Angus Robertson
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“As Ukraine works to consolidate recent gains and secure further political and financial backing, the Scottish Government continues to respond to urgent Ukrainian requests for support by working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross.”
“Those are acts of terrorism by the Russians, and they need to be described as such. He said that there should be no slackening of our commitments and that we should encourage the United Kingdom and other countries to provide everything that Ukraine requires to defend itself and to liberate the occupied territories.”
“He has served as a member of the Scottish Parliament representing the city of Aberdeen and as a Government minister in a number of portfolios, during which time he discharged his duties with tremendous engagement and professionalism—and we must not forget his local government background in Aberdeen.”
“Never forget what was agreed with Nazi Germany in relation to the Sudetenland in 1938 and what followed from that. Murdo Fraser paid tribute to Scottish volunteers and charities, and he was absolutely right to say that we need to do more.”
“I thank colleagues for their thoughtful contributions to this debate. The Scottish Parliament speaks with one voice in solidarity with Ukraine. If one was watching proceedings, one would not be able to guess which party any of us represented. We are speaking with one voice.”
“Stephen Kerr: Does the cabinet secretary agree that the seized assets that belong to Russian oligarchs and other friends of Putin should be put immediately at the disposal of Ukraine’s defence? Angus Robertson: The simple answer is yes, and we should be getting on with it.”
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“Angus Robertson: I agree with Emma Roddick that one of the advantages of having national performing companies is that they perform throughout the nation, including in Eden Court. I know that their performances are greatly valued in the Highlands, as they are elsewhere in the country. I expect the national performing companies to continue to deliver their world-class productions across Scotland, including in the Highlands. I recently met the chief executives and the chairs of all five companies, and I reassure Ms Roddick that the Scottish Government aims to provide further funding to the national performing companies in future years.”
“However, they have reported issues with their funding, which I understand has been described as standstill. Rebecca Holt, the chief executive, said that that puts their performing in Inverness at risk. The companies report that they have found it “increasingly challenging to include Eden Court in their tours due to the greater travel costs and additional overnight stays required by our location. If performances from those companies were to stop coming to Eden Court, that would leave a significant part of Scotland’s population without access to high-quality Scottish-produced work.” It sounds as though the Highlands are at risk of missing out. Can the cabinet secretary provide more detail of any discrepancy there, and does it sit right with the Government that the Highlands may miss out on such opportunities?”
“The Scottish Government will provide £24.6 million in funding in the 2026-27 financial year to support our five world-class national performing companies, which demonstrates our support for those organisations. We have provided an uplift of £1 million in funding across our five national performing companies in 2025-26, and they will receive an additional £700,000 of funding in 2024-25. That investment takes their core funding to the highest level of funding since 2011-12. Emma Roddick: I was copied in to a letter from Eden Court to the cabinet secretary, which I am aware that he has responded to. I enjoy the benefits of Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera, the National Theatre of Scotland, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra regularly performing in Inverness.”
“Angus Robertson: I join Bob Doris in congratulating the NTS on reaching its milestone anniversary and in wishing it well for its 20th birthday year. We aim to provide additional funding in future years. I understand the importance of multiyear funding, having seen how it is benefiting other areas of the culture sector through Creative Scotland’s multiyear funding programme, and I have asked my officials to undertake work to explore that further. National Performing Companies 2.”
“Bob Doris: The parliamentary reception highlighted the NTS’s on-going significant contribution to the cultural life of Scotland and the important work that it does in Scotland’s schools. Will the cabinet secretary join me in wishing our national theatre every success in its 20th programme of events, which includes a new adaptation of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and “Stand and Deliver”, which tells the story of the Lee jeans sit-in in Greenock 45 years ago? Given the funding concerns that have been highlighted, will the cabinet secretary take this opportunity to offer the Scottish Government’s on- going long-term commitment to the funding of the National Theatre of Scotland in the years ahead?”
“This is the final portfolio question time of the parliamentary session, so it is an opportunity to put on record my appreciation of having been able to serve as the cabinet secretary as well as my appreciation of colleagues across the parties who have an interest in the portfolio and the dedicated and talented civil servants whom I have had the honour of working with. I thank Bob Doris for hosting an excellent parliamentary reception last month to celebrate the National Theatre of Scotland reaching its milestone birthday. The Scottish Government will provide £4.5 million to the NTS in 2026-27. That significant funding demonstrates the Scottish Government’s recognition of the important role that the NTS plays in the culture sector of Scotland as a theatre without walls taking its world-class productions to venues across Scotland.”
