Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

The final item of business today is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-12163, in the name of Mike MacKenzie, on average-speed cameras on the A9. The de...

Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP

I have had a particular affection for the A9 since I helped to build part of it during the long, hot summer of 1976. It was a massive improvement on the prev...

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

I congratulate Mike MacKenzie on bringing to the chamber tonight’s very important debate. He revealed to us that he used to work on the A9. I do not know whe...

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

David Stewart Lab

In one second—I will just finish this point. There were 1,375 child casualties, of whom four died.

Stewart Stevenson SNP

I wonder if the member might care to look at his number for those who have been killed on our roads. On these benches, we seemed to hear the figure 2008, but...

David Stewart Lab

The key point is that the figures are declining, which is a good point that we can all unite behind. What concerns me is that fatality numbers are highest a...

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I congratulate Mike MacKenzie on securing the debate and thank him for bringing the motion to Parliament. Like David Stewart, I am a regular user of the A9 a...

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP) SNP

As has been said, we all know that the A9 average-speed cameras have been a resounding success. I agree to an extent with Murdo Fraser that all the evidence ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Due to the number of members who still wish to speak in the debate, I am minded to accept a motion under rule 8.14.3 of standing orders that the debate be ex...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

I call Dave Thompson, to be followed— Dave Thompson rose—

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

No. I beg your pardon. I call Liam McArthur, to be followed by Stewart Stevenson. You have had your turn, Mr Thompson. 17:27

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

It was not Dave Thompson’s worst speech, but I do not want to listen to it again, Presiding Officer. I join others in congratulating Mike MacKenzie on bring...

Mike MacKenzie SNP

I hope that Mr McArthur agrees that, although the data might not be absolute, definitive proof, it is nevertheless encouraging.

Liam McArthur LD

The Minister for Transport and Islands said back in January: “After only three months of average speed camera operation, police injury accident figures are ...

The Minister for Transport and Islands (Derek Mackay) SNP

Will the member give way?

Liam McArthur LD

The minister will have an opportunity to respond to my comments, and those of others, when he winds up. What the figures do not show is what has happened wi...

Dave Thompson SNP

Will the member give way?

Liam McArthur LD

No—we have already heard from Dave Thompson. Business groups have raised concerns about the implications of average-speed cameras for journey times. I do no...

Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP

I thank Mike MacKenzie for the opportunity to debate this important subject. I declare an interest, in that I am a member of the Institute of Advanced Motori...

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Ind) Ind

I, too, commend Mike MacKenzie for bringing this important issue to the chamber. I have enjoyed the speeches thus far. One of the purposes of Government is...

Mary Scanlon Con

It is of no use to you, then.

John Finnie Ind

I am told that Klang is of no use to me. Of course, what is for me is another app that the Scottish Government has put in place—the road safety cameras. It ...

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I congratulate Mike MacKenzie on securing a debate on one of the most significant roads—and certainly the most dangerous road—to the Highlands and Islands. I...

Dave Thompson SNP

Can Jamie McGrigor remind us who Lord Burton railed against, regarding dualling the A9, back in those days? It was certainly well before the SNP Government c...

Jamie McGrigor Con

No—I have to say that I do not remember who it was. Lord Burton was always very pro-dualling, as far as I knew. Our Governments—Conservative Governments—prod...

The Minister for Transport and Islands (Derek Mackay) SNP

Road safety is of paramount importance to this Government and we are committed to reducing casualties and saving lives on roads across Scotland, including th...

Liam McArthur LD

Can the minister comment on the way in which the figures are able to disaggregate the implementation of the speed cameras from the introduction of roadworks ...

Derek Mackay SNP

A level of analysis would be required there, but what is pretty consistent when we look at the stats that were provided in the briefing for today’s debate is...

David Stewart Lab

I appreciate the work that the Government is doing on the speed limit increase to 50mph for HGVs and that it will need some years to analyse the results of t...