Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 20 May 2014
20 May 2014 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I am pleased to contribute to the debate and, as Kevin Stewart did, commend Dennis Robertson for the work that he has done so far. I reiterate that the Government supports Dennis Robertson and the bill.
The bill follows a period of earlier reform and modernisation of the blue badge scheme, which, among other changes, saw the introduction of the blue badge database, which Dennis Robertson mentioned. That database holds information on blue badge holders in Scotland, England and Wales. In addition, a new badge design makes the forgery and replication of badges much more difficult.
To add to that, Dennis Robertson’s bill will provide more powers for the detection of forged or fraudulently used badges. That can only be a good thing for badge holders, who often have their days ruined when they cannot go about their business due to disabled parking spaces being used by those who misuse badges.
As Kevin Stewart said, during the bill process we must bear in mind the interests of those who are most important—the blue badge users.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate in the name of Dennis Robertson, on the Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill. 16:21
Dennis Robertson (Aberdeenshire West) (SNP)
SNP
It gives me great pleasure this afternoon to come to the chamber to introduce the Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill, which is more commonly kn...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I call Kevin Stewart to speak on behalf of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee. You have a maximum of seven minutes, Mr Stewart. 16:31
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I am delighted to be speaking in this debate on behalf of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, which scrutinised th...
The Minister for Transport and Veterans (Keith Brown)
SNP
I am pleased to contribute to the debate and, as Kevin Stewart did, commend Dennis Robertson for the work that he has done so far. I reiterate that the Gover...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
Blue badge holders in my constituency have raised concerns about the rather onerous hoops that they need to go through to apply for the blue badge when it is...
Keith Brown
SNP
I have heard other individuals express that concern, which is often the result of welfare reform changes that require people, as Liam McArthur put it, to go ...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill and I congratulate Dennis Robertson on the progress that he has ma...
Cameron Buchanan (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I start by declaring an interest as a blue badge holder, as members will know I am from seeing me stagger into the chamber with my two sticks. I have a great...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We move to the open debate. If members keep their speeches to a maximum of four minutes, I should be able to call everyone who wants to speak. 16:55
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate my colleague Dennis Robertson on introducing the bill. I fully agree with the bill’s policy objectives of protecting the rights of badge holde...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I join others in warmly congratulating Dennis Robertson on the progress that he has made with the bill so far. All the speakers have rightly pointed out that...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I come to the debate as a member of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee and as a member, in the previous parliamentary session, of the Local Gove...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
You are in your final minute.
John Wilson
SNP
Both the member in charge of the bill, Dennis Robertson MSP, and the minister said that many disability organisations do not share the concerns that have bee...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We now turn to the closing speeches. I remind members who have participated in the debate that they should be in the chamber for the closing speeches. 17:07
Cameron Buchanan
Con
It seems only a minute—or maybe it was four—since I gave my opening speech. Still, what the debate lacked in longevity, it more than made up in its succinct,...
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
As a member of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, I have had the opportunity to consider in some detail the proposal contained in the bill and ...
Keith Brown
SNP
I will try to cover and respond to some of the points that have been raised in the debate. John Wilson talked about enforcement in private car parks, and h...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I thank the minister for giving way, and I note that he and I are wearing twin ties for Enable Scotland. The minister mentioned changes to welfare in his r...
Keith Brown
SNP
It is a very good point. I noticed that Kenneth Gibson was also wearing the same tie for Enable Scotland. This is an enabling bill for those who have disabil...
Dennis Robertson
SNP
I thank members for taking part in the debate, and I thank the minister for responding to some of the issues that members raised. I can offer some degree of...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
It was suggested during evidence taking that it may be an idea to get folk to sign and say that they have understood the guidance. Will the review group look...
Dennis Robertson
SNP
Mr Stewart makes a valid point, and it is certainly something that the review group will consider. That is perhaps one aspect of trying to ensure that badge ...