“We have made approaches to the UK Government to seek clarity, because we want to be assured that no aircraft passing through Scottish Government-owned airports have been part of offensive operations against Iran. I have now said that twice. We are in the process of establishing clarity on that. Should there be any updates in regard to that question, I would be happy to keep Mercedes Villalba and other members of the chamber updated.”
“Mercedes Villalba: I thank the cabinet secretary for his response and remind him that, in 2024, following public pressure and intervention from the then First Minister Humza Yousaf, the Scottish Government confirmed that Scottish Government-owned Prestwick airport had taken the decision not to conduct further business with the Israeli air force. Given the First Minister’s publicly stated concerns about the escalation of the US-Israel strikes on Iran, and his call for diplomacy, de-escalation and a return to negotiations, will the Scottish Government now act again to ensure that publicly owned infrastructure, such as these airports, is not used by the US in this war? Angus Robertson: I think that I have already answered that question.”
“Specifically on the question, Presiding Officer, I draw Mercedes Villalba’s attention to the fact that non-UK military flights are required to obtain diplomatic flight clearance from the UK Ministry of Defence in order to fly in UK airspace and land in the UK; I also note that aviation, national security and defence are all reserved issues. Notwithstanding those points, we are seeking clarity from the UK Government that no aircraft have passed through Scottish Government-owned airspace as part of offensive operations against Iran.”
“The Prime Minister is right not to involve the UK in those strikes, but does the Scottish Government agree with the mounting expert legal opinion that the strikes were unlawful? Will the Scottish Government condemn any such military intervention that breaches international law? The Presiding Officer: On devolved competence, cabinet secretary. Angus Robertson: The Scottish Government is clear in our support for international law, but Mercedes Villalba will have to accept that I am not a lawyer, so I am not in a position to judge. The First Minister has been absolutely clear about the concerns that we have about the nature of the offensive action conducted by the United States and Israel.”
“The events in Iran over the past few days do not suggest to us that the United States and Israel have done that. It is also the case that the UK Prime Minister has said that UK military bases must not be used in US or Israeli offensive operations against Iran. The same must apply to non-military bases. We are therefore seeking clarity, not least from the UK Government, that no aircraft passing through Scottish Government-owned airports are part of offensive operations against Iran. Mercedes Villalba: I thank the cabinet secretary for his response. I also welcomed the First Minister’s statement yesterday, which questioned whether the US and Israel have abided by the international rules-based system with their strikes on Iran. I am pleased to hear the cabinet secretary repeat that today.”
“Glasgow Prestwick airport and some Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd airports are an important stopover point for many air forces— including the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force and those of other NATO partners, such as the United States—and have been for many years. That is in line with UK law, international aviation standards and long-standing agreements between allied nations. Prestwick is a civilian facility, and there are, of course, a plethora of military bases available to the United States in the middle east. We have no information on whether any aircraft that recently passed through Scotland, or whatever nation, were involved in operations against Iran. That said, we believe that it is essential that all nations abide by the international rules-based system.”
“Returning specifically to the scope of the question about what the Scottish Government is able to do, I assure Mr Greene that we are working across Government to establish where there is a locus for us to be helpful and supportive to people in Scotland and to think about Scottish residents who find themselves in the war-torn and impacted region.”
“The First Minister has outlined the Scottish Government’s position that we support international law and has outlined our concerns. Those concerns are shared by a great many people around the country and around the world and—no doubt—by members in the chamber. We are very much seized of the issue of community relations. There will be a lot of people who, on the one hand, are delighted to see the demise of a dictator in Iran who has the blood of tens of thousands of Iranians on his hands, including opponents of the regime, people of different minorities and LGBT people—I could go on. However, at the same time, a conflict is on- going. People are dying and, understandably, people have grave concerns about what is happening.”
