Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 03 November 2016
03 Nov 2016 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Digital Strategy
I do not have a clue what G5 is, but I know what 5G is. I think that there was a typo in our amendment, for which I apologise, but I am sure that that will not stop the chamber supporting it, as it makes a lot of sense.
The debate gives us an opportunity to feed our views and priorities into the refresh of the digital strategy. There is little in the motion that can be disagreed with, but we need not only to have an agreed vision but to be in a position to make it a reality.
As the Audit Scotland report makes clear, the Scottish Government has to do better at providing access to the digital economy in areas where there is market failure or progress is slow. We will continue to hold the Government to account on its performance in that regard and we urge a better and faster response.
Everyone, regardless of where they live and what their income is, should have access to technology to allow them to access work and information. They should also be able to participate in the social interaction that digitisation can bring and which we take for granted to a great extent. [Interruption.] I hate to point out that the Presiding Officer’s phone has gone off.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
Good afternoon. The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-02281, in the name of Fergus Ewing, on realising Scotland’s full potential in a digital w...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. During general questions prior to First Minister’s questions today, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Conne...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
First, I thank the member for advance notice of his point of order. The member and the Parliament will be aware that a similar point of order was raised at F...
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity (Fergus Ewing)
SNP
I was immensely honoured to win the politics in business award last week, but I will admit to a twinge of envy at Johann Lamont winning the e-politician of t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Jamie Greene to speak to and move amendment S5M-02281.2. You have a generous seven minutes, Mr Greene. 14:42
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Seven?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Were you expecting more?
Jamie Greene
Con
I thought that I was getting nine minutes, but it is fine.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
You can take nine minutes if you wish; I have some time in hand.
Jamie Greene
Con
I will try not to—don’t tempt me. I will begin by explaining that G5 is a brand new handset that a certain mobile operator has just brought out. I think tha...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
The member makes some interesting and valid points, but does he accept that, for Scotland—and, indeed, countries around the world—there is a huge opportunity...
Jamie Greene
Con
Wow! Okay—therein lies the answer. That leads nicely into my next point—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Perhaps you could explain what he meant to the chair. I have no idea what it meant.
Jamie Greene
Con
I shall respond to the Presiding Officer in writing on that intervention. Stewart Stevenson makes a good point. Networks are not just physical things. We sh...
Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
Not if they cannot get a signal.
Jamie Greene
Con
If they can get a signal. Today, those predictions sound amusing to us but, 16 years ago, they were like predictions from “Tomorrow’s World”—like the Sincla...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Thank you, Mr Greene. We are most impressed that you have kept such an old newspaper. I call Rhoda Grant. You have seven minutes, Ms Grant, and perhaps you ...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
I do not have a clue what G5 is, but I know what 5G is. I think that there was a typo in our amendment, for which I apologise, but I am sure that that will n...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
It is so unkind of you to mention that, as it will be in the Official Report. Well, it happens to the best of us, and I am the best of us.
Rhoda Grant
Lab
You are obviously switched on digitally. Although you might not be part of it, Presiding Officer, we have a digital divide. In affluent urban areas, the mar...
Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP)
SNP
If I learned anything when I did my computer science degree at the University of Strathclyde in the late 1970s, it was that we should not expect anything in ...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I do not think that a single member of the Scottish Parliament who represents a rural region or constituency did not campaign during the election on a ticket...
Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP)
SNP
As Edward Mountain did, I contributed my own material to the election, and the leaflets addressed broadband. If he is prepared to be critical in helping the ...
Edward Mountain
Con
I am sure that Bruce Crawford would like to listen to the rest of my suggested remedies before he asks whether we should remove the plank from other people’s...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
Will Edward Mountain take an intervention?
Edward Mountain
Con
No. I am afraid that I would like to crack on as I have already taken one.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
There is plenty of time, if you wish to take an intervention. It is up to you.
Edward Mountain
Con
I have heard one or two things from Stewart Stevenson on broadband at committee meetings, so I would like to push on.
Stewart Stevenson
SNP
You have not heard this.
Edward Mountain
Con
I am sure that I will hear more. The other day, we heard that the cost of delivering broadband is currently over £3,000 per house in some cases. As we get t...