Murdo Fraser
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party · Scotland
“This has been quite a lively debate so far. I might take a slightly more sympathetic approach to Reform than other colleagues who have spoken. To be fair to Reform members, they have been on a steep learning curve in relation to how they approach debates in the Parliament.”
“After all the promises that were made about Reform members coming in to shake this place up, they cannot even get the basics right. If these are the foxes in the hen house, the chickens will be sleeping pretty safely tonight. That seems reflected in Reform’s most recent electoral performances.”
“I will make what I hope is a constructive suggestion, which is that it would be more helpful to have a debate on any one of those topics to allow us time to discuss the issues in detail. We will all be here for another five years, so Angela Ross should not fire all her bullets at once.”
“Murdo Fraser: I will give way in a second. The only things that have been left out are the NHS and justice. Virtually every topic in the remit of the Parliament is covered in the motion, as are some topics that are not in the remit of the Parliament.”
“Most significantly of all, we had a superb Conservative victory in the Aberdeen South constituency, with my good friend Douglas Lumsden winning just shy of 50 per cent of the vote—a massive swing from the SNP. Reform received just 2,478 votes, or 8.6 per cent of the total.”
“He will know that there is a necessity in the case of individual judgments for those involved to consider whether there is any basis on which an appeal should be mounted in a particular case.”
The complete record
Every one of 699 lines we hold for Murdo Fraser, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 14.
“I agree with the First Minister’s stance on the issue. I say gently to him that he would have more credibility on those issues had he not been such an evangelist for the Scottish National Party’s hated named person policy, which was struck down by the courts for being an infringement of personal privacy. What does the First Minister think is the worst aspect of the proposal? Is it the likely extortionate costs, the inevitable failure of the information technology systems, the risk of a data breach or the affront to civil liberty? The First Minister: Those issues have to be looked at as part of the consideration of the ID cards proposition. I note that, prior to the Prime Minister’s announcement, in the early summer, net support in opinion polls for digital ID cards stood at 35 per cent.”
“Amendment 336, in the name of Paul Sweeney, is the only amendment in the group.”
“Because of all that, I am confident in supporting Mr Fraser’s amendments. In particular, I welcome the reinstatement of the option of arbitration for resolving disputes, where that is agreed by both parties. Murdo Fraser: The only matter that I will raise in winding up is that, clearly, the amendments will put an additional burden on the First-tier Tribunal. I hope that the Scottish Government will consider adequately resourcing it to ensure that we do not have excessive delays in resolving disputes. With that, I will press amendment 52. Amendment 52 agreed to. Amendments 53 and 54 moved—[Murdo Fraser]—and agreed to. Section 47A—Mobile homes: first-tier tribunal Amendments 55 to 59 moved—[Murdo Fraser]—and agreed to. After section 47A The Presiding Officer: Group 22 is on tenement buildings: insurance.”
“I put on record my thanks to the cabinet secretary for the positive engagement that I have had with her and her officials on these matters. I also record my thanks in particular to Gordon and Vicki Morrison of SCOPHRA for all the work that they have done in supporting the amendments. I am pleased to move amendment 52. Màiri McAllan: The Government is committed to supporting the rights of mobile home residents and to ensuring that they have appropriate access to justice. I welcome Mr Fraser’s amendments 52 to 59. Scottish Government officials have sought views from stakeholders and have reviewed existing powers to ensure that we can provide for a range of situations in implementation. Like Mr Fraser, I thank SCOPHRA for highlighting the issue and for its support in the development of the amendments.”
“A consequence of the wording at section 47A of the bill as it stands is to remove the current option of arbitration for dispute resolution. Amendment 58 has the effect of reinstating that option for the parties to resolve a dispute under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 via arbitration. References to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland will be read as references to the arbitrator where the parties have entered into a written arbitration agreement relating to a question under the 1983 act. Amendments 52 to 57 make consequential changes to give effect to the change in jurisdiction at section 47A by replacing references to the court with references to the First-tier Tribunal. Amendment 59 moves section 47A before section 46, simply because it fits better at that point.”
