Hansard

Jamie McGrigor Con Chamber

23 Mar 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Apprenticeships (Government Support)

I have been contacted by representatives of Ardfern Yacht Centre, in Argyll, who are keen to take on an apprentice boat builder to train with their experienced team. They have identified the young person, who is keen to fulfil the role, but they are experiencing problems acces...

2. Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

23 Mar 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Apprenticeships (Government Support)

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports apprenticeships. (S4O-05687)

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I refer members to my agricultural interests in the register of members’ interests. Before I turn to the subject of this debate, since this will be my last speech in the Parliament after almost 17 years, I hope that the Presiding Officer will all...

Jamie McGrigor Con Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The figure of 10 deer per hectare just cited by the member would mean that a 1,000 acre farm would have 10,000 deer on it. I cannot believe that the figures are correct.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Will the member give way?

Jamie McGrigor Con Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Library Provision in Schools (Highlands and Islands)

I thank the minister for that reply, with which I agree. Is he aware of the level of concern in Argyll and Bute at the council’s decision to cut librarian jobs from secondary schools? Does he agree that discovering books, and the joy of reading and intellectual curiosity and i...

8. Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Library Provision in Schools (Highlands and Islands)

To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages the provision of libraries in schools in the Highlands and Islands. (S4O-05663)

Jamie McGrigor Con Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Rural Payments

He continued: “What impression does this give to any young crofters, but especially those on the fence about whether or not to take on the family croft?”

Jamie McGrigor Con Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Rural Payments

The head of the Young Crofters, Mr James Shewan, said in a newsletter: “Discussion in the Young Crofters group has found that most of our members have not even received their Illustration of Entitlements, which shows how much they are due to be paid, let alone any money”.

Jamie McGrigor Con Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Rural Payments

Will the member take an intervention?

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Rural Payments

Will the member take an intervention?

Jamie McGrigor Con Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Historic Buildings and Built Heritage

I am very glad that the minister mentioned that event in committee room 1. All members and staff are very welcome to come to it. What extra support can the Scottish Government provide to historic houses that are in need of urgent repair? Will the minister urge ministerial col...

4. Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Historic Buildings and Built Heritage

To ask the Scottish Government how it supports the historic houses and built heritage sector. (S4O-05629)

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Portfolio Question Time · European Union (Impact of United Kingdom Leaving)

It is no secret that the Scottish Government is having trouble delivering the common agricultural policy subsidies to farmers in Scotland. What budget would those subsidies come from if we were no longer part of the EU?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Human Rights

At present, there seems to be little regulation of the people who set up the internet or the web.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Human Rights

Absolutely. On that point, I understand that a complaint against Google was upheld by the courts. What do you think should be done in relation to cases in which people have their human rights taken away by cyberbullying?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Human Rights

All right. You have answered that question. It is difficult to make a clear decision on freedom of expression because the popular concept changes all the time about what songs should be sung, what poems should be—

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Human Rights

In the President’s office?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Human Rights

You talked about rights in principle and a popular notion of what rights should be. One of the most talked about human rights is freedom of speech and freedom of expression, particularly in the United States constitution. As far as I can see, the difficulty here is that modern...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Human Rights

Cabinet secretary, what are your views on the importance of prisoner voting in the debate on human rights?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Human Rights

All right.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Human Rights

It is not called a bill of rights but the fact that the UK Government is compliant with the ECHR gives the same sort of rights as a bill of rights would.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Human Rights

The point that I am making is that you said that the Scotland Act 1998 is compliant with the ECHR, which means that there is a bill of human rights as such. The same must apply to the UK Government.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Human Rights

From what you said, do I take it that the UK Government, which is compliant with the European convention on human rights, already has a bill of rights?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Presidency of the Council of the European Union (Priorities)

On your wish to bring the European Union closer to the man in the street, I believe that the man in the street is horrified by the inability of the European Union to bring some form of concerted approach to dealing with the problem of the refugee crisis. The mass migration t...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Presidency of the Council of the European Union (Priorities)

One of the presidency’s key priorities is to promote sustainable growth, innovation and jobs, which goes back to elements of the Europe 2020 strategy. How is the Netherlands Government using the presidency role to get the European Union economy back on the right track?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Presidency of the Council of the European Union (Priorities)

That is very true. Convener, do I have time for another question?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Presidency of the Council of the European Union (Priorities)

Will the changes for competitiveness help the small to medium-sized enterprises that you spoke of?

