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Showing 60 of 2,095,827 contributions. Latest 30 days: 3,357. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 10 Jun 2026.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Thank you very much, convener.

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

I am afraid that I cannot, because I am short of time.If the UK wants to look at that as part of wider UK regional policy, Scotland should be at the table in the discussions and we should keep that option open. Overall, the bill will result in our having a growing basket of ta...

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

I do not think that Wendy Alexander said anything about excise duty, but I will deal with the very points that Fiona Hyslop makes.The bill’s provisions will add to our existing powers over spending—which are important for economic growth—a wider basket of tax powers. We alread...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Chamber

I regard it as a privilege to have served on the Scotland Bill Committee in the past three or four months. The committee did a very thorough piece of work and its report stands as a clear statement and analysis of the arguments of the day. That will be seen in the years to com...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

If we want to cover the point, we need say only, “In arriving at its conclusion, the committee was mindful of the advice of the Subordinate Legislation Committee,” or that it “took account of” that advice.

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

I broadly agree with Stewart Stevenson. Bill Wilson did the right thing in raising the matter when the opportunity arose to give it a good airing in the Parliament, but the proposal that all trees be designated is probably impractical.Perhaps I should declare an interest. My h...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Subordinate Legislation

I guess we would not be having a debate on the order if it were not for the Subordinate Legislation Committee’s report. I support the order’s policy objectives, as do other members—they said that in the course of questioning the cabinet secretary. Indeed, I was one of the comm...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Stewart Stevenson has put on record exactly the territory that I wanted to cover, so I do not need to ask the question.

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Reservoirs (Scotland) Bill

I do not think so, but I will be delighted to receive a signed copy free of charge, when it has been completed.In all seriousness, the bill is important.I was delighted that John Scott put his reference to the Mohr slip circle—I confess that I was blissfully unaware of the phe...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Reservoirs (Scotland) Bill

It is difficult to know where to start, given the wide array of issues in this extensive, complex and technical bill. While the cabinet secretary was speaking, I was thinking that when he comes to write his book about his experiences in Government the chapter on how he steered...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Reservoirs (Scotland) Bill

At stage 1, Mr Scott raised a very interesting point about a Mohr’s slip circle. Is he satisfied that, in the unfortunate event of the occurrence of a Mohr’s slip circle, people will be better protected as a result of the bill?

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Reservoirs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I place on record my thanks to the cabinet secretary for having taken account of the point that I made at stage 2 and I thank him and his officials for lodging this splendid amendment.

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

I understand the arguments about the nature of this step—we are talking about compulsorily removing land from a present owner, which is a significant step. However, that was the firm intention of Parliament and it should happen in certain circumstances.Given what you said abou...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

That is helpful.

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

I understand.On timescales for the review, are officials working up the review stuff just now?

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

Given that there is some, if limited, experience in that regard, can you point to the areas of law that are particularly difficult with regard to part 3 and cause the complexities that must be addressed?

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

An interesting thing that emerged from the evidence that we took was that, although there is extremely limited experience of communities trying to use part 3, that experience shows that it is virtually unworkable from a community point of view. It takes a huge amount of time a...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

Like Liam McArthur, I welcome what you said in your opening remarks about now being a time for review. If you think that part 2 is complicated, it ain’t nothing compared with part 3. Some interesting points arise because of the complexity of the crofting community right to buy...

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

Does Mr Hume realise that under current cross-compliance rules agricultural support can be removed on similar evidence?

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

But it is not the only reason—that is the point that I am trying to make. We need to develop the science further. I am talking about rigorous work that we ought to respect, but we also ought to encourage its further development so that we can use it as a tool to bear down on a...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

I thank the clerks and the bill team, whom I burdened considerably, given the size of the amendments that I lodged—although they also had a hand in that. I genuinely thank them for all their efforts in helping me.I also thank RSPB Scotland, of which I am a member, the Scottish...

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I support Robin Harper’s amendment. Amendment 60, in my name, is on reporting against our biodiversity obligations, which was debated fully at stage 2.The minister indicated at stage 2 that she would work with me to try to agree on an amendment at stage 3 to cover the point, w...

