Questions and answers

Question reference: S5O-00676

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Fergus Ewing on 22 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the devolution of EU powers over farming and fisheries to Scotland following Brexit.

I hope to have discussions with the UK Government and devolved administration Ministers on these very matters when we meet tomorrow.

Should Scotland be dragged into a hard Brexit by the Tories, this Government expects the devolved powers over agriculture that currently sit with Brussels to come directly to Scotland. We may choose to share some aspects on a UK wide policy basis but that would be our decision to make.

Similarly, while funding is reserved, we would expect Scotland to receive its fair share of equivalent EU funding and for us to determine how to use that to support you, other farm and croft businesses and our rural and coastal communities.

That as you know, is not the view of UK Ministers nor of the Scottish Tory leader. As the First Minister has previously pointed out, we have a bit of a battle on our hands to win this one but it is important for farming and food production in this country, that we do win it.

Question reference: S5W-06738

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 9 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of its Climate Justice Fund is allocated to (a) providing access to clean energy to people in poverty and (b) sustainable agriculture.

Under the current round of Climate Justice-supported projects (funded since 2014), two projects, led by SCIAF and Christian Aid, are dedicated to sustainable agriculture methods, in Rwanda and Malawi respectively. Combined funding for these projects is £1,275,382, representing 20% of the overall Climate Justice Fund spend since 2014.

The Scottish Government is an active and internationally-recognised supporter of clean energy projects in developing countries, with nearly £4m allocated to renewable energy projects in Malawi since 2012, bringing new energy access to over 80,000 people in rural communities. These projects have however been funded from the International Development Fund rather than the Climate Justice Fund.

The current Climate Justice Christian Aid project referred to above is delivering agricultural irrigation via solar powered pumps, and is therefore also bringing a form of clean energy access to people in poverty. Its funding of £602,169 represents 10% of the overall Climate Justice Fund spend since 2014.

Question reference: S5O-00657

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 February 2017
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 8 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its tax incremental financing scheme.

Three tax incremental financing pilots are currently in the construction phase. They are in Argyll and Bute, Falkirk and Glasgow. A pilot for Fife has been approved in principle with the final agreement anticipated to be signed soon.

Due to changed market conditions, and with the agreement of the relevant local authorities, the pilots for Edinburgh and North Lanarkshire are not proceeding as planned. However, other options to support economic growth are being taken forward or are being considered.

Scottish Futures Trust has written to all local authorities in Scotland inviting them to submit proposals to replace the two pilots not being taken forward and will work with my officials to identify which of the proposals submitted will be taken forward as a pilot.

Question reference: S5W-06439

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 2 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many energy-efficient, affordable houses have been built in the Lochaber area in 2016-17, and how this compares with the period, 1999 to 2007.

Official statistics on new affordable homes built, through the affordable housing supply programme, for 2016-17 will not be finalised and published until later this year. These official statistics do not provide figures below Local Authority level. However from local programme management information it is projected that 38 new affordable homes will complete by 31 March 2017 in the Lochaber area. Further to this there are 50 properties under development that are scheduled to complete in 2017-18, which are being progressed thanks to a £2M loan, secured by Lochaber Housing Association, through the Scottish Government's bond programme with Allia Impact Finance.

A comparison against the period 1999 to 2007 is not possible. Local programme figures are only available from 2001 and are as follows

2001/02	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08
32	42	48	23	21	60	26

Question reference: S5W-06437

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 2 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what the impact will be on people in Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch of the lessons learned at the second Nuisance Call Commission.

The regulation of nuisance calls and texts is currently reserved to the UK Government. However, the Scottish Government is determined to do whatever we can to reduce their impact by working closely with stakeholders to develop practical solutions. The discussions at the Nuisance Calls Commission meetings will form the basis for a joint action plan, which will provide an update on the progress made by Scottish Government and key stakeholders to tackle nuisance calls as well as outlining future actions to benefit people all across Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-06438

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 23 January 2017
Current Status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 31 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government how much it has invested in affordable housing in the Lochaber area in 2016-17.

Question reference: S5O-00630

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 January 2017
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 February 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh report, Standards informing delivery of care in rural surgery.

Question reference: S5W-06441

Current Status: Withdrawn

Question reference: S5W-06213

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 16 January 2017
Current Status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Fergus Ewing on 17 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in appointing new members to the board of the Crofting Commission.

Question reference: S5O-00522

Asked by: Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 December 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 January 2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of the proposal to introduce travelling domestic abuse courts in the Highlands.

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