Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-15243, in the name of Michael Matheson, on ultra-low-emission vehicles. 14:30

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity (Michael Matheson) SNP

In 2017, we announced our commitment to phase out the need for petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032. Since then, we have seen huge shifts in the electric ...

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

As the owner and daily user of a hybrid vehicle, I applaud the Scottish Government for its—if I can use this pun—direction of travel. However, I am also the ...

Michael Matheson SNP

There is no plan to ban petrol or diesel vehicles, but Murdo Fraser might have difficulty in getting his classic car into low-emission zones in our big citie...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP) SNP

The cabinet secretary has mentioned electricity a few times. Is there a place for hydrogen in the mix?

Michael Matheson SNP

If John Mason bears with me, I will get to hydrogen, which has an important role to play. This year, we will expand the scope and ambition of our work so th...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

Is there a risk in overfocusing on types of power, whether it is hydrogen or electric, to the exclusion of automation? The combination of automation with ele...

Michael Matheson SNP

Daniel Johnson raises an important point. Such issues need to be considered, but the timeline for progress on them is different. That is why we need to take ...

Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con) Con

There is no better way to kick-start the new year than to discuss an issue that will affect not only this generation but the generations to come: climate cha...

Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) SNP

Does the member agree that is it incumbent on us, as society’s highest earners and its representatives, to lead the way with our choice of vehicles and to go...

Jamie Greene Con

Absolutely. However, given the number of miles and the distances that we cover, as many other people do in their daily lives, the problem is that there are s...

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Transport accounts for almost two thirds of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions, with road transport responsible for almost three quarters of that. If we are...

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green

I commend what the Government motion says about “an unprecedented period”. It most certainly is unprecedented, but I suspect that we are talking about slight...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

I thank the transport secretary for lodging his motion, which allows us to start 2019 with this important debate. In the context of the recent lack of progre...

The Presiding Officer NPA

We turn to the open debate. Members have five minutes for their contributions. 15:10

Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP) SNP

Happy new year, Presiding Officer. Scotland has some of the world’s most ambitious targets when it comes to making our country a low-carbon economy. It goes...

Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, specifically on farming. The way that the world travels is changing: the wheel has not be...

George Adam (Paisley) (SNP) SNP

For once, my previous employment is actually of some use in a debate in Parliament. People lazily say “a former used-car salesman”. At this point, I say for ...

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

As we have heard, ultra-low-emission vehicles are an important part of a reimagined and progressive transport system for Scotland’s future. Many of us consid...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Very briefly, please.

Claudia Beamish Lab

Rural poverty can be hidden in small pockets, but many people in rural areas face real difficulties. I believe that there is a case to be made for providing ...

The Presiding Officer NPA

That was brief—thank you. 15:30

John Scott (Ayr) (Con) Con

I begin by declaring an interest as a farmer, an historical rural dweller and the owner of a rural business. I welcome this debate on ultra-low-emission vehi...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

I must tell members that we are very tight for time, because a statement has to follow the debate at 4.30. 15:34

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

I declare that I am honorary president of the Scottish Association for Public Transport and honorary vice-president of Railfuture. I listened with interest ...

Jamie Greene Con

Will the member give way?

Stewart Stevenson SNP

I suspect that I do not have time; I ask the member to forgive me. Claudia Beamish talked about planning and domestic houses. My colleague Richard Lyle has ...

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Lab) Lab

It is scarcely 100 years since transport in the western world was revolutionised by the rise of the internal combustion engine, which decisively replaced hor...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

You must conclude there. I am sorry, but I must be very firm. I want to fit in everyone who has been sitting waiting. 15:45

Angus MacDonald (Falkirk East) (SNP) SNP

Scotland, as a nation, is changing in many ways. Change, in most circumstances, is welcome—and the change that we are seeing in the advancement of our infras...