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am grateful for the minister’s generous offer and I readily accept it. Whether she will have the chance to do anything about it is another matter, but I accept the offer in the spirit in which it was made. I seek leave to withdraw amendment 56.Amendment 56, by agreement, wit...

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Amendment 56 relates to the powers of the SSPCA, which were fully debated at stage 2. I understand the concerns that some members have about the issue.The minister pointed out that the offer by the SSPCA—which, in my view, was a generous offer—to deploy resources to help fight...

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The minister made it clear that the policy intention behind the bill’s provisions is to secure the same outcomes that I seek. On that basis, I will not press the amendment.Amendment 53, by agreement, withdrawn.

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Amendment 53 was lodged following concern that the provisions in the bill do not fully match the requirements of the relevant EU directive. There are species, such as the water vole and the red squirrel, that deserve more protection. That was debated at stage 2, and I am clear...

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Mr Swinney comments from a sedentary position, but he, too, is noted for overegging the pudding on many subjects.In the end, it comes down to one thing. We must make up our minds, in Scotland, whether we are prepared to accept the crimes that continue to be committed no matter...

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I welcome the minister’s latter point about a review of the penalties. That will be an important part of strengthening the law. I also welcome the vicarious liability provisions in the bill. Nevertheless, I think that vicarious liability will be as difficult to prove as almost...

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

We are having this debate because there is a persistent problem in Scotland with bird persecution, which has come to be one of the main debating points in the bill, notwithstanding the fact that the bill did not contain provisions on the matter at the start of the process. It ...

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I hear what members have to say, but they will not be surprised to hear that I take a contrary view. When we were in Langholm during the early stages of our consideration of the bill, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association argued for a greater opportunity to get licences to deal...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

A concern has arisen about whether licences will be granted to kill raptors to protect a species that is bred for the purpose of its being shot for so-called sport.I have made it clear that I think it ridiculous that it might ever prove possible to get a licence to kill a valu...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Agricultural Support

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Agricultural Support

In following that up, I hope that I do not intrude too much into territory that is to be discussed. The week before last, we received very good evidence in a round-table session on how the policy approach in Scotland has become sophisticated over the years: it is probably amon...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Agricultural Support

It is a most remarkable conversion and I hope to hear more about the Scottish Conservatives’ policy and whether, like us, they differ from their UK colleagues on this matter. That, though, might be for another occasion.I have long held the view that the UK Treasury, sitting be...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Agricultural Support

Before I ask my question, I have to say that I am faintly amused by John Scott’s approach. Fourteen or 15 months ago, another Government that was in power down south made a very similar policy statement. I opposed it—and continue to do so—but I remember that at the time John S...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Reservoirs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I welcome the minister’s comments and accept his assurance that the Government will commission guidance and consult a wide range of parties. I also take the point that the deadline may be too tight. I will not press amendment 101, but I will take the opportunity to discuss the...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Reservoirs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

A fair amount of the evidence that we took at stage 1 revolved around guidance. Witnesses required clarity on the bill’s implications. Amendment 101 simply tries to ensure that, as time goes on and events evolve, there will be clarity on the interpretation of the bill and that...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Committee

Reservoirs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I welcome amendment 93. The Government has moved on the matter in an appropriate way, giving ministers wide discretion to do the right thing in the right circumstances. That is entirely correct, given the evidence that we have received.

Peter Peacock Lab Chamber

Scottish Executive Question Time · Scottish Ambulance Service (West Highlands)

Recently, a number of communities in the west Highlands have experienced considerable delay in emergency response times. In a recent case on the Isle of Raasay, it took up to five hours for an ambulance to attend an incident. NHS Highland has had to employ on-call community nu...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Scottish Executive Question Time · Scottish Ambulance Service (West Highlands)

11. To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the Scottish Ambulance Service and whether issues relating to its operations in the west Highlands were discussed. (S3O-12985)

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Agricultural Support

Would there be a contract with a specific unit of farming or croft?

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Agricultural Support

So, it could involve deploying cattle and sheep, for example.

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Agricultural Support

We have touched on some of the territory that I am going to ask about. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Pack report talk about top-up payments of one kind or another. That rather implies a topping-up of some other basic funding. What do the witnesses th...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Agricultural Support

I just want to express sympathy—or empathy, or whatever the word is—with Roger Croft’s position, which I think Vicki Swales, Patrick Krause and Jackie McCreery have all supported as a matter of principle.I was reflecting that this is my third round of CAP reform debates in my ...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Agricultural Support

I am a Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands.

