Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith) Lab

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-15608, in the name of Maureen Watt, on the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Bill. 15:57

The Minister for Public Health (Maureen Watt) SNP

I thank the Health and Sport Committee, the Local Government and Regeneration Committee and the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee for their detailed ...

Duncan McNeil (Greenock and Inverclyde) (Lab) Lab

I begin by thanking the many stakeholders who submitted evidence on the bill, particularly the parents who generously shared with the committee their difficu...

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

It has occurred to me that there is in a tiny proportion of cases the perinatal death of the mother. Has the point been made that such rights might also be e...

Duncan McNeil Lab

That is not something that we looked at particularly, but the member has made a good point. The minister is here and she might wish to consider that further....

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) SNP

As convener of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, it is my job to share with members the main points that arose during my committee’s scrutiny ...

Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I rise to open for Scottish Labour, which will support the general principles of the bill at decision time. The legislation that has been in place for buria...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I can allow you a few more seconds.

Jenny Marra Lab

I will continue with my remarks in my closing speech. Thank you. 16:27

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

There has been a general welcome for the Scottish Government’s intention in the bill to “create legislation which is fit for twenty-first century Scotland”,...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

We now move to the open debate. Mr Don will speak on behalf of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. 16:32

Nigel Don (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP) SNP

As you say, Presiding Officer, I speak in my capacity as convener of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. The committee has continuing concerns abo...

Dennis Robertson (Aberdeenshire West) (SNP) SNP

I found the meetings of the Health and Sport Committee on the bill difficult because we were talking about something that is quite close to me as an individu...

Lesley Brennan (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Very few of us plan and discuss our intentions for when we pass on or, importantly, how we will pay for the arrangements. My own parents are an exception—the...

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

I congratulate Lesley Brennan on what I thought was a thoughtful and informative speech, to which I listened with interest. I enjoy having her sit with me on...

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab) Lab

The Health and Sport Committee focused in particular on the provisions relating to pregnancy loss, stillbirth and infant loss, and heard a great deal about t...

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP) SNP

Burials and cremations might not be the most eye-catching subjects that we deal with in the Scottish Parliament, but they are a vital part of everyday life. ...

Nanette Milne Con

We have had a useful discussion of the bill, and there is clearly support across the chamber for its general principles. I will touch on the Local Government...

Jenny Marra Lab

This has been a good debate with a thorough airing of some issues. The bill covers a wide variety of issues for Parliament’s consideration. I will touch init...

Maureen Watt SNP

I am grateful to parliamentary colleagues for their contributions to what has been an extremely useful debate. I welcome members’ recognition of the need to ...

The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick) NPA

That concludes the stage 1 debate on the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Bill.