Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 15 December 2021
15 Dec 2021 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Economy (North-east Scotland)
Before we resume the debate, I will provide further clarification. I have been advised that there is a problem with the worldwide web. Therefore, we need—along with much of the rest of the world, I guess—to investigate what is happening, why it is happening and when it can be fixed. I imagine that that will have implications for what happens later in the afternoon. Please rest assured that those questions are being actively looked into by the chief executive’s office. Further information will be provided when it is available, so that members know exactly what is happening in respect of there being a deferral of decision time or whatever else is the best way forward.
In the meantime, we will continue with the debate. I call Liam McArthur.
15:54In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I remind members of the Covid-related measures that are in place. Face coverings should be worn when moving around the chamber and across the Holyrood campus...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Last week, in response to someone called Alex Salmond saying that the Scottish National Party Government had “been dragged into student politics” that woul...
The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights (Patrick Harvie)
Green
The member can quote people out of context all he likes, but will he not acknowledge as a matter of fact that political parties of the left, centre and centr...
Liam Kerr
Con
I am disappointed that the minister has completely failed to get my point. Nobody is arguing for unlimited oil and gas—the minister has clearly failed to lis...
The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport (Michael Matheson)
SNP
Our oil and gas industry supports around 70,000 jobs in Scotland, and the sector continues to play an important role, not just in our economy but in deliveri...
Liam Kerr
Con
I do not entirely disagree with a lot of what has been said so far, but the cabinet secretary will acknowledge that the selection or not of Acorn was made on...
Michael Matheson
SNP
Liam Kerr is aware that the Scottish Cluster came through that assessment process very well. The decision not to progress with the project was made by the UK...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Before I call the next speaker, I remind all members who wish to speak in the debate to ensure that they have pressed their request-to-speak button. 15:35
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
If we are to prevent the climate emergency from becoming a climate catastrophe, we are on borrowed time. However, we are also on borrowed time if we are to s...
Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
If we are looking at importing more oil and gas, does the member agree that having projects such as Cambo come on stream would be a good thing, in order to l...
Colin Smyth
Lab
Mr Lumsden will know that it is Shell that has pulled out of Cambo because it concluded that the economic case was not strong enough. He will also be aware t...
Liam Kerr
Con
Will the member give way?
Colin Smyth
Lab
I will try to make some progress. If we are to meet our climate targets, which are demanding—a 75 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2...
Liam Kerr
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Colin Smyth
Lab
I will take an intervention if I can get the time back.
Liam Kerr
Con
I can associate myself with an awful lot of the member’s comments, but does he support his colleague Monica Lennon’s motion, which in effect turns off the ta...
Colin Smyth
Lab
Nobody on the Labour benches is proposing to turn off the taps prematurely. However, we need to start learning the lessons of the past, including the lessons...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr Smyth, I have given you the time back for the intervention, so please bring your remarks to a close now.
Colin Smyth
Lab
No problem at all. That means a partnership approach between Government and those workers who are most affected. I am happy to move Labour’s amendment in m...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr Smyth, you really are quite over your time.
Colin Smyth
Lab
I move amendment S6M-02552.2, to insert at end: “; further believes that the Scottish Government must significantly step up its efforts to support the reten...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am sorry to interrupt the debate, but it is my understanding that quite a lot of members across all the political p...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I understand that the point that Liz Smith draws to our attention is being urgently investigated. Members are being advised to watch proceedings on Scottish ...
Liz Smith
Con
On a further point of order, Presiding Officer. Would it be possible to have a short suspension until the issue is sorted out? There are members who would li...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you for your points of order, Ms Smith. I do not know the extent of the technical problem, but I think that the website is down. I propose that we susp...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Before we resume the debate, I will provide further clarification. I have been advised that there is a problem with the worldwide web. Therefore, we need—alo...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I thank you, Presiding Officer, and Liz Smith for trying to maximise the online viewing ratings for my speech. I will try not to disappoint. There is clearl...
Maurice Golden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
There are now two distinct visions of the North Sea’s future. On one hand, we have the potential for a just transition, ushering in a new age of prosperity f...
Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP)
SNP
This morning, I held a joint meeting with Scottish Renewables and the Scottish Cluster. At that meeting, we considered the opportunities for both sectors reg...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member give way?