Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-02624, in the name of Mark McDonald, on adoption and permanence in Scotland. 14:34

The Minister for Childcare and Early Years (Mark McDonald) SNP

Every child deserves the best possible start in life and to grow up feeling and being loved, wanted, safe and secure. All across Scotland, thousands of adopt...

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I welcome the opportunity to speak in today’s debate on the motion in Mark McDonald’s name on adoption and permanent solutions for looked-after children. Sco...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con) Con

I welcome the minister’s motion and Labour’s amendment, both of which will be supported by the Conservatives. As we have heard, this week is adoption week, ...

Mark McDonald SNP

I am grateful to Jeremy Balfour for highlighting that point. Obviously, I cannot comment on the case that he has cited, but if he writes to me with the detai...

Jeremy Balfour Con

I thank the minister for that. We need to look at the situation. Sometimes, meetings are arranged by social workers but do not fit for the family or are canc...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

We move to open debate, with speeches of around six minutes. I have some time in hand, so time can be given for interventions. 15:03

Jenny Gilruth (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) SNP

I have friends who were adopted and friends who have adopted children. One of the most selfless acts that any human being can do is to commit to taking on le...

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

This has been a good debate and it is good that it takes place in a special week. The four preceding speeches have all been excellent and considered, which i...

Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP

It gives me great pleasure to speak in the debate. This is an area in which I have some experience and I hope to use that to contribute to a positive, cross-...

Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Most speakers have commented on how consensual and positive this afternoon’s debate has been. Too often, we tend to use those words as a euphemism for dull, ...

Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP) SNP

I will start on a happy note. Two close friends of mine who are in a same-sex marriage have just gone through the adoption process and hope to welcome their ...

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green) Green

I will support the Government motion and the Labour amendment at decision time. It is true that we are enjoying a consensual debate, and rightly so; I am gra...

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

Presiding Officer, “Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But since no one was listening, everything must be said again.” That strikes me...

Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) SNP

I start by recognising Aberdeenshire Council’s achievement of its aims for early permanence for children who need a caring and stable home and family. The Ab...

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con) Con

I am pleased to take part in today’s debate. As we mark the first ever adoption week Scotland, I pay tribute to the individuals and couples in the Lothian re...

Elaine Smith (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Like others, I welcome the first adoption week Scotland as something that is much needed to raise awareness of the specific issues faced by children who are ...

Bob Doris (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the debate, which is being held during the first-ever adoption week Scotland. I also welcome the consensual points that have been made about the be...

Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I declare an interest as a local councillor with Argyll and Bute Council and as a member of the council’s corporate parenting board, which looks after more t...

James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) SNP

At the recent SNP conference, along with many others—about 3,000, I think—I was profoundly moved when the First Minister addressed the issue of care-experien...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

I am disappointed that Maurice Corry is not in the chamber for the closing speeches. I have had no notice or request from him. Perhaps that message will be c...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

Thank you, Presiding Officer. Much has been made this afternoon of the positive, consensual tone—

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Bear with me a minute. I see that I have failed to name Miles Briggs, who is also not in the chamber. No doubt that will be conveyed to him, too. My apolog...

Daniel Johnson Lab

Not at all, although you have slightly broken up the pace of my humour.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I am sure that you can recover it. You are a stylish gentleman.

Daniel Johnson Lab

I will stumble through that again. There has been a positive, consensual tone to the debate, and if that is different, I suggest that it is because we are p...

Ross Thomson (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I start by declaring an interest as a councillor on Aberdeen City Council and, therefore, as a corporate parent. I echo the comments of members who have welc...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I am so glad that I gave you that extra minute—you squeezed the juice right out of it. 16:47

Mark McDonald SNP

A number of members have spoken about the consensual nature of today’s debate. Although that is a fair point to make, there is rather a lot to which I need t...

Liz Smith Con

Given the minister’s comment about the need to publicise all the facts that people need in relation to adoption, which he rightly said is not easy to do a ts...