Hansard

Stuart McMillan (Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Stuart McMillan, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.

The Convener SNP Committee

24 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

I think that everyone knows that.I also thank the clerking and legal teams. Your work is excellent and it helps us, as MSPs, to do our job. It is fair to say that many people probably underestimate the role of this committee, possibly because they do not fully understand it. H...

The Convener SNP Committee

24 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

Before we move on to the private part of the meeting, I will say a few things, as this is the final meeting of this parliamentary session. I will deal with the MSPs in the first instance. I thank past and present committee members—it has been a privilege to work with you all. ...

The Convener SNP Committee

24 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

Is the committee content that no reporting grounds are engaged?Members indicated agreement.

The Convener SNP Committee

24 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

Under agenda item 2, we are considering three instruments, on which no issues have been raised.

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Water Supply and Waste Water Treatment Services

In Scotland, public ownership means that Scottish Water is run for public benefit rather than lining shareholders’ pockets. Can the cabinet secretary provide an update on how Scottish Water’s performance as a publicly owned corporation compares with the levels of service that ...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

19 Mar 2026

First Minister’s Question Time · Glasgow Central Station (Businesses)

I echo the First Minister’s comments regarding the work over the past week.The tragic events that we all watched unfold serve as a stark reminder not only of the need to protect Scotland’s historic buildings but of how fragile our public transport network can be in some areas....

4. Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

19 Mar 2026

First Minister’s Question Time · Glasgow Central Station (Businesses)

To ask the First Minister, following the Union Street fire in Glasgow, what discussions the Scottish Government has had with Network Rail regarding the organisation having a greater say over what types of businesses can be located in close vicinity to key transport hubs such a...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

First, I pay tribute to Liam McArthur for how he has conducted himself, and to him and his team for how they have gone about taking forward the bill. It is clear that a huge amount of time and effort, and passion, has been put into it, so I thank him very much for that.This is...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill

The bill is important, as the sector that we are looking to regulate has grown vastly in recent years. Today, the Parliament is being asked to support crucial legislation that will provide many safeguards to protect consumers.Since the issue was first raised with me by my cons...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I lodged an amendment at stage 2 that introduced section 15A to the bill. However, after discussion with the minister, I would like to replace it with the more comprehensive provision in amendment 28, which covers what I actually want to establish. I thank the minister for wor...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Topical Question Time · Access to Dental Care (Adults)

What assessment has the minister made of how harmful labour policies on immigration are to the dentistry sector in particular? As we know, the United Kingdom Labour Government is determined to lurch further to the right than even the Tories were when it comes to immigration po...

The Convener SNP Committee

17 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

That concludes the public part of the meeting.10:04Meeting continued in private until 10:09.

The Convener SNP Committee

17 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

In relation to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 (Commencement No 3) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/115 (C 10)), does the committee wish to note that the Scottish Government proposes to correct an error identified in the explanatory note at the earliest opportunity?Members indicated...

The Convener SNP Committee

17 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

Is the committee content that no reporting grounds are engaged?Members indicated agreement.

The Convener SNP Committee

17 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

Also under this agenda item, no points have been raised on the following instruments.

The Convener SNP Committee

17 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

Does the committee wish to note that these issues have been corrected by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No 2, Transitional Provision and Revocation) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/125 (C13)), which is also before the committee today?Members indicated agreement.

The Convener SNP Committee

17 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

This instrument would have commenced various provisions of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and made transitional provision.In correspondence with the Scottish Government, published alongside the papers for this meeting, the committee asked about the enabling powers being cited by...

The Convener SNP Committee

17 Mar 2026

Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure

Under agenda item 3, we are considering seven instruments. An issue has been raised on the following instrument.

The Convener SNP Committee

17 Mar 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

This instrument provides a temporary non-domestic rates relief for certain hospitality-related properties and live music venues, and introduces a specific transitional relief for self-catering holiday accommodation. The instrument was laid on 10 March and comes into force on 3...

The Convener SNP Committee

17 Mar 2026

Instruments subject to Negative Procedure

Under agenda item 2, we are considering one instrument, on which an issue has been raised.

The Convener (Stuart McMillan) SNP Committee

17 Mar 2026

Decision on Taking Business in Private

Welcome to the 11th meeting in 2026 of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. I remind everyone to switch off, or put to silent, their mobile phones and other electronic devices.Agenda item 1 is a decision on taking business in private. Does the committee agree to take...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

13 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Amendments 279 and 290 would strengthen the reporting duties in section 24 by removing the vague qualifier“in so far as known to Public Health Scotland”and replacing it with a clear obligation on Public Health Scotland to“take all reasonable steps to obtain, verify and … asses...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I have constituents who are on both sides of the debate and who want a referendum on the issue. In proposing this amendment I am representing my constituents, and I am happy to do so.I press amendment 112.

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Mr Brown is right. There is no scrutiny function after the section 104 process, so this Parliament cannot change anything after that stage. As I indicated on a couple of occasions yesterday, traditionally, the section 104 order process would take up to 18 months after a bill h...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

As I indicated earlier, the purpose of the amendment is for the holding of a referendum to be considered in the first place. As we know in this Parliament, when a referendum is to be held, a range of other activities needs to take place to make it happen. From my consideration...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Hold on—let me finish my point.Jamie Hepburn will be very aware that the Parliament has struck down legislation in the past—I give the example of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. That might or might not be something that w...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

My understanding of Jamie Hepburn’s position is that there is a question about what would happen if the issue were to fail at a referendum. He alluded to that earlier in his comments, and that is what I took from it. If it were to pass at a referendum, the bill would be fully ...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am about to speak to Jamie Hepburn’s points, but I will let him go first.

