Keith Brown
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“On his visit to Coalsnaughton, in my constituency, the First Minister spoke to residents about the anxiety, uncertainty and disruption that are impacting families who have been evacuated following ground movement beneath their homes, yet there is still no resolution in sight.”
“Will the member take an intervention? Jenny Young: Not just now, thank you. That funding did not repair the damage done to Scotland’s colleges done by the 20 per cent cut, and a spending review promising flat cash—which, in reality, is a cut—gives Scotland’s colleges no light at the end of the tunnel.”
“Fergus Ewing argued for years that air passenger duty should be devolved so that it could be passed to this Parliament and the Scottish Government could cut it in order to encourage more people to fly here, but guess what? It has now been devolved—we now have air departure tax—but what is the Scottish Government going to do?”
“I am just trying to work out what the Conservatives’ approach is. In the previous session of Parliament, virtually every single member of a group of nearly 30 members—maybe more than that; it is now reduced—advocated more public expenditure in virtually every area of Government and yet wanted to cut Government income.”
“What we should be doing with our tax powers, instead of constantly increasing the tax burden, is making Scotland competitive and attracting more wealthy people to come here. Whether they are coming on holiday, to invest, to set up businesses or to purchase property, let us encourage them.”
“The Scottish Fiscal Commission talks about the economic growth gap that my colleague Craig Hoy referred to earlier. People talk about the private jet tax as something to celebrate. I was recently told by tourism leaders that the fastest-growing sector in Scottish tourism is what they call the high end of the tourist market.”
The complete record
Every one of 290 lines we hold for Keith Brown, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 6.
“Amendment agreed to. The Presiding Officer: The next question is, that motion S6M-20036, in the name of Richard Leonard, on behalf of the Public Audit Committee, on “The 2023/24 audit of Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Holdings Limited”, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I do not know whether my vote went through. The Presiding Officer: I can confirm that your vote has been recorded, Mr Brown. 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) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (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) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) 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) 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) 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) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) 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 Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Abstentions Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (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) 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) The Presiding Officer: The result of the division on amendment S6M-20036.1, in the name of Daniel Johnson, is: For 82, Against 7, Abstentions 28.”
“Can the Deputy Presiding Officer advise whether the First Minister should correct the record, given the importance of accuracy and the fact that Mr Sarwar’s claim was even more ridiculous than was previously suggested?”
“On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. Earlier today, First Minister’s question time included an exchange between Anas Sarwar and the First Minister in which the First Minister referenced comments made by Mr Sarwar about the number of people using private healthcare in Scotland. The First Minister said that he believed that Anas Sarwar had previously claimed that one in six of the population were using private healthcare, describing that as “a ludicrously nonsensical figure”. However, when I checked the record of what Anas Sarwar said on 26 June, I found that, in fact, he claimed that “almost one in three” Scots were using private healthcare—which is an even more ludicrously nonsensical suggestion, given the reality that the figure is closer to one in 25.”
“15:30 The Convener: The question is, that amendment 9 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Convener: There will be a division. The vote is closed.”
“Given the current Government’s record in office, surely it is in the interest of SNP members in particular to want to see their Government’s performance—poor as it is—improve. I double- underline that the bill is retrospective legislation, so surely it merits special consideration in a post- legislative scrutiny sense. Amendment 10 is not particularly burdensome, and together with amendment 9 it would provide for a bare minimum of accountability. If ministers are confident in their handling of this matter, they would surely welcome a fresh look at it 12 months down the line. However, unfortunately, as is the pattern and expectation—as I said earlier, I am not surprised by the minister’s response—they resist transparency. In my view, that only underlines how much my amendments 9 and 10 are required. I press amendment 9.”
“Ivan McKee: Has the member done any assessment of how much resource councils would require to be able to assess the status of those 250,000 properties? Stephen Kerr: We would like to have had longer in order to take a more considered approach to the bill. On that basis, we might have been able to consult more widely, gather more information and give ourselves a broader look at an issue that clearly requires post-legislative scrutiny. When we talk about retrospective legislation, as we are doing today, we should surely build in the additional particular safeguards that are in amendment 10. I appeal to colleagues across the chamber, in the sense that it is our responsibility, as the Parliament, to hold the Government to account.”
