Hansard

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

22 Mar 2016

Local Control

It is up to other people to argue for their areas, but my remit is for the Highlands and Islands. We must ensure that people engage again with their local communities. Community councils are failing all over the Highlands. They are disbanding; people are resigning in disgust....

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Chamber

22 Mar 2016

Local Control

Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. I apologise for having another go at a last speech. I had intended to make my last speech last week, but I had not realised that this debate was coming up. When I saw that it was Rob Gibson’s debate, and that it was to do with localism, ...

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

I am sorry, but I need to make progress. I have a few other points that I need to get in. The transformative effects of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill should not be underestimated. Once the bill is passed, it will mean the registration of all land in Scotland within the next...

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

I do not really understand the relevance of the member’s comment to what I was saying. While we are talking about the Tories, I must correct the record following Alex Fergusson’s misleading and selective quoting of my words in his speech this morning in relation to the Europe...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Thank you very much for your kind remarks, Presiding Officer. I believe that the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is the single most important bill with which I have been involved in my nine years as an MSP. I am extremely proud, with most of my colleagues—in fact, with all my col...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Does Alex Fergusson have any evidence that there has been improvement and non-decline in the tenanted sector over the past 20, 30 or 40 years?

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

In the debate later on this afternoon, I will comment on the comments that Mr Fergusson made about the ECHR. He quoted me out of context, and I hope that he will have a look at the matter before the debate, so that he can answer appropriately. Among the conditions that are se...

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I have no recollection at all of saying such a thing.

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2016

Electric Car Rapid Charge Points

The work that EVAS is doing to promote and represent the interests of electric vehicle users is first class, and I hope that members will consider getting along to the EVAS electric car events in June. 12:41

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2016

Electric Car Rapid Charge Points

The member raises an important point. Those clusters—and people’s confidence that they will be able to get charges when they need them—are vital. In the past, the Scottish Government has supported rural petrol stations, and I believe that it can revitalise rural areas by prov...

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2016

Electric Car Rapid Charge Points

Presiding Officer, will you give me a little bit of extra time if I take more interventions?

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2016

Electric Car Rapid Charge Points

I thank the member for that intervention. We need to sort out the charge point network—I will come on to that later. There are more and more electric vehicles on the road—especially all-electric vehicles, which need the rapid charge points, whereas the hybrids can run on petro...

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2016

Electric Car Rapid Charge Points

Yes.

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2016

Electric Car Rapid Charge Points

There may well be a fast charge point in Killin, but it would take three hours to get an 80 per cent charge. I need rapid charge points, which do that in 30 minutes. That is the point. By the way, I stopped at the Green Welly Stop, which is not far from Killin. I needed the ex...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2016

Electric Car Rapid Charge Points

I am very pleased that my motion has received cross-party support and I thank all the members who backed it. That cross-party support highlights the fact that Parliament recognises Scotland’s role in reducing global warming and the importance of electric car travel in reducing...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I have listened with great interest to the debate this morning. I have many salmon rivers in my constituency, not just in Skye, Lochalsh and Lochaber in the west, where there are at least a couple of dozen rivers, but also in the east of my constituency, with the Spey and the ...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Committee

09 Mar 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Good morning, cabinet secretary and your team. I have a constituency question that is to do with the River Lochy, although the implications go wider than just the Lochy and other rivers in Lochaber. You mentioned ranching. The ranching of salmon has been developed for quite so...

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Rural Payments

The member is quite correct but, unfortunately, this Parliament and his party, my party and any other party here do not have the power to stop that. I look forward to the member telling me that, when his party in London decides to do away with support for farmers, he will back...

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Rural Payments

The man was somewhat taken aback when he realised who I was. It is ironic that the motion was lodged by the Conservatives—the very party that has argued for the scrapping of direct support to UK farmers and crofters. That is a view that Labour has also previously supported. T...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Chamber

09 Mar 2016

Rural Payments

Like most people, I am seriously concerned about the financial difficulties that are facing Scottish farmers and crofters following the delayed payment of the common agricultural policy funds. My constituency of Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has a great number of farmers and cro...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Chamber

03 Mar 2016

First Minister’s Question Time · Neurological Conditions (Young People)

Having suffered a bilateral subdural haematoma two and a half years ago, and being blessed with an excellent recovery after the fine work of Mr Kamel and his team at Aberdeen royal infirmary, I ask the First Minister to update us on the support that is provided for the ARI neu...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

02 Mar 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I wish to note that there might be an error in the policy note regarding the business and regulatory impact assessment. Page 44 of the committee papers refers to the types of trawling and so on that can be carried out within the Wester Ross marine conservation area. The paper ...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

