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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.  

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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 10 July 2025
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Displaying 1920 contributions

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Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Air Quality

Meeting date: 18 April 2023

Monica Lennon

I had a couple of questions for Paul White, but I know that there is no time left. With your permission, convener, perhaps we could write to Paul with those questions.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Air Quality

Meeting date: 18 April 2023

Monica Lennon

Okay. I am interested in the £500 million bus infrastructure fund that was announced about three years ago and the work to improve bus journey time reliability, particularly around the M8 in the Glasgow area. It looks like the business plan and design development are taking a few years, although I know that there has been Covid. Do you have any insight, Paul, into how important that work is for encouraging people to leave their cars behind and get on the bus?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Air Quality

Meeting date: 18 April 2023

Monica Lennon

That is fine. Thank you. I am not upset. [Laughter.]

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Air Quality

Meeting date: 18 April 2023

Monica Lennon

I thank the panel for their evidence, which has been very interesting. The written submission that we received from the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland highlights the concept of clean air being a component of the human right to healthy environments and it signals opportunities in Scotland’s forthcoming human rights bill. I am keen to hear any views on that. I see Gavin Thomson nodding, so I will come to him first.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Air Quality

Meeting date: 18 April 2023

Monica Lennon

I am keen to go back to the point about equalities, but I will bring in Dr Fuller first.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Air Quality

Meeting date: 18 April 2023

Monica Lennon

Thank you. The disadvantage of being the last member to ask questions is that, as I am being told, I only have about two minutes left. Stuart Hay was nodding, but I want to ask a supplementary question, so perhaps he will also comment briefly on that.

Gavin Thomson raised the issue of inequality and Dr Fuller added his comments on that. I am aware of some research by the Woodland Trust that looks at tree equity. I do not need to rehearse to you all the benefits of trees and vegetation, but the Woodland Trust found that the most deprived areas coincide with areas where there is the least tree cover and vegetation. I am keen to hear, in a couple of words, what should be done to tackle the link between deprived areas, lack of access to nature and air pollution. I will bring in Stuart Hay first, and then Craig McLaren.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Air Quality

Meeting date: 18 April 2023

Monica Lennon

We are not allowed.

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Air Quality

Meeting date: 18 April 2023

Monica Lennon

Shauna Clarke made a serious statement about a workforce crisis in the environmental health profession. I am keen to hear a bit more about that. Is that to do with attracting people in at undergraduate level? Is it about retaining staff? Is there something else going on?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Air Quality

Meeting date: 18 April 2023

Monica Lennon

How many accredited courses are there in Scotland? I think that there are two planning schools now. What is the situation for environmental health?

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 28 March 2023

Monica Lennon

I take it that the Scottish Government will continue to engage with industry and stakeholders on that point.