Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 05 October 2021
05 Oct 2021 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Environment Bill
Since February this year, we have repeatedly sought to get the matter resolved with the UK Government. The last letter that was sent from my colleague Màiri McAllan to the UK Government on the matter back in June has still not been responded to. We share the same frustrations as the Welsh Government, which refused legislative consent to the bill because of the way that the UK Government was acting in areas of devolved competence in environmental policy. We have sought to resolve the issue with the UK Government, but it has steadfastly refused to engage in such a process.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-01512, in the name of Michael Matheson, on legislative consent to the Environment Bill. I invite member...
The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport (Michael Matheson)
SNP
I thank members of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee and the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee for their consideration of the supplementar...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Donald Cameron to speak to and to move amendment S6M-01512.1. 16:29
Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests and declare that I am a member of the Faculty of Advocates. I have to say that this has to...
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is customary to say that I am pleased to open the debate on behalf of Scottish Labour. I am pleased, but I feel frustrated. As a member of the Net Zero, E...
Michael Matheson
SNP
Since February this year, we have repeatedly sought to get the matter resolved with the UK Government. The last letter that was sent from my colleague Màiri ...
Monica Lennon
Lab
I am grateful for that update. It is clear that it is not acceptable for correspondence from Scottish ministers to be ignored by UK ministers, and I hope tha...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Liam McArthur, who has up to four minutes. 16:40
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I will be brief. I very much share the frustrations that Monica Lennon has just outlined, and I am grateful to Donald Cameron for the characteristically for...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
We will move straight to the winding-up speeches. 16:42
Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I have to ask myself whether this debate is the best use of parliamentary time. We have taken part in this debate, which was called by the Scottish Governmen...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
It is more than 100 years since Rutherford split the atom, and I would venture that his achievement was far less challenging than the SNP managing to split t...
The Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform (Màiri McAllan)
SNP
Scotland rejected Brexit, and we deeply regret that it has been forced upon us—and during a global pandemic. Despite that, the Scottish Government has alway...
Monica Lennon
Lab
I am sure that the minister recognises that she is in a position in which she can do something. I heard from her colleague the cabinet secretary that she wro...
Màiri McAllan
SNP
We regularly engage with the UK Government, and I assure the member that we try repeatedly to get action on these matters—Interruption. No, not one letter; r...