Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 November 2015
11 Nov 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scotland and Malawi Co-operation Agreement
We have had a great debate across the chamber—I always enjoy hearing stories from members’ localities. There have been some very good suggestions on how to take forward the relationship for the next 10 years and beyond. I will address some of the points and reference some of the contributions that were made.
Claire Baker was right to ask her question about the international development fund. I accept what she said about the £9 million being frozen over the period that we have been in government, but I would put that in context. In our 2011 manifesto, we committed to freezing only two budgets, one of which was the NHS budget, which is arguably the Scottish Government’s most important budget and is certainly its largest. The other was the international development fund, which shows the importance that we attach to our international development work. Notwithstanding that, I accept what Claire Baker said. Some thinking is always being done in Government, and that is especially the case as we approach the election.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-14775, in the name of Humza Yousaf, on Scotland and Malawi: 10 years since the co-operation agreement. 1...
The Minister for Europe and International Development (Humza Yousaf)
SNP
Presiding Officer, members of the Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, muli bwanji and good afternoon. It is a pleasure to lead this debate on behalf of the Sco...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the minister for bringing the debate to the chamber; I am pleased that the Scottish Government has used some of its chamber time to highlight the ann...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
We are tight for time today. I call Jamie McGrigor, who has five minutes. 15:48
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to speak in the debate in support of the motion and the amendment—there is nothing in them with which I could possibly disagree. I thank the org...
Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak about the unique and very special relationship that exists between Scotland and Malawi. As the motion in the ...
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab)
Lab
I was in Malawi with my colleagues Liam McArthur and James Dornan earlier this year, on a visit by the Scotland branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Asso...
James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)
SNP
As has just been mentioned, during Parliament’s February recess, I visited Malawi along with my colleagues Liam McArthur and Elaine Smith on behalf of the CP...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
Three years ago, I took part in a very similar debate. At that stage, we were looking ahead to the Livingstone bicentenary, which was an opportunity to celeb...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
You should draw to a close, please.
Liam McArthur
LD
There is much to be proud of in what has been achieved over the past 10 years, and I welcome this brief debate and the opportunity to reflect on those achiev...
Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
SNP
I am very pleased to take part in the debate. When I visited Malawi in October and November 2012, I was very struck by the contrast that has been drawn out t...
Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
David Livingstone played a major role in improving public health and freeing the indigenous population from the scourge of slavery in Africa and particularly...
David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to contribute to today’s debate on Scotland’s long-standing partnership with Malawi and the Scottish Government’s commitment to international de...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to make a brief contribution about the links between my constituency of Dumfriesshire and Malawi. The first project that I will talk about is th...
Christian Allard (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
As the minister said in his opening speech, there is a human story behind every statistic. We have heard a lot of statistics in the debate, so I will spare m...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
You must draw to a close, please.
Christian Allard
SNP
Those are merely a few examples of the successes of the 2005 co-operation agreement in building strong links between Scotland and Malawi—links based on respe...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Thank you very much. That was terrific. 16:32
Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I thank Humza Yousaf for today’s debate and Claire Baker for her amendment. It is an honour to speak about the relationship between Scotland and Malawi on th...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
So far! Laughter.
Hanzala Malik
Lab
I also believe that Scotland should continue its international development work, which helps us to develop our international position—in particular, our work...
Richard Lyle (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I think that Humza Yousaf is doing a very good job. Laughter. In my remarks this afternoon, I will reflect on what we have done in the past decade, particu...
Cameron Buchanan (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I am pleased that we have the opportunity today to celebrate 10 years of Scotland’s historic co-operation with Malawi. Scottish Conservatives continue to su...
Anne McTaggart (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to conclude the debate on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party. As we have heard, Scotland and Malawi have always shared close links...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
We have had a great debate across the chamber—I always enjoy hearing stories from members’ localities. There have been some very good suggestions on how to t...
Claire Baker
Lab
I fully accept that the Scottish Government has protected and frozen that budget, but we as a Parliament should reflect on the priority that we give to the f...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I accept that. In the run-up to the election, we will rightly be lobbied by a number of international development NGOs, to which we will listen carefully. We...
Elaine Smith
Lab
The Malawian MPs whom I met when I was in Malawi—particularly the women, I have to say—were capable, competent and caring, and they were clearly motivated by...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
Yes, I agree with the sentiments that Elaine Smith has just expressed, and in particular her point about women parliamentarians. As she is probably aware, Ma...