Jamie Halcro Johnston
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party · Scotland
“I know that colleagues from across the chamber will miss his consideration of and commitment to the issues that he was most passionate about. Beatrice Wishart, too, will be giving her last speech, and I particularly thank her for all her efforts on the CPG on islands, for making it the success that it has been and for the strong voice tha…”
“I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests as a partner in a farming business. I thank all those who have signed today’s motion, allowing me to bring the debate to the chamber.”
“Meanwhile, the ferries crisis continues, with the Scottish National Party Government coming face to face with the consequences of two decades of neglect, while islands and ferry-dependent communities pay the price.”
“There, too, costs for operators in the visitor economy are escalating, while the Government sees this as a good time to impose more regulation and more tax. In addition to economic woes, small rural communities are increasingly seeing services moved further away.”
“[Laughter.] However, I have served with John on committees, most recently the Finance and Public Administration Committee, and I know how diligent he has been in conducting the vital scrutiny required of MSPs. Last but not least, the cabinet secretary will be giving her last speech, too.”
“That has practical consequences—whether it is the young family facing another year of being unable to afford a permanent home for their children; the small business owner who seems to be sacrificing more than she gains, but who keeps going; the working person who is trying to make ends meet; or the older person on a fixed income who is af…”
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Every one of 429 lines we hold for Jamie Halcro Johnston, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 9.
“The impact of the crisis that the Scottish National Party has overseen in our ferries fleet has, thankfully, been lessened by the role that has been played by the Pentland Ferries vessel MV Alfred, although that has meant that that new and larger vessel has been taken away from its home route in Orkney for three years now. Can the cabinet secretary confirm whether there has been any increase in the reported £1 million per month that has been paid to Pentland Ferries to charter the MV Alfred? Given that the charter has been repeatedly extended, and might be again, can she tell us definitively that the total charter cost will not exceed the £44.5 million per vessel for the new ferries that are being built in Turkey? Fiona Hyslop: Clearly, the MV Alfred arrangement is a commercial arrangement with CalMac, which is responsible for it.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that policing of island communities is adequately resourced. (S6O-05525)”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with communities, developers and other stakeholders regarding wide loads and any increased traffic movements on the A86, A889, A82 and A87 linked to the Skye reinforcement project and the Glen Mor workers camp at Fort Augustus. (S6O-05477)”
“We know the value that a good local high street or a village pub can bring to the wellbeing of our towns and villages. However, around 300 pubs have closed their doors in Scotland in the past five years alone—a rate of closure that the Scottish Beer and Pub Association suggests is 50 per cent higher than that in England. We often talk in the chamber about things such as place-based initiatives, building enduring communities and social engagement. However, for many communities across the Highlands and Islands, the experience of recent years has been a hollowing out as premises shut down and promises that the high street will evolve to match changing times give way to “To Let” signs.”
“I will briefly paraphrase a famous sign: when you buy from a small business, you are not helping a chief executive officer buy a third home; you are helping a child to get dance lessons or a football shirt and helping their parents to put food on the table or pay their mortgage. The reverse is also true, because, for many, that is where the money will come from—if the business survives at all. The revaluation comes at a time when the challenges facing business could not be more pronounced. Ministers should be aware of the wider costs of their changes, beyond those that are simply economic. Outside the cities and large towns, hospitality businesses, in particular, are at the traditional heart of rural communities across Scotland.”
“Have they not heard the concerns of those who have been assessed? Those people simply cannot fathom how the methodology employed could possibly arrive at the figures that they have been given. In the Highlands and Islands, in particular, we have a disproportionate number of small and micro businesses. Our dependence on the visitor economy also means that hospitality is the lifeblood of many of our communities. Like those of many members, my inbox is filled with small businesses telling me that they are being expected to find thousands of pounds to pay their rates bills. That money will come directly out of the hands of small business people—in other words, it will come out of the hands of families and communities across Scotland.”
“I am not quite sure what that previous contribution related to, but I am sure that it looked good on the computer. As MSPs who visit businesses large and small, we hear from employees and employers alike, we talk to the people who deliver public services in our areas, and we meet the organisations and groups that keep our constituencies and regions functioning. I am sure that all of us across the chamber have those experiences. That is why I cannot understand why there are members sitting in this chamber—obviously not SNP members, as hardly any of them are here—who believe that businesses in their area can absorb the consequences of the rates revaluation. How can they possibly believe that many of their local shops, pubs, hotels or cafes are in a place right now to meet and accept the sort of shock that the revaluation represents to many?”
