Chamber
Plenary, 02 Mar 2000
02 Mar 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Gaelic
It has often been said that what I say is unintelligible, but that is not normally because no translation is available.
I want to concentrate mainly on Gaelic-medium education. I must say, first, that Conservative members unequivocally believe that parents should have the right to have their children educated in the language of their choice, on condition that English is also taught. We see that as entirely compatible with Gaelic-medium education. We support Gaelic-medium education and we believe that the use of options such as home teaching, Gaelic-medium units and Gaelic-medium schools should enable the provision of a choice that is wide enough to suit parents' needs.
We are indebted for the work of Professor Richard Johnstone of the University of Stirling. His research has shown that Gaelic-medium education is valuable and does not harm the education of pupils involved in it. In his report he says that
"pupils receiving Gaelic-medium primary education, whether or not Gaelic was the language of the home were not being disadvantaged in comparison with children educated through English. In many though not all instances they out-performed English-medium pupils and in addition gained the advantage of having become proficient in two languages."
The findings of that research are no surprise—members will be aware that the teaching of languages through immersion techniques generally gives better results. I have no doubt that if we had French language schools, the benefits of bilingual capability and stretching the minds of pupils would be achieved.
We have nothing to fear from Gaelic-medium education, so I am happy to support the establishment of the Gaelic-medium school in Glasgow and I commend the Executive on bringing that forward. I am happy to support the designation as schools of the Gaelic-medium units in the Western Isles and I look forward to the establishment of a Gaelic-medium school in Inverness.
In Edinburgh, sadly, the local authority has not found it possible to make the change from the Gaelic-medium unit at Tollcross to a fully dedicated school. The arguments that it uses to support its view are lack of demand and the cost of change. The debate about that continues in the City of Edinburgh Council. The Parliament should support the parents who want the school.
If there were direct grant aid for Gaelic-medium schools and Gaelic education boards, it would be possible to expand the provision of Gaelic education and to provide more choice for parents throughout Scotland. The development of such education boards should not be only in the Western Isles, but throughout Scotland.
Gaelic is rich, alive and has a future. By following the Conservatives' plan for education, it could flourish in schools throughout the land.
I move amendment S1M-607.2, to leave out from "in particular" to "to Scotland" and insert:
"building upon the increased investment of the previous Conservative governments but believes it could go much further by supporting grant aided Gaelic medium schools and ultimately allowing Gaelic education boards to run Gaelic schools within the state system; recognises the cultural, economic and social contribution of Gaelic to Scotland".
fag as ‘o "gu h-àraid" gu "do dh'Alba" agus cuir ann:
"a' cur ris an tuilleadh ionmhais a chuir na riaghaltasan Toraidheach a bh' ann, ach a' dol nas fhaide, le bhith toirt taice do sgoiltean Gàidhlig agus, aig a' cheann thall a' leigeil le bùird foghlaim sgoiltean Gàidhlig a stèidheachadh annas an t-siostam stàite; a' gabhail fainear na tha a' Ghàidhlig a' cur ri cultar, economaidh agus dòighean beatha Alba".
I want to concentrate mainly on Gaelic-medium education. I must say, first, that Conservative members unequivocally believe that parents should have the right to have their children educated in the language of their choice, on condition that English is also taught. We see that as entirely compatible with Gaelic-medium education. We support Gaelic-medium education and we believe that the use of options such as home teaching, Gaelic-medium units and Gaelic-medium schools should enable the provision of a choice that is wide enough to suit parents' needs.
We are indebted for the work of Professor Richard Johnstone of the University of Stirling. His research has shown that Gaelic-medium education is valuable and does not harm the education of pupils involved in it. In his report he says that
"pupils receiving Gaelic-medium primary education, whether or not Gaelic was the language of the home were not being disadvantaged in comparison with children educated through English. In many though not all instances they out-performed English-medium pupils and in addition gained the advantage of having become proficient in two languages."
The findings of that research are no surprise—members will be aware that the teaching of languages through immersion techniques generally gives better results. I have no doubt that if we had French language schools, the benefits of bilingual capability and stretching the minds of pupils would be achieved.
We have nothing to fear from Gaelic-medium education, so I am happy to support the establishment of the Gaelic-medium school in Glasgow and I commend the Executive on bringing that forward. I am happy to support the designation as schools of the Gaelic-medium units in the Western Isles and I look forward to the establishment of a Gaelic-medium school in Inverness.
In Edinburgh, sadly, the local authority has not found it possible to make the change from the Gaelic-medium unit at Tollcross to a fully dedicated school. The arguments that it uses to support its view are lack of demand and the cost of change. The debate about that continues in the City of Edinburgh Council. The Parliament should support the parents who want the school.
If there were direct grant aid for Gaelic-medium schools and Gaelic education boards, it would be possible to expand the provision of Gaelic education and to provide more choice for parents throughout Scotland. The development of such education boards should not be only in the Western Isles, but throughout Scotland.
Gaelic is rich, alive and has a future. By following the Conservatives' plan for education, it could flourish in schools throughout the land.
I move amendment S1M-607.2, to leave out from "in particular" to "to Scotland" and insert:
"building upon the increased investment of the previous Conservative governments but believes it could go much further by supporting grant aided Gaelic medium schools and ultimately allowing Gaelic education boards to run Gaelic schools within the state system; recognises the cultural, economic and social contribution of Gaelic to Scotland".
fag as ‘o "gu h-àraid" gu "do dh'Alba" agus cuir ann:
"a' cur ris an tuilleadh ionmhais a chuir na riaghaltasan Toraidheach a bh' ann, ach a' dol nas fhaide, le bhith toirt taice do sgoiltean Gàidhlig agus, aig a' cheann thall a' leigeil le bùird foghlaim sgoiltean Gàidhlig a stèidheachadh annas an t-siostam stàite; a' gabhail fainear na tha a' Ghàidhlig a' cur ri cultar, economaidh agus dòighean beatha Alba".
