Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-15184, in the name of Ben Macpherson, on the contribution of European Union citizens to Scotland. 15:42

The Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development (Ben Macpherson) SNP

It is a great privilege to begin this important debate and, in doing so, to recognise and emphasise, on behalf of the Scottish Government and many others, th...

Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Today, the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, commented that there was no reason to think that cutting down immigration would harm the economy. What is the ministe...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Minister, did you hear all of that question? Ms Dugdale’s mic was not on, initially.

Ben Macpherson SNP

I heard that important intervention. I was going to say later—but I will make the point now—that Mr Javid’s comments are erroneous and inaccurate. Taking acc...

Adam Tomkins (Glasgow) (Con) Con

Does the minister accept that the fee to be charged is less than the fee that either he or I would have to pay to renew our passports?

Ben Macpherson SNP

I thought that Adam Tomkins would raise that example. The comparison is completely inappropriate and wrong-headed. When we buy a passport, we are not paying ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Come to a close, please, minister.

Ben Macpherson SNP

In my concluding remarks, I will talk more about the fee and the disastrous white paper that has been put forward. The people of Scotland should be at the he...

Adam Tomkins (Glasgow) (Con) Con

With those closing remarks, I am sure that the whole of the Parliament will speak with one voice. Tens of thousands of European citizens live in Glasgow, the...

Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) SNP

Will Adam Tomkins give way?

Adam Tomkins Con

Let me finish the quotation and then I will happily give way. The Prime Minister went on to say: “Britain is an open and tolerant country. We will always wa...

Gillian Martin SNP

Adam Tomkins has spoken about attracting talent. Does he believe that you have talent only if you earn more than £30,000 a year, which has been mooted as the...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Always speak through the chair, please.

Adam Tomkins Con

No, I do not think that talent begins only at £30,000 a year. That proposition has been put out to public consultation today—as I understand it—and I urge ev...

Ben Macpherson SNP

On those points, which are important, does Mr Tomkins regret the fact that the Prime Minister stated that EU citizens had been “skipping the queue” in coming...

Adam Tomkins Con

I think that the Prime Minster herself has distanced herself from those remarks and has apologised for them. The withdrawal agreement—successfully negotiate...

Tom Arthur (Renfrewshire South) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Adam Tomkins Con

I have already given way twice. The withdrawal agreement provides that EU citizens who have been living lawfully in the UK for five years at the end of the ...

Tom Arthur SNP

Will the member take an intervention on that point?

Adam Tomkins Con

Perhaps the minister will respond to those points when he winds up the debate. The withdrawal agreement protects existing rights to equal treatment and non-...

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

I welcome this afternoon’s debate, which recognises the value of EU citizens to Scotland and makes it clear that they are welcome here. At this time of conti...

Tom Arthur SNP

Will the member give way?

Claire Baker Lab

Yes—but I am very short of time.

Tom Arthur SNP

I welcome Claire Baker’s remarks. Will she confirm that the Scottish Labour Party supports free movement of EU nationals and UK citizens across the European ...

Claire Baker Lab

As Tom Arthur will hear in my speech, I recognise the value of freedom of movement. I was hoping that today’s debate would be consensual. We will also respon...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

The three opening speeches have all gone over time, which will have a knock-on effect on colleagues who will participate in the open debate. I ask members to...

Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green) Green

The Greens join our colleagues from the SNP and Labour in paying respect to the contributions of EU citizens and, indeed, of all people who choose to make Sc...

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con) Con

Will the member take an intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

He is just closing.