Hansard

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, David Herd Torrance, 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.

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, David Herd Torrance, 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.

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, David Herd Torrance, 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.

David Torrance SNP Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Social Housing Waiting Lists (Kirkcaldy)

Given the sustained pressure on social housing waiting lists in the Kirkcaldy constituency, will the cabinet secretary outline how the Scottish Government can ensure that local authorities make full and effective use of the resources that are available to them, particularly in...

5. David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

25 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Social Housing Waiting Lists (Kirkcaldy)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking in light of reports of increasing pressure on social housing waiting lists in the Kirkcaldy constituency, including how it plans to support local authorities and housing associations to expand the availability of affordab...

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Adoption Support for Families

I begin by thanking Fulton MacGregor for bringing this important discussion on adoption support in Scotland to the chamber. This debate is an opportunity to reflect on the experiences of adoptive families and to consider how our national system continues to grow and improve. I...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

Continued Petitions

I fully agree with the suggestion that has been made. This is an issue that the committee in the next session of Parliament should explore and hear from both sides on. I have to say that I am not very hopeful about the representations from NatureScot, but I am quite happy for ...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

Continued Petitions

In the light of the evidence, I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that Police Scotland is working to align recording systems to capture ethnicity data for suspects; the issue of data collection is ...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

Continued Petitions

I think that the petitioner has achieved her aims. I wonder whether we can now close the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders on the basis that the Scottish Government has committed to establishing a public inquiry into Scotland’s response to group-based child sexual ab...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

Continued Petitions

I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, given the Scottish Government’s position that it would not be lawful to employ a policy of automatic exclusion without considering the individual circumstances of each case, ...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

Continued Petitions

I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the Scottish Government has suggested that setting a timetable for delivery is dependent on the completion of preparatory work, including the approval of a ...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

Continued Petitions

I, too, am happy to keep the petition open.

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

Continued Petitions

The evidence is pretty sound that the UK National Screening Committee will not move its position, and the Government is sticking to what it is saying. I suggest that we close the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the UK National Screening Committee...

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Committee

11 Mar 2026

Continued Petitions

This petition has had substantial work done on it, not only by the committee but by the Deputy First Minister, but I still feel that there are avenues that we could explore. Therefore, it is one of the few petitions that I would like to be taken forward into the next session. ...

David Torrance SNP Committee

10 Mar 2026

Public Health Scotland

I have no further questions, convener.

David Torrance SNP Committee

10 Mar 2026

Public Health Scotland

Is there a gap between evidence and practice in public health? Do we lack evidence to help practice?

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Committee

10 Mar 2026

Public Health Scotland

Good morning, everyone. What is the status of the public health priorities that were published in 2018, and what progress has been made against them?

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

05 Mar 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Tenanted Properties (West Wemyss and Denbeath)

I am sure that we all share deep concern regarding the on-going situation in West Wemyss and Denbeath. Can the cabinet secretary advise what engagement she and her officials have had with Fife Council to offer support and monitor any further developments?

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

05 Mar 2026

Disabled People’s Representation in Scottish Democracy

Does Jeremy Balfour agree that the parties could emphasise the list system in the Scottish Parliament as a great way for disabled people to get higher up the party system, and that it is a great way for parties to give them priority?

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

03 Mar 2026

Ferguson Marine

As the Deputy First Minister set out, Ferguson Marine has seen welcome improvements in governance and reporting, and, alongside today’s significant announcement, it is essential that that trend continues. Will the Deputy First Minister let us know what steps the Scottish Gover...

David Torrance SNP Committee

03 Mar 2026

Sport and Physical Activity

:No problem. Thank you.

David Torrance SNP Committee

03 Mar 2026

Sport and Physical Activity

:Can I ask one final question, convener?

David Torrance SNP Committee

03 Mar 2026

Sport and Physical Activity

:Data collection was mentioned earlier. Could that be improved to capture a complete picture of young people’s participation in physical activity and to let us know what the barriers are?

David Torrance SNP Committee

03 Mar 2026

Sport and Physical Activity

:Do you want to comment, Kim?

David Torrance SNP Committee

03 Mar 2026

Sport and Physical Activity

:On you go, Dr Meir.

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Committee

03 Mar 2026

Sport and Physical Activity

Good morning. What actions have been taken, and what further actions are required, to address the physical activity gap between girls and boys?

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the Scottish Government has highlighted a range of measures and programmes that are already in place that address the petition’s main aims, and the limited...

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:In light of the Government’s pretty strong response, I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that: the final islands connectivity plan strategic approach, which was published in May, did not include c...

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:Yes.

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:In the light of the time that the committee has left, it would be beneficial for us to close the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders. That would allow the petitioner to bring a fresh petition straight back to Parliament in the next session.

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:In the light of the evidence before us and the Government taking on board the petition, I wonder whether we can close the petition on the basis that Food Standards Scotland’s advice—now I am on the wrong petition; I apologise. Food Standards Scotland intends to explore what s...

