Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 01 February 2018
01 Feb 2018 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill
As members will be aware, at this point in the proceedings, the Presiding Officer is required under the standing orders to decide whether, in his view, any provision of the bill relates to a protected subject matter—that is, whether it modifies the electoral system and franchise for Scottish parliamentary elections. The Presiding Officer has decided that no provision of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill relates to a protected subject matter and that, therefore, the bill does not require a supermajority in order to be passed at stage 3.
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-10218, in the name of Michael Matheson, on the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill. I call Michael Matheson, the cabinet secretary, to speak to and move the motion.
15:36References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
As members will be aware, at this point in the proceedings, the Presiding Officer is required under the standing orders to decide whether, in his view, any p...
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Michael Matheson)
SNP
I thank the members and clerks of the Justice Committee, the Finance Committee and the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee for their diligent considera...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I appreciate that the bill is important—as all bills are—and I have been generous with the cabinet secretary, so I will be generous with the other front-benc...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I speak in favour of passing the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill. The bill creates a specific statutory offence of domestic abuse. Currently, the criminal la...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
People who are seeing the physical devastation of domestic abuse for the first time always ask, “Why on earth does the victim stay? Why did they not leave—an...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
My generosity extends to the open speeches. You all have five minutes for your speeches. I know that you will have no trouble filling an extra minute. 16:01
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
I am very happy and proud to speak in the stage 3 debate on the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill. As deputy convener of the Justice Committee, I thank the cler...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Several months ago, I stood in this chamber and spoke of my sense of sadness that this debate was ever necessary. I still feel that way today. Domestic abuse...
Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
It is a great pleasure to take part in this debate. I start by putting on record my thanks to all the organisations that have provided us with briefings. My ...
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
I, too, thank the Government for introducing this legislation, everyone who has participated in the discussions, colleagues on the Justice Committee for the ...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I start, like others, by thanking all those who have helped us to get to this stage, including those who provided invaluable evidence, particularly the power...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
I have spoken in the chamber before on this issue and I am proud to be speaking about it again in the stage 3 debate. This bill is world leading and it will ...
Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I welcome the opportunity to speak at the third stage of this most important bill. I express my gratitude and appreciation to the Justice Committee clerking ...
Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP)
SNP
Yesterday, I received a note from a friend who was one of the first prosecutors in the first domestic abuse court in Glasgow. She said: “Good luck tomorrow,...
James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)
SNP
It is a great privilege to be able to speak in support of the bill. As politicians, we all have different areas of Scottish life that particularly affect us ...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I recognise the work of the cabinet secretary, supported by his team, in introducing this important piece of legislation, as well as the work that has been d...
Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
It is clear from members’ speeches that there is total consensus in the chamber and across all the parties in the Parliament for the introduction of legislat...
Michael Matheson
SNP
I thank all members for their positive contributions in the course of this stage 3 debate and during the passage of the bill. The Scottish Parliament is not...
Liam McArthur
LD
I welcome the funding that the cabinet secretary has identified. The issue that a number of colleagues referred to is not necessarily the quantum of funding ...
Michael Matheson
SNP
I assure Liam McArthur that we will continue to monitor and evaluate as we go forward. I am determined to make sure that those people who work directly with ...
Kezia Dugdale
Lab
I am conscious that the cabinet secretary does not have much time left to speak. Will he comment specifically on the issues that were raised about unfinished...
Michael Matheson
SNP
I am coming to that very point, which includes the emergency barring orders that members have mentioned. We will have a consultation fairly soon on how we ca...
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
I thank the cabinet secretary and members. That concludes our debate on the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill at stage 3.