“Furthermore, subsection (3) of the section that amendment 10 seeks to insert could not be complied with without a huge administrative cost to local government, for which it simply is not resourced. We would not allocate resources to such a task because it would not, to my mind, deliver value for taxpayers’ money. On that basis, I urge members not to support amendments 9 and 10. Stephen Kerr: I am not entirely surprised by Ivan McKee’s response, although I think it is wrong for him to say that my amendments are not necessary. We spoke earlier about post-legislative scrutiny. One aspect that is supposed to set this Parliament apart is our commitment to post- legislative scrutiny, but not much of that is done.”
“Amendment 9 would require ministers to report on the number of unoccupied properties on which non-domestic rates are levied, which would require local authorities to visit up to 250,000 properties to check whether they were, indeed, unoccupied. That is not a realistic administrative burden, and I am surprised that Mr Kerr has lodged such an amendment when he is usually an advocate of having a lean, streamlined, focused Government that is conscious of administrative and bureaucratic burdens. That burden is not a realistic one to put on councils, so I urge members not to agree to amendment 9. Amendment 10, which would require ministers to “undertake a review of the operation of the Act”, does not seem necessary. We keep all our non- domestic rates policies under review.”
“They should welcome the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to transparency and accountability. If ministers believe that the extraordinary retrospective powers that they seek are justified, they should be willing to account openly for the consequences. For all those reasons, I urge Parliament to support amendments 9 and 10. I move amendment 9. Ivan McKee: On the point about the so-called rushing of legislation, the member no doubt knows that the bill that led to the original legislation took seven months from introduction to passing stage 3, so I would argue that plenty of time was allowed for the bill and for consideration of the other issues.”
“It would be a safeguard that preserved the parliamentary control and scrutiny that we are speaking about and would ensure that ministers remained accountable for the operation of the law that they are asking us to pass, and that the failures that brought us to this point could not repeat themselves, unexamined and unreported. If ministers believe that their explanations for all of that are credible—an idea that has been exposed today by my friend Douglas Ross talking about the timelines involved—they should actually welcome having that level of scrutiny in the bill. They should see it as a commitment to transparency and accountable government and as a way of maintaining or, I would argue, restoring public trust in how we conduct our affairs in this place.”
“Given the history of the SNP in government, it would be reckless for the Parliament to grant ministers that level of retrospective authority without requiring structured follow-up. That is what amendment 10 is all about. It would create the discipline that is necessary. It would force ministers to account for financial consequences and the effects on ratepayers, businesses and councils. It would also force them to identify unintended consequences so that the Parliament could act. I do not think that a one-year review would be punitive.”
“It touches on local authority finances and exposes the public purse to potential liability on an extraordinary scale—it is more mountain than molehill. When the Parliament legislates retrospectively, it must also scrutinise retrospectively and learn the lessons. There are lessons on offer, as Martin Whitfield has indicated, and we should be willing to take them on board and to take the time that is necessary to properly absorb those lessons, because our first duty as a Parliament is to protect and stand up for the public interest. It is important that we remember how and why we got here this afternoon, and why ministers need to be held to account for how they conducted themselves in relation to the measure and to the corrective instrument that they have brought before us.”
“If John Mason believes that we are not doing an adequate job on that—that is one of the lessons of this debate—we should be discussing, across parties and in a non-partisan way, how we make the Parliament and its committees more powerful. We should all have an interest in doing that. I return to amendment 10, as I am sure that you would like me to do, convener. I think that it is particularly necessary, because the bill is retrospective, complex—which is the point that John Mason has just made to me—and constitutionally sensitive; we have already discussed, and I am sure that we will return to, the implications of the Scotland Act 1998 for Parliament’s competence to do what we are doing this afternoon. The measure at issue alters tax liabilities for a period that has already passed. It affects businesses that have acted in good faith.”