“There has been as much commentary on what the bill has not done as what it will do. That is disappointing and, once again, rural Scotland is left looking for more answers than the Scottish Government is willing to provide. The bill was a long time in the making and subject to extensive pre-legislative consultation. We might therefore have expected a package of measures that was a little more complete, but this is the bill that we have. It is better for having gone through the parliamentary process, but few will be satisfied with the outcome. 17:58”
“For example, my amendment on ecological focus areas and their application in the islands sought to recognise the distinct position and challenges of farming on Scotland’s island communities. The balance is different there from farms in the central belt—the margins are lower and greening more difficult to achieve. As an islander, I know all too well the problems that ill- considered legislation can cause in places when Edinburgh is so distant. This legislative process has been a chance for the Scottish Government to recognise Scotland’s diversity and acknowledge that there is not one natural environment but many, but too often it has failed to do so. This bill is one best framed in terms of missed opportunities from the bill’s introduction to today’s proceedings.”
“We must recognise the shared principles of population management and, while taking species-specific approaches, acknowledge that there can be similar challenges across species and in different parts of the country. That is a short way of saying that a one-size-fits-all approach to Scotland’s natural environment will not work, nor will an approach that simply prioritises rewilding at the expense of our rural economy. Rural Scotland is a daily workplace for hundreds of thousands of people. It provides the food that we eat, as well as being home to thousands of businesses that support our communities. It is nothing new to say that a balance must be struck between competing interests in the countryside. When the bill addresses detail and often leaves those questions for the future, it too often seems to get that balance wrong.”
“These amendments move us closer to a position that can be achieved. Part 2 of the bill has been removed, while part 3 has received a number of purposeful amendments, including those of my colleague Tim Eagle, to require national parks policy statements to be made on a 10-year basis, clarifying the purpose and approach to the park authorities. Part 4 could fill a lengthy speech in itself, and I recognise the extensive work that my colleague Edward Mountain has done with the deer management elements of the bill in the hope of improving the Scottish Government’s approach. I have pushed my own proposals around goose management. My native Orkney, for example, has no deer but it has suffered considerable ecological damage from visiting geese populations.”
“Despite the shared aspirations, we have ended up with almost 200 amendments at stage 3 and plenty of points of contention. Stage 2 was far from straightforward and I commend the work of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on that. Part 1 of the bill was improved considerably at stage 2 by a spirit of holding the Scottish Government to account on targets and a recognition that ministers have—to be charitable—struggled with such targets in the past. We now have a range of provisions in the bill providing for the setting of targets in more detail and, just as importantly, for reporting and reviewing progress against them. At stage 1, I pointed out that action to promote biodiversity and meet the targets that will be required by the bill must be a twin test of effectiveness and sustainability.”
“We can point to the fact that there has been a 15 per cent decline in average species abundance since the mid-1990s, but it is direct experience that often gives this issue its urgency. It is welcome that we have reached a time of broad acceptance of the human role as custodian of our environment and of an appreciation of what we can do to reverse some of the losses. The need for nature restoration and positive stewardship is, however, something that many farmers, crofters and land managers have recognised for many years, long before a Government strategy was put in place. Private initiatives have often led the way in improving biodiversity. Where flexibility is available and innovation allowed, outcomes are often better.”
“I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am a partner in a farming business and a member of NFU Scotland, SLE and the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. I start on a positive note. Despite differences over the content of the bill, the aspirations to protect and enhance Scotland’s natural environment are shared around the chamber. Scotland has, by some metrics, suffered some significant nature depletion, and we are slowly coming to terms with that legacy. At various stages of the bill, members have spoken about the impact of changes to the environment within their lifetimes, including in their personal experiences.”
“Whippet racing currently lacks the commercial element of greyhound racing, but it looks very similar. Where dogs are used in activities other than racing on an oval track, whether it is agility shows or working activities, do we not accept that there are some risks of the same? I mention this because legislation of this type is walking a tightrope between creating legal and illegal alternatives to established practices on the one hand and capturing unintended activities on the other. That is only made more pressing by the earlier point that the practice that the bill seeks to address is not happening in”
“There clearly needs to be a greater understanding of the issue and, above all, appropriate policing and investigation of animal welfare cases. That is of particular concern where advocates of greyhound racing have raised the prospect that a ban would push activities underground, into a space that is unregulated and beyond open scrutiny. I turn to the bill in more detail. Mark Ruskell has been candid about the focus on oval tracks, and the bill leaves racing on any other form of track to regulations. The Scottish Government should be open on its position here. Is it waiting to criminalise racing on the straight or other track types? If so, why does it not provide clarity on that position now? The bill is also breed specific, and the potential loopholes resulting from that are considerable.”
