Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on disability sport and participation. I call Joe FitzPatrick to open the debate—Interruption. I see that Mr FitzPatric...

The Minister for Older People and Equalities (Christina McKelvie) SNP

It is obviously a wonderful transformation, Presiding Officer—I have much more hair, anyway. Laughter. It gives me great pleasure to open the debate. Tackl...

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con) Con

I start by declaring an interest: I am a coach, including to athletes designated with a disability. I am obviously delighted to open the debate on behalf of...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con) Con

Totally.

Brian Whittle Con

I am sorry. They totally humiliated the parliamentary team 6-0 in a 10-minute demonstration game during the Scottish championships. To this day, Alexander St...

Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

As Scottish Labour’s spokesperson on sport and equalities, I am delighted to speak in today’s important debate on disability sport and participation. Tuesda...

Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green) Green

I was pleased to see, just last Sunday in my region of Lothian, the University of Edinburgh volleyball club host a low-intensity sports event at the Pleasanc...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I always do that, so you are absolutely fine.

Alison Johnstone Green

Thank you. Ensuring that disabled people can become coaches is hugely important. The inclusive coach project, which is funded by sportscotland, matches pote...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Mike Rumbles to open the debate on behalf of the Liberal Democrats. There is a little time in hand. You can see that I am being generous today. Enjoy ...

Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (LD) LD

After Tuesday, when I prepared a six-minute speech and, without notice, was told that I had only four minutes, I am now facing the opposite situation. Howeve...

Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

We can all take great pride in the achievements of our athletes in Scotland and the records that they continue to break, but it is particularly inspiring to ...

Tom Mason (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

Today’s debate is one that I am glad to speak in, having some considerable experience over my 75 years—sorry, my 76 years—of a fair few of the challenges tha...

Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP

As someone who believes in the benefits of sport and physical activity, I am honoured to speak in today’s debate. I firmly believe that everyone, regardless ...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

I start by declaring an interest: I am the honorary president of the Dunbartonshire Disability Sports Club, and I have been since 2013. I intend, therefore, ...

Jenny Gilruth (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP) SNP

Sport should be for everyone, because, as the minister mentioned in her opening speech, it has the potential to change lives. As the Scottish Disability Spo...

Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this important debate on disability sport and participation. I thank all the organisations and individuals who sent bri...

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

This has been an excellent debate, with thoughtful and considered speeches by members from across Parliament. My only disappointment is that the debate was s...

Brian Whittle Con

I thank David Stewart for taking an intervention—I will not talk about shoes. Several members have mentioned that one in five people in Scotland has a disab...

David Stewart Lab

I strongly agree: I was going to mention Brian Whittle’s speech. It is also important that we avoid labelling. I think that Brian Whittle is making that poin...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con) Con

I congratulate all members who have taken part in the debate. I also congratulate the Scottish Government and the business managers. This is the third day in...

Brian Whittle Con

If I may intervene on one of my own, I say that I totally agree that what we are considering here is participation across all demographics. Does Jeremy Balfo...

Jeremy Balfour Con

I do accept that. I remember—to show my age—when David Wilkie came to our local swimming club and we all got to have our photo taken with him. Undoubtedly, h...

The Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing (Joe FitzPatrick) SNP

I am delighted to close today’s debate on disability sport and participation and I thank members across the chamber for their contributions and for the way i...

Mike Rumbles LD

The debate has been very consensual, but an issue that has not been tackled has been the Scottish Disability Sport report that showed that 47 per cent of dis...

Joe FitzPatrick SNP

The very important point that Mike Rumbles and other members have made is about the type of society and welfare system that we have. I certainly hope that, a...

David Stewart Lab

Did the minister feel when he was curling that it was a bit like his political career, in that he was on thin ice for much of the time? Members: Oh!

Joe FitzPatrick SNP

I am pleased to confirm that the ice arena in Stirling has very firm ice. There are many other fantastic examples of people who have been real advocates for...

The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA

That concludes our debate on disability sport and participation. I am minded to accept a motion without notice to bring forward decision time to now. Mot...