Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 10 June 2026 [Draft]
10 Jun 2026 · S7 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Screen Sector
I absolutely agree with Mr Melville, and he is right to highlight the cinema in Arbroath. I also point to the independent cinema in Montrose, which is supported by the local port authority on a sponsorship model; it helps to provide the facilities through the funding that it gives to the cinema. It is a critical hub for the community and for enjoyment.
I note that Dundee Contemporary Arts—DCA—has ambitious plans for redevelopment, to build sustainability into its model as part of a longer-term redevelopment plan. Its outstanding building opened as far back as 1999, but it requires further investment to make it a more sustainable business model. I hope that we can hear a little bit from the minister about what we can do to support that consumption end of the pipeline in a very important sector for Scotland.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson)
SNP
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S7M-00188, in the name of Alyn Smith, on growing Scotland’s screen sector. The debate will...
Alyn Smith (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
I am delighted to lead my first members’ business debate in the chamber on a subject of great importance not just to Stirling, but to Scotland and, indeed, t...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank Alyn Smith for bringing the debate to the chamber; it is very welcome. As he outlined, the screen sector is very important for the whole of Scotland,...
Lloyd Melville (Angus South) (SNP)
SNP
Mr Marra and I represent the north-east of Scotland, so we also represent the Chalmers cinema in Arbroath. Does he agree that it is incumbent on all of us wh...
Michael Marra
Lab
I absolutely agree with Mr Melville, and he is right to highlight the cinema in Arbroath. I also point to the independent cinema in Montrose, which is suppor...
David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Alyn Smith for securing this debate. The motion recognises something that is truly worth celebrating—Scotland’s screen sector is growing and it is do...
Q Manivannan (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Green)
Green
I thank Alyn Smith for securing this debate. I shall begin with a wee bit of a disclosure. I have been informed of a television show called “Dept Q”, which w...
The Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education (Ben Macpherson)
SNP
Considering the points that Q Manivannan has made, will they also share my praise for the programme and celebrate the fact that a second series of “Dept Q” i...
Q Manivannan
Green
I should say that that filming is happening during recess, so I will let the programme makers know that I am available if they need me. My office will be in ...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I congratulate Alyn Smith on securing the debate. I am pleased to speak in support of the motion and to recognise the work of Screen Scotland and the wider s...
Jenni Minto (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
SNP
Meal do naidheachd—congratulations—to my colleague Alyn Smith on securing this members’ business debate on the importance of the screen industry in Scotland....
Stephen Kerr (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I enjoyed the debate and all the speeches; what a contrast from the previous couple of hours. I congratulate Alyn Smith on securing the motion for his first ...
Alyn Smith
SNP
Such as it is. Laughter.
Stephen Kerr
Con
I thought that he gave a very good speech. I think that we are aligned on the idea about brass nameplates. It is important that we extract investment into Sc...
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic (Màiri McAllan)
SNP
I thank and congratulate Alyn Smith for securing this member’s business debate, and I also thank members for their speeches. As Stephen Kerr has just reflect...
Paul Sweeney (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I very much share the sentiments of the cabinet secretary and, indeed, all members who have spoken in the debate. However, I want to sound a note of caution ...
Màiri McAllan
SNP
It is right to say that, with any kind of disruption—even when Glasgow’s streets are being showcased in international film and TV—we must be considerate of b...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Clare Adamson)
SNP
Thank you, cabinet secretary. That concludes the debate, and—this is my first time saying this—I close this meeting.Meeting closed at 18:45.