Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16892, in the name of Mairi Gougeon, on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. 15:20

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands (Mairi Gougeon) SNP

I think that today is a good day. Spring is upon us, and it is a time of renewed hope and optimism. It is on that note that I am proud to open today’s debate...

Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

The majority of people who gave evidence to the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee were of the opinion that the bill would not realise the aims that ha...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Always speak through the chair.

Mairi Gougeon SNP

I thank Douglas Lumsden for raising that point. I listened very carefully to the evidence that the committee received and to those concerns. There was broad ...

Douglas Lumsden Con

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con

Will the cabinet secretary give way?

Mairi Gougeon SNP

I will give way to Rachael Hamilton, as I have already taken an intervention from Douglas Lumsden.

Rachael Hamilton Con

Does the cabinet secretary believe that there could be a conflict of interest, given that Scottish ministers have to be answerable to decisions made on land ...

Mairi Gougeon SNP

The member raises an important point. I recognise that the Scottish Government is a significant landowner in Scotland, but I do not believe that there is suc...

Mercedes Villalba (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Does the cabinet secretary recognise that, provided that their bank balance is big enough, there is currently nothing to stop someone from buying up all of S...

Mairi Gougeon SNP

I thank Mercedes Villalba for raising that point. There are all sorts of issues in relation to that, but I believe that our proposals, which the committee ha...

Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP) SNP

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Mairi Gougeon SNP

I am sorry, but I have to make progress. We have to recognise that reform must be carried out in a way that is fair to all parties, is supported by evidence...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Edward Mountain to speak on behalf of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. 15:31

Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I am pleased to speak in this debate on behalf of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee. In accordance with parliamentary rules, I will make a full d...

Mercedes Villalba Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

Edward Mountain Con

I will if I have time, Presiding Officer.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

There is time, but it is very limited.

Mercedes Villalba Lab

Is it fair to say that those who opposed part 1 tended to be representatives of those who own large amounts of land in Scotland?

Edward Mountain Con

That is not entirely true. Some of the people who opposed part 1 were people who manage land holdings across Scotland, whether in the private or public secto...

Fergus Ewing SNP

Will Edward Mountain give way briefly?

Edward Mountain Con

I think that I am short of time, but I would like to give way.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

There is a limited bit of time in hand.

Fergus Ewing SNP

The bill proposes legal measures that would, I gather, be applied retrospectively. Is the committee at all concerned that that might contravene the European ...

Edward Mountain Con

I think that the committee was more concerned that constantly changing agricultural tenancies retrospectively could cause problems for the letting of land in...

Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests, which states that I am a small farmer. I also have a couple of short limited duration ten...

Mairi Gougeon SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Tim Eagle Con

Go for it.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Although it was not lacking in courtesy, I note that that language was a bit relaxed.