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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.

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Showing 60 of 2,405,326 contributions. Latest 30 days: 2,498. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Jun 2026.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

That concludes the debate. I wish members, their staff and everyone else who works on the parliamentary campus a wonderful recess.Meeting closed at 18:10.

Alison Thewliss SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

Paul Sweeney makes a very good point, because the issue is wrapped up in our post-industrial legacy. The fact that there are such abandoned factories and that the people who enter them—whether for urban exploration or whatever else—do not understand the risks that they are exp...

Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

As a member of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee, I welcome the news on the proposed legislation, which is very welcome. Indeed, it is something that has been long hoped for.Does the minister share my concern about the fact that the former Cape Marinite factory in ...

Alison Thewliss SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

I hope to be able to introduce the bill by the end of the year, but the member will appreciate that parliamentary timescales prevent me from giving a specific date at the moment. She is correct in saying that justice delayed is justice denied. I hope that all members, as well ...

Marie McNair SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

I am delighted to hear it. I welcome today’s announcement on the time bar issue, which I know will be well received by asbestos sufferers and campaigners. Does the minister accept that, on this issue, justice delayed is justice denied? Can she tell us how quickly the Governmen...

The Minister for Community Care (Alison Thewliss) SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

I thank my colleague Marie McNair for bringing this debate to the chamber, which she has now done for a fifth year. I also thank all members—both those who spoke and those who were not able to speak today—for their presence and thoughtful contributions. As Carol Mochan mention...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

I invite the minister to close the debate.17:58

Heather Anderson (Dundee City West) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

I, too, thank Marie McNair for securing the debate and bringing this important motion to the chamber today.I start by stressing how important it is that we continue to raise awareness of mesothelioma. I do not have a family member who contracted the disease, but I saw a poster...

Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

I thank Marie McNair for bringing this important debate to the chamber and I welcome action mesothelioma day 2026, which will be marked on 3 July.I am pleased, in the years that I have been in Parliament, to have played my part in joining Marie McNair and other members to rais...

Colm Merrick (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to today’s debate, which marks action mesothelioma day 2026. I understand that it is a long-standing tradition to mark the date each year in the Scottish Parliament, so I thank Marie McNair for continuing the tradition and highlighting t...

Helen McDade (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Reform) Reform Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

I apologise for joining the debate slightly late.I am speaking mainly on behalf of Julie MacDougall, but I have an interest in the matter because both of my grandfathers were miners and died of lung disease, although I did not know either of them, because they died so long ago...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

I congratulate Marie McNair on bringing the motion to the chamber for debate and on her consistent championing of the cause.Asbestos was finally completely banned in 1999, the same year that the Parliament was established. Although it might therefore be tempting to associate i...

Pauline Stafford (Bathgate) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

I thank Marie McNair for her long-standing commitment to the cause of action on mesothelioma and for bringing this important debate to the chamber ahead of action mesothelioma day 2026.I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak in the debate, as I have a close relative in E...

Marie McNair (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

This is the fifth year that I have managed to secure a debate to mark mesothelioma day. My determination to secure truth and justice for asbestos victims and their families will never wane. I thank those members who have supported my motion and those who are speaking in today’...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson) SNP Chamber

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

Our final item of business is a debate on motion S7M-00343, in the name of Marie McNair, on action mesothelioma day 2026. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.Motion debated,That the Parliament recognises Action Mesothelioma Day 2026, which will be marke...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

