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Donate to our crowdfunderColin Beattie: 5. To ask the Scottish Government how its planning policy and guidance to local authorities on takeaway food outlets take account of its policies on healthy eating. (S5O-03937)
Colin Beattie: In my Midlothian North and Musselburgh constituency, there have been several instances in which a multiplicity of new takeaway food outlets have been rejected by both the local community and the council but approved by the Government reporter on appeal. Are stronger guidelines that favour healthy eating likely to be developed?
Colin Beattie: Does the cabinet secretary agree that, when it comes to the UK Administration, the greatest threat facing Scotland is a Boris Johnson-led Government, which would force us out of Europe and put our NHS at risk in a US trade deal?
Colin Beattie: 1. To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes rural tourism, and how much it invests in this work. (S5O-03899)
Colin Beattie: In my constituency of Midlothian North and Musselburgh we enjoy well-known tourist attractions such as Rosslyn chapel. What has the Scottish Government done to promote and support less-well-known tourist attractions such as Cousland smiddy and Dalkeith museum?
Colin Beattie: 1. To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with plant passporting. (S5O-03857)
Colin Beattie: What would the consequences be for Scottish businesses if the application deadline was missed? What can the Scottish Government do to support Scottish businesses to meet the deadline on 14 December?
Colin Beattie: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak in this debate on the Referendums (Scotland) Bill. First, I emphasise that the bill is not focused simply on holding another independence referendum, although I am well aware that some members may focus solely on that aspect. The bill would allow for a strong framework for future referendums of any nature in Scotland. While it would provide us...
Colin Beattie: To be honest, that has no relevance to what I am talking about in relation to the bill. We need to re-engage the public with truthful, honest and fair politics, and enacting a bill that ensures that we will have comprehensive processes and open debate is a positive first step in making politics once more accessible and open. The Brexit advisory referendum—yes, it was only advisory—clearly...
Colin Beattie: 8. With incredible similarity—to ask the Scottish Government what the impact has been on the number of EU tourists coming to Scotland this year of any uncertainty caused by Brexit. (S5O-03650)
Colin Beattie: It is hard to deny that Brexit will result in barriers to those visiting Scotland and all that we have to offer here. How is the Scottish Government mitigating the negative effects of Brexit on tourism, which is one of Scotland’s vital industries, and welcoming those who wish to visit?
Colin Beattie: Does the minister share my astonishment that the Scottish Government has repeatedly been criticised for taking advice from a wide range of independent experts, for pledging to publish that advice in full and for promising to give the people of Scotland the chance to make their views heard?
Colin Beattie: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate on the Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee’s report on the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010. Dogs are reputed to be man’s best friend and, for most of us, that is the case. They can be companions and friends, and they provide children with a beneficial experience that undoubtedly improves their social responses....
Colin Beattie: 1. To ask the Scottish Government what impact United Kingdom Government welfare reforms have had on Scottish social security spending. (S5O-03567)
Colin Beattie: Will the cabinet secretary confirm how much the Scottish Government spends on mitigating harmful UK Government policies? Does the cabinet secretary agree with the United Nations special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Professor Philip Alston, who wrote that “mitigation comes at a price and is not sustainable”?
Colin Beattie: The British Egg Industry Council has recently contacted me with concerns about catastrophic tariffs and lowered food standards in the event of a no-deal Brexit. To protect our industries and the quality of produce that we consume, will the Scottish Government continue to put pressure on the reckless UK Government to abandon the notion of leaving the EU without a deal?
Colin Beattie: What arrangements have been made by other UK Administrations to make sure that farmers and crofters get their basic payments ahead of a no-deal Brexit?
Colin Beattie: 6. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency classifying the sea water at Fisherrow in Musselburgh as poor in 2018-19, and the potential impact that this has on tourism, and the health of people bathing, in the area. (S5O-03460)
Colin Beattie: Specifically, what more can the Scottish Government do to help East Lothian Council manage the situation? Is there a timeframe to completion?
Colin Beattie: For centuries, Scotland has reached overseas for commerce and culture. Contacts through the years were particularly strong with the low countries, France, the Hanseatic league, the German nations and so many more. Sadly, most of those relationships came to an end following the treaty of union in 1707, with the consequent narrowing of our horizons to focus on the rest of the UK and its empire....