Maureen Watt: My question is for the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism. What progress is being made on getting support to the seafood and fishing industry?
Maureen Watt: We know that some enterprising fish merchants have taken to the road to sell their fish products. How can consumers find out whether a fish man is coming to their area, so that they can eat the healthy fish?
Maureen Watt: What engagement has the Scottish Government had with the United Kingdom Government about the commencement of trade talks with the US this week?
Maureen Watt: I am glad that we are, at last, having this debate. The bill was considered by the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee quite a while ago: I note that a number of organisations, including NFU Scotland, want the bill to proceed with some speed in order to provide a degree of certainty about payments, in these otherwise very uncertain times. I regret that some of my committee colleagues are...
Maureen Watt: The coronavirus pandemic has created considerable financial challenges for many people. We know that in my constituency—and, indeed, across Scotland—some households are unable to access the basics, including food. How is the Scottish Government ensuring that emergency free meals are provided in a dignified way to those who are in need of them?
Maureen Watt: Under the current guidance, it is permissible for someone to leave their home only for specific reasons, including to take exercise alone or with other members of their household no more than once a day. However, the lovely weather has meant that a minority of people are taking non-essential drives into the countryside for their exercise. Will the cabinet secretary provide an update on how...
Maureen Watt: The substantial impact of Covid-19 is being further compounded by the substantial fall in the oil price. What help can the Scottish Government, or indeed, as energy is still a reserved issue, the Westminster Government, give to companies in the oil and gas sector whose first preference is to make people redundant rather than to furlough them?
Maureen Watt: Last night, I was contacted by a creel fisherman who is based in my constituency. He raised the concern that much of the fishing industry will not qualify for business support grants given that many businesses do not pay rates as they have no onshore premises. What support will be available for such businesses in the fishing industry?
Maureen Watt: As has been said, it is difficult to overestimate the impact that social isolation and loneliness can have on our health and wellbeing. There might even be people, such as the elderly, pregnant women or people recovering from addiction, for whom meeting in groups is an essential part of maintaining their wellbeing. Can the cabinet secretary suggest and give examples of ways in which such...
Maureen Watt: It is really important that the education system in any country be open to review. That applies to our system, although it has probably been reviewed and scrutinised more than most. As has been said, curriculum for excellence was started by the Lib-Lab Executive, with the support of the whole Parliament, and it fell largely to the SNP Government to implement it from 2007 onwards. Of course,...
Maureen Watt: There is no doubt that more work needs to be done to help our poorer-performing schools, and I hope that the review will show that.
Maureen Watt: I, too, thank Jamie Halcro Johnston for bringing this subject to the chamber. I will concentrate on foundation apprenticeships and share with members my wonderful day on Monday 2 March, when I went to Portlethen academy and followed what some of the young students there were doing. What they were doing is typical of what is happening in Aberdeenshire, with Aberdeenshire Council leading on...
Maureen Watt: The cabinet secretary alluded to the vile remarks of the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, who claimed that migrant workers, including those who work in the fish processing industry in my constituency, come here only for benefits and to access the national health service. Does he agree that that confirms why we need immigration policy to be devolved at the earliest opportunity?
Maureen Watt: The loss of freedom of movement that will result from the UK Government’s current stance will have a huge impact not only on those who value our close connection with Europe, but on vital immigration, including in my constituency, where food processors and others rely on migrant workers. Will the cabinet secretary outline his view on the UK Government’s points-based immigration system...
Maureen Watt: The cabinet secretary mentioned gear conflict as an issue that continues to create tension and real economic problems for many skippers through the loss of valuable equipment. We know that it is hard, if not impossible, to prove that there have been intentional actions that amount to potentially criminal offences. What more can be done to protect the interests of the microbusinesses that make...
Maureen Watt: Does the member recognise that the Government’s distressed brief intervention programme deals precisely with that, including in his own patch in Aberdeen?
Maureen Watt: I thank Alasdair Allan for bringing the motion to the chamber and for giving us the opportunity to highlight the benefits to children of speaking more than one language—Gaelic, on this occasion—and the undoubted benefits of Gaelic-medium education. As has been highlighted, those benefits are found not just in the Western Isles but in other parts of Scotland. I have visited the Glasgow...
Maureen Watt: 3. To ask the Scottish Government what funding it is providing for community-led sports in the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine constituency. (S5O-04055)
Maureen Watt: In November, I was delighted to attend the opening of the Neale Cooper Cruyff court in Tullos, in my constituency, which is the second Cruyff court to open in Aberdeen. I am aware of the fantastic work of the streetsport programme in encouraging young people to get involved in sport—indeed, I will hold an event in the Parliament on Tuesday to highlight that work. How is the Scottish...
Maureen Watt: 5. To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with drug companies and pharmacies to reduce single-use plastics in the dispensing of medicines. (S5O-04047)