02 Mar 2016

Legacy Process

I am thinking about how we encourage folk to reuse things. I have a lovely pair of boots whose soles are now worn through but the leather uppers are perfect. They are very comfortable, but I cannot get them resoled because they are not designed to be easily resoled. That is a ...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

02 Mar 2016

Legacy Process

I totally agree with Jonny Hughes and Calum Duncan—especially with regard to research. One thing that struck me in the whole debate about MPAs was the almost total lack of real evidence or research on the west coast, in particular. We talk about evidence, but how can we, given...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

02 Mar 2016

Legacy Process

Mention has been made of the amount of cash that is available through CAP and so on, but nobody has mentioned the fact that Scotland is just about at the bottom of the league in Europe in terms of how much money we have to give to our farming and crofting communities. It woul...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

02 Mar 2016

Legacy Process

I am sure that Patrick Krause, and perhaps others, will want to comment on this point. The minister recently announced a welcome increase to the croft house grant scheme. To tie in with the broader issue of improving rural housing, the next stage would be the addition of a loa...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Committee

02 Mar 2016

Legacy Process

Good morning to everyone on the panel. I find the discussion fascinating. Sarah Skerratt outlined the number of different community initiatives that there are, and it is clear that there is a huge range of them. There is a real danger of a lack of a strategic approach. There ...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

25 Feb 2016

Delegated Powers Procedures (Correspondence)

I think that Ms Ferguson’s proposed wording is fine. Having heard the words for a second time, they have maybe sunk in a wee bit. However, I have one little query about the use of “made and laid”. The instrument was certainly laid, but was it made? If it was improperly laid, i...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Committee

25 Feb 2016

Delegated Powers Procedures (Correspondence)

I agree with the convener. Would a simple way of dealing with the matter be to delete the reference to “purportedly made” and say that the instrument was improperly laid? Is that not the essence of the problem?

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Equally, I welcome the regulations. They are a huge step forward. They were long overdue, but I am pleased that the Government has moved down this road. The guidance will be crucial and the information that we have says that we will get the guidance before the regulations com...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I have a quick point on egg-bearing female velvet crabs. The cover note states that this order applies only to British fishing boats, and I know that we have discussed similar things in the past. It says: “The prescribed minimum landing sizes and the prohibition set out in ar...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Committee

24 Feb 2016

Subordinate Legislation

Of course, electric vehicles have zero emissions, which is one way to ensure that there is no PM2.5—or anything else, for that matter. However, there still seems to be an awful lot of misinformation or misunderstanding out there. As the minister will know, I recently got an el...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

11 Feb 2016

Standing Orders

On the face of it, changing the standing orders seems to be simple and straightforward. Some people would argue that it may deal with the problem, but I am not sure that it would. I think that we need more than that. We need to look at the standing orders and the interparliame...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Committee

11 Feb 2016

Standing Orders

We are where we are, and we know exactly what the situation is in relation to the Trade Union Bill. It is going through Westminster and there is nothing that we can do about it—that is a fact. That is unfortunate, as I am very much personally opposed to it, as I said at our me...

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

11 Feb 2016

General Question Time · Cromarty Firth (Ship-to-ship Oil Transfer)

I am pleased to hear that the cabinet secretary has written again and that he has asked that the Scottish Government be fully consulted before a decision is taken. There is huge concern about the issue in my constituency and in neighbouring constituencies to the north of the f...

1. Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Chamber

11 Feb 2016

General Question Time · Cromarty Firth (Ship-to-ship Oil Transfer)

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential environmental impact if the Cromarty Firth port authority’s application for ship-to-ship oil transfer in the Cromarty Firth is granted. (S4O-05554)

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

10 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Alex Fergusson made the point about mediation very well. It is something that I very much support in principle, and I, too, look forward to hearing what the cabinet secretary has to say about it. Arbitration is fine but, as with legal proceedings in the Land Court and so on, ...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

10 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I am going to step on to dangerous ground here by agreeing with Alex Fergusson.

