Maureen Watt: Perhaps the cabinet secretary could tell me whether schools in Aberdeen city or Aberdeenshire are taking part in those tests. Schools will now be returning later and via staged learning. Does the cabinet secretary believe that that will allow time to ensure that any proposed testing will be taken forward in a manner that reflects and acts on the views of teachers and parents?
Maureen Watt: James Withers, the chief executive officer of Scotland Food & Drink, has warned that a no-deal Brexit would be an “act of huge economic negligence”, and the Andersons Centre’s analysis of Brexit impacts on Scottish agricultural sectors shows that the challenges for Scottish agriculture will be huge no matter what kind of exit from the EU we have. Will the cabinet secretary give his...
Maureen Watt: I am pleased that there has been general consensus around the necessity of this fast-tracked bill. When I spoke in the stage 1 debate a few short weeks ago, we had just heard about the availability of a vaccine against Covid-19 and we hoped that some of the measures proposed in the bill would not be required. However, as the minister said, and as others know, because of the new strains that...
Maureen Watt: Democracy is precious, and elections at regular intervals underpin democracy. Democracy does not just happen or endure; it has to be active and protected. Holding regular, open and free elections—in our case, every five years—is one way in which that is done. I wish that we did not need the bill, but the present worldwide pandemic requires the Government and the Parliament to take...
Maureen Watt: The First Minister has, I am thankful to say, indicated that Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire have avoided moving up to level 3. What commitments has the city council given to bring down the virus? What encouragement has it been given to be more proactive in taking steps to drive down the virus, including reminding people that they should be working from home, that they should not be car...
Maureen Watt: Does the cabinet secretary agree that no politician who opposes Brexit could vote for any deal that the UK Government presents, because to do so would be to give our consent to an outcome that Scotland did not vote for and which will do untold damage to our country?
Maureen Watt: The First Minister will be aware of the worrying outbreak of Covid at the Kepak McIntosh Donald plant in my constituency, where 78 cases have been detected. That is another example of an outbreak in a food processing plant. Do we now have a better understanding of why those outbreaks occur? What measures can be taken to prevent them?
Maureen Watt: 8. To ask the Scottish Government to what extent the suppression of Covid-19 infection rates has been impacted by licensing restrictions. (S5O-04800)
Maureen Watt: We were all ecstatic when Scotland qualified for Euro 2020. However, people in the north-east, including my constituents, were enraged to see social media footage of patrons in an Aberdeen pub not following social distancing. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is vital for all licensed premises and all individuals to strictly follow the protocols to avoid undoing everyone’s good work...
Maureen Watt: I was not allowed to vote, and my vote would have been yes.
Maureen Watt: Following last week’s debate on remembrance commemorations, it is fitting that this week we are discussing support for veterans and the armed forces community, as Mary Fee said. Although the armed forces and defence in general are still the responsibility of the UK Government, it is right that the duty of care is shared with devolved Governments and partners across all sectors. The...
Maureen Watt: There is help for veterans in Scotland. No one should feel that it is not there.
Maureen Watt: Does the First Minister agree that the United Kingdom Government’s Agriculture Act 2020, which has now received royal assent, woefully fails to deliver on the promises that were made to Scotland during the European Union referendum—that European Union funding would at least be matched, and that no powers that impact on farming and food production would be grabbed from our Parliament?
Maureen Watt: Has the UK Government given any indication that it will give serious consideration to the series of financial measures that are outlined in the Scottish tourism recovery task force’s recommendations?
Maureen Watt: As a farmer’s daughter, I note that many farmers will already be on to their bank managers to let them know when the money is coming in—it is that important to know how the money is coming in. The recent report on the suckler beef scheme makes some novel and exciting recommendations in relation to how our food and farming sector can build a sustainable future and contribute to meeting our...
Maureen Watt: Because of test and protect, there is now much more information about where the virus is more likely to be contracted and spread. Can the First Minister confirm that the information gleaned from test and protect will be used when deciding which sectors can reopen and that those sectors—such as gyms and beauty salons—can know whether, in the main, they have been overwhelmingly safe?
Maureen Watt: I am really pleased that the Parliamentary Bureau timetabled the debate and has provided more speaking opportunities for only a little less time, because remembrance commemorations have been so different this year. Normally, we would have had an evening event in the Parliament to celebrate the work of Poppyscotland, and MSPs would have attended one or more cenotaph ceremonies in their...
Maureen Watt: What discussions has the Scottish Government had with the oil and gas industry about the provision of Covid testing for workers prior to their travelling to oilfield installations and returning onshore?
Maureen Watt: I thank Colin Beattie for submitting this motion for debate, and I recognise his excellent convenership of the cross-party group on Germany. That group has a meeting this evening, starting at 6 o’clock, and I beg your indulgence, Presiding Officer, as I would like to leave shortly before then, because Colin Beattie has asked me to convene in his place so that he can stay and listen to all...
Maureen Watt: Last week, I asked the First Minister whether she agrees that we should move to a system of alert, which would be one way of triggering financial support for employees and businesses, and which would provide consistency on the measures that are imposed. Clearly, the Westminster Government has gone ahead with a tiered system, but it has done so without clarifying the financial support or, I...
