Annabelle Ewing
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Before we turn to the next item of business, I hope that members do not mind if I say a few words. I would like to say specifically what an honour it has been for me to serve in the Scottish Parliament, which, of course, was reconvened by my late mother, Winnie Ewing, in 1999.”
“There is one question to be put as a result of today’s business. The question is, that motion S6M-21180, in the name of John Swinney, on a motion of thanks, be agreed to.”
“I hope that members feel that I have discharged my duty. I thank you for having given me the opportunity to be your Deputy Presiding Officer, along with Mr McArthur, and I wish each of you all the very best.”
“Members! Màiri McAllan: Equally, the prospect of scrapping the land and buildings transaction tax or stamp duty land tax is for the birds, and I am afraid that it demonstrates that the Conservatives realise that their chances of implementing any such policies are, to put it politely, very slim.”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament recognises the importance of sport and activity as a force for good that goes beyond just physical health; considers that they have a significant impact on mental health, as well as contributing to community and national cohesion and wellbeing; believes that sport breaks down barriers of colour, race, r…”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament notes with concern the reported decision by the Lloyds Banking Group to close 11 Bank of Scotland branches between June and July 2026, including the Rutherglen branch; understands that this is the latest in a series of bank closures across the UK; believes that these closures will have a significant imp…”
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“I do not accept the arguments that the cabinet secretary has made. I want to create a vibrant sector, which I think will be achieved only when we stop fiddling with the legislation that has already been passed. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr Mountain, can you clarify whether you are pressing or withdrawing amendment 90? Edward Mountain: I am pressing it. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you. The question is, that amendment 90 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed. Ben Macpherson: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My vote did not register. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Macpherson. Your vote will be recorded.”
“That is what I signed up to; that is what I was prepared to commit to; and I am happy with those agreements. I have a very good working relationship with my landlord. As far as the other tenancies provisions are concerned, I do not want to stop the market, but my feeling is that the cabinet secretary, by making these changes, is certainly going to stymie it. I have given the cabinet secretary the evidence of what has happened in the past few years, which is all due to retrospective changes to the law. It is rather like going off and agreeing with somebody a contract to do something and then for the person providing the goods for the contract to be told that somebody can come along and change it. That happens in no other business; it is actually bad for business, and in this case it stops tenants getting on to the land.”
“In particular, given that few secure Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 tenancies are now entered into, the majority of our tenant farmers who are secure 1991 act tenants would be left behind. The reforms are essential if tenants are to make a decent living on their holding, improve the land that they work and work in a way that promotes sustainable and regenerative agricultural production. It is important that all tenant farmers and their landlords benefit from the range of important measures in the bill. For those reasons, I urge members across all parties to oppose the amendments in the group. Edward Mountain: I am disappointed to hear the words of the cabinet secretary. I am a tenant under a 1991 act tenancy, and I agreed to the terms thereof.”
“Mr Mountain’s amendments 91 to 95, 97, 98, 100 to 104 and 106 to 112 would remove much of the package of important changes in chapter 3 of part 2 of the bill and significantly limit the benefits to the tenant farming sector. If those amendments were agreed to, only sections 10, 19 to 22, 26 and 27 would remain in chapter 3. I therefore strongly urge members to reject the amendments. Finally, the intention behind amendment 90 is for the changes to apply only to agricultural tenancies that are entered into after the bill receives royal assent. I cannot support that approach. I consider that it would undermine the effectiveness of the reforms, be unworkable as drafted and mean that any current tenant farmers would not benefit from these essential changes.”
“That resulted in the famous Salvesen v Riddell case, which was the tip of the iceberg, with tenants with agricultural leases being forced off the land. That has cost the Government a huge and yet undisclosed amount of money, all because of unwise and retrospective changes to legislation. In my opinion, if the Government learns anything from that, it should be that it should not make retrospective changes, which is why I move the amendment in my name. I move amendment 90. Mairi Gougeon: Before I comment on the detail of Edward Mountain’s amendments, I have to say that I am astounded at the position in which he appears to want to place the tenant farming sector. These changes, the majority of which have been driven by tenant farming stakeholders, are needed to enable tenant farmers to engage in the agricultural reform programme.”
