Hansard

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

23 Mar 2016

General Question Time · Scottish Pork

What financial support has been given to the expansion of pork abattoir capacity in Scotland over the past five years? What percentage of Scotland-farmed pigs were exported last year to England for killing and were subsequently branded as British pork as opposed to Scottish po...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

15 Mar 2016

Energy Strategy

I welcome the range of planned energy initiatives mentioned by the minister, particularly those on energy efficiency. Given the possibility that EDF will face major difficulty in obtaining the funding to progress the Hinkley Point nuclear facility, will the minister advise me ...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

15 Mar 2016

Topical Question Time · Air Passenger Duty (Abolition)

I welcome the Government’s consultation, including on the impact on the environment. Will the Scottish Government talk to the Dutch Government? In 2008-09, the Dutch Government applied APD to accrue €280 million but scrapped it after 18 months because it was losing €1.3 billio...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

We thank you too, convener.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

Forgive me—I find that an astonishing explanation of how we drive things. If anybody else did that, whether it was teachers or any business, it would not work. If I were to say to my board, “I might be able to produce the financial budget for next year in the spring sometime,”...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

Okay—thank you.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

I agree with you, but that refinement should be built in. You should be given enough time to be able to change the strategy or redirect it or what have you. If the chief executive comes here and says that we will get the strategy document on 3 March, one assumes that that will...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

We have the partnership agreement, and I endorse what was said about Highlands and Islands Enterprise. However, as I asked way back, where does the buck stop? Currently, the buck stops with the partnership agreement. Who is responsible if a strategy document that is agreed by ...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

But it was to be published on 3 March and it is now 9 March.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

Cabinet secretary, I have no doubt that you are as eager as anyone to promote the creative industries, and Creative Scotland does a lot to support that. However, you may be very pleased about what is going on, but I, for one, am not. Let me give you one example. In October, C...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

What about Ayrshire?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

Thank you.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

Can I suggest, cabinet secretary, somewhere that is close to your heart and mine? Someone might look at the former Digital Equipment plant, which has been lying empty and which would comply with the required size and height.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

Forgive me, Mr Smith, but the cabinet secretary has just announced that you are going to build a 30,000 square feet—

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

I beg your pardon.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

Yes, but—

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

Forgive me, but is it not the case that, even if a public entity was to use public sector borrowing to build such a facility, as long as it produced a commercial return and was competitive in the European marketplace, there is absolutely no reason to suggest that we could not ...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Creative Industries (Economic Impact)

Good morning. Today’s news is good news. I am sure that it is no coincidence that it has been announced today, in view of the committee’s meeting. I want to return to the issue of European state aid and the suggestion that we cannot pursue the studio. It is clear that there w...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Prestwick Airport (Railway Station)

Three years ago a full development plan of £4.2 million was produced by Network Rail in concert with the owner. The report anticipated bringing the existing railhead up to a standard that is expected by tourists. It may be in a locked cabinet somewhere. Will the cabinet secret...

6. Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Prestwick Airport (Railway Station)

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Network Rail regarding the upgrading of the railway station at Prestwick airport. (S4O-05641)

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

08 Mar 2016

Continued Petitions

Thank you for allowing me to attend and to speak on the petition. Before I do so, I would like to comment briefly on the letter from the Scottish Professional Football League, which I have just seen. It reflects the answer to a letter that I wrote to the Scottish Football Asso...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

08 Mar 2016

Continued Petitions

Thank you for allowing me to speak, convener.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

08 Mar 2016

Continued Petitions

I had meetings at Hampden Park with the SFA and the SPFL. Some encouraging things are happening in Scottish football. For example, fans’ involvement in the role of Hibs and Hearts in widening the involvement in the franchise is encouraging, but that is at the senior level. Th...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

08 Mar 2016

National Performing Companies

First, I must apologise—I have to leave in about half an hour. What I have heard about your physical presence across the world is very encouraging, but what are you doing to screen and stream some of your performances internationally? When I want to watch some classical music...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

In order to secure a robust basis for the election, I believe that the committee that designs the process and criteria for the appointment and ultimate support of the governing body in which the senior lay member—or rector, or whatever they are to be called—plays a pivotal par...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Let me finish. Why would we deny 60 per cent of women if they are the best candidates?

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I ask this question on an important day, but quotas, like targets, are false gods. Today on “Good Morning Scotland”, the leader of Scottish Women in Business said that we should create a flexible work pattern and a level playing field across all family and business factors. If...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I was not sure whether I had misheard the cabinet secretary when she said that I should perhaps have consulted more after stage 2. I am afraid that I have consulted quite widely—I am not sure that that has been reflected elsewhere—my consultation being weighed down by experien...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

My amendment 37 was designed to secure and underpin the wider franchise of staff and students in particular, but I am happy to support Gordon MacDonald’s amendment 36, and I will not move my own amendment. With regard to my amendment 38, I confess that I do not know why an ap...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On the basis of what the cabinet secretary has said, and in the hope of securing a robust system for election and appointment, I will not press amendment 32, nor will I move amendment 34. Amendment 32, by agreement, withdrawn. Amendment 2 moved—Liz Smith.

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am pressing it.

