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Hansard

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.

129

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415

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2,095,827

Hansard contributions

1999–2026

Coverage span

Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,095,827 contributions. Latest 30 days: 2,655. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 09 Jun 2026.

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Motion of No Confidence

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to access the app. I would have voted no.

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Clyde Mission Division

Thank you very much.

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Clyde Mission Division

The initiative is welcome. It is well overdue and I am grateful that it is taking place now; it is a good thing. What is the Government doing to ensure that the public spend on the upcoming loch class ferry replacement is used to attract inward investment and to bring knowledg...

1. Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Clyde Mission Division

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Clyde mission division has received any response from outwith the country to the call by the economy secretary for ideas “to make the river an engine of sustainable and inclusive growth for Glasgow, the region and Scotland”. (S5O-05130)

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Clydebank Blitz (80th Anniversary)

This is my final speech to Parliament. Before I turn to the substance of my speech, I take the opportunity to say a few words of thanks. First, I thank my wife, Sheila, my son, Glen, and my daughter, Lucy, for all their support, which has allowed me to be here in the first p...

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am afraid that my app would not load. I would have voted yes.

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to vote; I would have voted yes.

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer—yet again, I would have voted no.

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am afraid that I could not vote again. I would have voted no.

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to vote yet again. I would have voted no.

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was not able to vote. I would have voted no.

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am sorry about this, but again I was unable to vote. I would have voted no.

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am afraid that I was unable to tune in again. I would have voted no.

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Presiding Officer, I was unable to access the app. I am still struggling to do it now. I would have voted no.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Scottish Parliament Practices and Procedures

I did not intend to come in on this, but it is very refreshing to hear Graeme Dey being very open and honest about these matters, and I am retiring. There is a problem in that the Parliament’s membership is still the same size as it was when the Parliament opened. It is obvio...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Yes, if you do not mind. It is in relation to an answer that Graeme Dey gave to Neil Findlay. The minister pointed out that there has already been an uptake in applications for postal votes. There was previously some concern that there might be a rush at the last moment to reg...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

I am sorry—I was referring to the emergency proxy. I am more interested in the emergency provisions at the moment, but thanks. That is a good answer.

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

I think that my question has mostly been answered already. That response was helpful, and I am supportive of the order. However, I can see a situation possibly arising on the day of the election. My question is about a change of proxy. If the proxy was a key worker and their e...

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Standards (Sexual Harassment and Complaints Process) Bill: Stage 3

Once the Scottish Parliamentary Standards (Sexual Harassment and Complaints Process) Bill is passed at stage 3, it will make significant changes to shortcomings in the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002, which we have been working under since the early days...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Thank you. I have had a good kick at the ball, convener, but, if we have time, I would like to come in later on another point.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I appreciate those answers. How is it envisaged that disabled children and young people would be identified by the local authority, particularly those for whose education the local authority is not responsible?

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Perhaps someone in your team could come in on that matter. I agree with the sentiments expressed. However, with regard to having a plan prepared in the event of a local authority move or someone coming from outside Scotland, the bill is a bit loose. How do you tighten up that ...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

If a disabled person moves to another local authority area before the age of 26, what would be the responsibility on the new local authority to prepare a plan if one does not already exist? What would happen if, for example, the person had arrived from outside Scotland or a pl...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I note that you said that it will be up to the child or the families to decide whether they want a transitions plan.

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I have questions on councils’ responsibilities for preparing plans and eligibility. Is it the intention that the duty would be to prepare a plan for every disabled person in the local authority area between the ages of 18 and 25—in other words, when they leave school?

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

I thank the First Minister for her update and note that, rightly, no set dates for easing lockdown restrictions have been given in the new framework, although all the timescales are easing—Inaudible.—if the process set out today can be accelerated in any way?

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Public Appointments

My main concern has been that we are missing a trick for the folks on lower income. By definition, they are poor and not getting a chance, so I am pleased that the cabinet secretary said that she would take that away. That is great, and I take her point. The point that Neil Fi...

