Meeting of the Parliament 24 June 2015
It is important to clarify that it is £100 million, not £150 million, although that is still a substantial sum of money, as I am sure Mary Scanlon agrees. There is a range of ways that the additional money can be used to improve systems, including what Ms Scanlon suggests.
Malcolm Chisholm raised the need for further promotion of advance statements. The Mental Welfare Commission is currently undertaking a project to promote them, and the provisions in amendment 28, which Bob Doris moved, will complement that work. As I said to Mr Chisholm in our debate on amendments, I have also suggested that the working group on the code of practice consider further whether the guidance that it has could help to promote their use. It is essential that advance statements be used more widely, and I am serious about us working to that end.
I have heard general support for the bill from across the chamber. That is very welcome. I have also heard some disappointment that some amendments were not accepted. I understand that. The amendments were all proposed earnestly, but they were not necessarily an effective way forward.
I also recognise that, beyond the bill, there is more to do. The bill is only part of the work. Members can be reassured of my commitment to doing everything that the Scottish Government can do to ensure a better sense of mental wellbeing throughout Scotland.
I commend the bill to the Parliament.