Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 May 2024
08 May 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Business Motions
Let us at least talk about the positives. We now all agree that those who were involved in the Post Office scandal, and who suffered as a result, are actually the ones whom we should be thinking of. Mr Ross said that, too. They are the most important ones. Those are families and individuals, who have—-as I said yesterday, and last week as well—had to deal with this on-going problem for decades.
To put everyone’s mind at ease, I reiterate that lead responsibility for developing and delivering the Post Office Horizon legislation lies with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, and it would be inappropriate for the Lord Advocate to provide a statement on the bill. That is the important point that we are talking about. All these individuals whom we have agreed we want to help are the important ones at this stage.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-13139, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on a change to bu...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I note that Pauline McNeill has asked to speak on the motion.
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Apologies, Presiding Officer—I do not want to speak at the moment.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
No member has asked to speak. Therefore, the question is, that motion S6M-13139 be agreed to. Motion agreed to.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-13122, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a bus...
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
This is now the third time that I have sought to make a change to the business that the Scottish Government has proposed. I am proposing that the Parliament ...
Pauline McNeill
Lab
Made a request to intervene.
Douglas Ross
Con
Can any SNP or Green member who might be about to vote against getting the Lord Advocate into the chamber outline the Lord Advocate’s position? They cannot.
Pauline McNeill
Lab
I will.
Douglas Ross
Con
I will come to Pauline McNeill in a minute. I cannot fathom how democratically elected members who are sent to the chamber to represent their constituents c...
Pauline McNeill
Lab
Scottish Labour will support the amendment to the business motion, because we believe that there should be a statement from the Lord Advocate, and I want to ...
Douglas Ross
Con
I agree whole-heartedly with Pauline McNeill. As I said yesterday, she will ask the First Minister a question on the subject tomorrow, but it would probably ...
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (George Adam)
SNP
Let us at least talk about the positives. We now all agree that those who were involved in the Post Office scandal, and who suffered as a result, are actuall...
Douglas Ross
Con
Will the minister give way?
George Adam
SNP
As I explained yesterday, all members will get the opportunity to scrutinise the Scottish Government bill as it progresses through Parliament in the usual ma...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question is, that amendment S6M-13122.1, in the name of Douglas Ross, which seeks to amend motion S6M-13122, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 17:42 Meeting suspended. 17:43 On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the vote on amendment S6M-13122.1, in the name of Douglas Ross. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.
Annie Wells (Glasgow) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My device would not connect—I would have voted yes.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Ms Wells. We will ensure that that is recorded.
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I think that my vote was recorded, but my screen is not refreshing. I would have voted yes.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I can confirm that your vote was recorded, Ms Duncan-Glancy. Thank you. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division on amendment S6M-13122.1, in the name of Douglas Ross, which seeks to amend motion S6M-13122, in the name of George Adam, on behal...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next question is, that motion S6M-13122, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme, be agreed t...