“If we are honest with ourselves, Mr Trump is not famed for consistency of rationale on these matters, and history has painted a very dim view of how US-led regime changes in the past have left humanitarian crises in their wake. Millions of innocent civilians often pay the price for conflicts that they did not start. How will the Scottish Government use Scotland’s international development role and budget to support the world’s most vulnerable? In the face of a growing number of voices that say, “No refugees here,” will the cabinet secretary confirm that Scotland will continue to welcome those fleeing conflict and war, wherever they come from? Angus Robertson: I thank Jamie Greene for his follow-up question. There was much to it.”
“I assure Mr Greene and colleagues across parties that work is proceeding across Government to understand ways in which we can support community cohesion, find out whether any help or support is required and make sure that the consular advice that has been issued is reaching the people who need it most. I would be grateful if Jamie Greene and colleagues from across the parties amplified the advice that has been issued by the FCDO and the Scottish Government, to help people understand where they can get the maximum information. Jamie Greene: I thank the cabinet secretary for that update. It is important that we are on guard for an increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia in Scotland. Although most people would welcome regime change in Iran, it is also true that international conflict must be legal and must limit civilian casualties.”
“Some of those people are permanently resident in one of the territories or countries that I was talking about a moment ago; others are visiting those areas. Many of us have constituents who have been finding it very difficult to get back. We are working with the FCDO on that issue. Mr Greene is also right to highlight that Scotland is a country in which there are people from all backgrounds and all parts of the world. There are people living in Scotland who are originally from Iran or other countries that are impacted, and they have friends and families.”
“However, conflict in the middle east has rapidly destabilised that region; currently, at least eight countries have been hit with retaliatory strikes. An estimated 40,000 Scots live in the middle east, which has long been a popular destination for expats. Many people who live in Scotland— Iranians, Israelis and others—will have family in the middle of the conflict. What further work can the Scottish Government do to offer them assistance? Angus Robertson: Jamie Greene is absolutely right to highlight those two groups. First, although estimates vary, it is thought that there are 300,000 UK citizens in the affected region; pro rata, that would be about 24,000 people from Scotland—it might be slightly more or slightly less.”
“If anyone needs consular assistance, they should contact the nearest UK diplomatic mission—be that a consulate, an embassy or a high commission—or the FCDO’s 24-hour helpline, which is on 0207 008 1500. At the First Minister’s request, officials across the Scottish Government are working at pace to understand and mitigate any impacts that the conflict may have for Scots at home and abroad. That includes any steps that can be taken to reassure different communities around Scotland. Jamie Greene: I thank the cabinet secretary for that helpful update. I do not think that any of us is in any doubt that the Iranian regime oppresses minorities, suppresses and murders peaceful protesters and, indeed, threatens the very existence of its neighbours.”
“The Scottish Government has been in daily contact with the United Kingdom Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office since Israeli and US military action began against Iran. The FCDO has responsibility for consular support of British citizens overseas, and I am grateful for its updates and co-operation so far. The Scottish Government has been proactively amplifying FCDO travel advice for all UK citizens in the region, and I encourage all members to do likewise. Anyone who is affected should monitor FCDO travel advice and any official updates. The FCDO has asked British citizens in Bahrain, Israel, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to register their presence in order to ensure that they receive updates.”
“Last month, the First Minister set out the fundamental challenge that Scotland faces in the light of what the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has described as “a rupture in the world order”. I recognise that the rules-based system has not always functioned as many would have wished, but, for all its flaws, it has underpinned global co- operation between Governments. International uncertainty today emphasises the need for us to co-operate with other nations. For Scotland, co-operation is vital—co-operation on these isles, co-operation across the North Sea with Europe and co-operation with nations everywhere who share our values. Next week, it will be four years since Russia illegally invaded”
“There is also a wider question about the promotion of important works, as Mark Griffin has described. I would be happy to discuss the matter further with him to explore whether there is anything else that can be done in relation to that question. Climate Change Plan (Debate) 8.”
“The book documents the 1959 Auchengeich pit disaster in which 47 miners from Moodiesburn, Chryston and the surrounding areas lost their lives, including my own great uncle. Hugh Gaffney has spoken about wanting to break the written silence regarding one of Scotland’s worst mining tragedies and to ensure that the stories of the men, their families and their community are preserved. Will the cabinet secretary go into a bit more detail about how the Government supports the recording of Scottish history, particularly by local authors, so that such stories are never forgotten? Angus Robertson: All books that are published in this country are available in the National Library of Scotland, and Mark Griffin makes an important point about keeping and preserving local history, particularly regarding tragedies and the loss of life.”