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Words such as “diversity”, “consistency”, “accountability” and “flexibility” have been thrown around. The proposals in my amendments are to simplify the rationale. It is quite wrong—and I never suggested—that the senior lay member or rector, or whatever they are called, who is...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

All my amendments in the group reflect the proposed roles of the chairing members, which I referred to earlier, and of the co-chairs, and embrace the changes that were proposed in amendments 27 and 31. Amendment 28 would reflect the responsibility of the senior lay member, re...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am even more confused now about what the senior lay member will do vis-à-vis what the rector will do in the ancient universities. Who will speak for the students? There will be absolute confusion in the determination of the functions that will be exercised by the rector and ...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

We have not reached the detailed discussion of the further proposals that are attached to my amendments. If the Government proceeds with its proposal, it will unquestionably be a recipe for conflict, because of the existence of two franchises and the lack of clarity on who wil...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

08 Mar 2016

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The bill, which I hope will receive full scrutiny after some years of enactment, has as its base democratic accountability. The purpose of amendments 27 and 31 is simple: it is to underpin that and to make the important role and function of the rector equivalent to the role an...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

02 Mar 2016

Enterprise Bill

I appreciate that but, thinking about cash flow, I hope that there would be no delay in payments to companies, some of which will be small—I hope that companies are not waiting for the levy to be applied and then credited. I would ask that the whole data process be looked at f...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

02 Mar 2016

Enterprise Bill

I am concerned less with the organisation and administration of the data and more with its reliability. You may not have the answer to this question now, minister, but can we be sure that there will be fairly intensive discussions with HMRC—which does not have a great record i...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Good afternoon, minister. I will ask about the revolving door, just for clarification. If one agency says that a person can be a prospective adopter and then subsequently finds that they are not acceptable, that person could then move on to another agency, which could then pre...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

College Reform

I understand that; we have demand for labour and labour opportunities. What I am trying to elicit is how we—all the various bodies that are involved—optimise supply to meet that demand. My understanding was that part of the intention of the college reform was to ensure that su...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

College Reform

Let me try. It is important that the structures all hang together. As I said, I know about the two areas that contribute to productivity that you have talked about, and I know about the contribution that colleges make to employment. I am surprised by your comment that SDS’s £6...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

College Reform

You mentioned the important role that colleges play in increasing productivity. My personal experience with colleges in the south of Scotland, particularly in Ayrshire, has been a happy one. Although it has been difficult at times, clearly, great strides forward are being made...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

College Reform

Thank you.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

College Reform

If that is the case, convener, I would like the Scottish Parliament information centre to have another look at the figures that were presented to us in our papers.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

College Reform

Yes, it is through colleges. In a ministerial letter of guidance in 2015, SDS was asked to deliver 17,150 training places in total, including 2,650 college places through the employability fund.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

College Reform

That is very helpful but, on that basis—this is my last question—why has SDS secured only 671 places through the employability fund when, in fact, a target of 2,650 places was set?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

College Reform

That is all very interesting. As you know, I sit on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, at which we have discussed the issue previously. All of those bodies are talking to each other, and I am sure that we are all interested in outcomes and improved productivity. You t...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

College Reform

Is that in Scotland?

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

01 Mar 2016

College Reform

If my questioning is a bit robust, that is not a critique; it is to help me elicit a better understanding of what is going on. There is something missing. Last year, the number of attendees of colleges was 119,000. If we add in those who were funded by the SFC and the Europea...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2016

Budget (Scotland) (No 5) Bill: Stage 3

I welcome the Deputy First Minister’s announcements on the attainment fund and the increase in rates relief. This debate takes place against the backdrop of the important agreement that was reached yesterday. All budgets are a building block for economic and financial arrang...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2016

Budget (Scotland) (No 5) Bill: Stage 3

If we accept Malcolm Chisholm’s line of £19,000, what is the impact of his party’s tax proposal? What is the percentage change on the net disposable income of those on, say, £20,000 and those on £100,000?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

23 Feb 2016

School Spending and Educational Attainment

That is very helpful, but I come back to the issue of being able to measure the attainment gap. Standardised assessments tend to be transmogrified by virtue of the fact that the results of tests on any one day will depend on the emotional circumstances of those at the coalface...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

23 Feb 2016

School Spending and Educational Attainment

I apologise for the fact that I will have to leave at 12:10. Last week, I had the pleasure of a long conversation with someone who is at the coalface in education: my seven-year-old granddaughter. We talked about the things that she does at school and the testing that she und...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

23 Feb 2016

School Spending and Educational Attainment

I appreciate that and I understand that a lot of management skills training goes on, but I am talking about people with an innovative and strategic outlook.

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

23 Feb 2016

School Spending and Educational Attainment

I want to return briefly to leadership skills. I know of a school in Ayr whose headmaster shows inordinate leadership skills, and that is reflected in the pupils’ attainment. How do we find those who have the skills to lead schools, share knowledge and develop the ICT capabili...

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

23 Feb 2016

School Spending and Educational Attainment

I think that it goes beyond that and has more to do with turf wars and personalities. How do we encourage the sharing of knowledge across Scotland?

Chic Brodie SNP Committee

23 Feb 2016

School Spending and Educational Attainment

Does that not validate what we have just been discussing? If you have a good idea, you like to keep it in your own kailyaird.

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Committee

23 Feb 2016

School Spending and Educational Attainment

Good morning. With regard to the commentary about shared services, I should point out that that issue is particularly important in Ayrshire, in that a very successful tourism team across the three Ayrshires has just been split up into three separate units. I am not saying tha...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

23 Feb 2016

BBC Charter Renewal

The BBC has been a foundation of our community for the past century, and it will remain so. Inevitably, though, a large communication company that covers all features of our society will come under attack. Sometimes, the attack will be valid, but in general the organisation’s ...

Chic Brodie SNP Chamber

23 Feb 2016

BBC Charter Renewal

No, I will not. The charter renewal process should and must embrace our input, in the context of proportionality, identity, diversity, creativity and cultural focus, and it must be economically productive. We must reflect on the survey that found that 74 per cent of viewers ...