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Committee

Public Appointments

Good morning. I am fortunate in a way because my constituency is split in two: I have the highest-paid people in the one postcode in Scotland and, in the other part of my constituency, I have some of the lowest-paid people. The experiences in those two parts of my constituency...

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Coronavirus Acts Report

The coronavirus legislation introduced important measures to enable our justice system to continue to function while taking account of the public health challenges presented by the pandemic. Will the cabinet secretary provide an update as to how those measures have helped our ...

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Food and Drink Industry (Brexit)

The trade dispute between the UK and the USA is having an adverse impact on the Scotch whisky industry, which had absolutely nothing to do with the cause of the dispute. There is a distillery in my constituency, and some of my constituents work at others that are a few miles a...

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Workers’ Rights Post-Brexit

The news that the United Kingdom Government is reviewing how UK and European Union employment rights protections could be changed after Brexit is concerning, is it not? We have only to look at our fishing industry to see that it is clear that the UK Government will break any p...

1. Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Workers’ Rights Post-Brexit

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its engagement with trade unions and the United Kingdom Government regarding workers’ rights post-Brexit. (S5O-04953)

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

Post-mortem Examinations (Defence Time Limit) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I will address issues that have been raised in the debate. First, though, it would be remiss of me not to thank everyone in the Parliament’s non-Government bills unit for their sterling assistance with my bill over a long period of time. I also thank all the representatives of...

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Post-mortem Examinations (Defence Time Limit) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I am delighted to open the debate on the general principles of the Post-mortem Examinations (Defence Time Limit) (Scotland) Bill. The bill has been a long time in the making. I began it quite some time ago, in 2016, following a meeting with my constituent Pamela Munro, whose 1...

Gil Paterson SNP Chamber

UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am not entirely sure that I was able to vote. My screen had frozen, so I went back to basics and refreshed, but I do not know whether I made it in time. I would have voted no.

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The screen on my phone did not renew, but I would have voted no.

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Committee

Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill: Stage 2

I have a similar concern. We are told that we are looking at a take-up of under 40 per cent and that we are preparing for take-up of 50 per cent. My concern is that, if we overpublicise postal voting, we might put fear in people’s minds that there are dangers involved in turni...

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Scottish Parliamentary Standards (Sexual Harassment and Complaints Process) Bill: Stage 1

The bill is an important piece of legislation that will bring about major changes to the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002, in that some of the limitations of the previous legislation will be withdrawn and replaced with a much more robust and transparent p...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland

I have covered the points that I wanted to raise.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland

My question is on that point. I notice that table 6 in the annual report shows a slight improvement in the situation, with numbers of appointments of people on low earnings coming up and those of people on higher earnings going down, if I am reading that right. I take the poin...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland

Thank you for that. That was very clear.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland

Yes, it does, to some extent, but if we were to change our practice by informing the public that utterances on social media now come under the code, would that attract malicious complaints based on an MSP’s political opinion on a given matter, which is different from how they ...

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Committee

Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland

Good morning to the commissioner and Ian Bruce. It is nice to see you both. You mentioned the fact that social media attracted a considerable number of complaints in relation to one member. At the present time, complaints about social media are not part of the code of conduct...

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill: Stage 1

The Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill is a vitally important piece of legislation in these difficult and unpredictable times. It will ensure that, in all circumstances, our democratic processes are protected and next year’s elections are fair and seen to be fair. In...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

It is for the running of the process. I understand.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

So it is more of an administrative change.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

These questions concern the printing of the party name on the regional ballot papers. The draft order makes provision for the printing of the names of political parties in capital letters and contains a range of other provisions that will alter the arrangements for the adminis...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

That was a good answer, thank you.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

That is the point that I was getting to. In normal circumstances, the sky was the limit and you could fit in as many as you liked, more or less. However, the coronavirus situation will determine the number based on the available space, not the maths.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

How does coronavirus affect that?

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

So, in reality, there would be a division of the space.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Is the limit not set according to the space?

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

I am trying to get my heard around it. I can do the maths, but I cannot work out how the physical presence of that number of people will be dealt with if space is constrained. Is there a limit to the number that is in the hands of the people who are in control at the count?

