Gail Ross
Scottish National Party
MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross (Constituency) 2016 - present day
About Gail Ross
Contact details
Contact online
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5927
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at their Constituency
106 High Street
Invergordon
IV18 0DR
Phone: 01349 888255
Text relay calls welcome.
Committees
Gail is a member of 2 committees
Public Petitions Committee
Deputy Convener
Cross-party groups
Gail is a member of 10 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Animal Welfare
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Crofting
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Culture
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Cycling, Walking and Buses
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Food
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on MS
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nuclear Disarmament
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Prevention and Healing of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scottish Gypsy/Traveller Community
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Gail does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Gail does not have any party roles
Previous roles
Gail has had 10 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
01 September 2020 - 03 December 2020
Local Government and Communities Committee
Member
03 September 2019 - 01 September 2020
Education and Skills Committee
Member
03 September 2019 - 05 September 2019
Public Petitions Committee
Member
30 March 2017 - 03 September 2019
Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Member
15 June 2016 - 03 September 2019
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Deputy Convener
14 June 2016 - 28 June 2018
Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the First Minister
Scottish Government
29 September 2016 - 30 March 2017
Public Audit and Postlegislative Scrutiny Committee
Member
06 September 2016 - 29 September 2016
Public Audit Committee
Member
08 June 2016 - 06 September 2016
Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee
Member
08 June 2016 - 15 June 2016
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Member
Register of interests
Gail's register of interests
MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Here is the register for Gail Ross. The date of the initial statement was 08 June 2016.
Remuneration and related undertaking
Until 22 November 2016 I was a local authority councillor for Highland Council (of Glenurquhart Road, Inverness). I worked 8 hours per week and received between £15,001 and £20,000 per annum. This included use of a council laptop. I donated my council salary to local charities. From 22 November 2016 I no longer hold this office and therefore no longer receive any remuneration. [Amended interest 04 January 2017]
Until 22 November 2016 I was a local authority councillor for Highland Council (of Glenurquhart Road, Inverness). I worked 8 hours per week and received between £15,001 and £20,000 per annum. This included use of a council laptop. I donated my council salary to local charities. From 22 November 2016 I no longer hold this office and therefore no longer receive any remuneration. [Amended interest 04 January 2017]
Gifts
No registrable interests
Overseas visits
From 11 June to 14 June 2017 I undertook a visit to Bosnia & Herzegovina as part of the Remembering Srebrenica delegation. The total cost of this trip was met by Remembering Srebrenica (a project of Ummah Help at Newland House, 137-139 Hagley Road, Birmingham, B16 8UA) and was £591.00. [Registered 11 July 2017]
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
I own, jointly with my husband, a flat in the Highland local authority area. The market value of the property is between £50,001 and £100,000 per annum. I receive gross income of up to £5,000 per annum.
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
I am the chairperson of the Wick Harbourfest Committee.
I am a member of the Garbh Allt Community Initiative. I receive no remuneration for this role. [Registered 27 September 2018]
I am the Political Education Officer of the SNP Wick Branch. Until March 2017 I was the Convener of the branch. [Amended interest 30 August 2017]
On 8 November 2017 I joined the board of Remembering Srebrenica Scotland. [Registered 12 November 2017]
I am the Political Education Officer of the SNP Wick Branch. Until March 2017 I was the Convener of the branch. [Amended interest 30 August 2017]
I am an advisory board member for Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership.
On 18 August 2017 I was given a tartan bag from ANTA in Easter Ross. The value of this gift was £60. [Registered 23 August 2017]
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 14 February 2018]
I am an advisor to the Board of North Highland College. [Registered 11 September 2018]
I am a member of the Garbh Allt Community Initiative. I receive no remuneration for this role. [Registered 27 September 2018]
I am a trustee of the Mey Games. I do not receive any remuneration for this post. [Registered 29 November 2018]
I am a member of the Scottish Sheep Shearing Association. [Registered 11 September 2018]
I am an associate member of Wick RBLS Pipe Band.
I am a member of the Scottish Rural Parliament.
I am on the board of directors for North Highland College UHI.
I am a patron of Home-start Caithness.
I am Honorary Vice- President of Friends of the Far North Line. [Registered 03 February 2017]
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 14 February 2018]
I am the chairperson of the Wick Harbourfest Committee.
I am a patron of Caithness Broch Project. [Registered 11 September 2018]
I am on the board of directors for North Highland College UHI.
I am a patron of Home-start Caithness.
