Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 05 December 2019
05 Dec 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Disability Sport and Participation
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, as we develop our social security system in Scotland, people will not have that fear. Some people in the medical profession say that, if we could turn physical activity into a pill, it would be called a miracle cure—I am misquoting, but they use words to that effect. If we have a way of improving people’s health, surely we should encourage them to take that action rather than making them afraid of losing their benefits.
There have been many examples of para-athletes achieving success. Alison Johnstone mentioned the wheelchair curlers who were inspirational in the world championships in March, on home ice in Stirling. I was pleased to visit the national curling academy in Stirling, where I heard at first hand about the developments that Scottish Curling is making to ensure that it is inclusive. I even managed to have a go—I was told that I was not too bad, given that it was the first time that I had tried curling. I tried it both ways: using the stick and on the ground—
In the same item of business
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...