the
rest
of
your
key,
it's
certainly
a
failure
as
well.
No,
no
essential
that
the
UK
government
set
out
a
clear
and
robust
policy
framework,
hopefully
working
with
the
Scottish
government
and
others
who
want
to
support
the
technology
and
set
that
out
and
there
soon
to
be
published.
A
UK
clean
growth
plan.
E
Sorry
officer,
the
Scottish
government
currently
implements
the
Common
Agricultural
Policy
in
Scotland,
using
the
flexibilities
available
in
the
EU
regulations
to
deliver
a
CA
P
that
best
supports
Scotland's
farmers
and
crafters
since
being
reelected.
This
government
has
developed
and
progressed
a
range
of
policies
to
help
support
Scotland's
farming
industry,
including
paying
around
sixty
five
point:
five
million
pounds
per
annum
in
elfish,
less
favored
area
payments
and
committing
ninety
nine
million
pounds
to
14
hundred
and
seventeen
businesses
under
the
Agri
environment
and
climate
change
scheme.
D
The
cabinet's
ticularly
for
that
answer,
yeah
I,
you
know
I
welcomed
a
the
ambition,
2030
to
grow
our
food
and
drink
industry
and
double
it
by
2030,
but
and
what
this
could
mean
for
our
fantastic
food
and
drink
industry.
However,
this
study
does
not
mention
a
single
policy.
Providing
support
for
profitability
and
sustainability
of
our
farmers
can
I
ask
the
government
what
they
are
doing
to
rebalance
the
food
chain
to
ensure
the
producer
gets.
A
fairer
share
of
the
consumer,
spend
for
the
high
quality
produce
that
they
produce.
E
These
Scotland's
food
and
drink
sector
promotes
and
wishes
to
see
more,
even
more
success
in
the
sale,
so
fine
Scottish
farm
produce
and
works
very
closely
with
the
Scottish
government,
and
we
work
very
closely
with
the
sector.
Just
yesterday,
I
met
the
NF
US
president,
once
again
so
I
think
it's
a
bit
challenged
not
to
recognize
the
good
work.
That's
gotten
food
and
drink
do
quite
frankly,
but
of
course,
as
I
said
in
the
debate
last
week,
we
want
to
see
farmers
receive
more
credit
for
the
excellent
work
they
do.
They
produce
fine
quality
food.
E
They
are
the
custodians
of
our
landscape,
however,
I
have
to
say-
and
I
will
be
preaching
this
point
to
Mr
Gove,
presiding
officer
when
I
meet
him
in
Monday.
The
lack
of
clarity
about
payment,
continued
payments
after
2:19
to
Scotland's
Hill
farmers
over
12,000
of
them
could,
as
I
explained
to
mr.
Gough,
when
I
had
a
briefing
with
him
at
the
Royal
Highland
Show
in
June
lead
to
thousands
thousands
of
Hill
farmers
being
forced
out
of
business.
F
You
officer
the
chamber
will
be
aware
that
convergence
funding
was
earned
in
Scotland
doterra
average
per
hectare
rate
which
brought
the
UK
wide
average
below
the
90%
qualifying
threshold.
Can
the
Scottish
government
confirm
if
it
received
any
guarantee
from
the
UK
government
that
plans
to
pass
on
the
EU
converging
up
with
funding
to
Scotland
Minister.
E
Is
a
very
serious
issue:
the
UK
received
190
million
pounds
because,
and
only
because
Scotland's
farmers
received
45%
of
the
EU
average
per
hectare
that
money
was
intended
for
Scotland
and
only
for
Scotland's
farmers,
who
received
far
far
less
than
any
other
farmers
in
the
UK
per
hectare.
Successive
UK
government
ministers
have
promised
review
of
this
presiding
officer.
Every
single
one
of
them
has
broken
that
pledge.
When
I
raised
this
with
Andrea
led
some
last
October.
She
promised
she
would
reply
quickly.
No
reply
has
been
received
again,
as
you
may
expect.
E
I
will
be
raising
this
on
Monday
with
mr.
goof.
