Chamber and committees

Razor fish licences were first introduced in 2014, to combat risks of illegal electro-fishing. The application process allowed for vessels to be inspected to seek to confirm that vessels were equipped only to conduct legal methods of fishing, at the point of inspection. Prior to 2014, fishing for razor fish was conducted under the general authority of the sea fisheries licence.

In 2014-15, 45 applications were received. 33 were successful, 12 unsuccessful.

In 2015-16, 50 applications were received. 46 were successful, 4 unsuccessful.

In 2016-17, 59 applications were received. 58 were successful, 1 unsuccessful.

2016-17 licences, which were originally scheduled to expire on 31 March 2017, were extended for one month and then, in relation to certain licences, until 31 January 2018, when all licences lapsed. These extensions were made to allow for preparations to be undertaken for a scientific trial of electro-fishing for razor fish. This trial commenced on 1 February 2018 which, following an open application process, initially involves 26 UK registered fishing vessels.

February 2018. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government is committed to extending superfast broadband access (defined at 30Mbps in line with European Commission guidelines) to 100% of business and residential premises across Scotland by the end of 2021. We have no specific target for delivering 95% superfast access.

We are investing £600 million through the first phase of the Reaching 100% (R100) programme. This is currently at the procurement stage; we anticipate that activity will begin on the ground during 2019.

The use of peat in horticulture is a global issue requiring action at the international level to address sourcing and usage by the public and industry. The Scottish Government has offered its support to industry-led work to phase out such use. This issue was considered by the National Peatland Group at its last meeting and it will continue to consider how it can support phasing out the use of peat in horticulture as part of its ongoing work programme.

Scottish Planning Policy confirms that planning authorities should use their development plans to protect peatlands and only allow commercial extraction in exceptional circumstances.

The statistics on joiners and leavers do not differentiate between nurses and midwives. For both staff groups combined, the numbers of joiners and leavers in each year from 2011-12 to 2016-17 (year to 31 March) are shown in the following table. Statistics prior to 2011-12 are not comparable due to methodological changes. The age composition of joiners and leavers is not reported. Information on NHS staff who have left and subsequently registered with an agency is not held centrally.

Note: Scotland totals are lower than the sum of individual boards, due to staff working in, and transferring between, different boards.

26 January 2018. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

26 January 2018. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Fraserburgh Taskforce was established in September 2015 to respond to and mitigate the impact of the job losses at Youngs Seafood following the loss of a significant contract. The taskforce, which met on 6 occasions, was time-limited and sought to co-ordinate a range of short-term activity to mitigate the impact on the individuals affected. At the final meeting of the taskforce in March 2017, members agreed the taskforce had been effective in its primary purpose of responding to the immediacy of the job losses. It was also noted that from those affected by the job losses and were engaged with PACE, only 7% remained unemployed at that time, which compared favourably with other taskforces.

It was agreed at the final meeting of the taskforce that a number of public sector organisations, including the local authority, Scottish Enterprise, and the Scottish Government, would continue to work closely with local stakeholders to take forward some wider economic development projects, including the proposed Seafood Centre of Excellence and the E-Auction system at Fraserburgh harbour, and those discussions are currently ongoing.

In addition, on 4 December 2017 the Scottish Government announced over £300k support to Seafood Sourcing Ltd to establish a new processing factory in Fraserburgh creating around 20 new jobs. The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity was scheduled to visit Fraserburgh that day to visit the new factory and also meet with a range of other stakeholders but the visit was postponed due to illness and is now being rescheduled.

SNH staff, in partnership with a number of estates, use helicopters on a regular basis. These are used for counting deer populations and provide important logistical support for deer culling in remote areas where access for stalkers and carcass extraction is difficult. Deer are never shot from helicopters and adherence to best practice guidance ensures that the welfare of deer is safeguarded.

The Scottish Government takes the view that helicopters are an important tool in helping deliver effective deer management and does not intend asking Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to phase out their use.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting inclusive economic growth that will benefit every part of Scotland, including our coastal communities.

We recognise that Scotland’s regions and communities have varied needs with regard to developing their economies. Establishment of the National Council of Rural Advisers will provide evidence based advice to Scottish Ministers on the policies and associated support which can help create vibrant and inclusive rural economies, including coastal communities .

An example of relevant action by the Scottish Government to benefit coastal communities is use of newly devolved powers to propose changes to the management of Crown Estate assets to ensure community benefit and, where possible, management.

The Crown Estate Bill, which we will introduce this parliamentary year, will establish a framework for the management of Crown Estate assets in Scotland to ensure that local communities are able to benefit from the coastal resources of the estate. Scottish Ministers have committed to providing 100% of the net revenue from Crown Estate marine assets out to 12 nautical miles to enable island and coastal communities to benefit from these assets.

In addition to this, we have worked with developers of offshore wind farm sites to secure additional community benefits for our coastal communities. The Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm, which will create up to 90 jobs in Wick, has created a £6m Partnership Fund, which will be split between coastal communities in Highland and Moray. To date the Fund has granted £650,000 to help local groups and organisations realise their own project ambitions to support transformative community projects.

The European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, off Aberdeen, has established a £150,000 per year community investment scheme. Commencing later this year, it will support communities and diversify local economies in the Aberdeenshire area.