“I lodged an amendment at stage 2 to move consideration of disputes involving park homes from the sheriff court to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland, to bring those disputes into line with other housing and rental situations. I was pleased to get the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s support for that change at stage 2, although at that point the Scottish Government opposed it. On conclusion of stage 2, the cabinet secretary ran a consultation on the issue. I am pleased that she has now accepted the principle that there should be a shift of park home disputes to the First-tier Tribunal. The amendments in this group essentially tidy up the wording of the Mobile Homes Act 1983 to make it clear that questions or disputes that arise under that act will have to be decided first by the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.”
“It is clear that legislation in the area needs to be thoroughly reviewed and updated. That is a much bigger piece of work. I have been working with SCOPHRA—the Scottish Confederation of Park Home Residents Associations—to identify areas in which the current bill could be made to improve life for park home residents. One such area was the resolution of disputes. Currently, any disputes between a park home resident and the site owner can be resolved only by going to the sheriff court. That is a lengthy and expensive process, and it is difficult to find solicitors with the relevant expertise in the law, as it is a very specialised area. In addition, as we know, civil legal aid is extremely difficult to obtain, which leaves many residents effectively without a remedy when they run into difficulties.”
“Despite the growing popularity of park home residences, there have been a number of high- profile cases recently of individuals purchasing park homes and then running into disputes with the site owners. Unlike a traditional bricks-and- mortar property, park homes, when they are purchased, are treated as mobile structures and therefore no formal conveyance is involved. The park home owner owns the structure of the property but simply leases the land on which it sits. When I led a members’ business debate on the issue earlier in the year, I was struck by the number of colleagues, from across the chamber and representing different parts of Scotland, who had been approached by constituents who were living in park homes and had highlighted the difficulties that they had experienced.”
“This is my first contribution to stage 3 consideration of the bill. I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I own a property in Edinburgh that is subject to a private residential let, although that is not directly relevant to the amendments in the group. At stage 2, I lodged a number of amendments in relation to the situation of individuals who are resident in park homes. As members might be aware, park homes are a growing sector of the housing market. They are lodges or chalets on residential parks, and they are often popular with retirees or others who are looking to downsize to a smaller, more affordable property.”
“I have previously given comments in the chamber on the breakdown, but I would rather give that to him in writing.”
“It is in its third year of operation, and I would expect it to take on board feedback, which is vital. It allows us to take on board areas for improvement as well as to recognise those areas that have been a success. The redactions were made on the basis of two reasons. First, some elements were commercially sensitive, and I think that nobody disagrees with that. Secondly, the information was provided on the express basis of anonymity. If the same people who are so keen on reducing or removing that anonymity cannot even get anybody to go on the record in the press without their names being removed, that says it all. The final point is about the split of the £195 million. I am more than happy to come back to the member to split that down.”
“First, on misinformation, I quoted to him in the statement the direct rebuttals—which were made on the record—from businesses and founders who had been involved with the schemes, all of whom strongly rejected any suggestion that the trips were jollies or holidays. In fact, the one person who had gone on the record and was quoted in the newspaper headlines promptly went on to say that he totally rejected the characterisation of Techscaler that had been made—and he said that in his own words. That is quite conclusive regarding the challenge that those trips were somehow holidays. I prefer to listen to people who are happy to speak in their own name. Secondly, let us talk about the redactions. The point is that Techscaler is taking feedback, and rightly so.”
“Thirdly, the Deputy First Minister said that, collectively, members of Techscaler had raised £195 million—which is a very healthy total. Can she tell us how much of that total comes from exclusively private sources as opposed to Government-backed funds such as those from the Scottish National Investment Bank, Scottish Enterprise or Par Equity? Kate Forbes: First, I thank the member for leading his question by saying that he is not here to criticise Techscaler or CodeBase. That is so important: the more cross-party support there can be for initiatives that are delivering results, the better. I am very grateful to him for outlining that point. Let me confront the points that the member made.”