“We are all aware that no system will protect every dog from cruelty. Whether they are racing dogs, working dogs or pets, in all too many cases dogs are victims of abuse and ill-treatment at the hands of humans that any right-thinking person would find abhorrent. The member’s consultation and the responses to the call for evidence included accounts that were very much at odds with each other when it comes to welfare, and particularly off-track welfare. Many who are involved in the sector wrote of racing greyhounds being treated as pets and cared about deeply by the majority of trainers. However, there were also several stories of presumed mistreatment that were documented by greyhound rehomers, who observed mental and physical impacts in former racing dogs.”
“On the other side of the coin is a sport that evokes real passion and a dedication to a breed that was bred specifically for coursing and racing. Several organisations provided evidence on the bill in response to the committee’s call for views. Those respondents can be broadly broken down into animal welfare groups, which are overwhelmingly positive about the proposed ban, and those involved in greyhound racing, who are very much not. Those are, of course, two very entrenched and polarised positions. Both sides have, however, expressed great concern for the welfare of the animals. It is welcome that the racing sector has pointed to the immense improvement in both the on-track and off-track welfare of these dogs. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain has highlighted a range of steps that have been taken in England through licensing.”
“I congratulate Mark Ruskell on bringing his member’s bill to stage 1. Wherever we may fall on the content of the bill, it has clearly been the product of a lengthy process and considerable effort on his part that has been motivated by a legitimate concern for animal welfare. I would also like to thank the committee for all its work in producing the stage 1 report. As we have heard, we are in the unusual position of being asked to consider legislation to ban something that does not happen within the jurisdiction of this Parliament. That ban remains, however, an issue that can evoke strong feelings in its advocates. It is also an issue that might have practical implications in the future, which I will consider later.”
“As a consequence, under rule 9.8.5A, I am minded to accept a motion without notice to propose that the time limit be extended by up to 30 minutes. Motion moved, That, under rule 9.8.5A, the time limit by which the debate on Groups 12 to 15 must end be extended by up to 30 minutes.—[Graeme Dey] Motion agreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I advise members that we will seek to continue the business and crack on. We are not planning to take any comfort breaks at this stage.”
“The Scottish Conservatives are happy to support Emma Roddick’s amendment 62, which seeks to introduce a power for local authorities to issue a fixed-penalty notice relating to the prevention or suppression of wildfires. I am grateful to Emma Roddick for lodging her amendment. We are also content to support Beatrice Wishart’s amendments 42 and 43, which seek to introduce an approved training course and to allow muirburn on peatland. I confirm that we will support the amendments on muirburn licences that were lodged by my colleague Edward Mountain. I will leave it to him to set those out in more depth. I move amendment 167. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I advise members that we will shortly reach the next time limit and we still have the current group and one more group to debate within that timeframe.”
“The amendment would mean that all land, whether it is peatland or not, would be subject to the same conditions where a licence is to be considered. I do not expect that proposal to get support today. However, if the Government cannot accept it, perhaps it will at least agree with my amendment 163, which would require ministers to undertake a review of the impact of the licensing scheme on wildfire management, including through consulting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and other appropriate authorities. If the licensing scheme is found to have a harmful effect, the provisions must not be brought into force. All that I am asking for is a review in order to try to protect us in the future. 19:45 I turn to the other amendments in the group.”
“Following two delays due to stakeholder concerns, the licensing scheme is due to come into force this year. The effect of that might be that fewer people will be able to make muirburn or that people will stop muirburn altogether, curtailing work that is obviously necessary to prevent disasters from taking place again. I believe that licensing will only make it harder for skilled land managers to carry out preventative muirburn. That will mean an increase in combustible fuel loads and, potentially, the loss of those in the industry who played such a vital role in containing recent fires. My amendment 162 would therefore repeal part of the muirburn licensing scheme conditions in the 2024 act—that is, the conditions that relate to applications for making muirburn on peatland.”
“This is possibly the last time that I will say this in the current session of Parliament: the fires that we are seeing are incredibly powerful and deeply worrying for local communities. It is not just open moor that is affected, and it seems to me that it is only a matter of time before a fire hits a town or village. I urge the Parliament to act now rather than wait for a future disaster. I also have two amendments on muirburn in the group, which follow on from my arguments at stage 2 of the bill and stage 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. In 2024, as many will remember, the Scottish Parliament passed the bill that became the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024, which prevents anyone from making muirburn on land without first acquiring a licence.”