That concludes decision time.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Unless any member objects, I propose to ask a single question on two Parliamentary Bureau motions.The question is, that motion S7M-00492, on committee membership, and motion S7M-00505, on membership of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, in...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that motion S7M-00455, in the name of Stephen Kerr, on the Scottish Commission for Public Audit, be agreed to.Motion agreed to,That the Parliament agrees to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body’s proposal to appoint Miles Briggs, Michael Marra, Jenni...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on motion S7M-00469, in the name of Neil Gray, on achieving a sustainable prison population, as amended, is: For 89, Against 31, Abstentions 0.Motion, as amended, agreed to,That the Parliament recognises the scale and complexity of the current prison...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Well done.The next question is, that motion S7M-00469, in the name of Neil Gray, on achieving a sustainable prison population, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that amendment S7M-00469.4, in the name of Yi-pei Chou Turvey, be agreed to.Amendment agreed to.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00469.5, in the name of Stephen Kerr, is: For 26, Against 78, Abstentions 15.Amendment disagreed to.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that amendment S7M-00469.5, in the name of Stephen Kerr, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00469.3, in the name of Maggie Chapman, is: For 16, Against 104, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that amendment S7M-00469.3, in the name of Maggie Chapman, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00469.1, in the name of Amanda Bland, is: For 26, Against 94, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

I trust you. You do not need to show me the evidence.Thank you. Your vote is recorded.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care (Angela Constance) SNP Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted no.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.The vote is closed.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that amendment S7M-00469.1, in the name of Amanda Bland, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00469.2, in the name of Pauline McNeill, is: For 65, Against 53, Abstentions 0.Amendment agreed to.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Thank you. Your vote is recorded.

Kate Nevens (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green) Green Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My technology did not work. I would have voted yes.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Thank you. Your vote is recorded.You have started something. I call Kate Nevens.

The Minister for Victims and Community Safety (Kirsten Oswald) SNP Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I had difficulty voting. I would have voted no.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Thank you. Your vote is recorded.

Calum Kerr (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) SNP Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I do not think that my vote went through. I would have voted no.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

We come to the vote on amendment S7M-00469.2, in the name of Pauline McNeill. Members should cast their votes now.The vote is closed.Calum Kerr has just sneaked in with a point of order.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division. First, we will halt to enable members to enter the voting system.17:13Meeting suspended.17:15On resuming—

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

The next item of business is decision time. There are eight questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Amanda Bland is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Stephen Kerr will fall. If the amendment in the name ...

Speaker unknown Chamber

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

The question on those motions will be put at decision time.

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

The next item of business is consideration of two Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S7M-00492, on committee membership, and S7M-00505, on membership of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the...

Speaker unknown Chamber

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Scottish Commission for Public Audit

The question on the motion will be put at decision time.

Stephen Kerr (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con Chamber

Scottish Commission for Public Audit

The Scottish Commission for Public Audit performs an important role in our system of public accountability. It does not examine the spending decisions of Government; instead, it oversees Audit Scotland, scrutinising Audit Scotland’s budget and helping to ensure that the organi...

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

Scottish Commission for Public Audit

The next item of business is consideration of motion S7M-00455, in the name of Stephen Kerr, on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, on membership of the Scottish Commission for Public Audit.17:10

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Despite Jenny Gilruth, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, declaring for me my entry in the register of members’ interests after her statement on non-domestic rates on Tuesday, I failed to do so myself. I feel that it...

Speaker unknown Chamber

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

National Health Service Capital Projects

That concludes questions on NHS capital projects.

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

National Health Service Capital Projects

In-depth work is continuing around the revenue-based funding model to enable the three pilot areas that I mentioned in my statement to proceed; that includes the project in Mr Barratt’s constituency. The focus is on a standardised approach so that we can make best use of publi...

David Barratt (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) SNP Chamber

National Health Service Capital Projects

I thank the cabinet secretary for her statement. I will pick up on investment in community health hubs and, specifically, the replacement of Lochgelly health centre. Can the cabinet secretary advise whether a decision will be made on the funding model—for example, the potentia...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

National Health Service Capital Projects

I agree with the member that there are always lessons to be learned in every journey travelled. I assure her that, in this instance, lessons will be learned. I am more than happy to meet staff and union representatives.In the interest of expediency and time, I will write to th...

Gillian Mackay (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Green) Green Chamber

National Health Service Capital Projects

There are lessons to be learned from this situation, but that will be of little comfort to the staff and patients who are dealing with an old hospital. Right now, it is 30°C in some parts of Monklands hospital, wall trims are held on with duct tape and there are historical iss...

