Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 19 April 2022
19 Apr 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Business Motion
I have every sympathy for what the member says. In respect of the timetabling of business this week in Parliament, her party has been shown a great discourtesy by the SNP. We had scheduled a debate on long Covid and that debate should go ahead for the sake of our constituents and their health concerns.
The Scottish Parliament exists to scrutinise the Executive—the SNP does not seem to get that. If the SNP members were less tin-eared, they might hear something in a debate, such as ideas that they might wish to pursue. Frankly, the Parliament hardly needs more evidence that the SNP does not have answers—it is remarkably devoid of ideas, as we can all attest.
The thousands of people who are suffering from long Covid must wait for concerted action such as has been proposed by my colleague Dr Gulhane.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-04061, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out chang...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Stephen Kerr to speak to and move amendment S6M-04061.1. 17:07
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
My amendment to the business motion should not be controversial. It simply reinstates a debate on long Covid that the Scottish Government proposed only three...
Beatrice Wishart (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
Does the member agree that, with no clinics, no in-home support and not a penny of the support fund having been spent, many long Covid sufferers are being le...
Stephen Kerr
Con
I have every sympathy for what the member says. In respect of the timetabling of business this week in Parliament, her party has been shown a great discourte...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Does the member accept that many people with long Covid, including some of my constituents, are being treated right now?
Stephen Kerr
Con
I can only say to the member that I have a full post bag from the family members of those suffering from long Covid, who are concerned that concerted treatme...
Jackson Carlaw (Eastwood) (Con)
Con
I noticed one or two SNP MSPs pointing to themselves, saying that they have long Covid and are being treated. It is all very well for a well-known MSP to rec...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please conclude, Mr Kerr.
Stephen Kerr
Con
I will wind up, Presiding Officer. Undoubtedly, the SNP and the Greens will line up tonight to prevent an open debate on those who are suffering from long C...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call George Adam to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. 17:13
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (George Adam)
SNP
I felt that I had explained this earlier today to everyone in the bureau in a very open, honest and transparent manner. Once again, I will endeavour to artic...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Colleagues, I would like to hear the minister.
George Adam
SNP
It appears that panto season has already started for the Opposition. That very short postponement will allow ministers to provide a fuller progress update, ...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
Hear, hear.
Stephen Kerr
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. For clarity, for those who are watching these proceedings, can you confirm that there is nothing about the pre-electi...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Pre-election announcements are a matter for the Government. The question is, that amendment S6M-04061.1, in the name of Stephen Kerr, which seeks to amend m...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 17:16 Meeting suspended. 17:20 On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question is, that amendment S6M-04061.1 be agreed to. Members should cast their votes now. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Sc...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division is: For 52, Against 66, Abstentions 0. Amendment disagreed to.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next question is, that motion S6M-04061, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out changes to this week’s business, ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP) ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division is: For 69, Against 51, Abstentions 0. Motion agreed to, That the Parliament agrees to the following revision to the programme o...