Angus MacDonald: I am grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate, as I serve on the ECCLR and REC Committees. This is my final speech, so I hope, with the Presiding Officer’s indulgence, to sign off with a few words of thanks and farewell. I, too, send my best wishes to the cabinet secretary. Since the four committee reports on the CCPU were published, it has been heartening to see the...
Angus MacDonald: I a m pleased to contribute to the debate in the week that it was confirmed that Scotland’s carbon footprint has hit another record low. Analysis by the Scottish Government shows that Scotland’s carbon footprint fell by 30 per cent between 2007 and 2017. That compares with a 21 per cent decrease in the rest of the UK. During the 10 years of SNP governance, Scotland’s greenhouse gas...
Angus MacDonald: 5. To ask the Scottish Government what research has been undertaken regarding the long-term impact of long Covid on Scotland’s health services, and whether it is considering establishing long Covid clinics. (S5O-04973)
Angus MacDonald: I thank the cabinet secretary for her detailed reply. Since lodging my question I have had an opportunity to discuss the issue with the chief executive of NHS Forth Valley. Given her response, and that of the cabinet secretary, I am satisfied that the issue is in hand both locally and nationally. Unless the cabinet secretary wishes to respond further, Presiding Officer, I am content for you...
Angus MacDonald: As someone who has a Hebridean background on both sides of my family, going back to Norse times, I was fascinated by the report when it came out last November, and I congratulate my colleague Alasdair Allan on bringing the debate to the chamber. I also thank Dr Iain MacKinnon and Dr Andrew Mackillop for writing the study, and Community Land Scotland for publishing it. As we have heard, the...
Angus MacDonald: I am pleased to take part in this afternoon’s debate—not just as a member of the REC Committee, but as a regular user of CalMac Ferries, not least the MV Hebrides, which is patiently waiting to be replaced by vessel 802. We all know that Ferguson’s has a history of decades of building for the CalMac fleet good-quality ships, on time and on budget. Indeed, it is because of the quality of...
Angus MacDonald: I am sure that the First Minister will agree that the climate change plan update that was published yesterday and discussed earlier is an extremely ambitious action plan. It is clear that Scotland is doing everything that it can, but we are inevitably held back by the limits of devolution. What action does the United Kingdom Government need to take now to ensure that Scotland is not held back...
Angus MacDonald: As the minister said in his initial reply, the vast majority of powers over taxation remain reserved, which clearly limits what the Scottish Government can do to address any inequalities. Does the minister agree that further powers over taxation should be devolved as soon as possible in order to better enable a Scotland-specific response to Covid?
Angus MacDonald: 5. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with NHS Forth Valley regarding capacity planning at the Forth Valley royal hospital intensive care unit, in light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. (S5O-04797)
Angus MacDonald: Since lodging my question, I have had a very constructive meeting with NHS Forth Valley, including with the chief executive, Cathie Cowan. It is clear to me that, despite the obvious pressures, NHS Forth Valley is on top of its game at Forth Valley royal hospital and that the situation at its ICU is currently under control. Therefore, I have no supplementary question to ask, unless the...
Angus MacDonald: I welcome all the actions that are detailed in the minister’s statement. However, by way of clarification, will the minister outline who will oversee the licensing regime and how it will interact with criminal investigations, which are the responsibility of the police?
Angus MacDonald: The First Minister will be aware of the announcement by Petroineos on Tuesday, detailing its plans to reconfigure the Grangemouth refinery to protect 450 skilled jobs, but with the regrettable loss of up to 200 jobs as a result of reduced demand for fuel here and in Europe. There is also, of course, the added threat of possible imposition by the European Union of tariffs on fuel that is...
Angus MacDonald: 5. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the statistical publication “Domestic abuse and stalking charges in Scotland 2019-2020”. (S5O-04585)
Angus MacDonald: W e know that such crimes can have a devastating impact on those affected. How many police officers and staff have been trained to identify signs of coercive and controlling behaviour? Can the cabinet secretary outline how the new domestic abuse bill will build on those protections?
Angus MacDonald: The impact of Covid-19 clearly highlights how vital the agricultural sector is, not just to the economy but to ensuring that the nation is fed. Can the cabinet secretary outline how the Scottish Government will work to maximise the local promotion and purchase of fresh, healthy Scottish produce?
Angus MacDonald: The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity will be aware that the bus manufacturing industry has been one of the major casualties of Covid-19, due to a significant slump in demand for new buses. He will also be aware of the restructuring plans announced by Alexander Dennis in his Falkirk West constituency. Given that a large number of my constituents work at ADL,...
Angus MacDonald: We all know that egg collecting continues to pose a threat to our rare bird species. There has been progress in stamping out that inexcusable and damaging practice in recent years through targeted police campaigns such as operation Easter, but there have been significant cases involving wild birds’ eggs in Scotland and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Clutches of eggs that are laid by rarer...
Angus MacDonald: I have nothing to add, Presiding Officer. I am happy to press amendment 41. Amendment 41 agreed to. Amendment 42 moved—[Claudia Beamish]—and agreed to. Amendment 43 moved—[Angus MacDonald]—and agreed to. Amendment 44 moved—[Claudia Beamish]—and agreed to. Amendment 14 moved—[Mairi Gougeon]—and agreed to. Amendment 45 moved—[Claudia Beamish]—and agreed to. Amendment 46...
Angus MacDonald: I welcome the cabinet secretary’s responses to earlier questions on the Government’s engagement with groups such as the CCC and the just transition commission. It is clear to us all that there needs to be industrial decarbonisation on a large scale, together with a global shift to clean growth by driving technologies, services and markets to produce low-carbon industrial products. What...
Angus MacDonald: 8. To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made regarding plans to support bed and breakfasts that are not on the rates system and were not eligible to apply to the Covid-19 hardship scheme solely because they did not have a business bank account. (S5O-04395)