That
money
is
due
to
Scotland's
farmers,
Scotland's
Hill
farmers.
It's
worth
around
fourteen
thousand
pounds,
fourteen
thousand
pounds
to
each
Hill
farmer
in
Scotland
that
money
was
taken
by
the
UK
government.
It's
Scotland's
money
and
we
want
it
back.
H
Scottish
Government
continues
to
encourage
Network
Rail,
who
manage
Waverly
station
and
squat
real.
What
closely
with
the
station
state,
called
a
grip
that
had
been
set
up
to
build
on
the
access
improvements
achieved
over
the
recent
years
and
all
from
my
meeting
with
the
station
grip
in
March.
That
more
can
be
done,
and
that
is
why
I
recently
asked
Network
Rail
to
convene
a
further
meeting
of
the
station
group
to
explain
recent
developments
and
a
wide
range
of
ongoing
issues
that
have
particular
impact
on
disabled
passengers.
As
mr.
H
G
G
Given
the
importance
the
minister
gave
to
the
accessible
travel
framework
which
he
launched
last
year,
will
the
agree
to
intervene
and
demand
that
these
plans
to
improve
access
for
disabled
and
visually
Payard
people
are
developed
and
will
he
reconsider
his
decision
to
refuse
to
meet
with
me
and
the
access
the
city
access
panel,
who
have
identified
urgent
action
points
which
would
improve
access
at
the
station
right
now
for
vulnerable
travellers?
Minister.
A
H
I
recognize
miles
Briggs
and
many
recipes
I
think
ash
Denham
volved
in
this
issue.
One
of
paramount
importance
can
I
just
put
some
context
which
he
left
out
in
his
answer.
He
well
no,
of
course,
as
I
said
that
Network
Rail
reclassified
board
under
the
Department
for
Transport
as
responsible
to
managing
Waverly
station,
but
the
reason
why
the
new
streetcar
proposal
is
not
going
ahead
as
planned
in
2017
is
because
of
significant
remedial
work.
The
city
of
Edinburgh
Council
now
say
is
required
to
Northbridge.
H
They
say
that
access
to
North
Bridge
will
come
in
through
new
Street.
Now
I
am
disappointed,
just
as
he
is
I
can
understand.
The
anger
I
can
understand
the
frustration,
but
he
will
agree
with
me
I'm
sure
that
the
safety
of
passengers
is
paramount.
So
if
there's
remedial
work
needed
to
be
done
at
the
North
Bridge
via
the
new
Street
access,
then
he
will
agree
that
that
priority
is
of
course
important.
H
H
Would
take
some
issue
with
them
to
say
that
I
refuse
to
meet
I
simply
suggested
that
he
should
meet
with
Network
Rail
and
indeed
because
they
of
course
manage
at
the
station
and
the
Edinburgh
City
Council
to
understand
a
little
bit
more
Effy
wishes
to
meet
with
me,
of
course,
I'm
more
than
happy
to
meet
with
them
and
to
discuss
this
issue
further.
Christine.
I
You
presiding
officer
is
the
Minister
aware
as
I
arms
through
my
constituency
mailbox.
So
there
are
difficulties
for
disabled
passengers
in
the
borders
which
terminates
from
one
direction
at
Waverley,
but
that's
also
in
part
due
to
the
age
of
one
five
eight
rolling
stock,
and
can
he
advise
me
when
that
rolling
stock
will
be
coming
down
the
line
in
providing
better
carriages
Minister
again.
H
Can
I
recognize
the
members
interest
unless
and
she
has
been
in
contact
with
me
previously?
What
I
would
say
is
26
of
the
fleet
of
40
of
the
one
five-eighths
which
are
most
operated
on
the
Border's
route
that
have
already
been
updated
to
meet
the
requirement
for
the
persons
with
reduced
mobility,
including
fighting
to
dedicated
wheelchair
spaces,
companion,
seating,
call
for
eight
buttons
and
handsome
universal
access,
accessible,
toilets,
improved
customer
information
screens
and
priority
seating.
