Skip to main content

Language: English / Gàidhlig

Loading…

Seòmar agus comataidhean

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

Criathragan Hide all filters

Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 28 November 2024
Select which types of business to include


Select level of detail in results

Displaying 1909 contributions

|

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 15 March 2023

Rachael Hamilton

I think that you have probably answered my question about the flexibility. I was going to ask you whether, within the free trade deal, this is one way of ensuring that New Zealand can export multiple grape varieties, which it probably does not do at the moment. The main varieties are probably Pinot Noir, Merlot and Sauvignon—we have a great taste for those in the UK—and there is the issue of the alcohol content, too. I assume that, as you say, this provides flexibility.

However, within a free trade agreement, surely it also removes the burden of labelling and provides help with that to allow greater choice, which provides flexibility. I presume that that makes a great free trade deal and that that is one of the negotiations that they had. Weather might also affect the grape variety and the alcohol content.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 15 March 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Good.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Future Agriculture Policy

Meeting date: 15 March 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Is there a geographic pattern in that, and is that taken as a whole when making calculations?

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Future Agriculture Policy

Meeting date: 15 March 2023

Rachael Hamilton

That is exactly the answer that I envisaged you would give. I love the description of the agricultural payments dovetailing with all the other things that are happening.

I will use my constituency as an example. The Hawick flood risk management scheme was funded only to a certain point. Residents who live beyond that point still get their houses flooded, and the scheme is not bringing the whole community within the project. If it had extended from the Teviot to the summit, things would be different, but it was confined by resource, unfortunately. I think that that is exactly what you have just described. A whole load of things need to be involved, such as the national planning framework 4, planning applications, investment in flood risk management and the agricultural payments system.

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Access to Justice

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Rachael Hamilton

I did in a broad sense—a broadband sense, perhaps. It is fine—I can leave it. I think I have made my point, and I can follow the matter up if I need to.

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Access to Justice

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Rachael Hamilton

On the theme of access, we know that 100 lawyers and 40 legal aid firms have quit the legal aid system, and we know that, since 2007, the Scottish Government has reduced the budget by £65 million. We have talked about resources and the recruitment and retention of staff, and there are lots of solutions to such issues, but can the Scottish Government do more within its legislative competence or regulatory powers to address those issues?

I will perhaps go to Jim Stephenson first, because I know that the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association has been very critical of the latest legal aid settlement, which it has said does not go far enough in addressing recruitment and retention issues.

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Access to Justice

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Rachael Hamilton

The Shelter briefing talks about digital exclusion. I represent a rural area and obviously, in rural areas, broadband can be unreliable. What is the impact of facing digital exclusion on individuals, in relation to access to legal aid?

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Access to Justice

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Do you want Pam Duncan-Glancy to come in?

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Access to Justice

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Jen Ang, when you talked about levers and mechanisms, were you talking specifically about funding models and early intervention?

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Access to Justice

Meeting date: 14 March 2023

Rachael Hamilton

Do you want me to ask my other question very briefly, convener? It is just to Fiona McPhail.