Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-15016, in the name of Graeme Dey, on a strategy for our veterans: taking it forward in Scotland. 15:38

The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans (Graeme Dey) SNP

I am pleased to open this afternoon’s debate, in which we will consider how we support our armed forces and veterans community in Scotland. I advise the cham...

Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I declare an interest: I am a veteran. I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. Given my past experience in the armed forces and my role in vetera...

Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Like Mr Corry, I declare an interest as an armed forces veteran. We welcome the debate, the work that partners across all four UK nations have undertaken in...

Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (LD) LD

I am pleased to speak in today’s debate. A great many adults in Scotland have served in our armed forces. Although the majority of veterans go on to lead nor...

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP) SNP

I am delighted to speak in the debate. As members will know, members of the armed forces and the ex-service community account for almost 10 per cent of the p...

Tom Mason (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I support the motion and my colleague Maurice Corry’s amendment. We are fortunate to live in an open and free democracy where we are able to debate the ideas...

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

I was pleased in this session of Parliament to respond positively to an invitation to become a member of the Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, ...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

As deputy convener of the cross-party group on the armed forces and veterans community, I am delighted that we have the opportunity today to have a debate—al...

Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) SNP

I am pleased to speak in the debate, not least in order to welcome the work that has been undertaken by partners across all four nations to develop a veteran...

Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

Today’s debate is a welcome opportunity to discuss some of the positive work across the United Kingdom to support and expand opportunities for veterans. The...

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP

It is an honour and privilege to speak in today’s debate. Veterans are true heroes who often receive less support than they deserve. We all understand the i...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the closing speeches. I call Mike Rumbles to speak for four minutes. 16:30

Mike Rumbles LD

I do not want to take up too much time. I am impressed by the contributions from across the chamber. Every member has spoken with the feeling that everything...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

That was quick. That caught me unexpectedly, Mr Rumbles. I call Alex Rowley. Mr Rowley, I can allow you a little extra time, if you wish. 16:31

Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

In closing for Labour, I again offer support for the debate, and I welcome the backing that has been shown across the chamber for veterans in Scotland. With...

Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

Like Mark Griffin, Maurice Corry and Mike Rumbles, I was a soldier. I served the country for 12 years. I am a veteran of a regiment in which my son now serve...

Mike Rumbles LD

Will the member clarify that he is not pleading for special treatment? I think that he is saying that we should treat everyone on both sides of that conflict...

Edward Mountain Con

I am, indeed, saying that. I have used the example before of a colleague in my regiment who is now being persecuted for something that happened in the 1970s,...

Graeme Dey SNP

I warmly thank colleagues from across the chamber for their contributions. The debate has been relatively brief, but it has very much re-emphasised the cross...

Maurice Corry Con

I discussed with the minister the issue of expanding the science parks in four areas of Scotland. Has he made any progress on that? Progress in that area wou...

Graeme Dey SNP

As Mr Corry might acknowledge, it was only a few days ago that we discussed the issue, so the answer is that I have not yet made progress on it.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Humza Yousaf) SNP

You are terribly slow. Laughter.

Graeme Dey SNP

I was making the point that the transition process can be very hard for the family, and it can be doubly hard if the sailor, soldier or airman has been left ...