Hansard

The Convener (Stewart Maxwell) SNP

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Education and Culture Committee’s 30th meeting in 2015. My name is Stewart Maxwell; I am a West Scotland MSP and t...

The Convener SNP

I remind members that this group is about a big part of the bill. Given its size and complexity, I will give extra flexibility to and be as lenient as possib...

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Angela Constance) SNP

Good morning, committee. Collectively and individually, the Government amendments in the group will give effect to and support our key priorities of deliveri...

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

This is a historic occasion.

Angela Constance SNP

None of my amendments specifies the content of the framework or the detail of the assessment. That is deliberate. It would be inappropriate to specify the ex...

The Convener SNP

Thank you, cabinet secretary. Before I call Mark Griffin, I welcome the pupils of Commercial primary school. It is good to see you—welcome to the Education a...

Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I believe that we need to put looked-after children at the heart of the attainment gap challenge. We are seeking to provide an equal footing for Scotland’s k...

The Convener SNP

I welcome a second group of pupils from Commercial primary school to the Education and Culture Committee. I call John Pentland to speak to amendment 104B and...

John Pentland (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab

Amendments 104B, 104C and 104F were lodged by Malcolm Chisholm. He believes that the amendments would help to reduce pupil inequalities and strengthen outcom...

The Convener SNP

I call Mary Scanlon to speak to amendment 104E and the other amendments in the group.

Mary Scanlon Con

It is a great privilege to sit in this very grand room in Dunfermline. I am sitting looking at a plaque to the first provost of Dunfermline, who was provost ...

The Convener SNP

Thank you very much. I call Liam McArthur to speak to amendment 106A and the other amendments in the group.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

I will start by offering Mary Scanlon some gentle advice. She might be in danger of overplaying her hand if the dark mutterings among Scottish National Party...

The Convener SNP

Thank you, Liam. If any other members wish to contribute to this debate, could they please indicate? I call Liz Smith.

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

Thank you for allowing me to speak, convener. There is no doubt that every party in the Scottish Parliament is absolutely determined to do something to raise...

Chic Brodie (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

Good morning. I wish to speak against amendments 106B and 107A to 107D, in the name of Mary Scanlon, and amendments 162 and 163, in the name of Mark Griffin....

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP

When Mary Scanlon was speaking, I was reminded of an old colleague of mine at Renfrewshire Council, Jim Mitchell. When he was winning an argument and getting...

The Convener SNP

Cabinet secretary, before I call you to wind up, I have three questions for you; I hope that you will be able to cover them when you sum up. The first is on ...

Angela Constance SNP

I gave a lengthy statement at the beginning of the meeting and I thank the committee for its forbearance. I will try hard not to repeat that lengthy statemen...

Liam McArthur LD

On that point, you have referred several times to an assessment process. As I said, there is universal agreement that that assessment process is part and par...

Angela Constance SNP

With respect, Mr McArthur, I explicitly referred to that in my opening statement. However, I appreciate that it was a lengthy statement. Therefore, with the ...

The Convener SNP

Thank you very much. Before I call Mark Griffin, I welcome a third group of pupils from Commercial primary school. Welcome to you all—I hope that you enjoy v...

Mark Griffin Lab

I appreciate what the cabinet secretary had to say. I do not doubt for a second her or anyone else’s ambition to close the attainment gap for looked-after ch...

The Convener SNP

The question is, that amendment 104A be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.

The Convener SNP

There will be a division. For Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) Pentland, John (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) A...

The Convener SNP

The result of the division is: For 3, Against 6, Abstentions 0. Amendment 104A disagreed to. Amendments 104B and 104C not moved. Amendment 104D moved—Mark...

The Convener SNP

The question is, that amendment 104D be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.

The Convener SNP

There will be a division. For Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab) McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD) Pentland, John (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) A...

The Convener SNP

The result of the division is: For 3, Against 6, Abstentions 0. Amendment 104D disagreed to. Amendment 104E moved—Mary Scanlon.

The Convener SNP

The question is, that amendment 104E be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.