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S1M.607, in the name of Alasdair Morrison, on Gaelic, and on an amendment to that motion. I shall hand over t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
While the galleries are clearing, I shall make my announcements first in English, as this is a bilingual debate. As members are aware, a simultaneous interpr...
Following is the simultaneous interpretation:
SNP
Order, order. Welcome to the first Gaelic debate in the Scottish Parliament for 700 years. I call Alasdair Morrison to open the debate.
The Deputy Minister for Highlands and Islands and Gaelic (Mr Alasdair Morrison):
Lab
Ceann Comhairle, 's ann le uaill, iomagain agus beagan de dh'irisleachd a tha mi a' fosgladh a' chòmhraidh seo an-diugh. 'S e seo latha cho sònraichte 's a b...
Following is the simultaneous interpretation:
Lab
It is with a mixture of pride, trepidation and humility that I open this dialogue today. This is a unique day in the annals of Gaelic, as for the first time ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Tapa leibh a Mhaighistir Mhoireasdain agus beannachdan bho Phàrlamaid na h-Alba.
Following is the simultaneous interpretation:
SNP
Thank you, Mr Morrison, and greetings to you from the Scottish Parliament.
The member continued in English.
SNP
The next business is in English. I shall therefore take it in English. Before we move on, I advise members that Mr Brian Monteith has chosen to revise slight...
Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I would like to thank the Presiding Officer for allowing me to replace my amendment at short notice. I have submitted a new one so that the Conservatives can...
Mr John Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD):
LD
Chan eil mi a' tuigsinn facal a tha an duine còir a' cantainn. Carson nach eil sinn a' faighinn eadar-theangachaidh ann an Gàidhlig bhon tha e a' bruidhinn a...
Following is the simultaneous interpretation:
LD
I do not understand a word that this kind man is saying. Why do we not have a Gaelic translation of what he is saying?
Mr Monteith:
Con
I presume that that was a point of order rather than an intervention.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Patricia Ferguson):
Lab
Yes—in which case it was out of order. Given Mr Munro's previous participation in debates, it is safe to assume that he can understand Mr Monteith.
Mr Monteith:
Con
It has often been said that what I say is unintelligible, but that is not normally because no translation is available.I want to concentrate mainly on Gaelic...
Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
A Chinn Suidhe.Feumaidh mi innse dhuibh aig an tòiseach gur e fear stiùiridh de chompanaidh telebhisean Gàidhlig beag a th' annam.Bidh sinne a' cur taice ris...
Following is the simultaneous interpretation:
SNP
I should declare an interest, as I am the director of a small Gaelic television company.The SNP will support the Executive and oppose the amendment lodged by...
Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab):
Lab
The member might be interested to know that Gaelic was last spoken in the Scottish Parliament in 1307.
Michael Russell:
SNP
Uill, seo a' chiad deasbad againn anns a' Ghàidhlig bho choinnich a' Phàrlamaid—no pàirt Pàrlamaid—ann an Airde a' Chatain ann an Earra Ghàidheal ann an trì ...
Following is the simultaneous interpretation:
SNP
Well, I think that this is the first debate in Gaelic since the Parliament, or part of it, met in Ardchattan, Argyll in 1309. King Robert the Bruce was in yo...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Patricia Ferguson):
Lab
I call John Farquhar Munro to open for the Liberal Democrats.
Mr John Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD):
LD
Feasgar math, neach-cathraich. Tha mi air leth toilichte a bhith nam phàirt dhen deasbad seo am Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. 'S e latha sònraichte tha seo, chan ann ...
Tha Tok Pisin aig nas lugha na leth-cheud mìle neach (aon sa cheud dhen mhòr-shluaigh):
ach 's e sin a' phriomh chànan a th' aca a' riaghladh na dùthcha agus ann an saoghal Malairt. Leasan ann a-sin dhuinn uile. San t-suidheachadh sin, bhiodh fo...
Following is the simultaneous interpretation:
Good afternoon, Presiding Officer and friends. I am very pleased to be taking part in this debate. This is a very special day, not only for our Gaelic langua...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
We now move to the open part of the debate. Members will have four minutes for their speeches; they should try to stick to the timetable so that we can accom...
Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab):
Lab
Tha mo nighean, Iona, dà bhliadhna an-diugh. Bhiodh m' athair, an t-Urramach Ruairidh Dòmhnallach—"Ruairidh eile"—moiteil aisde.Mar bhàrd agus sgoilear Gàidh...
Following is the simultaneous interpretation:
Lab
My daughter, Iona, is two years old today. My father, the Reverend Roddy Macdonald—"the other Roddy"—would have been proud of her. As a Gaelic poet and schol...
The member continued in English.
Lab
I belong to the generation in between. When my father learned to speak English at a primary school in North Uist, Gaelic speakers could still be found as far...
Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
Tha mi uamhasach toilichte agus pròiseil a bhith an seo an-diugh ann am Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Alba—an tìr is àlainne san Roinn Eòrpa. Gàidhlig—cànan Gàradh Ed...
Following is the simultaneous interpretation:
SNP
I am happy and proud to be here today in the Scottish Parliament. Gaelic is the language of Eden. I am sorry that I am not yet fluent in Gaelic. I hope to be...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab):
Lab
Mòran taing. Chan eil mòran Gàidhlig agam, ach tha mi glè mhòr as a' chànan aig na daoine 'on tàinig mi. Chan urrainn dhomh ach mo thaic a thoirt dhan Ghàidh...