Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 15 January 2015
15 Jan 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Emergency Services
I am sure that the cabinet secretary is aware of the traumatic and tragic incident at Clydebank police station last week. Does he agree that people in the emergency services, particularly the police, are sometimes thought to have a suit of steel around their emotions, although, in fact, under the uniform is a mere human being who is to be commended for their professional conduct and attitude? I hope that all members will want to let them know that they have our full support in those circumstances and that, more important, they will get personal support, as well, should they need it.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-12060, in the name of Michael Matheson, on commending the people who keep Scotland safe in emergencies. ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Michael Matheson)
SNP
I am grateful for the opportunity to recognise the excellent work that is undertaken by the emergency services across Scotland. Our emergency services are i...
Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
SNP
I am sure that the cabinet secretary is aware of the traumatic and tragic incident at Clydebank police station last week. Does he agree that people in the em...
Michael Matheson
SNP
I am aware of the terrible incident at Clydebank police station last week. Of course, the emergency services responded in an exemplary way to deal with that ...
Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Lab)
Lab
There are some things in life that we have come to take for granted. Thanks to the struggles of previous generations, we take for granted the right to an edu...
Jackson Carlaw (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I endorse everything that the cabinet secretary—and Mr Henry—said on the scope, scale and range of services in which we have such confidence and pride. The e...
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to speak in the debate and I will focus on voluntary emergency services. That is partly because, for many years, I was a volunteer firefighter, ...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
At the time when this debate was scheduled, none of us could have foreseen the dreadful events that were to unfold in Paris at the end of last week. They dem...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
I call Christine Grahame. Speeches can be six minutes or thereby—we have a little time in hand. 15:16
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
In this relatively consensual debate, I regret that I must take Hugh Henry to task for the Labour amendment, which asks the Parliament to agree “that the Ju...
Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
I gladly join members across the chamber in commending all those who work in many different ways to keep us safe. My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I are i...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
I alert members to the fact that there is a little time in hand for interventions—even anecdotes. 15:27
Roderick Campbell (North East Fife) (SNP)
SNP
Although I do not represent Glasgow, like most people in Scotland I cannot fail to note how that city, its people and its emergency services have responded t...
Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I want to thank not only the blue-light services but all uniformed services for their contribution in providing emergency support and a 24/7 service across t...
Colin Beattie (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to have the opportunity to comment on and to commend the people who keep Scotland safe in emergencies. We have had many recent examples of catas...
Graeme Dey (Angus South) (SNP)
SNP
There are very obvious recipients of the praise in the motion, and we have already heard them being referenced across the chamber. I echo much of what has be...
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
It is probably true to say that no one expects to need the emergency services—we all imagine that it is only others who will need them—but that we feel safer...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
I call Rob Gibson, to be followed by Stewart Maxwell. You may have a generous six minutes, Mr Gibson. 15:59
Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)
SNP
Although I join colleagues in praising the work of the emergency services, I want to take a slightly different view, particularly on the way in which we cope...
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
The Presiding Officer said that there was some time in hand so I thought that I would describe a situation that illustrates Mr Gibson’s point. During the fes...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
Thank you. I am not sure how Mr Gibson feels about another speech within his speech. We do have some time in hand and I can reimburse him.
Rob Gibson
SNP
Thank you very much. It was an interesting illustration of the fact that people in urban areas do not really understand what it is like to live in far-flung ...
Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I very much welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate and to acknowledge the emergency services staff who work tirelessly on our behalf. I know that we ...
Paul Martin (Glasgow Provan) (Lab)
Lab
As we come to the final stages of the debate, there can be no doubt that members are unified around working together to support our emergency services—not on...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Our final speaker in the open debate, before we come to the closing speeches, is Willie Coffey. 16:22
Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP)
SNP
This debate has been a good opportunity for members to pay tribute to Scotland’s emergency services personnel and to put on the record our thanks as parliame...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
That brings us to closing speeches. I remind members that if they have participated in the debate they should be back in the chamber for closing speeches. 1...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to close today’s debate, which has been useful and largely consensual, as befits the subject. As Jackson Carlaw said, the Scottish Conservatives...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Before we move on, I note that a couple of members were missing at the start of the closing speeches. The chamber has received the courtesy of an explanation...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to be summing up for Labour and supporting Labour’s amendment, following what has been, for the most part, a consensual debate that has allowed ...