Holyrood, made browsable

Hansard

Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

129

Current MSPs

415

MSPs ever elected

14

Parties on record

2,096,158

Hansard contributions

1999–2026

Coverage span

Official Report

Search Hansard contributions

Showing 60 of 2,096,158 contributions. Latest 30 days: 3,357. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 10 Jun 2026.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

That concludes decision time.18:01Members’ business will be published tomorrow, 11 June 2026, as soon as the text is available.The rest of this Official Report will be published progressively as soon as the text is available.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, as amended, is: For 71, Against 50, Abstentions 0.Motion, as amended, agreed to,That the Parliament believes there is a need to restore publi...

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab)Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP)Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP)Barratt, ...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Your vote has been recorded.

Joe Long (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to vote. I would have voted no.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Your vote has been recorded.

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Jenny Gilruth) SNP Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.The vote is closed.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The final question is, that motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.3, in the name of Russell Findlay, is: For 53, Against 70, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAhmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab)Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform)Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD)Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform)Bibby, Neil...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that amendment S7M-00294.3, in the name of Russell Findlay, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.2, in the name of Ross Greer, is: For 70, Against 53, Abstentions 0.Amendment agreed to.

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP)Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP)Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)Beattie, Colin (Midlothi...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that amendment S7M-00294.2, in the name of Ross Greer, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, is: For 55, Against 68, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP)Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP)Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)Beattie, Colin (Midlothi...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

We move to the vote on amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar. Members should cast their votes now.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system.17:53Meeting suspended.17:55On resuming—

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business.I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Jamie Hepburn is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Ross Greer will fall.The first question is, that amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepbu...

Speaker unknown Chamber

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

Business Motion

The next item of business is consideration of business motion S7M-00301, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme.Motion moved,That the Parliament agrees—(a) the following programme of business—Tuesday 16 June 20262....

Speaker unknown Chamber

Business Motion

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That concludes the debate on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics.

Jackie Baillie Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The minister misunderstands and is clearly not listening. The people of Scotland are interested in those wider questions, but that is not what I am suggesting the inquiry should do. I have been very clear on that point.Let me go back to what Robin McAlpine had to say about dem...

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I find it interesting that, although Ms Baillie said that it is not for others to take an interest in the SNP’s internal affairs, she is now talking extensively about the appointment of a KC and the thin nature of our internal governance review. It seems that she is taking an ...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The key and absolute qualification for any First Minister of Scotland is that“that individual must be able to command the trust of the Parliament and the public.”—Official Report, 28 November 2001; c 4118.Those are not my words but those of John Swinney and, on that point, we ...

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

No, I do not, so let us move on.The point that I was going to make was one that I made earlier: it is important that, as an institution, we focus on matters that are of primary interest and of paramount importance to the people of Scotland. Instead of raising issues like this,...

Russell Findlay Con Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I remember how sleazy, arrogant and entitled Labour became when it dominated Scottish politics. Does the minister see that at all in his party?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I will give way to Mr Findlay.

Russell Findlay Con Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the member give way?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

: —that the SNP has won five elections in a row. It has earned the trust of the people for five elections in a row. It is just a matter of fact—there is no arrogance about it; it is just a reality.I think that it is important that we—

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Please speak through the chair.

Anas Sarwar Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

It was the mindset that Murrell had.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

It is not a mindset but a matter of fact—

Anas Sarwar Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That is your mindset.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

There are two things there. First, the public can be confident that the crime that has been perpetrated has been fully investigated and prosecuted and there is now a plea. I do not think that any of us is suggesting that there is a lack of confidence in that process—I certainl...

Willie Rennie LD Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That is a very generous offer, but I will have to decline.The minister is talking about the SNP investigating itself. How does that improve the confidence of the public in the Government party in this country?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I do not think that Mr Rennie is one of those SNP members, but maybe he wants to apply to join—we might let him come on board.I will give way one more time, to Mr Rennie.

Willie Rennie LD Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the minister give way?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That brings me to a point that I was going to make later, because it picks up on a point that Willie Rennie made—I see that Mr Rennie is now paying attention to me. He made the point that my party does not want to do anything in response to some of the issues that have arisen ...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The minister does not want to accept questions coming from other parts of the chamber. Does he accept that questions are also coming from people who served his party, both in the NEC and in Parliaments? Those people are saying that blocks and obstructions were put in the way o...

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I will give way one more time.

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the minister give way?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That was a wonderful pre-prepared line delivered tremendously well, Ms Lindsay. We look forward to much more of that.The past few weeks have been uncomfortable, difficult and very distressing for many of us—I will not pretend otherwise. No one would believe me if I did. Howeve...