“As I have put on the record before, many businesses and land managers were involved in tackling the damaging wildfires at Carrbridge and Dava in the Cairngorms last summer. The scale of those fires and the devastation that they caused were immense. They are considered to have been the largest such wildfires in Scottish history, and they burned more than 11,000 hectares of moorland and forestry. I remain incredibly grateful to the communities and to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for coming out in support during that time. However, I believe that much more needs to be done to provide the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service with vehicles, aerial support, commanders with enhanced authority and so on. Such fires are going to become an annual feature in the Highlands, and I want to ensure that the SFRS is properly funded to respond.”
“Amendment 166 disagreed to. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Group 14 is on muirburn and wildfire management. Amendment 167, in the name of Tim Eagle, is grouped with amendments 62, 42, 43 and 161 to 163. Tim Eagle: Members may remember my arguments on the creation of a wildfire response unit at stage 2 of the bill and stage 3 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. I am trying again because the matter is so serious. My amendment 167 would require ministers to review the ability of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to respond to wildfires. If ministers found that there were not sufficient resources—I would argue that there are not—they would be required to set up a wildfire response unit.”
“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) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West 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) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) 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) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) 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) 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) 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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) 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) 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) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 23, Against 83, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 165 agreed to. Amendment 166 moved—[John Mason]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 166 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) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) 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) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) 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) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) 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) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) 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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) 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) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) 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) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) 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) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Against Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 99, Against 8, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 160 disagreed to. Amendment 164 not moved. Amendment 165 moved—[Willie Rennie]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 165 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) 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) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (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) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) 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) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP) McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP) Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 46, Against 62, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 61 disagreed to. Amendment 159 not moved. Amendment 160 moved—[Edward Mountain]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 160 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) 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) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) 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) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP) 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) 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) 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) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) 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) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) Abstentions 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) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 19, Against 81, Abstentions 7.”
“Amendment 157 disagreed to. Amendment 158 not moved. Before section 33F Amendment 61 moved—[Mercedes Villalba]. 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 Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) 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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP) Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 44, Against 64, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 156 disagreed to. Amendment 157 moved—[Jamie Halcro Johnston ]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 157 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab) Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Ind) Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con) Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con) Kerr, Stephen (Central Scotland) (Con) Lumsden, Douglas (North East Scotland) (Con) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Russell, Davy (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab) Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) Webber, Sue (Lothian) (Con) Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab) Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP) Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Callaghan, Stephanie (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green) Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) 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) Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP) Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP) Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green) Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP) Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP) Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP) Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) 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) Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 42, Against 65, Abstentions 0.”
“Amendment 155 disagreed to. Amendment 156 moved—[Jamie Halcro Johnston]. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 156 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“For Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con) Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con) Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD) Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con) Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (Ind) Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con) Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con) Golden, Maurice (North East 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) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD) Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (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) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Against Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP) 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) Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP) Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP) Don-Innes, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP) Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP) Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP) FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP) 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) 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) Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) Lochhead, Richard (Moray) (SNP) MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP) MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green) Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP) Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP) Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Matheson, Michael (Falkirk West) (SNP) McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP) 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) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab) 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) Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP) Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP) Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP) Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP) Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab) 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) Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP) The Deputy Presiding Officer: The result of the division is: For 28, Against 78, Abstentions 0.”
“The minister met farmers from Orkney who came down to the Parliament for a meeting that I hosted, and they put their concerns and issues to him in person. They laid out the impact that the changes will have in communities such as ours, so the minister will not be unaware of their implications. That is why I lodged amendment 155. On that basis, I press amendment 155. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The question is, that amendment 155 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No. The Deputy Presiding Officer: There will be a division.”
“That is why my amendments 156 and 157 and Douglas Ross’s amendment 169 are so important. The minister also talked about the information that had been published. The paper had been promised at committee, but the update was snuck out on the last day before recess—that is, the day after the last day of parliamentary business. Therefore, there was no opportunity to scrutinise it. I am surprised that the Government appears not to be supportive of amendment 157. As I said, the cabinet secretary advised that the amendment is about something that somebody could do. It seems an odd to say, “Take this approach, but actually, we will not make sure that you can do it legislatively”. My amendment 155 relates to greening, a matter on which I recognise that progress is being made.”
“That is what it sounds like from the feedback that we are getting from our constituents. 19:30 Jamie Halcro Johnston: That would be very helpful. However, whether our constituents who might apply for that information will have any confidence in getting it is another matter. The lack of confidence in how the scheme has been rolled out is one of the key issues with the whole situation. Douglas Ross highlighted the frustration of farmers, and it is very much the case that they are frustrated. The minister talked about the administrative burdens and costs of providing the information, but we are ignoring the time and effort that farmers need to put into the applications at a busy time of year. It is not just farmers who need to do that but all the suppliers who are required to provide quotes and, sometimes, to requote areas.”
