Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 20 November 2024.
Ariane Burgess
Green
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the economy secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding any economic analysis it has undertaken of the impact on the wider Scottish economy of fish farming. (S6O-03979)
Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party
I have not had specific discussions with ministerial colleagues on analyses of the economic impact of the fish farming sector, but according to the Scottish Government’s marine economy statistics, which were published earlier this month, aquaculture generated in 2022 £337 million of approximate gross value added, or 7 per cent of the Scottish marine economy. I note, too, that it supports around 12,000 jobs across the supply chain. Scottish salmon is the United Kingdom’s largest food export.
Ariane Burgess
Green
According to the Scottish Government’s own data, there are now just 253 more jobs in the salmon aquaculture sector than there were 30 years ago. Will the Deputy First Minister tell me how many rural jobs have been lost in sectors such as shell fishing, marine tourism and recreational sea angling as a consequence of the mismanagement of the salmon farming industry?
Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party
I have outlined the job opportunities available through aquaculture a little bit. On the wider issues that the member raises, she will know that there has been quite a significant change in marine jobs, driven not just by growth in sectors such as fish farming but because of some of the other challenges, not least around recruitment and exporting as a result of Brexit. There has been a significant change when it comes to overall job retention, recruitment to jobs and the creation of new jobs in and around our marine economy.
Liam McArthur
Liberal Democrat
That concludes portfolio questions on Deputy First Minister responsibilities, economy and Gaelic. There will be a brief pause before we move to the next portfolio to allow front benches to change.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
