Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 April 2019
03 Apr 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Health Education
I am delighted to have the opportunity to open the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives.
I thank all the organisations that sent in briefing documents. I was struck by the opening sentence in the briefing that the Scottish food coalition submitted, which is:
“Our food environment promotes and normalises unhealthy diets.”
It has to be noted that our farmers produce the highest-quality food, are charged with custodianship of the countryside, pay at least the living wage and ensure the highest animal welfare standards. However, when it comes to public food procurement, we find that a high proportion of the food in our schools and hospitals—much of which could be sourced locally—is cheaper imports. I have said before in the chamber that only 16 per cent of Scotland Excel procurement contract food is sourced from food that is grown by Scottish farmers.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-16710, in the name of Brian Whittle, on health education. I would like a wee bit of quiet. 15:51
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to have the opportunity to open the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. I thank all the organisations that sent in briefing docum...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Brian Whittle mentioned food in our hospitals and schools. What is his view on processed meats that contain nitrites being served in hospitals and schools? S...
Brian Whittle
Con
If we followed the path of procuring food that is sourced as locally to the school as possible, that problem would be solved in one fell swoop. The Governme...
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
Mr Whittle must surely understand that young people want to spend time with other young people. If their friends are going out for lunch, they might wish to ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I will let you make up your time, Mr Whittle.
Brian Whittle
Con
I will flip that point on its head. Most people do not know who gets free school meals, because children have a card to get that school meal. We should encou...
Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Brian Whittle
Con
I am sorry, but I have only one minute left. The cabinet secretaries for health, education and the rural economy should have been sitting on the Government ...
The Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing (Joe FitzPatrick)
SNP
I thank Brian Whittle for giving us the opportunity to debate this important subject. I wanted to go on to say how heartened I was by his contribution becaus...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
Will the minister enshrine a right to food in the forthcoming good food nation bill?
Joe FitzPatrick
SNP
Through the good food nation bill, we will look at how we can give better effect to a rights-based approach in practice, as we have done with social security...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate the Conservative group on selecting health education as its topic for debate this afternoon. I agree with the bulk of Brian Whittle’s opening ...
Brian Whittle
Con
Will the member give way?
David Stewart
Lab
I am sorry, but I am in my last minute.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani)
SNP
The member is just closing.
David Stewart
Lab
It is fine to promote a balanced lifestyle, but what if a person on the minimum wage with a zero-hours contract needs to grab a fast-food dinner during a spl...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
I welcome today’s debate and I am sure that there is much in the motion that the whole chamber will agree on. Good nutrition and access to it should be at t...
Brian Whittle
Con
Will the member give way?
Mark Ruskell
Green
I am tight for time, so I will not be able to give way in this debate. On the wider context for the debate, learning outdoors, in a play-based environment, ...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
I, too, am grateful to the Conservatives for securing time for this debate on an issue of such importance to the health of our nation. I will come later to w...
Brian Whittle
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
I am in my first minute. If I have got time, I will come back to the member. The MP Mark Francois, who has been one of the most visible Conservative spokesp...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Has the member thought about what he has just said? Is there anything more important than the young people of Scotland today?
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
I was thinking about them with every word that I said, because there is no greater threat to young people in this country than the crisis that the Conservati...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We move to the open debate. Time is very tight, so please come in at under four minutes. 16:20
John Scott (Ayr) (Con)
Con
I declare an interest as a farmer, a food producer and a founder of farmers markets in Ayrshire and the west of Scotland. I welcome the opportunity to speak...
Dr Allan
SNP
Will John Scott give way?
John Scott
Con
No. I am sorry, but I do not have time. About eight to 10 years ago, East Ayrshire Council valiantly introduced such a policy, having recognised the huge ne...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Brian Whittle for his important motion and for securing today’s debate. I am pleased to speak in the debate to reaffirm the need for people all over ...