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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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Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,405,326 contributions. Latest 30 days: 3,086. 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 (Hybrid) 20 May 2020

20 May 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Coronavirus (Scotland) (No 2) Bill: Stage 3

Harvie, Patrick Green Glasgow Watch on SPTV

I would like to think that what is happening in these extraordinary times is going to be the catalyst for a great deal of change. All economic activity that is still happening is now clearly dependent on state intervention and public money. I think it always was. Private sector economic activity always was dependent on the things that we pay for and provide for collectively in society: infrastructure, education, healthcare and the rule of law. Those things are provided collectively, and the private sector depends on them. It is unconscionable to say that businesses should receive a public sector bailout if they have been arranging their affairs so as to minimise their contribution to those public goods.

This is a time when Governments around the world need to be retaking what they should never have given away: the authority to direct the shape of the economy in a way that meets the public interest. This is one small step in that direction, and we will continue to build on it.

In the same item of business

The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA

The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No 2) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should have the bill as ...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Group 1 is on the advancement of equality and non-discrimination. Amendment 1, in the name of the cabinet secretary, is the only amendment in the group. Mich...

The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs (Michael Russell) SNP

I will move the amendment, but I will not speak to it. I—

The Presiding Officer NPA

That is not a very good note to start on. Oh—I am sorry, cabinet secretary; you were asking Jenny Gilruth to speak to the amendment.

Michael Russell SNP

I hope to become clearer as the afternoon wears on. The point that I was making is that Jenny Gilruth will speak to the amendment.

The Presiding Officer NPA

My apologies for misunderstanding you.

The Minister for Europe and International Development (Jenny Gilruth) SNP

For clarification, I am not Mike Russell. I thank Mark Griffin for raising an important issue in the stage 2 deliberations yesterday. The Government agrees ...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Group 2 is on conditions on support to business. Amendment 2, in the name of Neil Findlay, is grouped with amendments 3, 93 and 94.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Amendment 2 recognises that trade unions have played a vital role in helping to keep people working, services running and citizens safe throughout the crisis...

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green

I draw members’ attention to the register of members’ interests, which shows that I am a member of the Poverty Alliance and an associate member of the Nation...

Neil Findlay Lab

Will the member give way?

Patrick Harvie Green

I will in a moment. We should be shutting down that legal tax avoidance. In the meantime, we should certainly be saying that there is no coronavirus bailout ...

Neil Findlay Lab

I agree with everything that Patrick Harvie has said. I just find it depressing that we could have introduced the measure in 2014, when I lodged a similar am...

Patrick Harvie Green

I would like to think that what is happening in these extraordinary times is going to be the catalyst for a great deal of change. All economic activity that ...

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

I was going to start my comments by saying that I agree with Patrick Harvie, but he rather spoiled it with the nonsense that he came out with at the end of h...

Patrick Harvie Green

Will the member take an intervention?

Murdo Fraser Con

Patrick Harvie Green

I am grateful to Murdo Fraser for giving way. I was so excited by making wider points that I knew would annoy him at the end of my speech that I forgot to me...

Murdo Fraser Con

Mr Harvie is trying his best to fall out with us. I would have thought that he would try to get our support for his amendments rather than thrust us away. He...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

Murdo Fraser Con

I am sorry, but I will not take an intervention. The minister or Mr Harvie can reply when they are winding up. I just do not see how that is achievable from...

Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

Labour will support amendments 93 and 94, in the name of Patrick Harvie. It is entirely reasonable to take that approach. I suggest that the public will ask ...

Michael Russell SNP

I will address all the amendments in the group, but I will start by repeating something that the First Minister said at First Minister’s question time, which...

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

The cabinet secretary is making me blush.

Michael Russell SNP

I do not want to do that; if it makes anyone blush, I am about to make Mr Tomkins blush, too. That may be a harder and less desirable task. I simply want to...

Neil Findlay Lab

Will the cabinet secretary give way?

Michael Russell SNP

No, I will not take an intervention. Interruption. The other reason why I will not take an intervention is that everything that Mr Findlay has said this afte...

Neil Findlay Lab

I see that the cabinet secretary has lost none of his charm, because when he—Laughter. Did Mr Russell say “buffoon”? If he wants to say something, he should ...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Neil Findlay Lab

The cabinet secretary resorts to—