Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-15440, in the name of Paul Wheelhouse, on the Succession (Scotland) Bill. Before I invite the minister t...

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Michael Matheson) SNP

For the purposes of rule 9.11 of the standing orders, I advise the Parliament that Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Succession (Scotla...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

Thank you, cabinet secretary. That means that we now begin the debate. 14:47

The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs (Paul Wheelhouse) SNP

It gives me great pleasure to open this stage 3 debate on the Succession (Scotland) Bill and to invite members to agree to pass the bill this evening. At th...

Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab) Lab

During stage 2 consideration of amendments, the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs said that he was glad to get away from the Justice Committee ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I call John Scott—four minutes, please. 15:01

John Scott (Ayr) (Con) Con

I welcome today’s stage 3 proceedings on the Succession (Scotland) Bill. As the bill completes its parliamentary passage this afternoon, I would once again l...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

That was perfectly timed. 15:06

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

I am glad that extending the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee’s remit has created additional parliamentary capacity for dealing with bills that come...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

You really must close, please.

Stewart Stevenson SNP

We had a huge and interesting discussion about common calamities and sequencing of death. The important thing is that we worked out a way in which we can be ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I must ask members to keep tightly to their four minutes. 15:10

Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I thank Stewart Stevenson for his speech, which as usual was educational. As the minister said, the Succession (Scotland) Bill is mainly technical. As we ha...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

We will have a brief contribution from John Mason. 15:14

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

Because the bill was a Scottish Law Commission bill, and because it was being dealt with by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee, we know that it di...

John Scott Con

I thank members for a good—if controversial—debate. From the outset, the passage of the Succession (Scotland) Bill has been characterised by consensus and co...

Graeme Pearson (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

It is my pleasure to speak on behalf of Scottish Labour in support of the Government’s approach to the Succession (Scotland) Bill and the amendments that hav...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I call the minister, Paul Wheelhouse, to wind up the debate. Minister, if you could do so in less than seven minutes, I would be most grateful.

Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) SNP

Oh, that would be wonderful. 15:27

Paul Wheelhouse SNP

That request seems to have been met with great acclaim among the members sitting behind me, Presiding Officer. I thank all members who have spoken in the de...

Stewart Stevenson SNP

I simply note that the evidence that we took led to the manuscript amendments that the Presiding Officer accepted today. That shows the validity of the proce...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

Minister, please note that the debate is now eating into the time of the next debate, so be as brief as possible.

Paul Wheelhouse SNP

Absolutely. I certainly agree with the sentiment that Stewart Stevenson expresses. I do not envisage such a situation occurring again, even on an irregular ...