Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-09293, in the name of Johann Lamont, on women in Scotland. I invite Johann Lamont to speak to and move t...

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab) Lab

I hope that, if I do not use my full 10 minutes, other people will be afforded the opportunity to contribute to what I think is an important debate. It is a...

Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Johann Lamont Lab

I have very little time. That possibility was voted down, although we know that 64 per cent of those earning less than the living wage are women. When we ma...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

I am afraid that you really must close.

Johann Lamont Lab

We must always be alive to the impact on women’s lives of decisions that are made, because ultimately, in freeing women, we create a society that is better a...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I remind members that we are very tight for time. I call Angela Constance to speak to and move amendment S4M-09293.1, in the name of Shona Robison. Minister,...

The Minister for Youth Employment (Angela Constance) SNP

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I start my contribution to the debate by paying tribute to the feminist economist Ailsa McKay, whom we lost last week. Ailsa w...

Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Will the minister take an intervention?

Angela Constance SNP

I will take one brief intervention.

Jenny Marra Lab

Will the minister take the opportunity that this debate affords to look at the fact that there are 80,000 fewer women in our colleges than in 2007? Will she ...

Angela Constance SNP

The cabinet secretary announced only recently more funding for more part-time courses, childcare and places for women. However, it is important to remember t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

Order, please.

Angela Constance SNP

That, of course, has to be balanced—it is helpful if members listen to all of the answer—with the needs of women who are at different points in their lives a...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Will the minister take an intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

The minister is closing.

Angela Constance SNP

We will now consult on women’s representation and the use of quotas to ensure that, if a decision is made to take mandatory steps to achieve gender balance, ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I am afraid that you must close.

Angela Constance SNP

However, I will say that, for the first time ever, we have a plan to achieve universal childcare in this country. As an employment minister, I know how impor...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I notify members that I think that we will lose a member from the debate. I call Mary Scanlon, who has five minutes. 16:15

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I thank the Labour Party for using its time to talk about the role of women in Scotland. I associate the Conservatives with everything that has been said abo...

Annabel Goldie (West Scotland) (Con) Con

Hear, hear.

Mary Scanlon Con

Thank you. I turn to statistics about gender equality in education. As Jenny Marra said, in the academic year 2005-06, there were 257,000 female enrolments ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

We are very tight for time. Speeches of no more than four minutes, please. 16:20

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

Many members who are here supported the motion that I lodged last week, which pays tribute to the late Professor Ailsa McKay. As professor of economics at Gl...

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab) Lab

I, too, pay tribute to Ailsa McKay. I knew her when she was an adviser to the Equal Opportunities Committee, of which I was a member, and we were working on ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

You are in your final minute.

Malcolm Chisholm Lab

The wider issues of socialisation and stereotyping in the bringing up of young children are absolutely central to the issue. A small but significant example ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

Unfortunately, as everyone has gone over time, it is unlikely that I will be able to call everyone who wants to speak in the debate unless the next three mem...

Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) SNP

I, too, pay tribute to Professor Ailsa McKay for her work in the promotion of women’s issues, and I regret her all-too-early passing. Her wise counsel will b...