“There are great and important lessons to be learned by this Parliament on how we balance our responsibilities, including when it comes to SNP back benchers’ loyalty to their front bench, which I respect, and their supporting of the advance of good governance by holding the Government to a standard and holding it to account. To answer Martin Whitfield’s question, I think that that is exactly what we take from this as a Parliament. John Mason: Does the member accept that the committees and the Parliament could have spent three, four or five times as long on the original bill but still not spotted the very technical and legal issue that we are addressing now? Stephen Kerr: It is all about how we arm our committees to scrutinise the legislation.”
“We certainly have much to learn in respect of how finance is handled. That has been much debated in the chamber—interestingly, that has usually been on Thursday afternoons, when too few colleagues have been here to enjoy the debate and gather from it—[Interruption.] The Convener: Let us hear Mr Kerr. Do continue, Mr Kerr. Stephen Kerr: I know that listening is not a strong feature of SNP members, but I was referring to the many debates that we have had on Thursday afternoons in which we have been considering the effective working of our Parliament, particularly in relation to committee structures, how committees operate and how legislation is handled. An inquiry was recently held, I believe by the Finance and Public Administration Committee, on the nature of our finance bills, which threw up some very interesting evidence.”
“on the non-domestic rates pool”, the implications for local authority relief schemes and any unintended consequences that have arisen. I argue that that would not be burdensome or radical; it reflects the minimum standard of responsible law making. Martin Whitfield: The responsibility and the fault absolutely lie with the Scottish Government. Interestingly, however, in respect of amendment 10, what lessons does the member think that the Parliament needs to learn about observation, consideration and the time that is given for analysing bills? Stephen Kerr: I think that Martin Whitfield, knowing the answer to his own question, has answered his question through the way in which he asked it. The answer is that we should be taking time over these matters and maximising the power of scrutiny.”
“Perhaps the Government could do with a dose of curiosity. It wants the Parliament to fix its mistake quickly, without too much scrutiny and with not many questions being asked—in fact, as few as possible—but we need to know the cost. We have to count the cost and know who has suffered the consequences. That is a requirement of transparent Government. This is not a competent Government. Amendment 10 is equally important because it would require ministers, within 12 months of the act coming into force, to report back to the Parliament on how the act has operated in practice. Again, the information required would include “the number of unoccupied lands and heritages” that have been affected, “the financial impact ...”
“That is why I said, from a sedentary position, during the debate on the previous group of amendments, that putting those things on the face of the bill— [Interruption.] I am sorry to keep awake the member who is struggling and yawning; that is how the SNP approaches all of this. [Interruption.] They can mutter away all they like. The Convener: Do continue, Mr Kerr. Stephen Kerr: Amendment 9 is essential because the very existence of the bill is evidence of a pattern in which transparency is treated not as a duty but as an inconvenience. No responsible Government would expect the Parliament to accept retrospective legislation with a financial exposure running to hundreds of millions of pounds without full disclosure of who is affected, to what extent and at what cost, yet that is exactly what this Government expects.”
“the number and value of enforcement surcharges levied, the number and value of sheriff officer fees” charged and “the number and value of ... refunds made”. In the context of where we are, those are not academic details; they go to the very heart of the financial consequences of the Government’s mistake. Without that information, the Parliament is being asked—not for the first time—to legislate blind. Let us be plain about why such an audit is essential. It is because the Government has a lamentable record of hiding, delaying and obstructing information whenever its own competence is in question. We have seen examples of that this afternoon. Amendment 9 is essential because the Parliament cannot rely on ministers to provide the clarity that we need to do our jobs unless they are compelled to do so.”