I am an associate member of Wick RBLS Pipe Band.
On 8 November 2017 I joined the board of Remembering Srebrenica Scotland. [Registered 12 November 2017]
Recent Activity
What was said
What Gail Ross has said in Parliament
These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.
Local Government and Communities Committee meeting date: 2 December 2020
Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 (Parts 3 and 5) (Post-legislative Scrutiny)
Gail Ross: "Good morning, panel, and thank you for joining us. I want to start with Mary Peart, who will probably not be surprised by that. I am delighted to hear that your experience with the council has been good…
Local Government and Communities Committee meeting date: 2 December 2020
European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP): "Good morning. We heard from Professor Kerley that some of the different views that were expressed in the earlier consultation may well resurface. A significant area that people could not agree on was whether the post of commissioner should be created…
Chamber meeting date: 1 December 2020
Mental Health Support for Young People
Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP): "I, too, thank everyone who has been involved in the inquiry and the production of the report, especially our committee clerks. It is a strong report with recommendations that have to be taken seriously…
Chamber meeting date: 26 November 2020
Independent Review of Grouse Moor Management
Gail Ross (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP): "Professor Werritty writes in his report that, when he accepted the invitation to lead the review, he did not fully appreciate “the complexity of the issues involved, the passion with which contrasting views were held nor the length of time the review would require.” I feel that, today, the minister has achieved a very difficult balance between…
Public Petitions Committee meeting date: 25 November 2020
Soul and Conscience Letters (PE1712)
Gail Ross: "David Torrance and Maurice Corry have covered everything. In your opening comments, convener, you were right to say that the petition has brought the issue to the attention of the relevant organisations. I, too, am happy to close the petition."
Votes
How Gail Ross has voted in Parliament
Find out how Gail Ross has voted recently.
Responding to Parliamentary Will and Calls for Clarity in Education
Submitted by: John Swinney, Perthshire North, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Supported by: Richard Lochhead, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 61 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Defeated
Economy
Submitted by: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 7, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 94 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 7 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Responding to Parliamentary Will and Calls for Clarity in Education
Submitted by: Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 7, 2020
Supported by: Michelle Ballantyne
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 59 for, 4 against, 61 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP abstained
Vote Passed
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 95 for, 25 against, 1 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Economy
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Supported by: Kate Forbes, Fiona Hyslop, Ben Macpherson, Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 71 for, 31 against, 22 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Gail Ross in Parliament
Find out what motions Gail Ross has submitted recently.
Written questions
Written questions Gail Ross has submitted in Parliament
These are the questions that this MSP has asked the Scottish Government about its work. It also includes any answer to these questions.
Asked by: Ross, Gail, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 10 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposal for a public service obligation for Wick John o' Groats Airport."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Ross, Gail, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 30 October 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government when large local authorities such as The Highland Council will be broken up into smaller county-size areas under the COVID-19 Strategic Framework to determine their tier level."
Answered by: Jeane Freeman on 10 November 2020
Asked by: Ross, Gail, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 2 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what awareness raising has been undertaken in advance of the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 coming into force."
Answered by: Maree Todd on 6 November 2020
Asked by: Ross, Gail, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 29 October 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the independent review of its air quality strategy, which was completed in August 2019."
Answered by: Roseanna Cunningham on 30 October 2020
Asked by: Ross, Gail, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 26 August 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what support it is providing to local authorities in their response to COVID-19."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Ross, Gail, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 18 August 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding whether the European Commission investigation into the complaint regarding the Northern Isles road equivalent tariff (RET) will be resolved."
Answered by: Paul Wheelhouse on 26 August 2020
Asked by: Ross, Gail, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 17 August 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what its plans are for setting out a statement of policy on food, in light of a Good Food Nation Bill no longer being introduced in the current parliamentary session."
Answered by: Fergus Ewing on 18 August 2020
Asked by: Ross, Gail, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 5 June 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government how many people have the condition, ME; what specialist treatment resources and facilities, other than stand-alone psychiatric or psychological services, are in place; how much funding has been allocated to these services, and what its position is on whether the level of resources offered is sufficient."
Answered by: Joe FitzPatrick on 18 June 2020
Asked by: Ross, Gail, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 3 April 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government whether NHS Highland has approved details of its Healing Process in response to John Sturrock QC’s recommendations, and if so, when will this commence."
Answered by: Jeane Freeman on 6 April 2020
Asked by: Ross, Gail, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2020
Awaiting answer
See all of Gail Ross's written questions submitted in Parliament