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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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2,096,228
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1999–2026
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Showing 60 of 2,096,228 contributions. Latest 30 days: 3,758. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 11 Jun 2026.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · NHS Tayside (Recruitment Freeze)
I find deeply disappointing the idea that the Government does not have any position on a recruitment freeze in NHS Tayside for critical posts involved in care. The cabinet secretary should know that there are significant delays—for instance, in gynaecological care and women’s ...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
11 Jun 2026
General Question Time · NHS Tayside (Recruitment Freeze)
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact of NHS Tayside’s recruitment freeze on patient care and waiting times across Dundee and the wider Tayside region. (S7O-00051)
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
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 g...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Screen Sector
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, and he rightly highlighted his own constituency’s particular assets in that respect.The sector makes a significant cont...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Public Trust in Scottish Politics
That is not true.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Public Trust in Scottish Politics
I appreciate the minister giving way. Would he not recognise that there is a question of public money paid in Short money to the SNP? There are questions of public policy that must be addressed, where it is not just the SNP that is the victim, as the minister asserts.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Public Trust in Scottish Politics
Will the minister give way?
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Public Trust in Scottish Politics
Will the minister give way?
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
10 Jun 2026
Portfolio Question Time · Earnings Growth
The Deputy First Minister said that she met the Institute for Fiscal Studies last week to understand what learnings the Government might take. Will she tell us what those learnings are?
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
04 Jun 2026
Wealth Taxation for Public Services
I would certainly have to differ with Mr McKee on some of the analysis. The demand on our public services is recognised. It is clear from many reports by the Scottish Fiscal Commission that demand on public services and the requirements on them in meeting, for example, the cos...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
04 Jun 2026
Wealth Taxation for Public Services
No, thank you. I am just getting started.We might all wish that the process would involve addressing the drug deaths crisis, which is the worst in the developed world and is more than three times worse than it is in other parts of the UK, where the same drug laws apply. We mig...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
04 Jun 2026
Wealth Taxation for Public Services
Labour welcomes the early opportunity to debate the scale of the fiscal challenge that the SNP has created for Scotland. The £4.7 billion gap between the spending trajectory that has been set by the Government and the income that the Scottish Fiscal Commission has projected wi...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
04 Jun 2026
Wealth Taxation for Public Services
No—the tax advisory group.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
04 Jun 2026
Wealth Taxation for Public Services
I appreciate that the Deputy First Minister has given way. In these matters, she and her predecessors have taken advice from a tax advisory group. Can she update us on the status of that group? Will it be maintained, and when will it next meet?
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
04 Jun 2026
Wealth Taxation for Public Services
Will the Deputy First Minister take an intervention?
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
04 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Access to Justice (Patients of Sam Eljamel)
I thank the cabinet secretary for her understanding of the issue. The time bar was set aside by NHS Tayside, which is allowing victims to have the chance of justice. Will the cabinet secretary meet me, victims and Willie Rennie MSP to discuss how we can get to the bottom of th...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
04 Jun 2026
General Question Time · Access to Justice (Patients of Sam Eljamel)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether there should be parity of access to justice for all former patients affected by the actions of Sam Eljamel, regardless of whether treatment was received through NHS Tayside or privately. (S7O-00018)
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
02 Jun 2026
First Minister’s Question Time
Both my party and the First Minister’s party are committed to vital support for ambitious capital works at Dundee and Angus College. The college leadership has waited for years for the Government to agree to a solution, and I can now confirm that the deadline to address reinfo...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
02 Jun 2026
First Minister’s Question Time
Both my party and the First Minister’s party are committed to vital support for ambitious capital works at Dundee and Angus College. The college leadership has waited for years for the Government to agree to a solution, and I can now confirm that the deadline to address reinfo...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
I will tell the member why. We know that our North Sea assets, in which Russian submarines have threatened cabling in recent weeks, must be a defence priority. The extraction of Scotland from the UK defence capacity would require those further costs to be met at a time when in...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
Not at the moment.Mr Massey’s point on Spain was well made, but I would take it a step further. He made a point about overreliance on intermittent capacity. However, Spain’s system failed because of frequency regulation, which was the inability to maintain a 50Hz current that ...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
Surely not. However, what I have read of it, I did not like. I can leave that for Mr Harvie, and perhaps we can compare notes on it.If I can come back to Mr Massey’s contribution—
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
I have not read the piece by Tony Blair, but—
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
No, thank you.North-east communities are acutely aware of the impact of climate change in this country, whether in regard to the crumbling sandstone in Dundee or the displaced people of Brechin. Climate change needs a solution urgently.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
Excuse me—not at the moment.Man-made or human-made climate change is real, and it is devastating communities around the world. It is driving resource competition, and it is one of the key causes of migration, with which Mr Massey’s party is so obsessed.
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
I will dispense with further sickly warm words for the minister—perhaps, like us, Mr Gethins, it is all getting a little bit old.I very much enjoyed the many first speeches from new members today. I make particular mention of Heather Anderson—the more Dundee the better. I am s...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
I, too, welcome the minister to his position. I consider him a friend and am delighted to see him in his place.The minister spent the election campaign talking about how independence could deliver taking a third off energy bills in Scotland. Can he tell us how?
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
Will the minister give way?
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