“Amendment 8 disagreed to. 15:15 The Convener: We move to the next group, which is entitled “Reporting on impact on rate payers and unoccupied properties etc”. Amendment 9, in the name of Stephen Kerr, is grouped with amendment 10. Stephen Kerr: I suspect that I was right in saying that the only way that we are going to get the transparency that we are looking for is if it is in the bill. I have two amendments in this group. Together, they speak to the most basic requirements of making good law, which are providing accurate information and having an accountable Government. Amendment 9 would require ministers, within three months of royal assent, to lay before the Parliament a statement “setting out ... the number of unoccupied lands and heritages on which non-domestic rates were levied, ... the total amount ... levied ...”
“Amendment 7 disagreed to. Amendment 8 moved—[Stephen Kerr]. The Convener: The question is, that amendment 8 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Convener: There will be a division. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (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) 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) 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) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (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) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (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) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] 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) 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) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Lorna Slater] Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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 Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 26, Against 86, Abstentions 0.”
“For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (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) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (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) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (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) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (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) 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) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] 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) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Michael Marra] Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Lorna Slater] Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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 Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 25, Against 85, Abstentions 0.”
“Stephen Kerr: On a point of order, convener. I might have missed this—I do not think that I did— but I do not think that the minister addressed amendment 8. Can I assume that that means that he will support amendment 8? The Convener: That is obviously not a point of order. I do not know whether the minister wishes to respond. Ivan McKee: I have already said that we urge members to resist all the amendments in the group, including amendment 8. The Convener: The question is, that amendment 7 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Convener: There will be a division.”
“This shows why legislation should not be made in haste or at speed. Perhaps ministers could learn a lesson from this very quick climbdown. Ivan McKee: That issue was raised yesterday. On one hand, Conservative members intervene to tell us that we should have moved faster and ask why it took so long to do things, and, on the other, they complain because we are moving at pace. I wish that they would get their story straight. Craig Hoy: No—the issue here is about using an emergency procedure for something that the minister’s officials have known about since June. This is not an emergency. The Government has chosen to use the mechanism of an emergency bill in order to try to cover its tracks. I will not move amendment 13, which I hope that the Presiding Officer will allow us to relodge at stage 3, but I will press amendment 7.”
“Although Douglas Ross is rightly interested, as are members more generally, in understanding the timeline and what happened when, legislation is not the correct vehicle for making provision in that respect. Therefore, I ask members to resist all the amendments in the group. The Convener: I invite Craig Hoy to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 7. Craig Hoy: Mr Ross is absolutely right: this is a question of transparency and accountability, and of ensuring that the Parliament does not pass deficient or incompetent legislation. On that basis, I take on board what has been said by the convener of the Public Audit Committee and will not seek to move amendment 13. However, I will seek to relodge it at the next stage, when we will invite the Auditor General to carry out the important review for which the amendment would provide.”
“I will not commit to doing that tomorrow, because we need to pull together quite a bit of documentation in that regard and make sure that we have released everything that is relevant. I am sure that, if there were only a partial release, the member would have something to say about that as well. I will talk to the specific amendments. On amendment 7, it would not be appropriate to impose a timeframe within which ministers must notify Parliament if an error is noticed in the law, because without fully exploring any such error and considering solutions, any such requirement could cause the public purse expense and create unnecessary disruption. Such issues have to be treated on a case-by-case basis. I have already spoken to amendments 11 to 13. The points that Martin Whitfield made in that regard are pertinent, and I thank him for those.”