“Surely, even for this Government, that should be a matter of concern—instead of the Government seeking to castigate journalists and to diminish evidence as “fake news” in Donald Trump style. Let me ask the Deputy First Minister three questions. At the weekend, the Scottish Government accused me—me—of spreading misinformation, but, when challenged, it could not substantiate that claim. I ask the Deputy First Minister directly: what is the “misinformation” that I am accused of spreading? Secondly, why was all the negative feedback from participants on those trips redacted from paperwork released to journalists under freedom of information legislation? Why does the Scottish Government not want to give a balanced view on the value of those trips—or was the negative feedback simply too embarrassing?”
“I thank the Deputy First Minister for her statement and for advance sight of it. We asked for the statement not to criticise the ambition of Techscaler, or indeed to criticise CodeBase, which I had the pleasure of visiting with some colleagues earlier this year, but simply to get some clarity concerning information about the use, or potential misuse, of public funds, which had been put in the public domain thanks to the investigative journalism of the Sunday Post. It relates to claims from whistleblowers that overseas trips funded by Techscaler were not properly supported and that those who organised them attended with their partners, effectively treated them as a jolly and were barely seen at meetings or events.”
“Amendment 284A disagreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 284 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is now closed.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted no. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I will make sure that that is recorded. For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) 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) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) 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) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) 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) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) [Proxy vote cast by Fulton MacGregor] Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) [Proxy vote cast by Willie Rennie] Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 22, Against 84, Abstentions 0.”
“We have also gone through a consultation process on compulsory purchase of property that has remained empty and derelict for some time. If there are particular suggestions on how to streamline the process to enable residential development to take place, I am certainly open to them, and I imagine that the planning minister is as well.”
“There are many town and city centres, such as in Perth in my region, where there are a large number of former commercial premises that will never come back into use for retail. They could potentially be converted to residential properties, but the current process for doing that is cumbersome, bureaucratic, expensive and time consuming. Can the Scottish Government look at some way of streamlining the planning process to make it easier for the owners of those properties to transfer them from commercial use to residential use? Kate Forbes: There are a number of points that I agree with, not least because of the potential to revitalise Perth town centre, of which I have great memories. There are a number of non-domestic rates incentives for bringing vacant properties back into use.”
“Amendment 61 agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I remind members that, if amendment 136 is agreed to, I cannot call amendments 62 and 137 due to pre- emption. Amendment 136 moved—[Maggie Chapman]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 136 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division. The vote is now closed.”
“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) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (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) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (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) 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) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) 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) 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 Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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 Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 77, Against 33, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 60 agreed to. Amendment 61 moved—[Màiri McAllan]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 61 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“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) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (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) 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) 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) 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) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) 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) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) 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) 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 Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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 Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 78, Against 32, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 135 disagreed to. Section 9—Power to designate rent control area Amendment 60 moved—[Màiri McAllan]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 60 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I do not think that I was able to connect to the app. I would have voted yes. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Mr Fraser. Your vote will be recorded. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) 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) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) [Proxy vote cast by Ross Greer] McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con) Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Reform) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) 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) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (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) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) Gougeon, Mairi (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (LD) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) 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, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (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) 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) 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) 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) Abstentions Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 51, Against 59, Abstentions 1.”
“That is all covered in our detailed report. I commend it to members, and I also commend the convener’s motion, which I am pleased to support. 16:10”
“With all due respect to Mr Balfour, I think that that rather misses the point, because we do not have any pure advocacy commissioners right now, apart, possibly, from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner, and we could argue that children are in a different category to others, because they do not have votes and, therefore, do not have the direct voice in the democratic process that other groups have. It was for those reasons that we came to the conclusions that we did in relation to the creation of new commissioners. I do not have time to cover all the other points that we discussed around the need for improved accountability and scrutiny of existing commissioners and the need for a dedicated committee—not necessarily a stand- alone committee—of this Parliament to scrutinise the work of commissioners.”
“If I remember rightly, he answered that they were all one voice among others. The impact of a commissioner’s report is no more significant than that of a parliamentary committee. That was a significant piece of evidence. I know that the committee’s conclusions will be a disappointment to those outwith the Parliament who are campaigning for new commissioners and to some MSPs, but resources are finite, and, if we accept the case for new advocacy commissioners, we must acknowledge that people could argue for an almost limitless number of new commissioners to be appointed. When we took evidence from Jeremy Balfour, who is not with us today, on his proposal for a new commissioner for the disabled, he said that he accepted that argument, but he asked why we should pull up the drawbridge now.”