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

10 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I am not sure that I agree with Alex Fergusson on that. I have received information—I am sure that other members have, too—on recent cases in which tenants have had the temerity to make known their views on such issues and have had visits from factors and others, who have que...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Committee

10 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I want to pick up on a specific point to do with the conversion of 1991 act tenancies to MLDTs. It is a point that we have not heard much about up until now. I believe that there is already a process under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 2003 that allows for a similar...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

04 Feb 2016

Standing Orders

Thank you, convener. I deny being agitated. As a lifelong trade unionist who organised his first strike when he was 14 years old, I—like Mike Russell and many folk in this Parliament—abhor what is happening with regard to the Trade Union Bill being imposed on us by Westminster...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Committee

04 Feb 2016

Standing Orders

This whole matter has very starkly thrown up the absolute lack of status of LCMs. Paragraph 11 of the paper that is before us states: “the procedure itself has no status or special effect and any clear expression of the will of the Parliament will be effective”. That shows v...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Committee

03 Feb 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

The subject is fairly dear to my heart. When I was first selected in 2002 to stand in Ross, Skye and Inverness West, I went along to a meeting in the Tower hotel, which was one of the founding meetings—if not the founding meeting—of the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association. I p...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Chamber

02 Feb 2016

Topical Question Time · Single Farm Payment Applications

The cabinet secretary noted that many crofters and farmers in my constituency are suffering at the moment, and I thank him for his comments about people who are experiencing hardship being able to phone the helpline or their local office, to make the case to local officials fo...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Committee

28 Jan 2016

Work Programme

I agree with the comments that have been made on the Trade Union Bill, which is absolutely awful. Unfortunately, this Parliament does not have the power to prevent its being implemented, much as we would like to and much as a huge majority in Parliament would want to. However,...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

In light of the minister’s comments, convener, I would like to withdraw amendment 110. Amendment 110, by agreement, withdrawn. Amendment 56 moved—Aileen McLeod—and agreed to. Amendment 89 moved—Michael Russell—and agreed to.

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Amendment 110 is designed to close a potential loophole that an owner could use to circumvent the community right-to-buy provisions. It seeks to clarify that the provision would apply unless it could be shown that the owner was prevented from selling only by virtue of somethin...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

In light of the minister’s assurances, I will not move the amendment, and I look forward to meeting her to discuss matters. Amendment 109 not moved.

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Amendment 109 seeks to provide marginal additional flexibility to the community and the minister in relation to the right to buy. It still leaves considerable protection for the owner of the land and retains a high challenge to the community to demonstrate that, without the tr...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

My comments in the previous debate on the MPAs hold true in this case as well.

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I will support the orders today—I make that clear from the start. However, as Mike Russell and other speakers have said, we have to get this right. It is a really important issue and mistakes have been made—there is no doubt about that. People thought that they had agreement ...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

The science is very important in respect of the spillover effects and the other factors that you mention. That is why we really must put in a lot of effort on the west coast. I think that a lot more has been done on the east coast than the west. There is also the crucial is...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Committee

27 Jan 2016

Subordinate Legislation

I support the principle of MPAs. We have to conserve our environment and I am 100 per cent behind that, however, I have witnessed the decline in fishing over the past 50 years. When I was a boy, the harbour of my home town of Lossiemouth was jam-packed with fishing boats; now ...

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

27 Jan 2016

Fuel Poverty

Those areas need to be targeted—specifically the rural areas, and particularly those that are not on the gas grid, because people on the gas grid have a huge advantage over those who are not on it. 16:33

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

27 Jan 2016

Fuel Poverty

Those parties never criticise the Tories—which does not surprise me in the least. I will go back to the main point. Energy Action Scotland advises that remote, rural and off-gas-grid areas need to be better served by the main programmes—in particular, with supported measures ...

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

27 Jan 2016

Fuel Poverty

I do not accept that that is the case. Gavin Brown did not answer the question and did not accept that the cuts are being driven by the austerity agenda of his party in London, which is ably supported by Labour and the Lib Dems in Scotland.

Dave Thompson SNP Chamber

27 Jan 2016

Fuel Poverty

Gavin Brown is incorrect. As the minister explained earlier, the budget is going down from £119 million in the current year to £103 million, which is a £16 million reduction, because of the cut to the home energy efficiency programmes for Scotland. That was a Tory decision tha...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Chamber

27 Jan 2016

Fuel Poverty

As the member for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, I know only too well the effects of fuel poverty. The rural and remote nature of the Highlands and Islands means that we have the highest risk of fuel poverty in the country. We have suffered from that for a considerable time, alt...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP Chamber

21 Jan 2016

First Minister’s Question Time · Prime Minister (Meetings)

The First Minister will be aware of this morning’s announcement of 100 job losses at Marine Harvest, the bulk of which are in the Highlands and Islands and many of which are in my constituency. That is a large number of jobs for small communities to lose. Will the First Minist...

Dave Thompson SNP Committee

20 Jan 2016

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I agree with the comments on transparency. It is vital that we have transparency on land ownership. I was struck by the broad agreement right across society that that is essential. One does not need to look far in my constituency at this very moment to find situations in whic...