“Get on with it. Douglas Ross: Sorry, if members need to rush away home or something—[Interruption.] The Convener: Let us hear Mr Ross. Douglas Ross: Sorry, convener, I could not hear you. The Convener: Do continue, Mr Ross. Douglas Ross: I asked the minister whether he could give a commitment to publish all that information. Amendments 11 and 12 would commit the Government to publish that information the day after the bill is enacted. Is that the timeframe to which the minister is working? Will all of that information therefore be published tomorrow? If so, and if he can give that commitment, I will not move amendments 11 and 12. Alternatively, he could just support the amendments in my name. Ivan McKee: That is really not what the member said. However, we will be fully transparent on the matter.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what response it has had to its letter to the United Kingdom Government regarding the fishing and coastal growth fund. (S6O-05195)”
“However, I remain hopeful, because Scotland— the real Scotland—remains the best place in the world: hard-working, open, neighbourly and honest. We have a way of life that is worth preserving. Above the doors of the Parliament are the words of Alasdair Gray: “Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation”. That is a call to hope, not partisanship. 17:39”
“If you question its policies or its performance in Government, you are often accused of talking Scotland down. That is just not true, because patriotism includes the duty to challenge a Government when it fails, and the Scottish Government has presided over decline—in education, in manufacturing and in the freedoms that have long defined Scottish life. Burns captured the danger of elites acting in their own interests rather than the common good in “The Jolly Beggars”. He wrote: “A fig for those by law protected! Liberty’s a glorious feast! Courts for cowards were erected, Churches built to please the priest.” Those lines remind us that power can serve itself if left unchecked—a lesson that resonates today.”
“I have to say that my support for Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom has often—in fact, I have lost count of the number of times—led some on the other side of the constitutional argument to question my love for my country. I am, first and foremost, patriotically Scottish—I love Scotland, the people and the history, and the way of life that we enjoy, which is worth defending. I wish to quote George Orwell, who once drew a clear line between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism, he wrote, is a “devotion to a particular place and a particular way of life”, whereas nationalism is about power. Too often in Scotland, the Government seeks to fuse the two, insisting that loyalty to one party— the Scottish National Party—is loyalty to Scotland itself.”
“To follow up on what the member was saying, and the intervention from Kenny Gibson, the member might be aware that two years’ time marks the 1,000th anniversary of the tale of when King David I was about to be gored by a stag in Holyrood park in 1028. A cross appeared in the stag’s antlers, which gave this Parliament its name: the holy cross, or Holyrood. Does the member think that we should be looking to ensure that we commemorate that as well, as a part of Scotland’s heritage? Stephen Kerr: Oh, absolutely—we should miss no opportunity to come together and celebrate our Scottishness and Scotland, among ourselves and before the rest of the world. However—if you will allow me, Deputy Presiding Officer—I want to raise a serious point as well, which relates to the issue that I raised in connection with the union.”
“The second is on Scotland’s contribution to footballing history. Keith Brown spoke about the world’s oldest football. My constituency hosted the first-ever penalty to be taken. As Scotland is going to the world cup, we must ensure that we make known internationally our role in the development of football across the world.”
“[Applause.] Some time ago, I made a suggestion to Mike Mulraney, who is the president of the SFA, that the oldest football in the world, which is housed at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum and was discovered in the roof well of Mary, Queen of Scots’ bedchamber, could be taken to an international competition. It was taken to the world cup in Hamburg previously. I wonder whether the cabinet secretary would consider that. It underlines the point that football, in its present guise, started in Scotland. Neil Gray: Absolutely. Keith Brown makes two very strong points. The first is on the importance of Parliament coming together. We have started to do that today, but debating his motion would give us a further opportunity to debate and celebrate this remarkable achievement.”
“As well as the Scottish Government being asked what it can do to celebrate this success, it is incumbent on the Parliament to look at that, too. I do not know whether the cabinet secretary is aware of my motion for debate, which has already attracted cross-party support—although not the support of Douglas Ross as yet, so I look forward to him signing it. That debate will give Parliament as a whole the chance to discuss and celebrate our qualifying for the world cup. We should also note Kieran Tierney’s fantastic goal, which has not been mentioned.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on progress with delivery of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire city region deal. (S6O-05160)”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any progress made to address concerns raised by local residents about levels of noise from HMP Cornton Vale. (S6O-05137)”
“It is providing hope to millions of people around the world that one day, breast cancer, including secondary breast cancer, will indeed be curable. The experience is worrying, painful and hard, but it is incumbent on us all to ensure that our constituents who are living with the condition are empowered and have access to world-class care, and can live with the hope that it will, one day, be curable. 17:45”
“The guidance goes on to say that “Mammography is not suitable without all of the above” and advises women instead “to remain breast aware and speak to their GP”. It states that a woman who has symptoms “should be referred for assessment”. That is all crucial but, given that the logistics are tricky, I wonder whether there may now be an opportunity for us to reflect on that guidance and see whether we can improve it, and perhaps put in place something more proactive to support women in those circumstances who are experiencing breast cancer. I will end my remarks on the contribution of research to improving and saving lives. World- class research in precision medicine is taking place right now in Scotland, in Glasgow, and I am incredibly proud of that.”