“The committee came to the conclusion that, although the calls for the creation of new advocacy commissioners are understandable, they do not represent good value for the public purse. Although it was not our primary consideration, public expenditure is important, because commissioners cost money. There is a risk of mission creep—that, once a commissioner has been established, it will seek to expand its functions and offices and demand more and more cash—which we need to be conscious of in times when public finances are constrained. I was struck by the Minister for Public Finance’s evidence to the committee. I asked him what he regards as having the most impact: a report from a commissioner, a report from a cross-party committee of the Parliament, or a report from an external body.”
“The question that the committee had to wrestle with is whether introducing such new commissioners, with all the expense of setting them up, would be the best way to address those gaps in provision. Scotland is not an undergoverned country. We have 129 MSPs, 56 MPs, 32 local authorities, more than 1,000 local councillors, and a plethora of public organisations from health boards to quangos. If there are failures in the delivery of public services, to my mind, the answer is not to create yet another set of public appointees to try to address the problem. Surely the answer is to try to address the problem at source, and to better enable all the people who are currently paid to, and are in a position to, solve those problems and ensure that individuals are getting a fair deal.”
“We also acknowledged that there might be a need for new commissioners in the future to deal with the regulation of matters that we cannot foresee. For example, the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner was a relatively new office that would not have been contemplated when the Parliament was formed, because the matters that it considers were not regarded as significant at that point. However, the committee had to draw a distinction between commissioners that perform regulatory functions and those being proposed purely, or mainly, to perform an advocacy role. We were entirely sympathetic to members, some of whom are in the chamber for the debate, who have lodged members’ bills to create new commissioners to perform an advocacy role. That reflects perceived failures in the delivery of public services for particular groups.”
“It was very much at the front of our minds when we started to consider the issues that there are different types of commissioners. Some provide a primarily regulatory function, such as the Ethical Standards Commissioner, the SPSO or the Scottish Information Commissioner. Others perform primarily advocacy roles, such as the Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People, although that commissioner also has regulatory functions. The committee’s general view was that there is, of course, a place for commissioners that deal primarily with regulation, although we considered whether there might be some consolidation of those roles. On consideration, we did not see significant opportunities in that space.”
“Mr Leonard is shaking his head. It is clear that Labour representatives on not just one but two parliamentary committees were happy to sign up to the recommendations. Clearly, Labour has had a rethink. No doubt that will be explained. As we have been told by the convener, the committee was established following a recommendation by the Finance and Public Administration Committee, which had already raised concerns about the number of proposals that were coming forward to create new commissioner bodies. The committee concluded that “continuing the trend for creating new advocacy-type SPCB supported bodies is not sustainable” and it sought a new structure and set of guidelines. That was the task that our committee was given to consider.”
“I am a bit surprised and disappointed that, today, the Labour Party does not seem to be agreeing to the conclusions to which its members on both those committees were prepared to sign up. Martin Whitfield: I am very grateful to Murdo Fraser for taking an intervention. At a higher level, I would say that we could disband the chamber if we got only unanimity on committees, but I am not particularly attracted by that idea, nor would he be. There is an obligation to debate, to express views and to investigate proposals. My amendment, on behalf of Scottish Labour, intends to do that, because of concerns that I have about the wording of the motion. Murdo Fraser: I look forward to hearing the contributions from Mr Whitfield and his colleagues. We will see whether Mr Leonard has changed his mind since he sat on the committee.”
“When the Parliament is considering its future make-up and approach to committees, we should reflect on how successful that small committee has been and the good use that it has been able to make of the time available. Perhaps that is a model that we should consider in the Parliament for the future. We were able to reach unanimous conclusions in the report, based on the evidence that we had all heard. On that point on being unanimous, I say gently to Martin Whitfield that we had on our committee a Labour member, Richard Leonard, who is with us today, who agreed with all our conclusions. In the Finance and Public Administration Committee, whose report our work followed on from, we reached equally unanimous conclusions, also with a Labour member on the committee.”
