Chamber and committees

I met with UK Border Force on 9 March 2016 to discuss the Force's work, including its footprint in Scotland, its operational priorities and the role of the border as a unique point of intervention.

I met with Lynne Owens, Director General of the National Crime Agency, on 8 February 2016, shortly after she took up post. We discussed a range of issues including the relationship between the NCA and Scottish Government and the collaborative work on tackling serious organised crime supported through the Scottish Crime Campus.

The National Crime Agency are also key partners on the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and play an important role in supporting Police Scotland and other partners to reduce the harm to our communities from serious organised crime. The Taskforce last met on 3 October 2016.

On 18 August 2016, the Deputy First Minister met in Edinburgh with the Rt Hon Mike Penning, MP, Minister for the Armed Forces, to discuss responsibilities for resilience. This was an introductory meeting following Mr Penning’s appointment in July 2016.

The Scottish Government has repeatedly requested meetings with Ministry of Defence Ministers to discuss their plans to close military bases in Scotland; however the Ministry of Defence has failed to agree arrangements for these said meetings or indeed to have them at all.

The Scottish Government provides funding to Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) to meet the operating costs and to fund the capital investment programme at its 11 airports. Funding is not broken down by individual airport. The total funding provided to HIAL in each of the last five years is outlined in the following table.

The Police Scotland policy for commercial organisations requesting policing services is one of full cost recovery in line with section 86 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.

The UK Government owns the nuclear materials currently stored at Dounreay and is responsible for any movements of that material. The Scottish Government has been kept informed on the programme of movements, and has sought and received assurances about the safety and security of any movements.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has made contact with these local authorities with respect to the programme of movements of nuclear materials from the Dounreay site, including the option of an air route from Wick Airport.

The Minister for Transport and the Islands is responsible for Highlands and Islands Airports Limited. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work has portfolio responsibility for Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

The safe operation of Wick Airport is the responsibility of the Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) board, and fulfilling this responsibility is an operational matter for HIAL.

Prior to any movements of nuclear materials from the Dounreay site, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority consults widely with stakeholders and local authorities.