“I put on record my huge thanks to the staff at Gartnavel breast clinic in Glasgow for the way in which they helped me and my chair to navigate a mammogram machine. That was, I have to say, no easy task, and those staff were, and are, exemplary. However, they are working to provide such a good service in a system that could, I think, make some improvements for disabled women. The current advice from Public Health Scotland on “Breast screening for wheelchair users” says that a mammogram is suitable only if women can “attend in a manual wheelchair with removable sides ... hold themselves upright ... lean forward to allow their breasts to be positioned in the X-ray machine ... hold their arms clear of their chest and the X-ray machine” and “hold the position”.”
“Nonetheless, it is still the case that women in Scotland really would like to be able to access some of the life-changing drugs that are available elsewhere, just as women elsewhere might want to access some of the drugs that are available here. The mum and daughter I mentioned are not alone in experiencing financial hardship as a result of cancer. We heard much about that in last week’s debate, which was led by Paul Sweeney, on the research that found that people are dying in the margins and dying in poverty. I turn briefly to one other health inequality and risk factor that is associated with breast cancer. It concerns the experience of disabled women, in particular wheelchair users.”
“I hear what Pam Duncan- Glancy says, but would she acknowledge that there are significant medications in Scotland that are not available elsewhere? It is a mixed picture across the UK, with HER2 treatment, for example, being available in Scotland but not elsewhere. I suppose that it is a challenge for every authority to find out what they can and cannot afford. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I can give you the time back, Ms Duncan-Glancy. Pam Duncan-Glancy: I thank the member for that intervention, and it is all too real for people to hear that this issue comes down to money. I acknowledge that there are some drugs available in Scotland that are not available elsewhere.”
“Edward Mountain: Do I have time to give way, Presiding Officer?”
“It is also right to get more balance in committees so that the governing party does not have an absolute majority. There are very few committees in the Parliament where that is the case. I totally agree with Mr Mason’s point about the size of committees’ subject areas. The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee’s remit includes matters that I do not believe are about any of those areas. Land reform is one of them. I am sure that the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans would have been delighted had I not got so involved in that. [Laughter.] However, the point is that committees are sometimes given additional work that falls outside their areas. For the REC Committee, trying to deal with ferries, trains, motorways and so on became virtually impossible. Paul Sweeney: Will the member give way?”
“Every time I hear that said, the speaker is always having a go at the governing party and is always talking about the partisan nature of back benchers from that party. Would Mr Mountain agree that partisan party politics can apply to anyone? I know of an Opposition member who cannot wait to scurry out when a meeting concludes, so that he can send a press release to his favourite newspaper. That practice happens on both sides, and it will stop only if both sides stop doing it. Edward Mountain: I agree with Mr Brown. I can think of one committee member who used to leave a committee meeting early to ensure that they could get their press release out before anyone else. I say to Mr Brown that I am just making observations. I am not pointing the finger at anyone; I am just speaking from my experience as a convener.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action it is taking to safeguard the future of the Alloa campus of Forth Valley College. (S6O- 05108)”
“Amendment 297 disagreed to. 17:00 Amendment 14 moved—[Tim Eagle]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 14 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. There is a point of order from”
“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) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) 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) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (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) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (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) 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) 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 92, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 295 disagreed to. Amendment 296 not moved. Amendment 297 moved—[Douglas Lumsden]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 297 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”