I will tell the member why. We know that our North Sea assets, in which Russian submarines have threatened cabling in recent weeks, must be a defence priority. The extraction of Scotland from the UK defence capacity would require those further costs to be met at a time when in...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
Not at the moment.Mr Massey’s point on Spain was well made, but I would take it a step further. He made a point about overreliance on intermittent capacity. However, Spain’s system failed because of frequency regulation, which was the inability to maintain a 50Hz current that ...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
Surely not. However, what I have read of it, I did not like. I can leave that for Mr Harvie, and perhaps we can compare notes on it.If I can come back to Mr Massey’s contribution—
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
I have not read the piece by Tony Blair, but—
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
No, thank you.North-east communities are acutely aware of the impact of climate change in this country, whether in regard to the crumbling sandstone in Dundee or the displaced people of Brechin. Climate change needs a solution urgently.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
Excuse me—not at the moment.Man-made or human-made climate change is real, and it is devastating communities around the world. It is driving resource competition, and it is one of the key causes of migration, with which Mr Massey’s party is so obsessed.
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
I will dispense with further sickly warm words for the minister—perhaps, like us, Mr Gethins, it is all getting a little bit old.I very much enjoyed the many first speeches from new members today. I make particular mention of Heather Anderson—the more Dundee the better. I am s...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
I, too, welcome the minister to his position. I consider him a friend and am delighted to see him in his place.The minister spent the election campaign talking about how independence could deliver taking a third off energy bills in Scotland. Can he tell us how?
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
28 May 2026
Scotland’s Energy
Will the minister give way?
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I am afraid that the Presiding Officer is nodding at me, so I will have to end my remarks there, but I thank members for this initial debate.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I know that Mr Kerr shares my concern for the education system in this country and agrees that we want it to be improved and returned to its previous glories. Scotland’s decline in international league tables has been a cause of great concern for many people in the country.The...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I give way to Mr Kerr.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
Are we getting time back under the new regime?
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
That certainly plays a role, and expanding the workforce can do that, but the basis of our growth in Scotland over the past 40 years has been additional inputs rather than innovation or total factor productivity growth.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I am sorry, Mr Kerr, but I will take Meghan Gallacher first.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I will do so in a moment. The things that have bedevilled our economic growth in this country have been issues of productivity as well as issues of labour force participation.
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I begin my first speech of the parliamentary session with broad congratulations to the many people who have to be congratulated. I will not list them all, but they certainly include the front benchers of the Government, who have won a handsome victory in the election just pass...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
Does the member share my concerns that the initial costings that were set out for the policy seemed to be based on a lower level of uptake than the equivalent level in the rest of the UK? In developing the costings for the policy, we are assuming that, for the earliest years, ...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I am afraid that the Presiding Officer is nodding at me, so I will have to end my remarks there, but I thank members for this initial debate.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I know that Mr Kerr shares my concern for the education system in this country and agrees that we want it to be improved and returned to its previous glories. Scotland’s decline in international league tables has been a cause of great concern for many people in the country.The...
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I give way to Mr Kerr.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
Are we getting time back under the new regime?
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
That certainly plays a role, and expanding the workforce can do that, but the basis of our growth in Scotland over the past 40 years has been additional inputs rather than innovation or total factor productivity growth.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I am sorry, Mr Kerr, but I will take Meghan Gallacher first.
Michael Marra Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I will do so in a moment. The things that have bedevilled our economic growth in this country have been issues of productivity as well as issues of labour force participation.
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
I begin my first speech of the parliamentary session with broad congratulations to the many people who have to be congratulated. I will not list them all, but they certainly include the front benchers of the Government, who have won a handsome victory in the election just pass...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
27 May 2026
Childcare
Does the member share my concerns that the initial costings that were set out for the policy seemed to be based on a lower level of uptake than the equivalent level in the rest of the UK? In developing the costings for the policy, we are assuming that, for the earliest years, ...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
14 May 2026
Oaths and Affirmations
I, Michael Marra, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
14 May 2026
Oaths and Affirmations
I, Michael Marra, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
14 May 2026
Oaths and Affirmations
I, Michael Marra, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
19 Mar 2026
General Question Time · Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments (NHS Tayside)
The move to separate autism spectrum disorder assessments from mental health services is more than a simple clinical distinction. I understand the motivation for separate pathways that the minister has set out, but I have been working with a young boy who has been on the child...
Michael Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab Chamber
17 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
When I was elected in 2021, I was undecided on the issue of assisted dying, although I knew that a decision was likely to be made on it in the current session of Parliament. Over the five years of this session, I have learned from colleagues and constituents that being a membe...
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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 11 June 2026 [Last updated 14:48]

11 Jun 2026 · S7 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
General Question Time
NHS Tayside (Recruitment Freeze)
Marra, Michael Lab North East Scotland Watch on SPTV

I find deeply disappointing the idea that the Government does not have any position on a recruitment freeze in NHS Tayside for critical posts involved in care. The cabinet secretary should know that there are significant delays—for instance, in gynaecological care and women’s health—across NHS Tayside, which is just one example of many shortfalls. What will the Government do to ensure that health boards are not put in the position of having widespread recruitment freezes that impact on patient care?

In the same item of business