Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 09 December 2020
09 Dec 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
Does Mr Smyth recognise that Conservative members have reservations about the travel ban, but because it is contained in regulations that contain a number of other measures that we support, we have difficulty in opposing them? To reflect the point that I made earlier in an exchange with the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, does Colin Smyth agree that it would be better if those matters were in separate regulations, on which we could then vote on a stand-alone basis?
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S5M-23640, on the approval of a Scottish statutory instrument. It is the one that r...
The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans (Graeme Dey)
SNP
The purpose of the Scottish statutory instrument is to amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Am...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Can I double-check, minister, to which SSI you were speaking? I was expecting you to speak to the travel restrictions SSI; that is, SSI 2020/389.
Graeme Dey
SNP
I think that we have a bit of confusion, Presiding Officer.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Yes. I think that that particular one might have been SSI 2020/392. SSI 2020/389 is the one that restricts travel into and out of level 3 and 4 areas. That i...
Graeme Dey
SNP
I apologise, Presiding Officer. I move, That the Parliament agrees that the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Colin Smyth wishes to speak against the motion. 18:15
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
One of the consequences of the Parliament not voting on or scrutinising Covid regulations until several weeks after they have been imposed is that the regula...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Does Mr Smyth recognise that Conservative members have reservations about the travel ban, but because it is contained in regulations that contain a number of...
Colin Smyth
Lab
I certainly would have no objection to that, but the really important thing is that the Government should update the regulations to reflect changes in circum...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Order, please.
Colin Smyth
Lab
I recently highlighted the case of constituents of mine who live in East Ayrshire, on the boundary with South Ayrshire, both of which are on the same level o...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Will you wind up, please, Mr Smyth?
Colin Smyth
Lab
Frankly, however, passing the regulations today will send a signal that that does not include South Scotland and our Borders communities.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I remind members that they are supposed to speak for three minutes on such motions, not five. I apologise to the minister, who spoke to the right motion. I ...
Graeme Dey
SNP
I do not want to take up any more of the chamber’s time—not least because members are concerned about late decision times. I simply say that such statutory i...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I clarify that the vote on the relevant SSI will be taken at decision time. The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motion S5M-23...
Graeme Dey
SNP
The purpose of SSI 2020/392 is, or was, to move Midlothian and East Lothian from level 3 to level 2 restrictions and requirements. It came into force on 24 N...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of two Parliamentary Bureau motions. I call Mr Dey to move, on behalf of the bureau, motions S5M-23642, on approva...