Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 12 August 2020
12 Aug 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Return to School
I thank the cabinet secretary for the advance sight of his statement. I have two brief questions. The enhanced surveillance testing programme is welcome, but why is it not ready now, and why will it take until October before it is fully operational?
Further to that, the provision of further testing for any teacher who wants it is welcome. Will it be for teachers to request or will it be regularly and proactively offered, particularly for teachers in areas such as Aberdeen that are experiencing a local outbreak?
In the same item of business
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SNP
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The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (John Swinney)
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The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
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Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
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John Swinney
SNP
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The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
There are two members who appear to want to ask questions, but who have not pressed their request-to-speak buttons. If you do not press them, I will not call...
Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
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John Swinney
SNP
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The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I hope that we can now move on a little more swiftly with questions and answers.
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green)
Green
I thank the cabinet secretary for the advance sight of his statement. I have two brief questions. The enhanced surveillance testing programme is welcome, but...
John Swinney
SNP
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Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
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John Swinney
SNP
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The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I have been a bit easy on multiple questions from members but, unfortunately, that means that the cabinet secretary has to take longer to answer. That eats i...
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
I want to ask the cabinet secretary about wellbeing, which he mentioned in his opening statement. These are unprecedented times, before which there was alre...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
There were a couple of questions in there. Perhaps we will get to having just one question, at some point.
John Swinney
SNP
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Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
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John Swinney
SNP
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David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
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John Swinney
SNP
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Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
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John Swinney
SNP
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Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s announcement today regarding testing if required or requested. In the chamber, exactly seven weeks ago on 24 June, I asked...
John Swinney
SNP
I think that parents in general want their children back at school, because they understand and can see the significant benefits to their children and young ...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
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The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I thought that we were getting single questions, but there we go.
John Swinney
SNP
If a school has two positive cases in a 14-day period, that will be defined as an outbreak. In the event of there being any positive cases in a school, the s...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
I ask this question as a father of a kid who went into primary 2 today. I thank his school and North Lanarkshire Council for all that they have done to make ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr MacGregor, I understand, but please ask a question.