“The cabinet secretary and the Government must take ownership of the fact that retrospective changes to agricultural legislation such as this bill are undermining confidence in the tenant farming sector, which is wrong. Furthermore, during the meeting of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on 17 December 2024, I asked four witnesses—Hamish Lean, Martin Hall, Tom Oates and Andrew Wood—whether the bill would encourage more tenants into agriculture and increase the tenanted farm sector. All four of them said no. The last land reform bill was passed in 2016. It was defective, and the cabinet secretary at the time, Richard Lochhead, forced the ending of various tenancies because of the way in which the legislation was enacted.”
“Very few landlords are prepared to offer agricultural tenancies at the moment, because they are terrified of the retrospective changes that the bill will introduce. In 2000, there were more than 19,000 holdings with rented land in Scotland, but that figure had declined to 13,738 in 2024. That represents a reduction of 29 per cent. In 2000, there were nearly 1.8 million hectares of rented land in Scotland, but, again, that figure had declined to 1.3 million in 2024. That represents a 27 per cent loss of land in agricultural tenancies, or half a million hectares. That is significant. A 29 per cent decrease in rented holdings and a 27 per cent reduction in hectarage must not be ignored.”
“Oh, I apologise for drawing attention to that noise—I misheard. I want to encourage tenancies across Scotland, and I would like there to be more tenants. My amendments in this group all relate to retrospective changes to agricultural tenancies, with which I fundamentally disagree. Amendment 90 would mandate that the respective changes to the legislation would not apply to agricultural tenancies in which the agricultural lease was entered into before the day the bill gains royal assent, stating that “modifications made by this Chapter” would not be applicable to the tenancy. Amendments 91 to 95, 97, 98, 100 to 104 and 106 to 112 would remove sections of the bill that make retrospective changes to tenancies. As I have explained, I fundamentally disagree with such changes. Let us be clear: land letting to tenants is declining in Scotland.”
“Edward Mountain: I remind members—I want to make this point clear—that I am a tenant under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991 and that I am an agricultural tenant under a non- agricultural lease that is now covered by the 1991 act, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016. I support tenancies. It has always been my intention in the Parliament and in my practice as a private surveyor to increase the number of tenancies in Scotland. I believe that agricultural tenancies in Scotland are the way forward. That is certainly the case in relation to people who, when they retire from being farmers, might look for tenants to take on the role of farming until their children return to carry on the farming. [Interruption.] I am sorry—is someone wanting to intervene?”
“For all those reasons, I ask members not to support amendment 213. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Rhoda Grant to wind up the debate and to press or withdraw amendment 213. Rhoda Grant: Given the reassurances that the cabinet secretary has given, I will not press amendment 213. Amendment 213, by agreement, withdrawn. Before section 10 The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 23 is on changes to agricultural tenancies. Amendment 90, in the name of Edward Mountain, is grouped with amendments 91 to 95, 97, 98, 100 to 104 and 106 to 112.”
“TFAF has a really important role to play in supporting the tenant farming sector. As we go forward, its role needs to adapt to ensure that more voices are heard from across the tenanted sector. Before legislating on the matter, it is important for the Scottish Parliament to enable time for a proper review. That will give the new tenant farming commissioner time to bring forward changes to the way in which TFAF operates. However, make no mistake—if significant progress cannot be achieved through changing the current ways of working, the Scottish ministers will explore whether more fundamental changes to the status and operation of the forum are needed. I highlight that we would not need primary legislation to do that, because ministers already have a power to modify, through regulations, the functions of the tenant farming commissioner.”
“In recent years, many important issues that have been discussed at the tenant farming advisory forum, including improving the process for tenants to register their pre-emptive right to buy and dealing with deer damage compensation for hill farmers, have been left unresolved. Amendment 213 seeks to put the forum on a legislative footing and ensure that organisations that support the bill’s aims, and more progressive land ownership in Scotland, are more fairly represented. Vested interests are a dead hand on the forum, and I therefore urge members to support the amendment. I move amendment 213. Mairi Gougeon: I agree with the sentiment behind Rhoda Grant’s amendment 213 and the need for a more balanced TFAF membership to ensure that the interests of tenant farmers are properly balanced with those of landlords.”