The
entire
squat
really
well
meet
the
real
vehicle
access
standards
before
the
first
of
January
2020,
as
required
by
legislation.
H
A
class
1
70s
used
in
borders
have
been
compliant
since
an
introduction
to
Scotland
in
1990
in
terms
of
the
plans
to
cascade.
Yes,
I
can
assure
the
member
that
plans
are
still
in
place,
of
course,
the
Cascade
carriages
across
the
network
to
ensure
that
we
continue
to
provide
the
most
up-to-date
and
the
base
through
links,
thought
that
we
possibly
can
to
the
borders,
and
indeed
across
the
network,
Curtis
:
Daniel.
J
You
presiding
officer,
the
changes
to
Waverly
station
have
been
in
place
for
some
time
now
and
with
the
changes
to
tax
during
making
access
for
those
with
mobility
issues,
significantly
impacted
and
I
note.
In
his
answer
to
miles
Briggs,
he
stopped
short
of
saying
that
he
would
meet
with
the
Edinburgh
access
panel.
Can
you
now
take
the
opportunity
to
agree
to
not
just
meet
with
a
member
over
there
but
to
meet
with
the
access
panel?
In
short?
Well,
the
minister
make
himself
accessible
to
talk
about
accessibility,
minister.
H
So
wonderful
so
debate,
but
what
I
did
what
I
did
see?
What
I
did
see
is
that
I've
already
met
with
the
accessibility
panel
I'm,
the
one
that
helped
to
facilitate
and
convene
the
meeting
that
he
didn't
attend.
I
should
see
ash
Denham
and
Mayo's
Briggs
that
attend
no
I
would
be
more
than
happy
for
the
avoidance
of
any,
though,
to
meet
my
OHS
Briggs
to
meet
the
accessibility
panel.
Of
course
I
would
be.
My
point
is
just
a
one
of
fact
in
context
here
that
the
station
is
of
course
managed
by
Network
Rail.
H
They
are
the
ones
along,
say:
Denver,
City
Council,
who
completely,
of
course,
have
the
responsibility
for
the
remedial
works
that
are
going
on
in
the
station
now.
I
don't
have
a
ministerial
magic
wand,
but
of
course,
I
will
meet
with
the
access
panel.
I
mow
meet
with
members,
but
please
do
realize
the
importance.
The
safety
must
be
the
priority
for
passengers,
whether
they
have
accessibility
issues
or
not.
Question.
K
C
K
Thank
the
Minister
for
that
reply.
Last
week,
I
bought
an
article
of
clothing
at
Jersey
and
Royal
Mail
and
was
not
charged
for
the
bag,
and
this
has
happened
to
me
several
times
in
my
own
constituency
when
I'm
shopping
I.
Just
wonder
if
the
minister
has
any
concern
that
tea.
That
is
a
bit
of
noir
adherence
to
this
legislation.
Mr.
A
A
C
L
A
C
Certainly
recognize
the
issue
that
Morris
golden
has
raised.
It's
certainly
an
issue
in
terms
of
the
use
of
single-use
cups
is
something
that
we
are
aware
of.
As
being
raises,
our
concern
and
the
Scottish
government
is
looking
to
undertake
work
to
understand
the
the
potential
impact
of
that
such
a
measure.
So
we've
constituted
an
expert
panel
to
look
into
what
a
range
of
measures
along
similar
lines
to
the
carrier.
C
Bank
charge
can
be
taken
and
this
work
will
be
kicked
off
by
consideration,
overcharged
and
single-use
cups,
such
as
coffee
cups,
which
are
often
letters
of
Schiller
member,
knows
and
are
very
difficult
to
dispose
of
and
recycle.
Indeed.
So,
therefore,
we'll
seek
to
encourage
people
to
reuse
to
use
reusable
alternatives,
but
I
will
raise
the
point
with
the
cabinet
secretary
for
environment,
climate
change,
the
land
reform
that
has
see
if
there's
some
further
information
we
provided
on
the
potential
impact
of
it
question.
M
H
Understand
this
question
has
its
origins
in
the
area
of
penalty.
