Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-07024, in the name of Fergus Ewing, on hydro power in Scotland.You have a generous 14 minutes, minister.1...

The Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism (Fergus Ewing) SNP

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I will revert from fortissimo to pianoforte in my tone.I very much welcome the opportunity to discuss the development of hydro ...

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I fully support the expansion of hydro schemes. Hydro is a wonderful industrial success. Will the minister ensure that it is also an environmental success, i...

Fergus Ewing SNP

I agree that environmental issues are important and must be more seriously taken into account.Mary Scanlon has somewhat spoiled my peroration, such as it was...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

I call Ken Macintosh, who has a very generous 11 minutes.14:29

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab) Lab

Including the minister’s four unused minutes, Presiding Officer?I suspect that many members feel, as I do, a sense of pride and achievement in Scotland’s hyd...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

I call Mary Scanlon, who has a generous seven minutes.14:40

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

We are delighted to contribute to this debate on hydro power in Scotland in recognition of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Hydro-Electric Deve...

Richard Lyle (Central Scotland) (SNP) SNP

Hear, hear.

Mary Scanlon Con

I thank Richard Lyle for his comments. He was very supportive in my recent members’ business debate on the subject.For all that—and all that—two contractors ...

Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP

Hydro power is perhaps the least contentious of our renewables technologies, and the lack of amendments to the motion might be evidence of that. However, tha...

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

Does Mr MacKenzie remember those days?

Mike MacKenzie SNP

I am grateful to Mr Fraser for introducing a note of humour into the debate.It is hard now to relate to those concerns of more than a century ago, and it is ...

Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I have to say that until now I have enjoyed the history lesson that has been part of the debate.It is right that we celebrate all that has been achieved in g...

Mike MacKenzie SNP

Does the member accept that it is the UK Government’s failure to upgrade our grid quickly enough that is limiting our ability to decarbonise the energy suppl...

Margaret McDougall Lab

No. I will not turn around and blame the UK Government; there are things that we can do in Scotland.Supplying 100 per cent of Scotland’s energy from renewabl...

Fergus Ewing SNP

I agree with much of what the member has said. She said that she would like the Scottish Government to do more to strengthen the grid. Given that there are p...

Margaret McDougall Lab

Perhaps I can explain that as I go on.I fully appreciate that the Scottish Government is not solely responsible for the implementation of new hydro power sta...

Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP

Tom Johnston brought about his hydro power revolution as a result of the particular conditions of total war, when landlord opposition could be waved aside in...

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

I am pleased to take part in the debate. Hydro power provides energy and jobs to many rural communities, and it can also play a significant part in Scotland ...

Fergus Ewing SNP

I entirely agree that we want to do everything practical and sensible that we can to encourage communities to develop their own schemes and, when possible, t...

Claire Baker Lab

Those are welcome comments from the minister.When I speak to people in the sector, the feeling seems to be that there is quite a gap between a community that...

Stuart McMillan (West Scotland) (SNP) SNP

This is a timely debate that examines the past, present and future of one of Scotland’s most valuable assets—a source of renewable energy that can help to co...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

As Margaret McDougall rightly said, we have already had a historical tour de force. I particularly commend Rob Gibson’s speech, in that respect.On the 70th a...

Mike MacKenzie SNP

As the member for Orkney, surely Mr McArthur is frustrated with the UK Government for not getting on and putting in place the interconnector to Orkney so tha...

Liam McArthur LD

I certainly share the frustrations of those who are looking to get on and deliver renewables, not just in Orkney but in the other island groups, but I do not...

Stuart McMillan SNP

Will Liam McArthur give way?

Liam McArthur LD

I will make some progress, but will come back to Mr McMillan, if I can.There seems to be a case for looking again at how degression will apply in relation to...

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

Water is important to us. That is a self-evident truth, not least because each and every one of us is made up of about 80 per cent water. Without water, ther...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

Mr Stevenson, will you begin to conclude, please?