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
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 was that to oppose an amendment does not mean opposing the desired outcome of that amendment or its principle. It means opposing amendments that are badly drafted or lodged for reasons that are entirely to do with playing to the gallery and have nothing to do with achieving a result.
I make that point because there is a clear way of taking emergency legislation through that gets the best out of the Parliament, which is to work with the Government to do so. There are notable examples across the chamber of how that has worked on this occasion. I am glad to say that, later, we will recommend support for Monica Lennon’s amendment, which we rejected yesterday. I understand that Monica Lennon reached out to the cabinet secretary and that they had a constructive conversation about how it might go forward. I hope that that will be an example to other members of her party. I am sure that this is not good for her political career, but I will be nice to her about 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
I will.
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
Order, please.
Neil Findlay
Lab
The cabinet secretary resorts to—