Hansard

John Lamont Con Chamber

27 Apr 2017

First Minister’s Question Time · Engagements

Given the exceptional circumstances surrounding this situation, will the First Minister—unlike her back benchers—apply some common sense to this matter?

John Lamont Con Chamber

27 Apr 2017

First Minister’s Question Time · Engagements

On Twitter, the First Minister spoke of the “incredible achievement”, of the “community coming together” and of the community having “achieved something really special”. It now transpires that Scottish Water’s Business Stream has stripped the St Abbs Community Trust of its w...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

27 Apr 2017

First Minister’s Question Time · Engagements

I declare an interest as a trustee of the St Abbs Lifeboat trust. One of the best examples of a community campaign that I have ever seen was the campaign in St Abbs in Berwickshire for the creation of an independent lifeboat when the Royal National Lifeboat Institution withd...

John Lamont Con Chamber

27 Apr 2017

General Question Time · Attainment Gap (Scottish Borders)

I thank the cabinet secretary for that reply, but the attainment gap in the Borders remains one of the worst in Scotland. Indeed, the Scottish National Party’s record on education in the Borders over the past 10 years is not good. Class sizes are at a record high as teacher nu...

6. John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

27 Apr 2017

General Question Time · Attainment Gap (Scottish Borders)

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in closing the attainment gap in the Scottish Borders. (S5O-00914)

John Lamont Con Chamber

19 Apr 2017

Portfolio Question Time · Domestic Waste Recycling

I note the Scottish Government’s target for a maximum of 5 per cent of waste to be sent to landfill by 2025. In the Borders, we are a long way off the Government’s recycling targets: more than 61 per cent of domestic waste is sent to landfill, which is up from 53 per cent in 2...

5. John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

19 Apr 2017

Portfolio Question Time · Domestic Waste Recycling

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to encourage more recycling of domestic waste. (S5O-00862)

John Lamont Con Chamber

30 Mar 2017

General Question Time · Sustainable Rural Bus Services

The minister will be aware of the recent takeover of First Group’s Borders operations by Borders Buses Ltd. Although it is encouraging to hear that some services are being expanded, the long-term future of some other lifeline bus routes in the Borders is still unclear. With co...

3. John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

30 Mar 2017

General Question Time · Sustainable Rural Bus Services

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what it is doing to support sustainable rural bus services. (S5O-00850)

John Lamont Con Chamber

29 Mar 2017

Rotary Clubs (Champions of Change Awards)

It was not mine. This evening is an opportunity to celebrate and share some of the great work that clubs across Scotland carry out. However, as well as contributing to improving the lives of others, Rotary clubs provide fellowship and companionship for their members. Voluntee...

John Lamont Con Chamber

29 Mar 2017

Rotary Clubs (Champions of Change Awards)

Has the noise stopped?

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

29 Mar 2017

Rotary Clubs (Champions of Change Awards)

I lodged today’s motion as an opportunity to praise the excellent work of Rotary district 1020, which covers my constituency in the Borders as well as much of the south and east of Scotland. Last year, district 1020 members picked up two out of 12 Rotary champions of change aw...

John Lamont Con Chamber

21 Mar 2017

Independence Referendum

No, I will not take an intervention from the minister. Given that the First Minister stood in front of journalists last week and refused to show respect to this Parliament—she took questions from 22 members of the press and not one from an MSP, and she took only four intervent...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

21 Mar 2017

Independence Referendum

Last week, the First Minister gave up any pretence of being the First Minister for the whole of Scotland. She revealed herself to be what Conservatives have always known her to be: leader of the SNP above all else, even above the interests and wishes of Scots. Opinion polls h...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

21 Mar 2017

Independence Referendum

Will the member give way?

John Lamont Con Chamber

07 Feb 2017

Withdrawal from the European Union (Article 50)

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. As the business manager for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, I ask for a motion without notice under rule 8.14 of standing orders to extend the debate by up to 30 minutes, to allow time for members to speak who wish to take ...

John Lamont Con Chamber

07 Feb 2017

Withdrawal from the European Union (Article 50)

The Prime Minister has made it very clear that, for example, she wants EU nationals who are based in Scotland to be able to stay, which is the SNP Government’s policy. However, she will not concede that point until the EU concedes the same point for UK nationals who live in th...

John Lamont Con Chamber

07 Feb 2017

Withdrawal from the European Union (Article 50)

No. I have heard enough from Mr Russell. That is why I hope that all parties who believe in the UK will support the amendment in my name, which urges the Scottish Government to rule out a damaging second independence referendum. We are entering a challenging time—there is no ...

John Lamont Con Chamber

07 Feb 2017

Withdrawal from the European Union (Article 50)

Mr Russell clearly does not understand how the internal market works, because any member of the internal market has to accept the free movement of workers. How can Scotland accept the free movement of workers while the rest of the United Kingdom has a separate immigration poli...

