Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) Wednesday 10 March 2021 Session 5 © Parliamentary copyright. Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Information on the Scottish Parliament’s copyright policy can be found on the website - www.parliament.scot or by contacting Public Information on 0131 348 5000 Wednesday 10 March 2021 CONTENTS Col. PORTFOLIO QUESTION TIME ............................................................................................................................... 1 ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND LAND REFORM ........................................................................................ 1 Flapper Skate Protection .............................................................................................................................. 1 Cetaceans (Acoustic Deterrent Devices) ..................................................................................................... 2 Rewilding ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 East Lothian Council (Climate Change Strategy) ......................................................................................... 5 Littering ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Agriculture (Climate Change) ....................................................................................................................... 7 Green Recovery (Covid-19) .......................................................................................................................... 8 Natural Assets .............................................................................................................................................. 9 RURAL ECONOMY AND TOURISM ...................................................................................................................... 10 Tourism Sector (Summer Holidays) ........................................................................................................... 10 Tourism Sector (Support) ........................................................................................................................... 11 Inverclyde Hospitality and Tourism (Support) ............................................................................................ 13 Beef Farming (Brazil Memorandum of Understanding) .............................................................................. 14 Crofting Commission .................................................................................................................................. 15 Tourism (Scottish Borders and Midlothian Councils) ................................................................................. 16 Tourism (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) .............................................................................................. 17 Tourism Sector (Recovery) ......................................................................................................................... 18 MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE ............................................................................................................................ 20 Motion moved—[Ruth Davidson]. Ruth Davidson (Edinburgh Central) (Con) ................................................................................................. 20 The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (John Swinney) ...................... 23 Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) ................................................................................................................ 25 Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD) .......................................................................................... 27 Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) .............................................................................................................. 28 Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con) ....................................................................................................................... 30 UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS (DEGREES IN MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY) BILL: STAGE 3 ...................................... 32 Motion moved—[Jeane Freeman]. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport (Jeane Freeman) ................................................................. 32 Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con) ....................................................................................... 34 Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) .............................................................................................. 35 Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) ........................................................................................................... 37 Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP) ...................................................................................................... 38 Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) ................................................................................................ 40 Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con) ......................................................................................................... 41 Jeane Freeman........................................................................................................................................... 43 BUSINESS MOTION ........................................................................................................................................... 46 Motion moved—[Graeme Dey]—and agreed to. HATE CRIME AND PUBLIC ORDER (SCOTLAND) BILL: STAGE 3 .......................................................................... 47 FINANCIAL SERVICES BILL ............................................................................................................................. 172 Motion moved—[Humza Yousaf]. COUNTER-TERRORISM AND SENTENCING BILL ................................................................................................ 173 Motion moved—[Humza Yousaf]. BUSINESS MOTION ......................................................................................................................................... 174 Motion moved—[Miles Briggs]—and agreed to. PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU MOTIONS ............................................................................................................... 177 Motions moved—[Miles Briggs]. DECISION TIME .............................................................................................................................................. 178 1 10 MARCH 2021 2 Ben Macpherson: Protection of the site is vital Scottish Parliament to support the conservation of this critically endangered species, which is protected Wednesday 10 March 2021 internationally. Historically, flapper skate were abundant in the north-east Atlantic, but their range [The Deputy Presiding Officer opened the has reduced significantly. This is the first skate meeting at 14:00] egg habitat of this scale to be found in Scotland and little is known about flapper skate breeding. Portfolio Question Time We have therefore taken the precautionary approach of providing interim protection from all activities that could affect the area while we Environment, Climate Change and develop proposals for permanent protection. Land Reform Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab): Does the The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda minister agree with the Our Seas coalition, which Fabiani): Good afternoon, everyone. I remind is concerned that the Scottish Government’s claim members that social distancing measures are in that 30 per cent of our seas are protected is place in the chamber and across the whole misleading because many of those supposed campus. I ask that members take care to observe protected areas do not actually have protective those measures, including when entering and measures in place? exiting the chamber. Please only use the aisles Ben Macpherson: As the member knows, the and walkways to access your seat and when Scottish Government is firmly committed to our moving around the chamber. marine protected areas, including the site that we Question 1 is from James Dornan. [Interruption.] are discussing. A hundred sites have fisheries Perhaps. If it is acceptable to members— management measures, of which 26 are [Interruption.] Oh—we now have Mr Dornan. I specifically for nature conservation purposes. The know that he is very acceptable to members. Scottish Government is committed to the effect that the marine protected areas have and to the Flapper Skate Protection need for them in order to protect the species that we all treasure across the country. 1. James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP): I am delighted that I came in at that point, Presiding Cetaceans (Acoustic Deterrent Devices) Officer. 2. Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) To ask the Scottish Government whether it will (Green): To ask the Scottish Government how it is provide an update on what action it is taking protecting cetaceans from disturbance and injury regarding the consideration of protection for caused by acoustic deterrent devices. (S5O- flapper skate. (S5O-05090) 05091) The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural The Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment (Ben Macpherson): I am pleased Environment (Ben Macpherson): The Scottish to announce the urgent designation of the Red Government is committed to protecting marine Rocks and Longay marine protected area, which is wildlife, including