“The forum is chaired by the tenant farming commissioner and attended by the following stakeholders: the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters & Valuers Association; the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors; the Agricultural Law Association; Scottish Land & Estates; NFU Scotland; and the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association. The professional bodies have been represented by land agents and solicitors with strong commercial ties to their landlord clients, and on some occasions they have been represented by former board members of Scottish Land & Estates. Such a strong landlord bias is not constructive to the forum’s aims, given the ability of the majority to stifle debate and delay progress.”
“Amendment 212 agreed to. After section 9 The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 22 is on tenant farmer advisory forum. Amendment 213 is the only amendment in the group. Rhoda Grant: Amendment 213 would give the tenant farming commissioner the power to establish a tenant farming advisory forum. The tenant farming advisory forum that sits currently is not underpinned by legislation, nor does it provide tenant farmers with fair representation. The bulk of the membership is representative of the interests of landowners rather than those of tenants.”
“For 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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) 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) (Lab) 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) 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, 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) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] 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) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Maggie Chapman] Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] 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) Against Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (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) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (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) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 89, Against 26, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 211 agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 212 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed. David Torrance: On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. Apologies—I could not connect. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Torrance. Your vote will be recorded.”
“For 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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) 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) (Lab) 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) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (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) [Proxy vote cast by Patrick Harvie] 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) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] 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) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Maggie Chapman] Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] 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) Against Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (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) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (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) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 88, Against 26, Abstentions 0.”
“I only observe that the amendments at stage 2 and stage 3 mean that we are probably at the level of four amendments for every smallholding in Scotland, which seems an awful lot of amendments given that the original suggestion was to include them in the rest of the agricultural holdings legislation. Amendment 209 agreed to. Amendments 210 to 212 moved—[Mairi Gougeon]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Does any member object to a single question being put on amendments 210 to 212? Members: Yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Therefore, I will put the question on each amendment separately. The question is, that amendment 210 be agreed to. Amendment 210 agreed to. 20:15 The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 211 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“I have worked with the cabinet secretary, for which I am very grateful, on the topic ahead of stage 3. I have lodged amendments 373 to 376, which would modify existing requirements or introduce new ones for Scottish ministers. Amendments 373 to 375 would expressly require Scottish ministers to consult persons whom they consider appropriate before laying draft regulations under certain powers that are set out in paragraphs 40, 49 and 50 of the schedule. Amendment 376 would amend the current list of people that ministers are required to consult before laying draft regulations under subparagraph 59(1) of the schedule. That power allows ministers to make regulations in relation to a small landholder registering their interest in buying their holding. Edward Mountain: I, too, welcome some of the amendments in the group.”
“They also make other consequential changes. The amendments also modify the retained provisions on statutory small tenancies, including by applying the modernised provisions in the schedule where relevant and amending the two existing routes for a statutory small tenant to become a small landholder to ensure that they operate alongside the schedule. I have been pleased to work with Tim Eagle following stage 2 on amendments 373 to 376. The amendments modify the consultation requirements that are placed on ministers before they exercise certain delegated powers under the schedule, which reflects my commitment to working positively with stakeholders. I move amendment 209. Tim Eagle: At stage 2, I lodged amendments to change the consultation requirements for Scottish ministers when they exercise various powers in the schedule.”
“Amendment 369 relates to smallholders’ security of tenure and clarifies that a lease of a small landholding cannot be for a fixed duration and can come to an end only in certain circumstances, which are set out in the schedule. Amendments 370 and 372 remove the reference to holiday lets, which ensures consistency with the regulation of short-term lets in Scotland. Amendment 390 expands the Land Court’s jurisdiction, which currently includes matters under the small landholders acts of 1886 to 1931, to include matters under the schedule. Amendments 209 and 371 make minor technical drafting changes. My other amendments—amendments 367, 368, 378 to 387 and 389—relate to the small landholders acts, which are being replaced by modernised provisions in the schedule, except where the provisions need to be kept in force.”