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Committee

03 Mar 2016

Presidency of the Council of the European Union (Priorities)

Your excellency, how did the Netherlands presidency contribute to the agreement of the reform package that has been negotiated ahead of the UK referendum? May we also have your personal view on the package? 09:30

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

02 Mar 2016

Fairtrade Fortnight

I, too, congratulate Fiona McLeod on what has been a very good parliamentary career and on securing time in Parliament for this debate. Governments around the world are looking to trade as a driver of economic growth and poverty reduction, and trade is central to the sustaina...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

“Brussels Bulletin”

The agricultural policy priorities under the Netherlands presidency include “Sharing Member States’ experiences on the most recent Common Agricultural Policy ... reform”. Convergence, which has been mentioned, is an issue. Another issue is that CAP reform has generally been ...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

Scottish Government Reports

On the horizon 2020 funding for the UK, I noticed that Wales gets 2.5 per cent and Scotland gets only 1.65 per cent. Why is that? Wales has a smaller population than Scotland has.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

European Union Reform and Referendum

The only reason I make that point is because of when ministers were appointed in 2011. If the date were the same this time, it would be into the 28-day purdah period before 23 June.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

European Union Reform and Referendum

On that point, does that mean that there will not be any Scottish ministers making proclamations about the referendum? The purdah will be for ministers, and there will be no Scottish ministers in place.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

European Union Reform and Referendum

Has any thought been given to how things such as common agricultural policy payments would be replaced in the event of our leaving?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

European Union Reform and Referendum

I come from the same position as you, in that I would prefer Scotland and the rest of the UK to stay in the EU. However, if they left, would there be a viable alternative to EU membership for Scotland, such as the European Free Trade Association?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

European Union Reform and Referendum

Do you think that the issues around economic governance and competitiveness, which were two of the points that were raised by the Prime Minister and which have been agreed in the renegotiation, will bring benefits to the Scottish economy?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

European Union Reform and Referendum

My second question was about the main issues that concern voters.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

European Union Reform and Referendum

We now know what we are voting on. My question is probably for Professor Curtice. What are the polls telling us about voting intentions for the EU referendum in the UK and in Scotland? What are the main issues that concern voters in relation to the EU for the referendum?

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

European Union Reform and Referendum

I want to ask another question, if that is possible.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Committee

25 Feb 2016

European Union Reform and Referendum

The Prime Minister has said that “the problems in the Eurozone are driving fundamental change in Europe”, that “there is a crisis of European competitiveness”, and that “If we don’t address these challenges, the danger is that Europe will fail and the British people will ...

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

25 Feb 2016

General Question Time · Orkney Islands Council (Meetings)

What actions has the Scottish Government taken to capitalise on Orkney’s successful use of renewable energy and what steps have been taken to decarbonise the base-load for Orkney?

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

23 Feb 2016

Topical Question Time · European Union Membership Referendum

The cabinet secretary will be aware that the European and External Relations Committee is undertaking a far-reaching inquiry into the implications of EU reform and the referendum, with evidence from many eminent witnesses. Does she agree with the sentiment of many of the witne...

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

11 Feb 2016

Local Newspapers

I regret that I will have to leave the chamber before the closing speeches and apologise in advance for doing so. I agree strongly with the motion that local newspapers are extremely valuable to constituents and communities across Scotland. They are also very valuable to poli...

Jamie McGrigor Con Chamber

03 Feb 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Argyll and Bute Council (Discussions)

Is the minister aware of the extent of the concern among councillors and the public in Argyll and Bute about the severity of the spending cuts that are being considered there and about their impact on vital local services? In particular, can he comment on the possible loss of ...

5. Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con Chamber

03 Feb 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Argyll and Bute Council (Discussions)

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with representatives of Argyll and Bute Council. (S4O-05508)

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I intend to press my motion, convener.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I understand that the cabinet secretary has a difficult job. I am encouraged by what he has said about looking at some of the issues again. I am also encouraged by members who, even though they might vote against me, have said that they are not entirely happy with the process ...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I understand, convener, and I am very grateful for the time that you have already given me. No consultation was conducted for the proposal that is now before the Parliament. The proposal to eliminate or restrict fishing activity goes well beyond the maximum protection for fea...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

It is just to emphasise what I said. That Scottish Government document has as an objective “To maximise sustainable use of our seas and minimise disruption to sustainable marine activities through proportionate marine management measures”, and it says that “A fundamental pr...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Yes, it is new material.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

To sum up, which I will do as quickly as I can, I will quote an extract from the Scottish Government document “A strategy for marine nature conservation in Scotland”. It will take me a moment.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Bear in mind, convener, that I have not yet moved the second motion.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Just to clarify—

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Before I move the motion, I declare an interest, as I have already done, as the honorary president of the Clyde Fishermen’s Association. The main job for me in the association is not to take part in any policy decisions that are made—indeed, I have never actually been to one o...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Thank you very much. As part of the MPA process, 20 areas were formally designated in mid-2015. Sixteen of the accompanying management measures that the Government ministers decided on were as expected. However, four measures in the west of Scotland were more severe than what ...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I have a couple—well, one, anyway.

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

You are quite rightly very proud of Scottish Food and Drink. In the past few years practically every fish restaurant that has sprung up around the west coast of Scotland in particular, and in other places, has scallops on the menu. As we know, scallops do not go into creels; t...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

The measures now suggested for the south Arran MPA will shift effort to other areas of the Clyde for both scallop dredging and prawn trawling. In point of fact, I am told that that could wipe out all scallop dredging within two or three years because if the effort is shifted t...

Jamie McGrigor Con Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I am aware of that. I am sorry—