Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S5M-14677, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on the Scottish Government to penalise Scots for...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

You can call me Jackie any time you like, Presiding Officer.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

It is too close to recess. I am drifting. I call Jackie Baillie to open the debate. Motion debated, That the Parliament disagrees with the Scottish Water p...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

Almost 950,000 people in Scotland receive a discount for their water. For the overwhelming majority of those people, the discount is worth 25 per cent of the...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

Does Jackie Baillie accept that some of us who are single and live on our own would happily pay a bit of extra money?

Jackie Baillie Lab

If John Mason wishes to do so, I am sure that Glasgow City Council would welcome him paying extra. However, that is not the point. The majority of people in ...

James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP) SNP

As is normal, I thank Jackie Baillie for securing the debate. However, I am deeply disappointed in the tone of her motion, and I am also surprised that it wa...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

James Dornan SNP

Only if it is not coming of my time.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

There is time, Mr Dornan.

Daniel Johnson Lab

I gather, based on his remarks, that the member is asking the Scottish Government to rule out removing the single-person discount for water. Is that correct?

James Dornan SNP

I thought that Daniel Johnson had been here long enough to know the difference between a consultation and something that is not a consultation. The consultat...

Jackie Baillie Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

The member should be concluding, Ms Baillie.

James Dornan SNP

I reiterate that no decisions have been taken on the issue. However, when the decision is taken, it will be about ensuring that the help that we provide goes...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you, Mr Dornan. Just for—Interruption. I ask members to please be quiet. Mr Dornan, you said that you did not know why the motion was allowed. The proc...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Sit down, Mr Dornan.

James Dornan SNP

I raise a point of order.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Tread carefully—it had better be a point of order.

James Dornan SNP

Do we have clarification of what the boundaries are for a member’s debate?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Sit down, Mr Dornan. Sit down. That is not a point of order. You asked why the debate was allowed and I have explained the parliamentary process. That is why...

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

My speech completely misjudges the tone of the debate, but I will continue. I thank Jackie Baillie for bringing this important subject to the chamber. As t...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I have been quite indulgent, because you did not read the motion properly.

Finlay Carson Con

You are absolutely right.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Do not test my indulgence by giving me a big list of all the organisations that you want on the record.

Finlay Carson Con

I certainly will not do that.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

No, you will not.

Finlay Carson Con

At this time of year, when the focus is on goodwill to all men and women, Scottish Water needs to look again at its misguided plans that will punish people s...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you very much. I see that you have found your card and I have found my glasses, so things are improving. 17:25

James Kelly (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I start by paying tribute to my colleague Jackie Baillie for securing the debate and lodging her relevant motion. Jackie has a formidable record as a campaig...