Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick) NPA

Before we come to the debate on veterans, I want to say that I am deeply disappointed that a major policy announcement that was to be made as part of the deb...

The Minister for Transport and Veterans (Keith Brown) SNP

Presiding Officer, I note your comments about the release of information. We tried hard to ensure that it did not happen, but it has happened. As you have su...

Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I very much welcome the opportunity to speak about armed forces veterans and the vital support services and charities that operate in Scotland and throughout...

Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I start by thanking the BBC for advance sight of the minister’s statement. Although I say that in a fairly light-hearted way, there is a serious issue here. ...

Jim Eadie (Edinburgh Southern) (SNP) SNP

The armed forces class a veteran as anyone who has given one day of what is called reckonable service. That may be because once someone has made the decision...

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab) Lab

I thank the Government for today’s debate and for allowing Parliament to recognise the contribution that veterans have made and continue to make to our count...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Thank you, Mr Macintosh. Methinks we are going to miss John Park for the football.14:52

Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP) SNP

We all know the quote:“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”In this case, it is for one’s nation, but do we really know th...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

I welcome the debate, and I am pleased to be able to offer a few brief remarks.As the motion rightly acknowledges, we owe a considerable debt to veterans, bu...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

On this occasion, I will allow nicknames.15:01

Nigel Don (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the announcement of a commissioner, which I think is a step in the right direction. The minister suggests that the commissioner would oversee the p...

Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I am honoured to speak in the debate. Veterans and veteran issues are close to my heart, as I am an ex-Territorial Army soldier myself, having served in the ...

Dennis Robertson (Aberdeenshire West) (SNP) SNP

I, too, welcome the announcement of the creation of a new post of veterans commissioner. I have a personal interest in the military, as my daughter’s boyfrie...

Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

I am delighted to conclude the debate on behalf of my party and, as the convener of the cross-party group on armed forces veterans, declare something of an i...

Mark Griffin Lab

I close the debate on behalf of the Labour Party as I opened it, by restating the continued support that we give our armed forces personnel and veterans. It ...

Keith Brown SNP

I am grateful to all members who have spoken. We heard some good speeches, which contained knowledge, insight, suggestions and indeed criticisms. I will try ...