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:I wonder whether the committee should consider passing the matter on to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, which is currently working on food standards.10:45

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:In the light of the evidence that the committee has received, I suggest that we consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the Scottish Government’s position is that abolishing the GTCS is neither desirable nor proportionate; the GTCS ...

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:I think that progress has been made on the petition. Given the limited time that is left in the parliamentary session, I invite the committee to consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the Scottish Government has funded the FND care...

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:Although I usually recommend shutting petitions down, I recommend to the committee that we keep this petition open, as there are several areas that the new committee would be justified in exploring in the new parliamentary session. Can we keep the petition open and put it in ...

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:I wonder whether we could consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the Government has no plans to legislate for the ban that the petition asks for and that it intends to replace the equine code with equine guidance by March this year...

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:In the light of the evidence that we have received, I do not think that we can take the petition any further, so I suggest that we close it under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the Scottish Government insists that it does not have the financial flexibility to...

David Torrance SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

:In light of the Government’s actions, we should consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the committee has progressed the issue that is raised in the petition as far as it reasonably can in this parliamentary session; that the Scotti...

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Committee

25 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

In the light of the evidence before us and the Scottish Government’s commitment, I wonder whether we should consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that Scottish Government officials have been progressing discussions with justice partners...

David Torrance SNP Chamber

18 Feb 2026

Mossmorran (Just Transition Fund)

No, thank you.The failure to match Scotland’s investment sends a troubled message about the priorities of UK-level energy policy and the UK’s willingness to support communities that are facing economic upheaval. Even the company pointed to the UK’s economic and policy environm...

David Torrance SNP Chamber

18 Feb 2026

Mossmorran (Just Transition Fund)

The member will find that ExxonMobil’s press statement blamed the UK Government for some of the uncertainty and for the plant’s closure.The Scottish Government has acted decisively. Within days of the announcement of the closure, the Scottish Government committed £9 million ov...

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

18 Feb 2026

Mossmorran (Just Transition Fund)

I put it on the record that I was formerly employed at Mossmorran, although that was many years ago.The closure of the Mossmorran ethylene plant marks a profound moment for Fife, for Scotland’s industrial heritage and for hundreds of workers whose livelihoods have been thrown ...

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

18 Feb 2026

Portfolio Question Time · Automatic Early Release (Offenders Convicted of Serious Violent Offences)

Although recorded crime has reduced by 38 per cent since 2006-07 under the Scottish National Party Government, the focus remains on supporting victims. What engagement has the Scottish Government had with support organisations on the changes to automatic release points?

David Torrance SNP Chamber

17 Feb 2026

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes.

David Torrance SNP Chamber

17 Feb 2026

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes.

David Torrance SNP Chamber

17 Feb 2026

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

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

David Torrance SNP Chamber

17 Feb 2026

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

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

David Torrance SNP Chamber

17 Feb 2026

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I still could not connect to the app. I would have voted no.

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

17 Feb 2026

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I could not connect to the app. I would have voted yes.

David Torrance SNP Committee

17 Feb 2026

Food Standards Scotland and the First National Good Food Nation Plan

Thank you. I have no further questions.

David Torrance SNP Committee

17 Feb 2026

Food Standards Scotland and the First National Good Food Nation Plan

This is my final question. What particular challenges does your organisation face over the next five years?

David Torrance SNP Committee

17 Feb 2026

Food Standards Scotland and the First National Good Food Nation Plan

You know where I am going now. Could you describe and explain the mission and outcomes of the new strategy? How was the new strategy developed, and how has your outlook on the role and remit of Food Standards Scotland changed over the past five years?

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Committee

17 Feb 2026

Food Standards Scotland and the First National Good Food Nation Plan

Good morning. To what extent has Food Standards Scotland achieved its stated outcomes and statutory objectives over the life of its previous strategy?

David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP) SNP Chamber

11 Feb 2026

Nature Champions

I thank John Mason for securing the debate. It is a pleasure to speak today on an initiative that has quietly transformed the way in which Parliament engages with Scotland’s natural world. As someone who has proudly taken on the mantle of seagrass champion, I can attest to the...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Feb 2026

New Petitions

You are right, convener.In the light of the written evidence, the committee should consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of the standing orders, on the basis that the Scottish Government has set its key objectives and eligibility criteria for the Scottish 2025-26 flu a...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Feb 2026

New Petitions

The petition’s asks are not achievable. I sit on the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, and we have seen the vital role that technology has played in rural areas to enable people to communicate and to be diagnosed over great distances, and we will never change the GP con...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

In the light of the evidence that is before us, I do not think that the committee has any other option but to close the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders on the basis that the Children (Scotland) Act 2020, once in force, will require the court to consider whether any...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

In the light of the Scottish Government’s stance, I wonder whether we could consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the Scottish Government will not take forward the development of guidance on the interaction between child contact di...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that British standard BS 8300 makes recommendations on the use of light reflectance values in buildings and signage to establish tonal contrasts between elements...

David Torrance SNP Committee

11 Feb 2026

Continued Petitions

In light of the evidence that the committee has taken, I wonder if we would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders, on the basis that the Scottish Government has undertaken research to establish case studies illustrating how local authorities resolve ...