“The Scottish Government funds our national cultural body, Creative Scotland, which has funding programmes that are open to creative authors. Organisations that receive Creative Scotland multiyear funding, such as the Scottish Book Trust and the Gaelic Books Council, also support creative authors. There is also support for a wide range of book festivals, which enable creative authors to platform their work and engage with audiences. The Scottish Government also funds organisations that preserve and promote Scotland’s arts, culture and heritage, including the National Records of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland, Museums Galleries Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland. Mark Griffin: I highlight the recent work by my constituent Hugh Gaffney, who has published “Auchengeich: Gone But Not Forgotten”.”
“How does the Government engage with organisations that administer funding to ensure easy access for small organisations that run local events? Angus Robertson: VisitScotland has made significant progress on measures to improve efficiency and better tailor and target the support that it provides. A key focus of VisitScotland remains how it can continue to evolve to best meet the ever-changing demands of the visitor and events economy, while ensuring that public funds are used to maximum effect. The Minister for Business and Employment engages regularly with VisitScotland, and I will ensure that Ms Tweed’s views are conveyed to its chief executive when they meet again next month.”
“The Scottish Government supports small and medium-sized cultural events through Creative Scotland’s multiyear funding. Creative Scotland will receive an additional £20 million for its multiyear funding programme in 2026-27 as part of our commitment to provide a further £100 million to the culture sector by 2028-29. That will take the funding available to £74 million in 2026- 27, which will enable Creative Scotland to support cultural events across Scotland, with 77 per cent of the multiyear funding portfolio going to presenting organisations that deliver performances, exhibitions and events directly to the public. Evelyn Tweed: People involved in smaller events in my constituency have raised concerns about lengthy and complicated processes for accessing funding from organisations such as EventScotland.”
“As is absolutely right and proper for a democratically elected Government and Parliament, we will do all that we can to further the aims of Scotland retaking its place in the international community and rejoining the European Union as an independent member state.”
“Is Alex Cole-Hamilton, as he prepares to back this year’s budget, about to be duped yet again by the Scottish Government, or are the cynical Lib Dems about to sell out their principles yet again as they cosy up ever closer to John Swinney in the hope of ministerial preferment after the next election? Angus Robertson: I am responsible for many things, but that does not include the Liberal Democrats. Constitutional policy development is an essential function of the Scottish Government and is crucial to the implementation of devolution and the new powers that followed. Mr Hoy does not like to be reminded of the fact that the majority of MSPs who were elected to the Scottish Parliament are in favour of Scottish independence.”
“Constitutional work includes work on a range of issues, including intergovernmental relations, the British-Irish Council, legislative consent, elections and constitutional reform. Details of the funding allocated to each ministerial portfolio in both financial years were published in the respective budgets. Craig Hoy: This time last year, we were told by the Liberal Democrats that the price of their support for the budget was the deletion of expenditure on independence. However, without sounding like Colin Beattie, we know that spending on independence is woven right through the Government’s accounts.”
“Angus Robertson: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and I wrote to the UK Government in August and December last year to express our concerns and disappointment about the Commonwealth games not being broadcast on free-to-air television. I urge the UK Government to use the powers at its disposal to ensure that Glasgow’s Commonwealth games are broadcast on free-to-air television so that they can be enjoyed by everyone. Broadcast rights for the Tour de France are a matter for the event owner, ASO. We are committed to working collaboratively with all partners to develop opportunities to maximise the exposure and reach of the grand départ to ensure that it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Constitutional Policy and Strategy (Spending) 5.”
“The next 18 months will add another Commonwealth games and the grand départ—I am using the cabinet secretary’s pronunciation—of the Tour de France to that list. Although that is hugely exciting for those who follow sports in Scotland, exclusive live broadcasting rights for both events are held in the UK by a subscription channel, which costs £30.99 a month. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is inconceivable that those two global events might take place behind a paywall? Will he join me in calling on the UK Government to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that they are free to air for all people in Scotland?”
