Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The final item of business today is a members’ business debate on motion S5M-03832, in the name of Finlay Carson, on the establishment of new national parks....

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

I thank the members who supported my motion, allowing this debate to take place. Many of my colleagues will know that I have campaigned enthusiastically on t...

Kate Forbes (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP

I ask this in all seriousness as a member of the Scottish Parliament who represents the Cairngorms, which is a fantastic national park. Mr Carson talked abou...

Finlay Carson Con

Absolutely—Kate Forbes has raised a good point. It is vital that there is flexibility, and that is in the legislation. We often describe the national park th...

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

I am pleased to speak in the debate and I congratulate Finlay Carson on securing it. Mr Carson’s motion asks for a review of national parks across Scotland. ...

Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I congratulate my colleague Finlay Carson on securing the debate. As I come from the west of Scotland and live very near the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs n...

Kate Forbes SNP

Will the member give way?

Maurice Corry Con

Yes.

Kate Forbes SNP

On Loch Lomond and the Trossachs—

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Kate Forbes.

Kate Forbes SNP

Sorry.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Enthusiasm is no bad thing, Ms Forbes.

Kate Forbes SNP

I am generally in favour of national parks, but one of the challenges is that, when a national park is established, house prices start to rise, which makes i...

Maurice Corry Con

Yes, it has been. There is an anachronism in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park, which is that, in order to build in the national park, one has ...

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Like other members, I am grateful to Finlay Carson for the opportunity that the motion gives us to celebrate the success story that is Scotland’s existing na...

Graeme Dey (Angus South) (SNP) SNP

I begin, as is customary, by congratulating Finlay Carson on bringing the debate to the chamber. He, like Emma Harper and Claudia Beamish and me, serves on t...

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Is it not the case that a light-touch national park, as other members have said, would be of value and—

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Ms Beamish, where is your microphone? Interruption.

Claudia Beamish Lab

At this time of night, I hope that I can remember what I just said.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

And you an experienced MSP.

Claudia Beamish Lab

The light-touch issue that has been highlighted by other members is important—I will leave it at that or Mr Dey will not have any of his time left.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I will give you your time back, Mr Dey.

Graeme Dey SNP

Thank you. I get exactly where Claudia Beamish is coming from, but I point out to her that, whether it is light touch or whatever, the communities still hav...

Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I, too, thank my colleague Finlay Carson for securing a debate in the chamber on the important subject of establishing new national parks. As we know, Scotl...

Emma Harper SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Edward Mountain Con

I will, if I have time.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I will give you the time back.

Edward Mountain Con

In that case, I will take the intervention.

Emma Harper SNP

Graeme Dey has just made a compelling argument about the money that is involved. The Government has not made a decision yet, and the Cabinet Secretary for th...

Edward Mountain Con

When we look at business cases—as I did during my business career—we have to look at the opportunity cost and the potential net gain to the environment and t...