John Lamont Con Chamber

07 Feb 2017

Withdrawal from the European Union (Article 50)

I might have read a different document to that read by Mr Stevenson but I can see no compromise in the SNP’s position. The SNP is obsessed with stoking up the politics of grievance and its agenda for independence and nothing else. Instead of constantly trying to undermine the ...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

07 Feb 2017

Withdrawal from the European Union (Article 50)

I am happy to speak in today’s debate on the triggering of article 50 and to move the amendment in my name. But, Presiding Officer, I am somewhat surprised that we do not have a legislative consent motion to vote on. It is a surprise, because, less than two weeks ago, the Brex...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

12 Jan 2017

First Minister’s Question Time · Engagements

The First Minister will be aware of the disappointing news that the Jim Clark rally in the Borders will not take place in 2017. There is a risk that the important event will be permanently lost from the motor-racing calendar, which would be a big blow to the Borders economy. I...

John Lamont Con Committee

21 Dec 2016

Budget Proposal 2017-18 and Fee Strategy

Will that come later?

John Lamont Con Committee

21 Dec 2016

Budget Proposal 2017-18 and Fee Strategy

I want to be clear about the £100,000. You said that that is the cost of the salary of the new appointment, but you also mentioned investing in further research or investigations. Do you anticipate an additional cost beyond the £100,000 to invest in the additional research and...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Committee

21 Dec 2016

Budget Proposal 2017-18 and Fee Strategy

My question also relates to page 4 of your budget proposal and your assumption about the extent and timing of work required as a result of the Scotland Act 2016. You mention elsewhere that an allowance has been made for planning for the implications of the EU referendum result...

John Lamont Con Chamber

08 Dec 2016

General Question Time · Jim Clark Rally

I welcome the fact that progress is now being made on the investigations into the tragic events of 2014. The Jim Clark rally contributes greatly to the Borders economy, and its loss over the past few years has impacted significantly on local businesses. Thoughts are now turnin...

2. John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

08 Dec 2016

General Question Time · Jim Clark Rally

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to concerns regarding the future of the Jim Clark rally. (S5O-00450)

John Lamont Con Chamber

01 Dec 2016

General Question Time · Economic Development and Skills Funding (National Board)

I was heartened when the Scottish Government announced that it was implementing the Scottish Conservatives’ idea of a south of Scotland enterprise agency. However, given the news that the HIE regional board is to go, I can only presume that south of Scotland enterprise will al...

4. John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

01 Dec 2016

General Question Time · Economic Development and Skills Funding (National Board)

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish details of the proposed single national board to oversee economic development and skills funding. (S5O-00419)

John Lamont Con Chamber

29 Nov 2016

Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism (European Union Referendum)

When Menzies Campbell was the leader of the Lib Dems, he proposed a referendum on leaving the EU. What would his position have been had the British people delivered the verdict that they have now delivered?

John Lamont Con Chamber

29 Nov 2016

Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism (European Union Referendum)

Will the member give way?

John Lamont Con Chamber

29 Nov 2016

Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism (European Union Referendum)

I am happy to continue my speech. It is clear that the UK Government wants to achieve the best deal for my constituents in the Borders, the best deal for Scotland and the best deal for the United Kingdom, recognising that there were 17 million votes to leave the EU. I suggest ...

John Lamont Con Chamber

29 Nov 2016

Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism (European Union Referendum)

SNP members are shouting, “What is that?” but I am no clearer about the SNP’s position on that either. What was of the greatest concern among the businesses who responded to the Scottish Tourism Alliance survey on Brexit? One of the most common concerns expressed by business...

John Lamont Con Chamber

29 Nov 2016

Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism (European Union Referendum)

I agree that we need to accept the democratic wishes of the United Kingdom electorate—despite the fact that I voted to remain part of the EU, I respect the result—and move to the best deal for my constituents in the Borders, for Scotland and for the United Kingdom.

John Lamont Con Chamber

29 Nov 2016

Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism (European Union Referendum)

The minister has failed to answer the point that I made about the impact of a hard border with the rest of the United Kingdom. Scotland cannot have a separate immigration policy from the rest of the United Kingdom without having a hard border. That is a point that the minister...

John Lamont Con Chamber

29 Nov 2016

Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism (European Union Referendum)

I want to make some progress, if I may. The Scottish National Party-chaired Scottish Affairs Committee opened an inquiry into Scotland’s place in Europe shortly after the vote, and not a single Scottish tourism organisation responded. This is not the major issue for our touri...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

29 Nov 2016

Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism (European Union Referendum)

This is the 12th debate that we have had on the EU referendum result—the 12th opportunity for the SNP to stand up and talk about how great the EU is and how everyone in Scotland wants to remain a member. What, I ask, has been achieved so far? There is little in the way of clar...

John Lamont Con Chamber

10 Nov 2016

General Question Time · NHS Borders (Meetings)

The cabinet secretary will be aware of the recent Audit Scotland report “NHS in Scotland 2016” and Audit Scotland’s worrying conclusion that NHS Borders is the board that is least likely to balance its books this year, with 55 per cent of planned savings being classified as “h...