“Jim Fairlie: The member’s amendments are utterly unnecessary, because we have already done all the things that have been asked for, so we will not be supporting his amendments. Jamie Halcro Johnston: I imagine that as well as Douglas Ross, Tim Eagle and me, other members across the chamber who represent farming communities might be interested to see the response that we get in our inbox when farmers hear that the Government has already done all that it is going to do. Douglas Ross: Does the member think that it would be helpful to the Government’s case to outline to Parliament how many of the 7,500 applicants have sought that information? We know that 47 per cent of those—3,500—were deemed ineligible. Have 3,500 people already requested that information, which the minister says is available, or is the true figure closer to zero?”
“For those reasons, I ask members not to press or move the amendments. If they are pressed or moved, I ask members not to support them. Jamie Halcro Johnston: I take it from the minister’s final comments that the Government will therefore support my amendment 157, which calls for information to be available from RPID, as advised by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, who said in committee: “if individuals have any queries about their own specific applications, I encourage them to go to their RPID office and try to garner that information.”—[Official Report, Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, 10 December 2025; c 96.] Given that that is the nature of my amendment 157, I take it that the Government will support it. I am happy to take an intervention if the minister wants to clarify.”
“Will he consider that so that those who were rejected or deemed ineligible finally get answers as to why they were rejected or deemed ineligible? Jim Fairlie: I very much look forward to Mr Ross not moving his amendment, because we have already published detailed assessment documentation explaining eligibility, verification, scoring and ranking. That was all published before Christmas. We have also told people who have concerns that they can contact their RPID office and will be given an individual explanation as to what they have done. Douglas Ross rose— Jim Fairlie: I am not going to take any more interventions from Mr Ross. We have discussed the issue and we have debated it endlessly. As I said, individual applicants for the scheme can discuss with their RPID office why their application was unsuccessful.”
“I assure the members that I understand the concerns behind the amendments and that we are taking steps to address them. However, I do not think that creating statutory reporting duties for the schemes is necessary or proportionate. To introduce such measures would add administrative costs and burdens to the schemes, when much of the information that is sought in the amendments has already been published. Douglas Ross: I have a genuine offer. If the minister were to agree to either publish all the information on those who were rejected or deemed ineligible or to invite those who wish to have that information to receive it either from their local office or from the Scottish Government, I would not move my amendment 169.”
“Progress has been made with the industry and changes are being put in place for farm support to put us in better shape to deliver for nature and climate and for what is expected from the market. I have been clear that we will maintain our investment in our producers with direct payments to underpin the resilience of those feeding our nation, but in return it is right that we expect them to do more for nature and for climate outcomes. I ask him to take that into account and not press amendment 155. The proposals in amendments 156, 157 and 169, which relate to the reporting arrangements for the future farming investment scheme and the wider environmental farming schemes, were also made in amendments that were lodged at stage 2.”
“It is a simple thing to explain to people who are upset and disappointed so that they know why, where they went wrong, and whether there is something in the guidance that they could have done better, so that they do not rush to put in their application only for it to be rejected on eligibility grounds or as a result of the checking that goes on afterwards. I seem to recall—the minister will undoubtedly correct me—that some people were claiming twice for certain items. That has to be cleared up. I will leave it at that. I supported what was said in the debate that I referred to earlier, but I do not believe that it is appropriate to put the measures in primary legislation. Jim Fairlie: Amendment 155 from Jamie Halcro Johnston seeks to use the bill to reverse the progress that we have made elsewhere.”
“Would she also accept, having mentioned my proposal in an intervention on the minister, that if we were to get a commitment to do what the amendments propose without the need to force them to a vote, I would not move my amendment? Christine Grahame: Of course, I do not speak for the minister; I will leave him to deal with that. I will not be here in the next parliamentary session as I am retiring, and neither will Douglas Ross. If the proposal is not progressed, committee members in the next parliamentary session can ensure that it is followed up. If I were a member in the next session, I would pursue the issue if the minister does not follow through on it, because it is not a big deal.”
“However, if there is concern that the assessments were not handled properly or that there was inequality in the process, let us look into that—that is all. All that I am saying to Douglas Ross is that I do not think that his proposals should be included in primary legislation. Douglas Ross: In some ways, I agree that primary legislation is perhaps not the best way to do this. However, I would hope that Christine Grahame would agree that the issue has been raised in parliamentary questions, as she suggested, that I and other members have written individually to the minister on behalf of constituents, and that the committee has discussed the issue at stage 2. Having gone through all those options and still not having received the answers, does she understand why the amendments have been lodged?”