“It is a pleasure to speak in the debate, both as a member of the committee and on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. I echo what the convener had to say in his thanks to the excellent team of committee clerks who supported us and the Scottish Parliament information centre researchers who helped our work. I also thank everyone who gave evidence in what was a relatively short and focused inquiry. I pay tribute to the convener, Ben Macpherson, for stewarding us so well throughout the process, and to my fellow committee members. It was a small committee of just five MSPs, all from different parties. I believe that we worked together very well, with very little disagreement.”
“Each body was created by the Parliament in response to a perceived need, and collectively they contribute to the strength and health of our democratic landscape. The work that they do matters, and it makes a difference. However, the evidence that we received highlighted the key concern that the existing landscape has developed in an ad hoc manner, with individual bodies having varying functions and powers. That has resulted in a collection of bodies with distinct and, at times, overlapping functions operating under different legislative frameworks.”
“They aim to establish a formalised process for assessing future proposals to create new SPCB-supported bodies, to strengthen mechanisms for accountability and scrutiny, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of shared services and, potentially, to change the remits and powers of some existing bodies—I will say more about that later. Our committee agreed that, consistent with the conclusions that were reached by the Finance and Public Administration Committee, the existing SPCB-supported bodies play a vital role in safeguarding public trust, institutional integrity and democratic accountability. We heard about how such bodies deliver their core functions and saw in person how their offices are adapted to suit the needs of users. For example, the children’s commissioner’s office is a bright and welcoming place for children.”
“Whether in oral evidence or in written submissions, the insights that we received from them were invaluable. Their time and expertise helped us to shape the recommendations that we present to Parliament today. Over the course of six months, our committee gathered extensive evidence from a wide range of contributors, including current SPCB-supported bodies, academics, researchers, Scottish Government bodies, the Minister for Public Finance and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Taken as a package, our conclusions and recommendations create a clear strategic framework.”
“Given that the findings were unanimous and followed on from the unanimous findings of the Finance and Public Administration Committee, does the member agree that it is surprising that the Labour Party has sought to amend the motion to take out our key recommendations? Ben Macpherson: I do, and I urge Parliament not to support the amendment. I will say more about that in due course. Before I turn to the detail of our deliberations and our conclusions, I want to place on record my sincere thanks to all those who contributed to our review. First, I thank my MSP colleagues from different parties. We worked well—effectively and collegiately—to produce a good piece of work. That was also thanks to our clerks, who supported us well through the process. In addition, I thank all those who gave evidence.”
“For the duration of the general assembly, the Lord High Commissioner is treated, in effect, as a member of the royal family, living in the palace, being waited on by retainers, wining and dining on the finest of fare every night, and being driven around in a large limousine with the royal pennant flying on the wing, accompanied by police motorcycle outriders. I do not think that I am being unkind when I say that I think that George perhaps enjoyed that experience just a little bit too much. I will always remember George for his kindness and friendship to me personally, as well as his many achievements in public life. He will be sadly missed. On behalf of the Scottish Conservatives, I offer my condolences to Dee and Morag and all the family. [Applause.] 14:12”
“Without his intervention, I fear that construction works might still be going on. On retiring from Parliament in 2007, George went on to hold a number of significant roles. Unlike many in his party, he did not have an instinctive objection to the honours system and was pleased to accept the knighthood that was conferred on him by the late Queen Elizabeth, which was a fitting recognition of his years of public service. He went on to serve as the lord- lieutenant of his much-loved home county of Clackmannanshire and as the Queen’s representative as the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. My wife and I were delighted to be hosted during that year’s general assembly by George and Dee at Holyrood palace.”
“As the occupant of the chair, George tolerated that with as much good grace as he could muster, although, occasionally, one could not but notice a wry smile on his lips in reaction to what he was hearing and seeing. His most significant contribution as Presiding Officer was to sort out the mess that the construction of this building had become. At that point, the project was years behind schedule and hundreds of millions of pounds over budget. Simply by the force of his personality and with his leadership, he pulled the whole thing together to ensure that the building was ready in time for the planned royal opening by the late Queen Elizabeth. It says in St Paul’s cathedral, in tribute to Sir Christopher Wren, “If you look for his monument, look around you.” We can say that of this building, which is really a monument to Sir George Reid.”
