Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-15181, in the name of Aileen McLeod, on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I return to the point of order that I made yesterday, which was to register the fact that, 23 hours before the debate...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I thank Sarah Boyack for advance notice of that point of order. As the member is aware, there is an agreed protocol between the Scottish Parliament and the...

The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Aileen McLeod) SNP

I begin by expressing my gratitude to Rob Gibson and the other members of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee for their scrutiny of a...

Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

I hear what the minister says, but would she accept that it sets us at a bit of a disadvantage when we have no clue as to the Government’s response to the st...

Aileen McLeod SNP

This is a debate on the committee’s stage 1 report, and I am keen to ensure that we give members across the chamber an opportunity to reflect their views, so...

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

The minister will appreciate that we are being asked to vote this evening on the general principles of the bill, a bill that the committee report has exhaust...

Aileen McLeod SNP

That will be a matter for committee consideration at stage 2. Members: Oh!

Aileen McLeod SNP

But we will also be giving an indication. It is the committee’s stage 1 report that we are discussing. We started this process with a good bill, and I know ...

Sarah Boyack Lab

I ask the minister to read the sections of the committee’s report in which we discuss in great detail the fact that the committee is deeply unhappy about whe...

Aileen McLeod SNP

I accept Sarah Boyack’s point on the need to have an urgent review, and we will consider that carefully in our response to the committee’s report. I welcome...

Sarah Boyack Lab

Will the minister take an intervention?

Aileen McLeod SNP

I am just about to finish. We cannot roll back hundreds of years of history overnight and nor can we fix all problems in one easy step. However, we can and ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

I call Rob Gibson to speak on behalf of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee. 16:17

Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP) SNP

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill has generated a huge debate across Scotland about the very land that we stand on. The RACCE Committee’s extensive programme o...

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

Rob Gibson said that access to information is important. Does the committee agree with the point that Sarah Boyack raised about just how late some informatio...

Rob Gibson SNP

With due respect, that has nothing to do with the issues in the report that I am talking about. We will see the Government’s response in due course, and Liz ...

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

Rob Gibson SNP

Briefly.

Claudia Beamish Lab

I thank the member. Would he agree that, in view of SNH’s 2014 report on deer management, the issue is even more significant?

Rob Gibson SNP

The report showed a lack of progress, but deer counts by SNH have also been lacking. The bill must be amended in that regard. Provisions on agricultural hol...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

You must close, please.

Rob Gibson SNP

We cannot ignore the warning by Scottish Land & Estates of huge financial penalties should land reform laws interfere with entrenched property rights. Is...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

You must finish, please.

Rob Gibson SNP

Ms Shields put it succinctly when she said: “the question should not be ‘Is it legitimate to disturb property rights?’ but ‘Is it legitimate not to?’” 16:27

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

I thank the fantastic team that supported the RACCE committee throughout its work and the many communities, members of the public and organisations who gave ...

Aileen McLeod SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Sarah Boyack Lab

If the minister can give me a good answer, I will be delighted to take an intervention.

Aileen McLeod SNP

I make the point to Sarah Boyack that work on compulsory sale orders is being taken forward through our housing and land reform team. It is part and parcel o...

Sarah Boyack Lab

That was a helpful intervention, minister. I hope that, in the light of that report, she will now come to the right conclusion. We would certainly be keen to...