“Amendments 377, 388 and 391 modernise the process for a small landholder and their landlord to resolve disputes in ways other than being required to go to the Land Court. The process generally mirrors the one that exists for tenant farmers and their landlords, which enables them to access alternative forms of dispute resolution such as arbitration. The alternatives can, in some scenarios, resolve disputes more flexibly and at less cost than going to the Land Court. Amendments 210 and 212 ensure that the tenant farming commissioner’s codes of practice and reports into alleged breaches of the codes are appropriately taken into account when parties use arbitration to resolve disputes.”
“Group 21 is on small landholdings. Amendment 209, in the name of the cabinet secretary, is grouped with amendments 210 to 212 and 367 to 391. Mairi Gougeon: The amendments in this group build on the modernisation and consolidation of the landholders acts and ensure that small landholders will benefit from a modern legal framework that is fit for the 21st century. Frankly, I was astonished last week at Edward Mountain’s comments that the Government has “failed to grasp the nettle effectively” and that it has parked small landholdings “on the back burner”.—[Official Report, 28 October 2025; c 54.] It is important to get on record that this is the only Government to introduce significant modernisations for small landholders in nearly a century.”
“That may delight him and every other member in the chamber, including the cabinet secretary, who made a point in that regard. Amendments 89A to 89G would, to my mind, do little to add to the amendments from Mr Whitfield—they are, in my view, unnecessary and I therefore cannot support them. It may be, of course, that the cabinet secretary can change my mind; I will wait and see. I move amendment 196.”
“Martin Whitfield’s amendment 89 is eminently sensible, as I would expect from him. It not only contains a sunset clause but would require the land commissioners to prepare reports and lay them before Parliament. That would allow the Parliament to consider whether the land reform legislation is making sense and doing what the cabinet secretary has promised that it will do, or whether—as a key land reformer says will be the case—it is not. If it is not, the Parliament can, at that time, make a decision to cease and desist. That is right and proper, and amendment 89 is perhaps better—if I might be so bold as to say so—than my amendments 196 and 197; that is quite hard for me to admit. If Mr Whitfield indicates, therefore, that he is going to move his amendments, I could be pushed into considering withdrawing or not moving my amendments.”
“Amendment 306 disagreed to. Amendment 3 not moved. After section 5 The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 12 is entitled “Sunset and review of Act”. Amendment 196, in the name of Edward Mountain, is grouped with amendments 197, 89, 89C, 89A, 89D, 89B, 89E, 89F and 89G. Edward Mountain: The amendments in this group offer the Government a smorgasbord of choices regarding sunset clauses. Amendment 196 offers a sunset provision of five years on sections 2 to 5, on community right to buy and associated modifications and the lotting of large land holding and associated modifications. My amendment 197 does the same, but purely for the lotting sections of the bill. That gives the cabinet secretary a true choice as to which one she would prefer, although she could choose both.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (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) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (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) Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) 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) 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) (Lab) 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) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Patrick Harvie] 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) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] 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) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Maggie Chapman] Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] 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 26, Against 90, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 305 disagreed to. Section 5—Modifications in connection with section 4 Amendment 77 not moved. Amendment 306 moved—[Douglas Lumsden]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 306 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 305 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) 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) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) 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) 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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Patrick Harvie] Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) 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) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Maggie Chapman] Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) 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 46, Against 70, Abstentions 0.”
“Massive mega-monster pylons are going up across much of our countryside, and we need to listen to the communities. It is shameful that Scottish ministers will not meet those communities. It was just last week that we heard that the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy had been secretly recorded taking part in a meeting with energy companies, telling them to make projects “more palatable to communities”. If Scottish ministers went out to meet communities and listen to their concerns, they might understand—without speaking about specific planning subjects—the scale of concerns and how people’s homes are being devalued by thousands of pounds, and they might get some idea of the anger that is felt, and the opposition to much of that infrastructure. Therefore, I press amendment 305, and I will move my other amendments in the group.”