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The only thing that I would say in response to that is that the SNP lecturing Reform on sleaze is like Lord Mandelson selling ethics lessons. No one is buying it.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I say to Amanda Lindsay that I might take more seriously the notion that my party operated like a syndicate if her party was not one that had been formed as a private limited company that is owned by one individual. Let us just remember where we are all starting from. Interrup...

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Yet, when it comes to holding one of its own to account for embezzling party funds, the urgency mysteriously disappears.Meanwhile, Scottish Labour, which called this debate, might want to reflect on its party’s sleazy history. After all, its hero, Lord Mandelson, was twice for...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The member must be heard.

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Instead of full transparency, we have had silence, deflection and obstruction. The First Minister likes to lecture others about integrity, yet he still refuses to put country before party. If he truly believes in restoring public trust, he must stop hiding behind lawyers and f...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

No, no, minister. The member does not have to take interventions.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Forgive me, but I wish to make progress.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the member give way?

Amanda Lindsay (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I support this debate and back calls for a full parliamentary inquiry into the shocking embezzlement of party funds by Peter Murrell.The Scottish people deserve the truth. For years, the SNP has presented itself as a slick, professional political machine. In reality, it has op...

Patrick Harvie Green Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I think that Anas Sarwar would be horrified if a former or a current leader of a political party told its members how they should vote on a committee decision. Interruption. That is for committees to decide, and I am not going to instruct any—Interruption. Look at him laughing...

Anas Sarwar Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Mr Harvie says that committees in this Parliament could investigate certain prosecutions. To clarify, if a motion came to the justice committee, would his party support such an investigation by the justice committee?

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I beg your pardon, Presiding Officer. I was just discovering how much some speeches improve when I remove my hearing aids.Sadly, today, we have very much seen the debate that I expected. There has been some opportunistic partisanship dressed up as principled concern, and there...

← Back to list

Committee

Education, Culture and Sport Committee, 02 May 2000

02 May 2000 · S1 · Education, Culture and Sport Committee

Item of business

Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Bill: Stage 2

John MacLeod: Watch on SPTV

Tapa leibh. Is mise Iain MacLeòid. Tha mi na mo chathraiche air Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta) agus 's e buidheann nàiseanta tha sin a tha a' riochdachadh phàrantan aig a bheil clann ann an siostam foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig air feadh Alba. Chuir sinn an athchuinge a-steach gun a' Phàrlamaid a dh'aobhraich an cothrom seo fianais a thoirt dhan a' chomataidh airson dhà na thrì aobharan.

Tha trì aobharan sònraichte ann. An toiseach, ged a tha ùidh mhòr againn ann an cànan na Gàidhlig tha sinn dhen bheachd gur e foghlam is cudromaiche buileach agus, air sgàth sin, tha sinn airson gum bi foghlam Gàidhlig air fhaicinn mar shiostam foghlaim a tha taobh staigh siostam foghlaim na stàite san fharsaingeachd, an àite a bhith a bharrachd air foghlam coitcheann.

A rithist, mar shiostam foghlaim a tha air a bhith air leth soirbheachail anns na còig bliadhna deug a chaidh seachad, tha foghlam tron Ghàidhlig airidh air a bhith stèidhte ann an lagh na dùthcha mar a tha foghlam tron Bheurla. Mar sin, tha e iomchaidh gum bi taic dha siostam foghlaim na Gàidhlig air a dhaigneachadh ann am bile foghlaim, a' chiad bile foghlaim a tha Pàrlamaid na h-Alba a' stèidheachadh.

Is e foghlam tron Ghàidhlig an iomairt is cudromaiche a tha a' dol air adhart taobh staigh obair leasachaidh cànan na Gàidhlig aig an àm seo. Tha feum air leudachadh agus neartachadh a thoirt air an iomairt sin agus tha e cudromach gun toir Pàrlamaid na h-Alba a h-uile taic is urrainn dhaibh dhi leis a h-uile cothrom a thig fan comhair. Mar sin, mholainn dhan chomataidh gabhail ris na molaidhean a tha san athchuinge agus atharraichidhean iomchaidh a mholadh taobh staigh bile an fhoghlaim. Tapa leibh.

In the same item of business

The Convener: Lab

We begin with a presentation by representatives supporting Gaelic-medium education. I will ask the three witnesses to introduce themselves, to explain whom t...

John MacLeod (Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta)):

Mòran taing. Is mise Iain MacLeòid agus tha mi na mo chathraiche air Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta). Ma chanas mi facal an toiseach mu dheidhinn Comann nam Pà...

The Convener: Lab

I am sorry. Can I just stop you for a moment. I have been told that members should be on channel 2 instead of channel 3. Please change your gadgets accordingly.

Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): Lab

I knew that my Gaelic was bad, but I did not realise that my English was that bad as well.