Angela Constance SNP Chamber

National Health Service Capital Projects

I recognise the importance of investment in facilities such as the new Port Glasgow health centre and of improvements to Inverclyde royal hospital. Planning work on a replacement health centre continues, and I will ensure that local members are kept up to date on that.The deci...

Stuart McMillan (Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

National Health Service Capital Projects

Can the cabinet secretary provide any details about when funding will be in place to replace the Port Glasgow health centre with a new health hub? Can she advise when there will be investment to improve the fabric of Inverclyde royal hospital?

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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 28 March 2018

28 Mar 2018 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Local Taxation

Kelly, James Lab Glasgow Watch on SPTV

It is a very important piece of evidence, because it shows Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond pledging to

“scrap the unfair council tax.”

In the same item of business

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-11290, in the name of Andy Wightman, on scrapping the council tax. I call on Andy Wightman to speak to an...

Andy Wightman (Lothian) (Green) Green

The last time that Parliament had a debate on the future of local taxation was in September 2016, when, rather typically of such debates, we ended up by not ...

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

Many of us would keep the council tax in the absence of a better alternative. We cannot resolve to scrap it unless we know what we are proposing to replace i...

Andy Wightman Green

This debate has been bedevilled by claims that we must keep an out-of-date, archaic, regressive tax because we cannot agree on what should replace it. If we ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call on Derek Mackay to speak to and move amendment S5M-11290.2. 16:02

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution (Derek Mackay) SNP

The package of reforms to the council tax that was set out in our 2016 Scottish Parliament manifesto has been delivered by the Scottish Government, with the ...

Andy Wightman Green

I recognise the reforms that were made in 2016, but I do not agree with the cabinet secretary that they address the fundamental iniquity and regressiveness o...

Derek Mackay SNP

Andy Wightman referred to “tinkering”. The reforms raise more than £500 million for public services, which is retained locally. I would describe that not as ...

Andy Wightman Green

Will the minister take an intervention?

Derek Mackay SNP

I have to make progress as I have only five minutes, I have taken one intervention and I have a lot to say on the Government’s position. It is a fair judgme...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Derek Mackay SNP

I have very little time left. I believe that the discussion paper on the role of income tax in Scotland, and the consultation throughout, was an exemplar in...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I warn members that there is absolutely no time in hand, so speeches must be kept to time and absorb any interventions. That is bad timing for you, Mr Fraser...

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I thank the Green Party for bringing this debate to the chamber. At least it is consistent in its messages on local taxation, but already in this short debat...

Andy Wightman Green

Will Mr Fraser take an intervention?

Murdo Fraser Con

I am sorry, but I have only four minutes. Mr Wightman will have a chance to respond in winding up the debate. Those of us with long memories will recall tha...

Andy Wightman Green

Will Mr Fraser take an intervention?

Murdo Fraser Con

I am sorry, but I just do not have time. We would support broadening the range of taxes that councils have at their disposal. We would want that to be under...

James Kelly (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I thank Andy Wightman and the Greens for bringing forward this important debate, because “It’s time to scrap the Council Tax.” Those are not my words; they...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

You know how I feel about props.

James Kelly Lab

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

James Kelly Lab

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

No, put it down.

James Kelly Lab

It is a very important piece of evidence, because it shows Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond pledging to “scrap the unfair council tax.”

Tom Arthur (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) SNP

Will the member give way?

James Kelly Lab

Not just now. The reality is that 11 years down the road, we have Alex Salmond—

The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Joe FitzPatrick) SNP

Will the member give way?

James Kelly Lab

No, not just now. Eleven years down the road, Alex Salmond is a discredited television host, and the discredited council tax is still in place. How can we tr...

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con

Does James Kelly agree that such a tax would have an impact on domestic travellers, who make up 84 per cent of travellers to Scotland?