“The Scottish Government engages regularly with the UK Government on broadcasting and will continue to represent Scotland’s interests. As part of that, ministers press for greater inclusion of Scottish sporting events in the listed events regime. In August and December, we wrote to the UK Government to express our disappointment about the Commonwealth games not being broadcast free to air. I urge the UK Government to use its powers to ensure that Glasgow’s games are broadcast free to air. Broadcast rights for the Tour de France are a matter for the event owner, but we are working with partners to maximise the grand départ’s reach. Kenneth Gibson: Scotland has a formidable track record of organising major sporting events, such as the 2014 Commonwealth games, the UEFA Euro 2020 championship and the 2023 cycling world championships.”
“The 2026-27 budget delivers record funding of almost £15.7 billion for local authorities, which is a real-terms increase of 2 per cent. That includes funding of £124.7 million for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, which is an increase of £6.7 million. It is for locally elected representatives to decide on the delivery of services in their local communities, but I recognise the deep concerns that have been raised by cultural organisations in the”
“Unfortunately, they are at serious risk of being stripped out of local areas altogether, and some cultural organisations in the Western Isles say that, without Government funding, they will have to close, which means that jobs will be lost. What protections can the Scottish Government offer to the arts and culture sector, which faces another year of catastrophic funding cuts? Angus Robertson: Rhoda Grant would acknowledge that the Government is currently providing the biggest uplift in cultural spending in Scotland in the history of devolution, other than during Covid. When it comes to multiyear funding of organisations and project streams, the Scottish Government is playing its part. It is very disappointing if local authority partners see culture and arts as the first area to cut.”
“Local authority cultural provision is entirely a matter for each local authority. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to manage their budgets and to allocate the total financial resources that are available to them on the basis of local needs and priorities, having first fulfilled their statutory obligations and the jointly agreed set of national and local priorities. That means that local authorities are accountable to the public who elect them and have the financial freedom to operate independently. Rhoda Grant: When councils are setting their budgets across my region, the first cuts that they reach for are cuts to support funds for arts and cultural services. Those services tackle isolation, support mental health, strengthen communities and provide an economic boost.”
“I have shared examples of where funding might be accessed for the year, but I want to satisfy myself that, across Government agencies, and working with local authority partners, including Fife Council, every opportunity is considered to make the most of this important anniversary year. Local Arts, Heritage and Culture Services (Local Government Funding) 3.”
“When it was written and published, Adam Smith was living in Kirkcaldy, and the anniversary presents a great opportunity for Kirkcaldy to have the planned celebrations in the lang toun. Given that events are also planned in Edinburgh and Glasgow, how is the Scottish Government working with partners such as VisitScotland to help to co-ordinate the events to ensure that Kirkcaldy has its deserved prominence and to encourage visitors to include a visit to Kirkcaldy in their plans? Angus Robertson: Claire Baker raises excellent suggestions to make the most of that important anniversary, domestically—of course, in Kirkcaldy in the first instance—and internationally. There is tremendous potential in that.”
“The Scottish Government directly funds Museums Galleries Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland to support the sector by providing advice and grants to organisations across Scotland. In 2026-27, we will provide £6.25 million of resource funding to MGS, which includes funding to continue the flagship museum futures programme as well as £1.6 million in capital funding. In addition, we support Historic Environment Scotland, which offers a grant scheme of around £13.5 million a year. I encourage the Adam Smith heritage centre to engage with MGS and HES on sector-specific support, as well as VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise, to help to maximise its potential. Claire Baker: This year marks the 250th anniversary of the publication of “The Wealth of Nations”.”
“Given the member’s strong interest in the subject, I would be grateful if she would share her examples with the short-life advisory group, and copy me in, so that I can better understand her points about the region that she represents.”
“In my region, just in the city of Aberdeen, six libraries have closed, with further proposals to cut the number of school librarians, leaving many communities without access to these vital services. I heard what the cabinet secretary said, and that is welcome, but what specific action—beyond having meetings and discussions—will he take now to stop further library closures? Why are communities, including pupils, paying the price for the SNP’s failure to protect local services? Angus Robertson: First, decisions about local provision are, in the first instance, for local authorities. I reprise my point that we are being well advised by the Scottish Library and Information Council, which is looking at many of the issues that Tess White raises. I have not yet received its report.”
