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All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
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Displaying 696 contributions
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 7 November 2023
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Good morning to the minister and her colleagues. The phrase
“as far as I am aware”
is not exactly a great endorsement of the powers that you believe that you may or may not have. With vapes, I hope that you would be a little bit surer than
“as far as I am aware”.
Also, in relation to the points that Daniel Johnson raised and your response to them, perhaps, if some of that detail had been done before on DRS, we may not have seen the complete boorach that it ended up being. Have lessons not been learned from that? Surely some of that engagement that was done with stakeholders, including businesses, would be of benefit.
What assessment has been done of the economic benefits of the circularity bill?
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 7 November 2023
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Given that you have suggested big-picture economic benefits rather than a financial figure, why is there not more detail on the economic cost to businesses, particularly small businesses, in the financial memorandum?
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 7 November 2023
Jamie Halcro Johnston
You are able to say, “This will have great and wider economic benefit in recycling and wastage,” but you cannot be more specific about the potential cost to businesses.
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 7 November 2023
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Okay—thanks.
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 7 November 2023
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Good afternoon. First, I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of interests as a partner in a farming business and a member of National Farmers Union Scotland.
The convener mentioned earlier the £31 million that has been taken out of the rural affairs budget. Can you confirm that that money was ring fenced for agricultural and rural affairs use?
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 7 November 2023
Jamie Halcro Johnston
The £31 million is being reprioritised. Can you say where it is being reprioritised to?
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 7 November 2023
Jamie Halcro Johnston
This is money associated with the uplift from or linked to the Bew review. Is that right?
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 7 November 2023
Jamie Halcro Johnston
But there is a guarantee that that money will be returned.
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 7 November 2023
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Okay.
I have a quick last question. With regard to rail services, I note that £5 million of technical adjustments have been made in respect of the sleeper service. Can you give us more details on that? Does it relate to the move into public ownership?
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Meeting date: 7 November 2023
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Have you had any conversations with it at all?