Fears
which
are
present
are
not
operated
in
Scotland's
got
real
as
undertaking
a
number
of
initiatives
to
reduce
ticketless
travel,
including
an
advertising
campaign.
I
don't
buy
before
you
board
and
encouraging
passengers
on
the
benefits
of
switching
to
smart.
M
The
most
of
that
apply,
but
the
Semana
stir
believe
that
the
European
ticketing
system
would
actually
either
Bailey
with
Scotland
with
revenue
collection
and
also
to
assist
for
some
of
the
anti-social
behavior
that
has
occurred
due
to
the
many
unstaffed
stations
on
the
network
and
with
the
Oscar
Bailey,
with
Scotland
to
examine
the
feasibility
or
the
introduction
of
such
a
model.
Minister.
O
Thank
you
for
saying
officer
unless
Scottish
housing
day
can
I
say
to
mr.
McPherson
that
over
this
parliamentary
period,
the
Scottish
Government
has
allocated
affordable
housing
supply
program,
funding
of
nearly
a
hundred
and
ninety
million
pounds
to
the
city
of
Edinburgh,
which
we
expect
to
deliver
around
4,000
homes.
This
will
be
for
Housing
Association
and
the
City
Council
a
21st
century
homes
program
to
deliver
a
range
of
housing
in
a
mix
of
affordable
ten
years,
but
primarily
focusing
on
social
rented
housing,
which
of
course,
is
a
key
government
priority.
Ben.
N
Mcpherson
I
thank
the
Minister
for
that
answer
and
warmly
welcome
the
the
action
that
the
Scottish
Government
has
already
taken.
Does
the
minister
agree
with
me
that,
as
edinburgh
as
population
expands,
as
is
predicted
to
do
in
the
coming
years,
the
city
will
require
a
greater
share
of
Housing
Association
grant
subsidy
levels
in
order
to
provide
an
adequate
supply
of
social
housing
here
in
our
growing
capital
city?
Minister
comes.
A
O
Officer
and
please
the
Edinburgh
king
saw
is
developing
a
long
term.
Ambitious
new,
build,
affordable
homes
programme
for
the
next
decade
and
by
the
end
of
the
parliamentary
period
as
Edinburgh
will
be
receiving
around
16
million
pounds
more
than
their
allocation
this
year.
That's
a
55
percent
increase
in
its
resources
to
meet
the
housing
needs
of
the
city,
including
social
housing.
I
was
very
pleased
this
morning
to
be
able
to
go
to
see
a
development.
O
Dunedin
Canmore
are
bringing
forward
that
Craig
Miller
a
project
built
by
CCG,
which
will
add
another
111
homes
here
in
Edinburgh
and
I
hope.
What's
the
affordable
homes
programme
was
open
market
shared
equity
and
a
number
of
other
government
schemes,
including
the
National
Housing
Trust,
that
we
will
continue
to
see
growth
in
housing
here
in
Edinburgh
question.
Q
Any
officer
the
Scottish
Government
recognises
that
rural
schools
play
a
hugely
important
part
in
in
shooting
a
vibrant
and
sustainable
local
community
and
economy
interns
and
villages
across
rural
Scotland.
That's
why
this
government
made
amendments
to
the
schools
consultation
Scotland
at
2010
in
2014,
to
make
the
consultation
process
for
school
closure
proposals
more
transparent
and
rigorous,
and
to
strengthen
the
requirements
related
to
rural
schools.
Jill.
P
You
in
the
recent
Galloway
the
council,
put
forward
proposals
to
close
a
cap,
Benin
gostin
primary
schools.
In
each
case,
the
proposals
for
coal
shall
have
been
met
with
fierce
resistance
from
parents
and
the
local
community.
You
see
huge
educational
benefits
for
the
children
and
being
a
small
classroom
setting,
as
well
as
community
benefits
from
the
use
of
the
skills
for
other
activities.
Does
the
cabinet
secretary
agree
with
me
that
accounts
for
most
listened
to
these
communities
take
into
account
the
devastation
would
be
felt?