The Convener: Lab

I am sorry to have interrupted you, Mr MacLeod. Please carry on.

John MacLeod:

Tapa leibh. Is mise Iain MacLeòid. Tha mi na mo chathraiche air Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta) agus 's e buidheann nàiseanta tha sin a tha a' riochdachadh phà...

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

Thank you. I am John MacLeod, the convener of Comann nam Pàrant, the National Gaelic Parents Association. CNP is a national representative body for parents w...

Allan Campbell (Comunn na Gàidhlig):

Tapa leat, Iain. Is mise Ailean Caimbeul agus tha mi na mo cheannard air Comunn na Gàidhlig, buidheann leasachaidh nàiseanta na Gàidhlig ann an Alba. Tha sin...

The Convener: Lab

I am sorry, I will have to stop you again. We are not receiving any simultaneous interpretation. Interruption. Thank you. Can you begin again, please.

Allan Campbell:

Feuchaidh mi a rithist. Bheil sibh ga mo chluinntinn a-nis? Tha e mòr leam a' ràdh gur ann a dh'aon ghnothaich a bhathas a' cur clos orm.

The Convener: Lab

I am sorry. We seem to be having some problems this morning. Interruption. I apologise for the delay. I will give you longer than 10 minutes, so do not worry...

Allan Campbell:

Tapa leibh. Is mise Ailean Caimbeul, ceannard Chomunn na Gàidhlig, buidheann leasachaidh nàiseanta na Gàidhlig. Tha sinne mar bhuidheann air a bhith a' tagra...

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

Thank you. My name is Allan Campbell and I am the chief executive of Comunn na Gàidhlig, which is a Gaelic national development organisation. The organisatio...

Fionnlagh MacLeod (Comhairle Nan Sgoiltean Araich):

Is mise Fionnlagh MacLeòid. Tha mi ag obair aig Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich. Tha a' bhuidheann mar bhuidheann nàiseanta ag obair air feadh Alba gu lèir. T...

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

I am Fionnlagh MacLeod. I work with Comhairle Nan Sgoiltean Araich, the Gaelic Playgroups Association. We are a national organisation, working throughout Sco...

The Convener: Lab

Thank you. I open the floor to questions from members of the committee. I remind members that the witnesses have graciously agreed to take questions in Engli...

Mr Macintosh: Lab

Thank you for coming. Before I start, I should declare an interest: my father is chairman of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college.I was very interested to h...

Allan Campbell:

There have been few advantages in working for the development of Gaelic over the past 15 to 20 years, principally because the number of Gaelic speakers in Sc...

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

I spoke English almost without thinking there. It shows how the world we live in has affected me that I spoke English quite naturally. What have we learned f...

Fionnlagh MacLeod:

Dh'fhaighnich sibh dè a' bhuannachd a thàinig às a' Chuimrigh. Saoilidh mi gur e a' bhuannachd is motha a thàinig às a' Chuimrigh gu bheil foghlam na bhunait...

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

You asked what we have learned from the Welsh situation. The greatest advantage is that language is fundamental. Not only do they have the opportunity to lea...

John MacLeod:

Tha mi a' smaoineachadh ann a bhith a' dèanamh coimeis eadar Alba agus a' Chuimrigh gu bheil na trì cinn a tha seo ag èirigh an còmhnaidh. 'S e sin còirichea...

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

In comparing Scotland to Wales, we can consider three headings: rights, equality and continuity. Wales has all those things and we do not. It is very importa...

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

A Mhairi, tha mi glè thoilichte gu bheil na comunnan aig a bheil uidh anns a Ghàidhlig còmhla riunn an diugh. Feumaidh mi bruidhinn anns a' Bheurla, tha eaga...

Following is the simultaneous interpretation: SNP

Mary, I am very pleased that people from the Gaelic organisations are with us today. Unfortunately I must pose my questions in English.

The member continued in English. SNP

Although unfortunately I must pose my questions in English, I am sure that that will not inhibit Allan and his colleagues from continuing to reply in Gaelic,...

Allan Campbell:

Chan eil mi smaoineachadh gun urrainn sin a bhith oir tha na buidhnean a tha strì airson na Gàidhlig a' strì airson, mar a bha mi a' ràdh na bu tràithe, airs...

Following is the simultaneous interpretation:

I do not think that that would be possible. The organisations that are striving for Gaelic are working hard to make progress at every level for the language,...

Michael Russell: SNP

There is an argument that Gaelic-medium education will be dealt with by a bill proposing secure status for Gaelic and that, therefore, there should be no dem...

Allan Campbell:

Tha mi smaoineachadh gum biodh e ceart agus iomchaidh gum biodh iomradh air foghlam ann am bile a thaobh inbhe thèarainte ach chan eil mi smaoineachadh gu le...