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On Liam McArthur’s final points, I note that I did not previously highlight what I am receiving in my inbox, including from my constituents. Mr McArthur mentioned a range of figures with regard to public support. From the perspective of my office, the ratio of people who are a...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

No. I purposely did not provide that, because I feel that, when it comes to referendums, the aspect of democracy and having the opportunity for the public to have their say far outweighs the argument about the cost. That was one of the considerations that the Government mentio...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I will take an intervention from Mr Briggs in a wee moment.This issue is engaging many people across the country. I feel that, if we do not have the opportunity to have a referendum in the future on the bill and the section 104 provisions after they pass through Westminster—pr...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I thank Mr Mason for his comments, and I do not disagree. The purpose of the amendment and the timescale would allow for that length of time.As I indicated in my opening comments, the section 104 process would normally take up to 18 months after the stage 3 process finished in...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I thank Paul O’Kane for raising those points. I do not disagree with his comments about the Republic of Ireland; that certainly highlights an approach. I will play with one constitutional point—the fact that, although there are some limitations on this Parliament’s powers, I d...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Sadly, I have been on the losing side of the two referendums that I campaigned in, but the concept of referendums is important. They are a valuable tool for democracy. Just because there is no long history of having them across these islands does not mean that they are a bad t...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Certainly. As we know, there is no written constitution across these islands. I would gently push back to Dr Allan that the constitution that applies in these islands is not really worth the paper that it is not written on.What I am proposing is to allow the public to have the...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I absolutely do. I understand that sentiment.I tried to keep the constitutional element out of my proposal. I wanted to focus on the section 104 order process, because constituents, irrespective of their constitutional view—there are those who have the same view as the Deputy ...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The amendment is about the general aspect of having a referendum. I absolutely appreciate and accept that, afterwards, further dialogue and discussion would be needed. However, this issue is of fundamental importance in the eyes of the many people in my constituency who have b...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I will focus my comments on amendment 112, because it is distinct from the other amendments in the group. Amendment 112 would provide for a referendum on the bill to be held no later than 7 November 2028. I chose that date to allow the section 104 order process to be completed...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am sorry—I requested to speak by accident.

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Amendments 12 to 16, in my name, have been submitted following discussion with Liam McArthur after stage 2, when I proposed amendments on behalf of the Salvation Army. I thank Mr McArthur for his engagement and for working to deliver the amendments.Amendments 12 to 16 would pr...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Police (Mental Health-related Calls)

The cabinet secretary has touched on some of these points, but can she outline what further work is being done through improvements such as the distress brief intervention programme and the increased investment in mental health to get people the right care when they need it an...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Can the cabinet secretary provide some information with regard to why the process for this bill is different from the process for previous bills that the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee has considered? Those bills were non-contentious and very technical, and we were ...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I will refer to the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee once again. Earlier in the session, two Scottish Law Commission bills came through the Parliament and section 104 orders were required. Those are now the Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Act 2023 and the Trusts and ...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Oh, sorry. I thought the Presiding Officer called me.

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On the point about—

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Will the member take an intervention?

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The section 104 process has regularly been discussed by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee, and I am sure that Mr Balfour would agree that we have consistently been told that the process would start only at the end, after stage 3 has been completed, and that it woul...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Will the member accept an intervention?

The Convener SNP Committee

10 Mar 2026

Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026

That concludes the public part of the meeting.10:01Meeting continued in private until 10:02.

The Convener SNP Committee

10 Mar 2026

Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026

Under agenda item 3, we are considering motion S6M-20942, relating to the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (Modifications) Resolution 2026.Is the committee content that no reporting grounds are engaged?Members indicated agreement.

The Convener SNP Committee

10 Mar 2026

Instruments subject to Affirmative Procedure

Is the committee content that no reporting grounds are engaged?Members indicated agreement.

The Convener SNP Committee

10 Mar 2026

Instruments subject to Affirmative Procedure

Under agenda item 2, we are considering one instrument, on which no points have been raised.

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Ferries

It was private ownership.

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Ferries

First, I apologise to you, Presiding Officer, to Richard Leonard and to members in the chamber for my part in the sedentary discussion earlier.I, too, want to mention Fiona Hyslop, particularly as this is her final debate in the chamber, as Kenny Gibson mentioned. She is one o...

Stuart McMillan SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Royal Mail (Patient Correspondence)

The cabinet secretary will be aware that I raised the issue with the First Minister just prior to Christmas. Unfortunately, some of my constituents’ mail deliveries are still sporadic, meaning that they often receive large bundles rather than regular deliveries. Some say that ...

5. Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

04 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Royal Mail (Patient Correspondence)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on any discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding the implementation of the Royal Mail national health service-specific barcode system to ensure that appointment letters, test results and...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

03 Mar 2026

Ferguson Marine

I thank the Deputy First Minister for what is an outstanding announcement and show of support for our yard and my community. It will be welcomed by the workforce, their families and all of Inverclyde. I pay particular tribute to Alex Logan, the GMB shop steward, who has been t...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP Chamber

03 Mar 2026

Ferries and Ports

I thank the cabinet secretary for the excellent announcement of the direct award of two vessels to Ferguson Marine. Given the position in which the United Kingdom Government budget has left Scotland, I am proud that the SNP Government remains committed to continued investment ...