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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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1999–2026

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Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,096,445 contributions. Latest 30 days: 3,975. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 11 Jun 2026.

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Presiding Officer’s Closing Remarks

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Digital Connectivity

Yes. Remind me, did the UK Government originally promise £5 billion, and has that been cut?

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Digital Connectivity

Minister, will you remind me what the UK Government funding commit was originally, and what is it now?

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Digital Connectivity

What was the outcome of the R100 state aid public consultation that closed in January? When will the final intervention area maps be published?

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Digital Connectivity

There is a mix. Thank you for clearing that up. Although, as you said, broadband is not devolved, BT has been issued with an updated intervention area in the north that takes account of changes in commercial roll-out plans. When will the remodelling work, with the updated inf...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Digital Connectivity

Because of the UK Government’s failure to improve broadband throughout Scotland, the Scottish Government has taken the matter on board. Am I correct in saying that?

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Committee

Digital Connectivity

My questions follow on from Colin Smyth’s questions. We need to clear this up. Broadband is not a devolved matter; it is wholly the responsibility of the UK Government. Am I correct in saying that?

Richard Lyle SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Brexit (Support for Companies)

It has been reported that exports to the EU are down by 40 per cent. Does the cabinet secretary believe that United Kingdom politicians who misled voters and firms to support Brexit should now apologise for misleading them?

8. Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Brexit (Support for Companies)

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the action it is taking to support companies that have been the most impacted by a loss of business due to Brexit. (S5O-05129)

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · European Union Withdrawal (Relationships with Non-EU Countries)

Having known Mike Russell for many years, I also wish him well. A close relationship between the UK and the EU is in everyone’s interests. Will the cabinet secretary join me in calling on the UK Government to take a more co-operative approach to its relationship with the EU i...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Covid-19 (Impact on Businesses, Workers and the Economy)

Covid-19 has had a tremendous effect on every business across the board—I would not expect otherwise. I agree with you, minister, that if we can bounce back as soon as Covid is over, that would be good.

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Covid-19 (Impact on Businesses, Workers and the Economy)

The problem is that, with Covid, a lot of firms are in flux, so I would also expect the figures to be in flux. The latest data show the impact of the pandemic on modern apprenticeships. Can you give an update on its impact on foundation and graduate apprenticeships? Have you...

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Committee

Covid-19 (Impact on Businesses, Workers and the Economy)

Will you give an update on how many apprenticeships have been supported through the apprenticeship employer grant and the adopt an apprentice scheme? How does that compare with the reduction in the number of modern apprenticeship starts due to Covid-19?

Richard Lyle SNP Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time · Economic Recovery (Overseas Workers)

I thank the First Minister for that reply and her kind comments. The past 45 years have been a blast—I say that particularly as a member of the SNP since 1966. The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that the UK population in future may be substantially smaller than o...

5. Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

First Minister’s Question Time · Economic Recovery (Overseas Workers)

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to reported concerns expressed by the construction, care and hospitality industries that a lack of overseas workers after the Covid-19 pandemic threatens economic recovery. (S5F-04889)

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Transport (Update)

As you said, cabinet secretary, it is an important airport to many people in that area. I thank you and wish you well.

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Transport (Update)

I thank the cabinet secretary for that reply. As you know, cabinet secretary, I have been resolute in defending Glasgow Prestwick airport and in suggesting that it is the jewel in the crown and should be used more. The Scottish Government had hoped to sell that airport to a p...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Transport (Update)

Other members have deviated from their questions.

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Transport (Update)

Other people have asked—

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Transport (Update)

Everybody else has asked about their areas, so I am asking about my area.

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Committee

Transport (Update)

Cabinet secretary, numerous members have asked you about roads this morning, so I, too, will mention a couple of roads. You mentioned the M8 corridor—excellent. There is noise reduction fencing along sections of the route but, when we come to the M74, we see that trees have be...

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. It is motion S5M-24260.

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Public Procurement Inquiry

That is good to hear.

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Public Procurement Inquiry

Some small companies feel that they cannot access council tender lists. How can we help small companies, in particular, in that regard?

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Public Procurement Inquiry

Has the Scottish Government given any consideration to developing standardised measures of procurement outcomes to assist in measuring the impact of the sustainable procurement duty?

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Committee

Public Procurement Inquiry

We all know that public procurement has a tremendous impact in stimulating the economy. How is the Scottish Government seeking to promote economic recovery from the Covid crisis through public procurement? Do you foresee any particular obstacles in your way?

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Climate Change Plan

I wonder what England is doing. I note that Scotland planted 80 per cent of the total and England planted only 20 per cent.

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Budget (Gender Pay Gap)

Will the cabinet secretary advise how the 2021-22 public sector pay policy can help to improve conditions and address workplace inequalities, including the gender pay gap?

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Construction and Procurement of Ferry Vessels

For the sake of time, I will ask a couple of questions together. Mr Hair, first, on your previous visit to the committee, you said you had a lot of items to fix. What is still outstanding? Are any of the ferry sections being constructed elsewhere, as was originally intended, o...

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Committee

Agriculture and Fisheries (Update)

Can I move on to a positive issue now, cabinet secretary? I welcome your announcement on new planting. As you know, during my time in Parliament I have continually advocated for more tree planting. My thanks go to forestry personnel for what they have done. Instead of 12,000 h...

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Scotland’s Recovery

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I, for one, will miss you. This will be the final time that I will give a speech in the Parliament. The past year has been horrendous for many of our citizens. It has had an impact on all sections of our society: people have lost their jobs, live...

