Emma Harper: 5. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the short review into cancer pathway arrangements and reimbursement of travel expenses for patients in Dumfries and Galloway, which it committed to carrying out on 24 November 2020. (S5O-05150)
Emma Harper: I thank the cabinet secretary for everything that she has done in this Parliament and wish her all the very best for the future. My constituent Dr Gordon Baird, on behalf of Galloway community hospital action group, lodged a petition that urges the Scottish Government to explore the creation of an agency, or a commissioner, to address the health needs of people in rural Scotland. Australia...
Emma Harper: I will be happy to move amendment 1 and speak to all the amendments in the group, which are minor and technical. At stage 2, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee agreed to an amendment that Jamie Halcro Johnston lodged whose aim was to clarify that woodland that is used for grazing was included in the definition of agricultural land. I had no strong views on whether that change was...
Emma Harper: I am happy that the minor and technical amendments will be made and I am happy to proceed. Amendment 1 agreed to. Amendment 2 moved—[Emma Harper]—and agreed to.
Emma Harper: I am weel chuffed to open the stage 3 debate on my Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill. I am pleased that the bill, which I have worked on for more than four years, has had unanimous cross-party support and is the final bill that will be passed during this parliamentary session. The bill came about because, in my work as a member, I heard about many horrific incidents...
Emma Harper: In closing, I have additional people to thank. More than 600 people responded to my consultation in full, and I appreciate the time and input from members of the public. Many organisations have been involved, as well, including the National Sheep Association in Scotland. Claudia Beamish mentioned Jen Craig, who has been helpful in giving evidence to the Rural Economy and Connectivity...
Emma Harper: Of course I will.
Emma Harper: I thank Gail Ross for that. It is very fitting that she mentions Sally Crowe and Joyce Campbell. I know that they will be keen to hear that we are—as I hope—passing this bill tonight. Again, I thank everyone who has contributed to this updated legislation to support oor farmers—including Joyce, Sally and other farmers in Dumfries and Galloway—and crofters , to protect livestock and to...
Emma Harper: I welcome yesterday’s announcement that ScotRail will be brought into public ownership in order to provide stability and certainty for passengers. What are the consequences of the serial incompetence on the part of United Kingdom Government ministers, who have so far failed to publish a white paper following the Williams review?
Emma Harper: I offer warm thanks to Maureen Watt. She has been very supportive and helpful to me during this session, including on my Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, which she mentioned. I wish her well in the future. I welcome the opportunity to speak in this important debate. Each and every drug-related death is a tragedy, and I offer my condolences to the family, friends and...
Emma Harper: Will the cabinet secretary expand on the limitations that arise from the network not being 100 per cent accountable to Scottish ministers, such as across my South Scotland region, in which the Stranraer to Ayr and Dumfries to Glasgow lines are owned by Network Rail?
Emma Harper: I welcome the expansion of testing to workers in food processing, as they have been critical during the pandemic. How will the minister ensure that we reach agency or temporary workers who might be reluctant to take up the offer of testing because of the potential impact on their earnings if they have to self-isolate?
Emma Harper: I welcome the opportunity to speak in this short but important stage 3 debate on the University of St Andrews (Degrees in Medicine and Dentistry) Bill. I thank the clerks and everyone else for their work on the bill, as well as committee colleagues and the cabinet secretary and her team. Jeane Freeman has demonstrated complete competence during the current parliamentary session, especially...
Emma Harper: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I do not take anything that you say personally—it is always wonderful advice. I welcome the Scottish Government’s update to the climate change plan for the period 2018 to 2032, and I, too, wish Roseanna Cunningham the very best of health. I very much enjoyed being a member of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee at the beginning of the...
Emma Harper: I apologise, Presiding Officer. That was not my understanding. In conclusion, I welcome the Scottish Government’s—
Emma Harper: I welcome the opportunity to mark international women’s day on 8 March. As colleagues have said, this year’s theme is “Choose to challenge”. The pandemic has certainly caused many challenges for women in Scotland and across the world. I appreciate the impact that Covid has had on women. That impact has been highlighted across the chamber in some pretty awesome contributions from the...
Emma Harper: In closing on behalf of the committee, I will reflect on members’ comments. I note that our committee convener has chaired the committee well and I thank him for his contribution to the Parliament over the past 22 years. He has also been a great support to me as deputy convener. It is important to note that much of our work in relation to the phase 2 primary care report was carried out...
Emma Harper: Last year was an incredible year, and this year is starting with further engagement in tackling the pandemic. I look forward to the future and thank everybody who has contributed to helping to support everyone through the pandemic so far.
Emma Harper: How is the Government working with third sector community mental health services, including those across Dumfries and Galloway, to provide greater access in local settings and to signpost people to mental health services that are close to their communities?
Emma Harper: I welcome the commitments that have been set out in the budget. It has a specific commitment to enterprise, which will be of immense benefit to my constituents across Dumfries and Galloway and the South Scotland region. Tom Arthur spoke of how the big numbers impact his constituents, and that is important. The budget commits to increasing the funding that is available to Scotland’s...