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

That is very helpful. I have one last point to make. Given the evidence from the experience in Pairc, which is being discussed in communities in the Highlands and Islands, would your judgment be that without reform to part 3, you would simply not get involved because of the dr...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

I raise the point because I took part in a discussion on Lewis on those issues. I think that Derek Flyn was there too—in fact, we were all at that event.The civil servant who was there argued in defence of the structure of part 3 by using the analogy of compulsory purchase. In...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

So part 3 could be having entirely the opposite effect to that which the Parliament intended when it legislated.

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

You touched on the Pairc Trust situation, which is on-going. The lengths to which the landowner is going to frustrate the community are really quite extraordinary and appalling in many respects. I guess, from what you say, that the structure and the technicalities of the act e...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

It is interesting that the majority of the crofting purchases have been outwith the terms of the act. What has given rise to the success of those, given that the act has not been triggered? Does it simply come down to the landowner’s willingness to negotiate? Does the fact tha...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

Would it be perfectly conceivable to simplify the mapping requirements of the act while still protecting the interests—to the extent that the act must do so—of the landowner? Is it the case that there is a happy medium to be struck, but we have just not got there yet?

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

The political purpose of this part of the 2003 act—in fact, of the whole act—was to make it easier for people to get access to the land and, in the crofting context, to mineral rights and so on. Given that the structure of the act is getting in the way of that, as you have ind...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab Committee

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)

My questions are for Derek Flyn. It is nice to see him back at the committee—I think.Given that part 2 of the act covers broad community purchase, why was part 3 needed to cover crofting community purchase? What is so distinct about that issue that it needed to be provided for...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Would you say that the Scotland Bill is your preferred route for tackling the set of issues that you have discussed or, notwithstanding what happens with this bill, could they still be handled through the mechanism to which you have alluded?

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

I will move on slightly, to ask Andy Wightman a question. You mentioned a few moments ago that Scotland could, in effect, take control of some of these matters—you said that we had the legislative competence to do that. Will you say a word about that? Is that view supported by...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Lucy Parsons might want to answer my next question, as it relates to a point that she made earlier. You said that you wanted improvement in the policies and practicalities. Would that follow from some of the changes that Andy Wightman has described?Secondly, the investment mig...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

Given the flow of revenues that might result from the kind of fundamental change that you are talking about and the stage in the development of the Crown’s activities in relation to the next big industry, which arguably will have enormous climate change implications, would it ...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

You heard it said to Fiona Hyslop that there is the pretty token position of change in the bill and full devolution, which you and the Scottish Government support, but some intermediate positions are also beginning to emerge. You have suggested one: ensuring that, if there is ...

Peter Peacock Lab Committee

You have taken me to the next point that I was going to probe. A current issue is that the Crown Estate has been developing entirely new expertise in offshore renewables and their licensing. It has been pushing to the next round of development and putting quite a lot of invest...

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Committee

Rural Affairs and Environment Committee 15 March 2011

15 Mar 2011 · S3 · Rural Affairs and Environment Committee

Item of business

Subordinate Legislation

Radioactive Substances Exemption (Scotland) Order 2011 (SSI 2011/147)

Peacock, Peter Lab Highlands and Islands Watch on SPTV

Thank you very much, convener.

In the same item of business

The Convener (Maureen Watt) SNP

Good afternoon, everybody. I welcome you all to the committee’s eighth meeting in 2011—our final meeting of this parliamentary session. I remind everyone to ...

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP) SNP

I note that the Government has responded to the Subordinate Legislation Committee, stating that the typographical errors in the draft Scottish statutory inst...

The Convener SNP

Does the committee agree that we have no recommendations to make on any of the negative instruments?Members indicated agreement.

The Convener SNP

As this is our last meeting, I thank all committee members for being a really good committee. I am sure that everyone will want to join me in thanking Peter ...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

Thank you very much, convener.

The Convener SNP

I am sure that all members will join me in thanking the clerking team who have helped us to get through this session: Peter McGrath, Nick Hawthorne, James Dr...