7. John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

10 Nov 2016

General Question Time · NHS Borders (Meetings)

To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met representatives of NHS Borders and what issues were discussed. (S5O-00328)

John Lamont Con Chamber

27 Oct 2016

General Question Time · Station Reopenings (Reston and East Linton)

There are sources within Transport Scotland that suggest that Transport Scotland does not want the stations to be reopened. Can the minister reassure me that that is not the case and that, if it is, the political will of the Government and the desirability of reopening the sta...

3. John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

27 Oct 2016

General Question Time · Station Reopenings (Reston and East Linton)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on plans to reopen rail stations at Reston and East Linton. (S5O-00263)

John Lamont Con Committee

28 Sep 2016

Audit Scotland Annual Report and Accounts and Auditor’s Report on the Accounts

My next question is on payments to suppliers. You mention on page 20 of the report that “84 per cent ... of trade invoices were paid within ten days”, which represents a slight fall from the previous year’s performance of 87 per cent. Are there any reasons for that marginal ...

John Lamont Con Committee

28 Sep 2016

Audit Scotland Annual Report and Accounts and Auditor’s Report on the Accounts

Okay. Thank you.

John Lamont Con Committee

28 Sep 2016

Audit Scotland Annual Report and Accounts and Auditor’s Report on the Accounts

Lucky you—I like to think that I am now a reformed character. When we charged clients fees, we had to justify the fee by giving a breakdown of the hours and the chargeable rate for each solicitor involved in the work. Before the changes, how have you worked out the fees that y...

John Lamont Con Committee

28 Sep 2016

Audit Scotland Annual Report and Accounts and Auditor’s Report on the Accounts

I used to be a solicitor in private practice—

John Lamont Con Committee

28 Sep 2016

Audit Scotland Annual Report and Accounts and Auditor’s Report on the Accounts

My question relates to the section on page 15 of your report entitled “Improving our performance”. There, you mention “developing a new fees strategy, which will be implemented during 2016.” Given the previous commission’s interest in that area, will you give us an update on...

John Lamont Con Committee

28 Sep 2016

Chair

I propose Colin Beattie.

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Con) Con Committee

28 Sep 2016

Interests

Similarly, I have nothing to declare other than what I have disclosed in the register of members’ interests.

John Lamont Con Chamber

21 Sep 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Cross-border Tourism (Northumberland and Cumbria)

I am pleased that the cabinet secretary mentioned the borderlands initiative. One of the strands of that initiative is to build and promote the borderlands as a tourist destination but, after an encouraging start, there is a feeling among some stakeholders that progress has st...

3. John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

21 Sep 2016

Portfolio Question Time · Cross-border Tourism (Northumberland and Cumbria)

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Visit Northumberland, Visit Cumbria and local authorities regarding promoting cross-border tourism. (S5O-00163)

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

13 Sep 2016

Common Agricultural Policy Payments

I have been contacted by many constituents in the Borders who have been adversely affected by the Scottish Government’s failure to deliver their CAP payments on time. Many have incurred significant consequential losses. What is the minister’s response to people who say that th...

John Lamont Con Chamber

08 Jun 2016

Portfolio Question Time · National Health Service Boards (Scheduled Operations)

We all agree that cancelled operations are a waste of resources and an inconvenience to patients. In NHS Borders, half of all operations cancelled in the latest month were cancelled for capacity or non-clinical reasons. The figure is regularly twice the national average. Given...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

31 May 2016

Common Agricultural Policy Payments

The Scottish Borders normally receives some £50 million of CAP payments. That money not only benefits farmers but filters down to many other businesses, and the delays are causing problems for the whole rural economy. Can the cabinet secretary tell me what percentage of the to...

John Lamont Con Chamber

26 May 2016

Scotland’s Future in the European Union

I think that, on balance, the overall package of the European Union is able to address the challenges in member countries better than we could do individually as separate nations. I understand that, for some, the UK’s ongoing participation in the European project is an emotiv...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

26 May 2016

Scotland’s Future in the European Union

I, too, welcome you to your new role, Deputy Presiding Officer. With less than a month to go, we are coming into the home straight of the debate that will decide our future in Europe. The debate this morning has provided an extremely useful opportunity for this newly elected ...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

12 May 2016

Oaths and Affirmations

took the oath.

John Lamont Con Chamber

01 Mar 2016

Social Security

But the Scottish Government will have the possibility of creating new benefits and the possibility of having conditions attached to those benefits. Ministers need to be clear about how any conditions attached to future benefits, for example, would be enforced or how they would...

John Lamont Con Chamber

01 Mar 2016

Social Security

I think that the Conservative position is very clear. We have always believed that the role of the Government and of society is to give a helping hand to those in need while at the same time ensuring that the system that we put in place through welfare and benefits incentivise...

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

01 Mar 2016

Social Security

I welcome the opportunity to speak in today’s important debate, and I am pleased that the Scottish Government is working with the UK Government on a smooth transition of the new powers to ensure that individuals who are currently in receipt of benefits continue to receive them...

John Lamont Con Chamber

27 Jan 2016

Missing Voters

We should be equally aware of the election court’s ruling in Tower Hamlets, the risk of fraud and the fact that the vast majority of voters were automatically transferred on to the new system. Attempt to contact each of those whose identities could not be verified were made on...