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Scotland’s Recovery

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Affordable Homes (Target)

I would be grateful for the minister’s views on the Tory Government’s decision to slash the allocation of financial transactions and the impact that that will have on the support that is available to home buyers and the delivery of new homes.

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Committee

Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Since consensus is breaking out all over the land, in keeping with the comments of my Tory colleagues, I am quite happy not to move my amendment either. Since they have decided to change their minds and withdraw or not move their amendments, I certainly agree to do the same. ...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Before I turn to amendments 33A and 33B in my name, I think that it is important to note how similar the guest beer provision in the bill is to the dreaded beer orders of the 1980s. In 1989, licensing legislation that was passed by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Government m...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I will speak to amendments 52, 55, 56, 59, 64, 72, 73, 75, 76, 78, 79, 82 and 84. I concur with what was said about the MRO option, which does not deliver anything like parity between tenants in Scotland and tenants in England and Wales. It is nothing like the provisions that...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I listened with interest to the comments that were made about my amendment and I have taken them on board. I will not move the amendment. I am sure that Mr Rowley will be very happy. Amendment 16 not moved. Amendment 17 moved—Jeremy Balfour.

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Committee

Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Am I going to be timed? During the pandemic, it has been evident that the hospitality industry has arguably suffered the most. With lockdowns, strict restrictions and limited support, the sector has been brought to its knees. The Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill appears to want to d...

Richard Lyle SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Roads (Bad Weather)

During the past week, Scotland has faced severe snowfalls in some parts of the country. I thank all the staff who have worked to keep the country moving. What part have local councils played in ensuring that there has been minimal disruption to the roads network?

3. Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Chamber

Portfolio Question Time · Roads (Bad Weather)

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that major road routes are kept open during bad weather. (S5O-05019)

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

Thank you, cabinet secretary. Keep up the good work.

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

Yes, but if we are spending the money in the right places to grow the right things, that is also in the budget, right? I will finish off with this question. How will the pilot regional land use partnerships be funded, cabinet secretary?

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

We are coming on to one of my favourite subjects. To your credit, cabinet secretary, Scotland delivered more than 80 per cent of all new tree planting in the UK last year—we planted 22 million more trees than anyone else. Again, Scotland is punching well above its weight, so w...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

Once again, we are being short-changed. I have no further questions, convener. I think that Colin Smyth has other questions on the same subject.

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

So we are being short-changed again. Regarding the remaining EU funds from the 2014 to 2020 pillar 2 programme, the budget tables suggest that £24 million for legacy payments under the SRDP is still coming from the EU for the financial year 2021-22. Is that figure different fr...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

Good morning, cabinet secretary. The Scottish Government has cited the fact that there is a shortfall of £170 million in rural funding to 2025. Will you explain where that shortfall will be seen, what the implications will be and why it has arisen?

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

That was just to be consistent. I want to ensure that we keep important things in Scotland open, including Ferguson Marine.

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

I am coming on to the subject of another jewel in the crown that the Scottish Government has continually supported, and that is Prestwick airport. Cabinet secretary, the last time we discussed Prestwick airport, there was concern—particularly from me—that no provision for the ...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

I am sorry—you dipped out for a wee while there and I did not catch some of the last bit of what you said. I am sure that I will see it in the Official Report. Given the level of uncertainty regarding future transport trends, demand and behaviours, as Scotland moves out of th...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

We are now one year into Covid-19, which has affected our way of life. Many sectors have been affected, not least transport, which needs paying customers in order to survive. How long might the Scottish Government continue to provide coronavirus-related financial support to bu...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Subordinate Legislation

What I have to say is more of a compliment than a question. I thank the cabinet secretary on behalf of showmen and showpeople, who, in normal times, would set up fairs in areas that will become low-emission zones. As a result of Covid-19, they have not worked since last March,...

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Committee

European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018

With regard to item 3, on low-emission zones, I declare that I am the convener of the cross-party group on the Scottish Showmen’s Guild.

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

I think that David Wilson wants to come in on the young persons guarantee.

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

I have not personally thanked you for the help that you gave to showpeople, and I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank you for that. In the light of the pandemic, does the Government intend to review any of the statistical measures for performance or to develop any...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

Thank you. In the budget documents, the Scottish Government says: “we will extend Fair Work criteria to as many funding streams, business support grants and public contracts as we can”. Can you provide more detail on that? Will adherence to the fair work criteria become a c...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2021-22

Always, convener. Cabinet secretary, can we clear up a wee myth? Do you agree that any money that we get from the UK Government, including the £1.1 billion, is not a gift or a hand-out—as some people portray it—but our cashback?

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Climate Change Plan

That is an excellent insight into what a green job is.

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP Committee

Climate Change Plan

I, too, will be quick. I will group my questions together. Good morning, minister. Scotland has a significant advantage, in terms of engineering expertise and geological storage, when it comes to carbon capture and storage, but how can Scotland capture the economic and transi...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Travelling Funfairs (Licensing) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I think that, earlier, someone said that they were on a council. I was a councillor for 36 years and as far as I am concerned councillors can have a role. I encourage community councils to get involved, too. We need showmen to be able to sit down with councils and perhaps comm...

Richard Lyle SNP Committee

Travelling Funfairs (Licensing) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I thank the convener and committee for their time.

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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 24 March 2021

24 Mar 2021 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Presiding Officer’s Closing Remarks

Lyle, Richard SNP Uddingston and Bellshill Watch on SPTV

Any time.

In the same item of business

The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA

Thank you, colleagues. I thank Richard Lyle for voting for that motion single-handedly.

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP

The Presiding Officer NPA

You can rest easy. I will not use my remarks to settle old scores, real or imaginary, despite encouragement from some mischievous colleagues. I am here to th...