“I call Douglas Lumsden to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 305. Douglas Lumsden: I note that I lodged the amendments in good faith, because I have been speaking to local communities, and communities right across the north-east are really angry about what they are seeing. They are trying to make their voices heard in relation to the Tealing to Kintore overhead line—more than 10,000 people have made their views clear on that. The consultation on the Beauly to Peterhead overhead line is open, and I am sure that thousands of people with huge concerns will write in and take part in that. Recently, Highland Council put in a very detailed objection to the Beauly to Spittal line. There is opposition to and concern about those projects.”
“We move to the open debate. Back- bench speeches should be up to four minutes, and I advise members that there is no time in hand. 15:07”
“The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-19085, in the name of Marie McNair, on cholangiocarcinoma awareness. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. Motion debated, That the Parliament recognises that October 2025 is Liver Cancer Awareness Month, with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), which is also known as bile duct cancer, considered to be the second most common primary liver cancer in the world; acknowledges that CCA has few symptoms in its early stages and that people who present with it tend to have quite vague symptoms, such as nausea and loss of appetite, which makes it difficult to diagnose and often managed too late, leading to it having among the worst survival rates of any cancer; notes with concern that, although most cases occur in people over 60, prevalence of the condition appears to be increasing across all age groups, including younger people; notes calls for a comprehensive genomic testing programme, which was approved by NHS Scotland in 2023, to be implemented; believes that this could identify over four-in-five potentially treatable gene faults in CCA patients; welcomes groups such as AMMF, the UK’s only charity solely dedicated to CCA, on providing information and support to people who need it, campaigning to raise awareness and funding research, and notes the view that more needs to be done to raise awareness of this type of cancer to improve outcomes for patients.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19422, in the name of Gillian Martin, on the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons now. 14:30”
“That the Parliament agrees that the Scottish Parliament (Disqualification of Members of the House of Lords) Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Act (Postponement of Tax Pending a Review or Appeal) Amendment Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Free-Range Poultrymeat Marketing Standards (Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Revenue Scotland and Tax Powers Act (Record Keeping) Amendment Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that, for the purposes of consideration of the second supplementary legislative consent memorandum on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Rule 9B.3.5 of Standing Orders is suspended.—[Martin Whitfield] 14:05”
“The next item of business is consideration of nine Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Martin Whitfield, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S6M- 19443 to S6M-19450, on approval of Scottish statutory instruments, and motion S6M-19451, on suspension of standing orders. Motions moved, That the Parliament agrees that the Scottish Aggregates Tax (Administration) Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Scottish Parliament (Disqualification of Councillors) Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2025 [draft] be approved. That the Parliament agrees that the Scottish Parliament (Disqualification of Members of the House of Commons) Regulations 2025 [draft] be approved.”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees— (a) the following programme of business— Tuesday 4 November 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions followed by Social Justice and Social Security Committee Debate: Financial Considerations When Leaving an Abusive Relationship followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Land Reform (Scotland) Bill followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 10.00 pm Decision Time Wednesday 5 November 2025 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands; Health and Social Care followed by Scottish Labour Party Business followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Land Reform (Scotland) Bill followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 7.15 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 6 November 2025 11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions 11.40 am General Questions 12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions followed by Members’ Business 2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.30 pm Portfolio Questions: Social Justice and Housing followed by Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee Debate: Strengthening Committees’ Effectiveness followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Tuesday 11 November 2025 2.00 pm Time for Reflection followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions followed by Stage 1 Debate: UEFA European Championship (Scotland) Bill followed by Committee Announcements followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 4.15 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 12 November 2025 2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions: Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, and Parliamentary Business; Justice and Home Affairs followed by Scottish Green Party Business followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.10 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Thursday 13 November 2025 11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions 11.40 am General Questions 12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions followed by Members’ Business 2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.30 pm Portfolio Questions: Education and Skills followed by Stage 1 Debate: Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill followed by Business Motions followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions 5.00 pm Decision Time (b) that, for the purposes of Portfolio Questions in the week beginning 3 November 2025, in rule 13.7.3, after the word “except” the words “to the extent to which the Presiding Officer considers that the questions are on the same or similar subject matter or” are inserted.—[Martin Whitfield] 14:00”
“Good afternoon. The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M- 19481, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, which sets out a business programme. I invite Martin Whitfield to move the motion.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the status of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s service delivery review, following the public consultation, which closed on 17 September 2025. (S6O-05076)”
“I call Douglas Lumsden—no, I do not. Apologies—I was taken aback by Mr Mountain’s kind comment. I call Tim Eagle to speak to amendment 290 and other amendments in the group.”
