Maureen Watt: In my constituency, there is a family who came to this country in 2002; all its members have leave to remain. Two of the children currently attend university and receive home fees. However, when the daughter applied for higher education, certain universities and colleges classed her as an overseas student, which meant that she would have to pay fees. Does the minister agree that the criteria...
Maureen Watt: Given that the minister has a consultation on this very area, is it not advisable to wait for the results and end up with a much better situation, as there is in Paris, where an Airbnb let has to be the main residence, is only let for a third of the year and has to be registered? Is there not a possibility that we could get a much better system?
Maureen Watt: 7. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to deliver superfast broadband to rural communities. (S5O-03354)
Maureen Watt: Openreach is responsible for delivering broadband in Old Portlethen in my constituency. Unfortunately, due to long lines, the community is experiencing frustrating speeds and will have to either wait until 2021 for the R100 programme to deliver superfast broadband, or engage in the community fibre partnership. What support can the Scottish Government give in order to ensure that a faster and...
Maureen Watt: Given that the fishermen have in-depth knowledge of where the best fishing grounds are, when it comes to the next round of development of offshore wind farms would it not be more effective simply not to site new developments where such grounds have been identified?
Maureen Watt: The key to success in this relatively new industry is innovation. A great example of that is the creation of the international centre for aquaculture research and development at the University of Aberdeen, with its innovative farm-to-fork approach. What other investment is going on in that area in our learning institutions throughout Scotland?
Maureen Watt: During the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee’s consideration of the bill, it was clear that, with a number of bodies operating in the south of Scotland, it would be important to ensure that the new agency did not duplicate existing activity, but enhanced the current landscape. My amendment 14 makes it clear that, in working to deliver its aims, the new agency should encourage and...
Maureen Watt: As the member would realise if he came to some of the events in the north-east, the national health service and Scottish Enterprise in Grampian have been very fortunate in having Opportunity North East—or ONE—work on enterprise in the north-east. In fact, it has almost doubled the funding available.
Maureen Watt: To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the European election results, what discussions it has had with its United Kingdom counterparts regarding Brexit. (S5O-03314)
Maureen Watt: Given the disarray and chaos that are ripping the Tory party apart and the fact that its members cannot work with one another, let alone anyone else, it is encouraging that, in his statement yesterday, the cabinet secretary signalled the Scottish Government’s willingness to work with other parties that are opposed to Brexit. Can he outline what steps he is taking to that end?
Maureen Watt: The fiscal framework sets out, on page 13, how the Scottish Government’s block grant is adjusted to account for the proposed VAT assignment. Can the cabinet secretary further explain his view on that proposal, the risks that are involved, and the potential volatility that could impact on the Scottish Government’s spending plans?
Maureen Watt: I, too, am pleased to take part in the debate and I congratulate the minister on his work on Scotland as a trading nation and on the new export action plan. It is important at any time, but even more so at this time of such UK domestic uncertainty and global trade disruption, not least from Brexit and the US president. Apparently, it is now termed “slowbalisation”. It is encouraging that...
Maureen Watt: 6. To ask the Scottish Government how the draft neurological action plan will help people with ME. (S5O-03285)
Maureen Watt: I have a very courageous 17-year-old constituent who, despite having been diagnosed with ME and having missed substantial periods of school, has passed six of their national 5 exams and hopes one day to attend university. They have expressed concern that ME is not included in the action plan. Will the minister take this opportunity to reassure my constituent and others that their opinions...
Maureen Watt: Just over a month ago, the First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister to call for the greater involvement of devolved Administrations in the article 50 negotiations. Will the First Minister confirm whether her call has been reflected in the Prime Minister’s new and improved Brexit deal?
Maureen Watt: Can the cabinet secretary confirm that the payments for 2018 are on time, and that the Scottish Government wants to keep farmers in Scotland farming and producing food, contrary to what Mr Gove told the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee this morning?
Maureen Watt: The climate change plan suggests that practices such as traditional livestock grazing, which reduces the need for synthetic fertiliser, can help with carbon storage. Can the minister tell us what is being done to promote a positive vision of how farming can benefit, and benefit from the need to address, climate change? Is it really either sheep or butterflies—
Maureen Watt: Will the minister also thank the firemen and women in all our fire stations, who did a great deal of initial work to help people to become confident in CPR skills when the cardiac arrest strategy was launched?
Maureen Watt: I am very pleased to be speaking in Bruce Crawford’s members’ business debate. I know that Mr Crawford sees the installation of full-fibre broadband as a bit of a race between Aberdeen and Stirling, which he hopes will be the first to be fully finished with full-fibre broadband. I hope that I will show otherwise. The motion for debate is not dissimilar to motion S5M-15736, which I lodged...
Maureen Watt: I, too, thank Fulton MacGregor for lodging his motion and securing time to debate this important subject. As Alison Johnstone said, this stage in a child’s life can be one of the most stressful for parents and carers, even if not for the child, and making the right decision is not always obvious or easy. Parents can receive conflicting information and views on what is best for their child,...