“Whether or not one agreed with him, he was always someone worth listening to. When Sir David Steel retired as Presiding Officer at the end of the first session, George was the natural successor to take over. It was a role that he was made for, as someone who had just the right level of gravitas and authority, as well as good humour, a twinkle in his eye and kindness towards individuals. The second parliamentary session, which he presided over, became known as the rainbow Parliament, as it contained a motley assortment of smaller parties, including, most notably, a cluster of representatives from the Scottish Socialist Party. That brought a level of rhetoric and parliamentary disruption that had not been seen before and which has not been seen since—so far, at least.”
“I think I am now the only Conservative member to have served in this Parliament when Sir George Reid was Presiding Officer, and it is my honour to offer a few remarks in support of this motion of condolence. I first met Sir George Reid when I came into this Parliament in 2001. At that point, he held the position of Deputy Presiding Officer, but I was aware of his history, his already having had a distinguished career in journalism and broadcasting, having been a member of Parliament in Westminster and more recently having worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross. He made relatively few speeches during that first session of Parliament but, as we have already heard, when he did contribute, often on the international matters on which he had considerable expertise, his contributions always carried a great deal of authority.”
“To ask the First Minister how the Scottish Government will support town and city centres as retail destinations. (S6F-04296)”
“Given that Alexander Dennis has invested in the site in Scarborough to consolidate manufacturing there, in order to improve efficiency, what can the Scottish Government do to improve the long-term viability of the Scottish sites? Although the prospect of new contracts is extremely welcome, it is not a full solution if the parent company, NFI Group, believes that those contracts could be delivered more efficiently and effectively in Scarborough. Kate Forbes: Scottish Enterprise is actively working with the company on the long-term viability of the sites. That will be part of the overall package of support, to ensure that there is investment so that the company can deliver on any orders that are forthcoming.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide further details of its position on making all future funding for arts organisations conditional on the applicant’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression. (S6O-04935)”
“Those points are made in my amendment. I move amendment S6M-18795.3, to leave out from first “notes” to end and insert: “recognises that Scottish exporters operate in a competitive global market and benefit from the UK’s ability to secure strategic trade deals and participate in global trading blocs, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership; recognises that agreements with India and the US mark a positive start in expanding opportunities for Scottish businesses in these important markets, alongside deals with partners such as Australia, Japan and Singapore; highlights that Scotland’s key sectors, including engineering, advanced manufacturing, food and drink, energy, chemical sciences, and financial services, thrive because of enterprise, innovation and private investment rather than government brand campaigns; welcomes the strength of Scotland’s defence sector in winning major export orders, exemplified by the £10 billion Type 26 frigate agreement with Norway for Scotland-manufactured warships that will sustain thousands of skilled jobs and growth across Scotland’s wider manufacturing base; rejects calls to rejoin the EU, which would risk regulatory uncertainty and distract from delivering meaningful support; regrets that the Scottish Government continues to use trade policy to promote constitutional division, rather than business confidence, and calls for both of Scotland’s governments to focus on cutting costs for employers, reducing unnecessary regulation, simplifying trade routes and working in genuine partnership with industry to grow Scotland’s exports and secure jobs.” The Deputy Presiding Officer: As colleagues will have picked up on, we have a bit of time in hand, so members will get time back for any interventions and probably latitude over and above that.”
“There is an economic backdrop to exports. Scottish businesses continue to be held back by higher taxes, including income tax and VAT; the level of business rates; and excess regulation. Without a more business- friendly environment in Scotland, Scottish exporters will continue to struggle to compete. Addressing all those issues is within the gift of the Scottish Government. If it is serious about supporting exports, it needs to start reducing the cost burden for Scottish business and supporting growth. We wish to join the SNP in celebrating the success of Scottish exports, but its policy solutions are simply doing more damage. It needs to wake up to the strength of the defence sector in Scotland and the value to our economy of exports from that sector, rather than being ashamed of such an important part of the Scottish economy.”