“I call the cabinet secretary to wind up the debate. Mairi Gougeon: I have no further comments to make. I press amendment 152. Amendment 152 agreed to. Amendment 39 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 39 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“Section 1—Community-engagement obligations in relation to large land holding The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 1 is on public rights of way. Amendment 232, in the name of David Torrance, is grouped with amendments 234, 264 and 321. 15:15”
“The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should have the bill as amended at stage 2—that is, SP bill 44A—the marshalled list and the groupings of amendments. The division bell will sound and proceedings will be suspended for around five minutes for the first division at stage 3. The period of voting for the first division will be 30 seconds. Thereafter, I will allow a voting period of one minute for the first division after a debate. Members who wish to speak in the debate on any group of amendments should press their request- to-speak button or enter “RTS” in the chat function as soon as possible after I call the group. Members should now refer to the marshalled list of amendments.”
“Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that, during stage 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, debate on groups of amendments shall, subject to Rule 9.8.4A, be brought to a conclusion by the time limits indicated, those time limits being calculated from when the stage begins and excluding any periods when other business is under consideration or when a meeting of the Parliament is suspended or otherwise not in progress: Groups 1 to 3: 1hr 45 minutes Groups 4 to 5: 3 hrs 30 minutes Groups 6 to 7: 5 hrs 15 minutes Groups 8 to 9: 6 hrs 30 minutes Groups 10 to 11: 8 hrs 45 minutes Groups 12 to 13: 10 hours Groups 14 to 20: 11 hours 30 minutes Groups 21 to 24: 12 hours 45 minutes Groups 25 to 27: 14 hours Groups 28 to 29: 15 hours.—[Graeme Dey] The Deputy Presiding Officer: I call Edward Mountain. 14:56”
“The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-19429, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a timetable for stage 3 consideration of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament recognises Breast Cancer Now Awareness Day 2025, which takes place on 24 October, and commends what it sees as the vital work of Breast Cancer Now, which, it understands, is the UK’s leading breast cancer research and support charity; acknowledges what it considers the importance of the annual Wear It Pink initiative, which raises millions of pounds for lifesaving breast cancer research and care, and notes the calls for individuals, workplaces, schools and communities across Scotland to take part and show their support by wearing pink and fundraising on the day; pays special tribute to the late Christina McKelvie MSP, a dear friend and colleague, whose unwavering support for breast cancer awareness, equality and compassion continues to inspire; understands that around 4,700 people in Scotland are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and that early detection, timely treatment and ongoing support are crucial to improving outcomes; notes the view that there is a need for continued investment in research, improved access to care and increasing awareness of secondary breast cancer, for which, it understands, there is currently no cure, and further notes the view that, by working together, raising awareness and supporting vital initiatives like Wear It Pink, people can make a real difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer, now and in the future.”
“The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-18752, in the name of Clare Adamson, on Breast Cancer Now awareness day 2025 and wear it pink. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to please press their request-to-speak buttons.”
“Congestion Charging and Clyde Tunnel Toll (Glasgow) 6.”
“NHS Fife has just said that a new medical centre for Lochgelly will be in its top 3 priority projects for capital funding from the Scottish Government. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it must surely be Lochgelly’s turn now? Neil Gray: I very much appreciate the work that Annabelle Ewing has done to advance the case for the Lochgelly medical centre. I hear what she has said about NHS Fife’s prioritisation. She will understand that the capital allocation will be determined based on the allocation that we receive from the UK Government in the budget and the work that is being carried out regarding the spending review and the infrastructure investment plan. My wish is for much greater investment to go into the primary care services capital estate and for Lochgelly, Kincardine and other communities to see development happen.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19253, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on backing Scotland’s colleges and apprenticeships. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to- speak buttons. I call Murdo Fraser to speak to and move the motion. 16:02”