“As of 1 February 2026, 450 of 461 public libraries across Scotland were open, with a further eight libraries scheduled to reopen. Some remain closed due to refurbishment or reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete inspections. The Scottish Government places great importance on public libraries and believes that everyone should have access to library services. The Scottish Library and Information Council has convened a short-life advisory group to explore good-quality public library services, and I look forward to receiving its recommendations shortly. Tess White: Libraries are the beating heart of our communities, but since the Scottish National Party came to power, 16 per cent—that is, 97—of them have closed. Funding has fallen by 30 per cent, but footfall has increased by 40 per cent.”
“The Scottish Human Rights Commission says that we should do that, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland says that we should do that, and the United Nations says that we should do that. Let us do that. I move amendment 16.”
“As a weaker alternative, amendment 7 and consequential amendment 9 would empower the Scottish Government to do that via regulations, while amendment 7A would require such regulations to be developed. I understand that the Scottish Government is minded to support amendment 7, but I do not think that that is enough. If it cannot also support amendment 7A, I ask the cabinet secretary to address the point in her speech, or to intervene on me now to say that the Government will commit to consulting on the regulations if the Scottish National Party leads the next Government. The cabinet secretary knows how important an independent right to withdraw from religious observance is to the Scottish Greens’ ability to support the bill. The amendments in this group are fundamentally about giving children the powers to exercise their rights.”
“It is central to the whole notion of the rights of children and young people that those rights should not be subsidiary to the actions of adults. Children should be empowered to exercise their rights independently. By allowing young people to override their parents’ wishes but not allowing them to proactively exercise their rights, the bill undermines its central purpose, which is to strengthen the fundamental rights of children to be heard, to be taken seriously and to be listened to. My amendments in this group allow us to correct that. Amendments 17 and 7 would do that in different ways. Amendments 17 and consequential amendments 16, 18 and 20 would put an independent right to withdraw directly into the bill, with the understanding that children should have that right.”
“Professor Angela O’Hagan of the Scottish Human Rights Commission told the committee that, without such a right, the bill will fail to meet its basic aim of achieving compliance with the UNCRC. In the 2023 concluding observations from the Committee on the Rights of the Child in the UK, the United Nations called for withdrawal requests by children and young people not to be subject to parental consent. If all of that was not enough, a Survation poll that was commissioned by the Humanist Society Scotland shows that 66 per cent of Scots believe that pupils should be able to decide for themselves whether to take part in religious observance. Colleagues across the chamber might be interested to know that the majority of supporters of every political party agree with that, too.”
“That rightly suggests that children should be able to use their rights proactively, not only after an adult has acted on their behalf. The bill goes against the advice of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, who, in her letter to the committee, explicitly said: “Part 1 in its current form does not achieve compliance with the UNCRC.” Her view is shared by others. The committee’s stage 1 report noted that a majority “supported amending the Bill to provide children with an independent right to withdraw from” religious observance. That majority includes not only two parties on the committee but the Scottish Human Rights Commission and Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights).”
“Maggie Chapman: The child-facing version of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child says: “I have the right to be listened to and taken seriously”. However, the 1980 act allows children to be withdrawn from religious activities in schools without their consent and without their views even being taken into account. That is clearly contrary to the convention, and I welcome the opportunity to correct that through the bill. As it stands, the bill will allow a young person who has previously been opted out of religious activities by their parents or guardians to opt back in, but not to opt out themselves. That directly contradicts the Scottish Government’s draft children’s rights scheme, which states that children should be given “the knowledge and confidence to use their rights”.”
“Amendment 4 disagreed to. Amendment 5 moved—[Stephen Kerr]—and agreed to. 17:00 Alex Cole-Hamilton: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. At the start of my remarks, I should have declared an interest in that my wife is a teacher in a Roman Catholic primary school. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Cole-Hamilton. That will be noted on the record. Group 3 is on a pupil’s right to withdraw from religious observance. Amendment 16, in the name of Maggie Chapman, is grouped with amendments 17, 18, 20, 7, 7A and 9. I point out that, if amendment 19, which was previously debated in the group on the process following receipt of a parental withdrawal request, is agreed to, I cannot call amendment 20 due to a pre-emption.”
“For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 25, Against 92, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 3 disagreed to. Amendment 4 moved—[Stephen Kerr]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 4 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. David Torrance: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Torrance. Your vote will be recorded.”