Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 June 2014
25 Jun 2014 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Housing (Scotland) Bill
We are committed to housing in this country. There are more houses per head of population being built in Scotland than in the rest of the UK. We are building the houses—[Interruption.]—no matter what James Kelly is trying to say. We are outperforming any other place in the UK in building houses.
The private rented sector has grown significantly over the past 10 years. That is why the Government consulted on and published the first private rented sector strategy for Scotland. The bill introduces measures that will strengthen the regulation of that sector. It gives local authorities increased powers to tackle poor conditions through third-party reporting to the private rented housing tribunal and the power to inspect a property. It gives local authorities new discretionary powers to tackle disrepair in the owner-occupied sector. It establishes a housing tribunal to deal with private rented sector cases.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-10438, in the name of Margaret Burgess, on the Housing (Scotland) Bill. I call Margaret Burgess to speak...
The Minister for Housing and Welfare (Margaret Burgess)
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I will start by thanking everyone who contributed to the development of the Housing (Scotland) Bill, including members of all ...
James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Lab)
Lab
The minister refers to the £1 billion spend that the First Minister announced yesterday. Do you recognise that there has been a 29 per cent cut in the housin...
Margaret Burgess
SNP
The Scottish Government is investing more and is building more social houses than any previous Administration in the Parliament—more council houses and more ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Order, please.
Margaret Burgess
SNP
We are committed to housing in this country. There are more houses per head of population being built in Scotland than in the rest of the UK. We are building...
James Kelly
Lab
What does the bill offer to tenants in the private sector who are facing rent rises of nearly 20 per cent? What is your answer to those tenants, minister?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Members should remember to speak through the chair, please.
Margaret Burgess
SNP
The Government is absolutely committed to those who rent in the private sector. We introduced the first private sector strategy for Scotland. We are ensuring...
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
I call Mary Fee, to be followed by Alex Johnstone. I point out at this stage that we have a little time in hand, so I will be as flexible as I can. 18:12
Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate on the Housing (Scotland) Bill, and I confirm that Scottish Labour members support the aims of the bill and ...
Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
When will Mary Fee point out that the decline has been due to a decline in the private house building sector but not in the public sector?
Mary Fee
Lab
There is a decline across housing in general in Scotland. I remind the member that housing is devolved and that it is the Scottish Government’s responsibilit...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities (Nicola Sturgeon)
SNP
It is not relevant.
Mary Fee
Lab
It is relevant.
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Will the member give way?
Mary Fee
Lab
Can I just make a little progress? When key stakeholders across the sector are saying that housing in Scotland is in crisis, we must listen to them. Interru...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Ms Baillie and Ms Sturgeon, you are at it again.
Mary Fee
Lab
I would like to progress.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
One minute, Ms Fee. Ms Baillie and Ms Sturgeon, you are at it again. Will the two of you just behave yourselves? I call Mary Fee.
Mary Fee
Lab
Thank you, Presiding Officer. The Housing (Scotland) Bill was an opportunity to take control of this crisis and start tackling the challenges that we face. ...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
It has been an exciting afternoon. I can say that because sitting on the front benches dealing with the amendments allows the time to pass rather more quickl...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Can you bring your remarks to a close?
Alex Johnstone
Con
Sorry—I thought that I was still in time, Presiding Officer. I will bring my speech to a close. My key point relates to the right to buy. I understand that ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Mr Johnstone. I appreciate your efforts. We move to the open debate. At the moment, I can offer members five minutes each instead of four minutes...
Jim Eadie (Edinburgh Southern) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to take part in the stage 3 debate on the Housing (Scotland) Bill. In the stage 1 debate, I welcomed the general principles of the bill, partic...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
In the stage 1 debate, I welcomed much of the bill and said that the problem was the issues that were missing from it. That is still the situation at the end...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You need to bring your remarks to a close, Mr Chisholm.
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab
James Kelly’s amendment would have required the introduction of regulations, and the work could have been done in the context of those regulations. It is dee...
Jim Hume (South Scotland) (LD)
LD
I welcome the opportunity to participate in this evening’s debate. The bill is important, and I hope that it will begin to make the private rented sector mor...