Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-11136, in the name of Michael Russell, on the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (S...

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (John Swinney) 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 UK Withdrawal from...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Michael Russell to speak to and move the motion. 18:23

The Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe (Michael Russell) SNP

On 27 February, which seems like an impossibly long time ago now, I came to the chamber to set out the Government’s reasons for introducing the bill. In the ...

Adam Tomkins (Glasgow) (Con) Con

As the minister knows, there are grave doubts about the legislative competence of the bill. In order to clarify and clear up those doubts authoritatively—tha...

Michael Russell SNP

The Scottish Government, of which the Lord Advocate is a member, has no grave doubts. It has no doubt that the bill is competent. That is absolutely clear to...

Adam Tomkins (Glasgow) (Con) Con

I open on a point of consensus—like my friend and colleague Murdo Fraser, I am always looking for consensus. On behalf of the Scottish Conservatives, I echo ...

John Swinney SNP

Will the member give way?

Adam Tomkins Con

The Lord Advocate should have the courage of his legal convictions and he should use his powers under the Scotland Act 1998 to refer the provisions of the bi...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Please sit down, Mr Swinney.

Adam Tomkins Con

First, there is the point about its compatibility with European law, which is the point that the Presiding Officer wrote about in his opinion on legislative ...

John Swinney SNP

Does Mr Tomkins not accept that for the Scottish Government to present the bill to Parliament, we would have had to seek the authority of the Lord Advocate—S...

Adam Tomkins Con

Of course I accept that. That is a matter of fact, as Mr Swinney well knows, but there is more than one legal opinion about this. There is also the legal opi...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you. Interruption. Excuse me. It is very difficult to hear if members yell.

John Swinney SNP

It was not worth listening to.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Mr Swinney! No one is above the chair in this chamber. 18:37

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

It is always depressing to follow Boris Johnson, Presiding Officer. This bill has gone through Parliament at breakneck speed. From the outset, if we are hon...

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green

I am unclear on the timing of speeches, Presiding Officer.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

You have four minutes.

Neil Findlay Lab

You have one minute.

Patrick Harvie Green

I will have to disappoint Mr Findlay and go on for just a little more than a minute. I think that, fundamentally, Parliament has done its job in this proces...

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

This Parliament is stronger for having people such as Adam Tomkins in it. He brings a wealth of experience and a hinterland—as people in other walks of life ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate, with speeches of four minutes. 18:50

Ivan McKee (Glasgow Provan) (SNP) SNP

Normally, members state at the start of their remarks how pleased they are to speak in a debate. I must say that, today, for me, that is not the case. We do ...

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

The bill is not one that the Scottish Conservatives ever wanted to see. We made it clear from the start that we consider it to be unnecessary and beyond the ...

Patrick Harvie Green

Will the member give way?

Murdo Fraser Con

I am sorry, but I have only four minutes.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

You can take the intervention if you wish. I can give you a little extra time.

Murdo Fraser Con

Well, if I have a moment, I will give way.

Patrick Harvie Green

I am grateful. Mr Fraser knows that he has successfully improved the bill, and I have supported some of his amendments. However, he says that the bill still ...