Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 September 2024
25 Sep 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Business Motions
I want to reiterate the timescales to Parliament. I do so as an individual, although I am the convener of the committee. In August 2023, we became aware that the Government would not meet the deadlines—in fact, a ministerial statement on 18 April this year told us so.
I met the Government on behalf of the committee in April, May, June, July, August and September, asking for the bill to be produced before 5 September. That was the date on which it was eventually laid in the chamber, which gave the committee precious little time to take evidence.
I would like it on record that the committee worked extremely hard to meet the Government’s deadlines, which have been unnecessarily tight, and would have been tight even if it had produced the bill when we originally asked for it in May. We are now at the stage where the committee has to meet during plenary sessions of the Parliament in order to get the bill to the stage 1 debate. It would be right for the minister to acknowledge the committee’s work and the fact that this problem is of his making, not the committee’s.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-14652, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on the timetabl...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Graham Simpson to speak to and move amendment S6M-14652.1. 16:50
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Moving an amendment to the business motion is not something that I do lightly, but I do so because I passionately believe in Parliament giving its members am...
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am grateful to Graham Simpson for taking an intervention. Of course, it is not for the committee to decide on stage 3—that is for the Parliament to do. How...
Graham Simpson
Con
I am very pleased to hear that. Mr Whitfield is absolutely right, because in no one’s world—not even the minister’s, if he is honest about it—is two days eno...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I invite Jamie Hepburn to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. 16:54
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Jamie Hepburn)
SNP
First, I thank the Presiding Officer for reminding members that I speak on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. The business motion represents the bureau’s po...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
Will the minister take an intervention?
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
I think that it is important that Parliament hears this, after which I will give way to Mr Harvie. Therefore, seeking to agree a timetable that does not all...
Patrick Harvie
Green
The minister is aware that Opposition parties on the Parliamentary Bureau understand the need for an expedited process—indeed, we have all acknowledged that ...
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
In ordinary circumstances, I would agree with the fundamental points that Patrick Harvie has made. Initially, it was my expectation that we could have worked...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take an intervention?
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
I will give way in a minute, because I am about to mention the member. Having engaged with its convener, I know that that was not the Net Zero, Energy and T...
Edward Mountain
Con
I want to reiterate the timescales to Parliament. I do so as an individual, although I am the convener of the committee. In August 2023, we became aware that...
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
I will not denigrate the committee. I am very grateful for the time that the convener has given me, and I recognise that the committee has tried to accommoda...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question is, that amendment S6M-14652.1, in the name of Graham Simpson, which seeks to amend motion S6M-14652, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 17:02 Meeting suspended. 17:04 On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the vote on amendment S6M-14652.1, in the name of Graham Simpson. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My device was a little unclear as to whether it had refreshed on time. I would have voted for the amendment.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I can confirm that your vote was recorded, Mr Harvie. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jeremy (...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division on amendment S6M-14652.1, in the name of Graham Simpson, is: For 60, Against 60, Abstentions 0. The vote is tied. As is usual whe...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next question is, that motion S6M-14652, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on the timetable for consideration of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division. The vote is closed.
Clare Haughey (Rutherglen) (SNP)
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. It did not look as though my app had connected, but it has now told me that I did vote yes.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Ms Haughey. I can confirm that that is the case and that your vote has been recorded. For Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP) Adam, Karen (Banffshire ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division on motion S6M-14652, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, is: For 60, Against 61, Abstentions 0. Motion disagreed to.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
As the motion has not been agreed to, we currently have no timetable for the bill. There is a scheduled meeting of the Parliamentary Bureau this evening, and...