Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 13 November 2013
13 Nov 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Parks
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-07932, in the name of Claire Baker, on national parks: unfinished business. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament welcomes the recent report by the Scottish Campaign for National Parks and the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, Unfinished Business: A National Parks Strategy for Scotland; notes that the report states that “Scotland’s landscapes rank amongst the best in the world”; further notes its claim that “there are further areas of outstanding importance for landscape and recreation in Scotland worthy of National Park designation, and that this would best be done in the context of an overall agreed national strategy”; understands that the report identifies seven areas that should be considered for designation as a national park: the Ben Nevis/Glen Coe/Black Mount area, the Cheviot Hills, an area based around Mull, Coll and Tiree, Galloway, Glen Affric, Harris and Wester Ross; believes that, by protecting the environment, attracting tourists and providing social and economic benefits to the communities that they serve and the rest of the country, the national parks at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Cairngorms have proved to be successful in meeting the aims set out by the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, and notes calls for a Scotland-wide debate on the way forward for national parks.
17:06
Motion debated,
That the Parliament welcomes the recent report by the Scottish Campaign for National Parks and the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, Unfinished Business: A National Parks Strategy for Scotland; notes that the report states that “Scotland’s landscapes rank amongst the best in the world”; further notes its claim that “there are further areas of outstanding importance for landscape and recreation in Scotland worthy of National Park designation, and that this would best be done in the context of an overall agreed national strategy”; understands that the report identifies seven areas that should be considered for designation as a national park: the Ben Nevis/Glen Coe/Black Mount area, the Cheviot Hills, an area based around Mull, Coll and Tiree, Galloway, Glen Affric, Harris and Wester Ross; believes that, by protecting the environment, attracting tourists and providing social and economic benefits to the communities that they serve and the rest of the country, the national parks at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Cairngorms have proved to be successful in meeting the aims set out by the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, and notes calls for a Scotland-wide debate on the way forward for national parks.
17:06
References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-07932, in the name of Claire Baker, on national parks: unfinished business. The debate...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
Establishing the national parks was one of the early achievements of the Scottish Parliament. The legislation was steered through by Sarah Boyack, who was th...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate Claire Baker on securing the debate. Although I supported her motion, she will be aware that I have lodged what I hope she sees as a friendly ...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Claire Baker on securing the debate and welcome the publication by the SCNP and the APRS of their report, “Unfinished Business”.It is great to...
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (Paul Wheelhouse)
SNP
I thank Sarah Boyack for taking an intervention and assure that I will not take too much time over it. I simply wonder whether, having recognised the resourc...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I will give you that time back, Ms Boyack.
Sarah Boyack
Lab
Thank you very much, Presiding Officer.That is exactly why we need a ministerial lead. Over the years, there have been many suggestions for different nationa...
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
As other members have done, I congratulate Claire Baker on securing the debate.As a member of the Rural Affairs Committee from 1999, I was involved in Parlia...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am glad to be here to welcome the publication of the national parks strategy for Scotland. I thank my colleague Claire Baker for securing the debate, which...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I invite Paul Wheelhouse to respond to the debate. Minister, you have seven minutes.17:31
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (Paul Wheelhouse)
SNP
Many interesting and positive comments have been made about national parks in Scotland. I congratulate Claire Baker on bringing the issue to the attention of...
Claire Baker
Lab
I, too, have had meetings with John Mayhew and others who are interested in the issue. My impression was more that they were keen for the debate to be on the...
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
Presiding Officer, I look to you for guidance on whether I will get that time back.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
You will.
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
I understand the member’s point, and I will come on to explain the wider strategy.The report states:“We consider that a pragmatic approach should be taken to...
Christine Grahame
SNP
Will the minister take an intervention?
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
I am really short of time, so I will not, unless the Presiding Officer gives me some latitude.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I will allow you extra time if you wish to take the intervention, minister.
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer.
Christine Grahame
SNP
Will the minister or his officials engage with the Pentland hills regional park consultative forum? He will be happy to hear that it is not looking for money...
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
As the member knows, I have written to her on the matter. The key issue is really the support of local authorities for the extension to the regional park bou...