Hansard

The debate has been largely consensual, out of a need to ensure that we maintain and enhance one of Scotland’s great national treasures for exactly the reasons that Fiona McLeod put on record.

I thank all the witnesses at committee and all those who have sent us exceptionally helpful briefing papers for their considered opinions and expert advice, without which—as the cabinet secretary acknowledged—many of us would have been ill-prepared to work through the bill.

The cabinet secretary outlined a great number of exciting developments that are taking place, such as carbon and digital advances and the work involving the John Murray archive. It is an extremely exciting time for the National Library, which means so much in terms of Scotland’s place in world heritage.

I thank the cabinet secretary for her willingness to listen to concerns. Although we will undoubtedly remain divided on one important element in the bill—the extent of the ministerial powers—I acknowledge the work that she put in, which involved some complex technicalities. Although those technicalities may not capture the headlines, they are nonetheless an important part of our having confidence in the legislation.

It was good to see the cabinet secretary’s willingness to move on the minimum size of the board and on ensuring that there will be as smooth a transition as possible when the current board ends its office to be replaced by the new one. That was helpful, and I am sure that it was appreciated by the stakeholders who had similar concerns at the initial stages.

Like all other members in the chamber, the Conservatives recognise the need to make changes to the National Library so that it can maintain its first-class reputation, its considerable professional expertise and its ability to be flexible and adaptable in the future, when technological change will bring a great many new challenges—just as it will to many other institutions with which the NLS will collaborate. That is precisely the reason why we wanted—and would still welcome—more clarity on the extent of ministerial direction. My colleague Annabel Goldie raised an important point. Aside from the two technical points—I accept what Fiona McLeod said about those—there is a fundamental principle at stake. If members read some of the statements in the bill, it is clear that there are potentially wider powers, and I hope that the cabinet secretary will address that in summing up.

Although we have, through the democratic process, not won that argument today, I hope that ministers will be mindful of the fact that there was—and remains—genuine and considerable concern among the Opposition parties, and that ministers will be held to account as those powers come into operation in the years ahead.

I wish the National Library well in the years ahead, and once again pay tribute to the outstanding professionalism of its staff. We will support the National Library of Scotland Bill at decision time.

16:47