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

The order amends the provision relating to the minimum number of counting agents who have to be appointed by the returning officer. Can you explain the rationale behind the proposal to set a minimum number of counting agents per individual candidate and party?

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill: Stage 1

My question is about proxy voting. My experience is that a large number of people who use a postal ballet would not automatically use a proxy vote. I hope that we will not be in a situation in which a lot more people need to self-isolate, but I think that that would exacerbate...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill: Stage 1

That is very clear, minister; thank you.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill: Stage 1

I will make a slight deviation; my question is with regard to the issue of the election being held on consecutive days. The bill talks about allocating different times to people for voting. In my experience, there is a natural rhythm to an election and who votes when shows up ...

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill: Stage 1

That is a good point.

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill: Stage 1

Is Friday not also a religious day for quite a large community?

Gil Paterson SNP Committee

Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill: Stage 1

I follow—okay.

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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 23 March 2021

23 Mar 2021 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Motion of No Confidence

Paterson, Gil SNP Clydebank and Milngavie Watch on SPTV

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to access the app. I would have voted no.

In the same item of business

The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-24292, in the name of Ruth Davidson, on a motion of no confidence. Members should note that I will put th...

Ruth Davidson (Edinburgh Central) (Con) Con

We are here today because a former First Minister was accused of sexually harassing members of staff in a Government that he was there not only to lead but t...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Ruth Davidson Con

They are the members who are sitting behind the First Minister and who are now catcalling from a sedentary position. Interruption.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Ruth Davidson Con

Yesterday, we publicly accepted the Hamilton report. For days, others have rejected the committee’s report. We note that Hamilton was crystal clear that the ...

The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon) SNP

Wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity—those are the values inscribed on our mace and each and every one of us has a duty to uphold them. Before I address...

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

Earlier today, we held a minute’s silence on the steps outside the chamber to remember all those who have lost their lives over the past year and all those g...

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD

Scottish politics today does not look pretty, with talk of lynching and assassination; the leaking of the private evidence of complainants; the lodging of mo...

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green

This situation began with an extremely serious issue: the mishandling of an investigation into sexual harassment allegations. I honestly wish that everyone’s...

Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP) SNP

James Hamilton’s independent investigation has finally reported. It has unambiguously cleared the First Minister of all charges that she breached the ministe...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

I am proud to have been a member of the Scottish Parliament since its inception, just like the Presiding Officer and the First Minister—a member of the class...

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (John Swinney) SNP

It is my privilege to close the debate for the Government, and to encourage Parliament to reject this baseless motion from the Conservatives. At the heart of...

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

Tomorrow, every seat in the Parliament becomes vacant again. All business in the chamber comes to an end, after which we await the verdict of the voters on 6...

The Presiding Officer NPA

John Swinney SNP

Will the member give way?

Liz Smith Con

I will not. When political commentaries are written these days, it is often said that politicians have sunk low in people’s esteem; that there is a diminishe...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Please, Mr Swinney.

Liz Smith Con

If Mr Swinney is going to make comments, I would be grateful if he could just listen to the next point. I hope that the First Minister will reflect on the f...

The Presiding Officer NPA

That concludes the debate on a motion of no confidence, and we will go straight to the vote. The question is, that motion S5M-24292, in the name of Ruth Dav...

The Presiding Officer NPA

There will be a division. We will suspend for five minutes to allow members in both the chamber and the virtual chamber to access the voting app. 16:02 Meet...

The Presiding Officer NPA

We are back in session and we will move straight to the vote. The question is, that motion S5M-24292, in the name of Ruth Davidson, on a motion of no confid...

Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP) SNP

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to access the app. I would have voted no.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Thank you, Mr Paterson. Your vote will be added to the vote roll. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Ballantyne, Michelle (South Scotland) (Reform) Bowm...

The Presiding Officer NPA

The result of the division on motion S5M-24292, in the name of Ruth Davidson, on a motion of no confidence, is: For 31, Against 65, Abstentions 27. Motion d...

The Presiding Officer NPA

We will move to the next item of business. I remind all members who need to leave the chamber at this stage to follow the one-way systems, to wear their mask...