The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 3981 contributions
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 19 November 2024
Edward Mountain
Agenda item 4 is an evidence-taking session on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. Today, the committee will hear from a panel representing landowners and land managers, with the focus on part 1 of the bill.
Malcolm Mathieson, convener of the Crofting Commission, was going to be here, too, but unfortunately he is unable to attend today, for very understandable reasons. We will try to work his attendance into another meeting.
I am pleased to welcome Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates; David Bean, Parliament and Government relations manager at the Countryside Alliance; and Gemma Cooper, head of policy at NFU Scotland.
As usual, I will declare my interests. I am a member of a family farming partnership in Moray, as set out in my entry in the register of members’ interests. I specifically declare an interest as owner of approximately 500 acres of farmland, of which about 50 acres is woodland. I am also a tenant of approximately 500 acres in Moray under a non-agricultural tenancy, which is an interesting permutation, and I have another farming tenancy under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991. I sometimes take lets for grass on a short-term basis.
We have allowed just under two hours for this item, and we will move straight to questions. As convener, I will begin with some simple ones, which I will give all three of you a chance to answer. Is there a need for a further land reform bill? Will the bill improve transparency and strengthen the rights of communities? Does it reflect all the negotiations that took place before its introduction?
Who wants to kick off? I should say that if you all look away at the same time when I ask who wants to answer a question, I will pick the person who is the slowest to do so, so you will need to be really quick. [Laughter.] Sarah-Jane, as you did not look away, you will be first to go.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 19 November 2024
Edward Mountain
I was trying to work out the cost to Scottish businesses as a result of the ETS if the Acorn project does not happen.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 19 November 2024
Edward Mountain
No doubt some of them will be out this morning, clearing roads of snow in rural communities. I should declare an interest here, as that is what my guys are doing this morning to allow those in the local community to get around.
I will bring in Sarah-Jane Laing.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 19 November 2024
Edward Mountain
We come to questions from the deputy convener, Michael Matheson. Over to you, Michael.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 19 November 2024
Edward Mountain
Sorry—I see that all the witnesses are nodding, but, if you simply nod, it will not go in the Official Report.
The deputy convener is asking for just a yes or, if you disagree, a very loud no if it has been drowned out by a yes.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 19 November 2024
Edward Mountain
Monica, you wanted to come in.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 19 November 2024
Edward Mountain
That might have been a mistake. [Laughter.]
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 19 November 2024
Edward Mountain
Thanks, Monica. Michael, we are back to you for a question.
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 19 November 2024
Edward Mountain
Douglas, do you have a brief comment?
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 19 November 2024
Edward Mountain
You all nodded. I do not want to put words in your mouths, but I take it that you all agree with Sarah-Jane Laing.