Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on legislative consent motion S5M-21322, in the name of Michael Russell, on the United Kingdom Coronavirus Bill. 15:49

The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs (Michael Russell) SNP

Less than a week ago, I updated members in the chamber on the introduction by the United Kingdom Government of the Coronavirus Bill and set out the measures ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Bruce Crawford to speak on behalf of the Finance and Constitution Committee for up to five minutes, please. 15:56

Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP) SNP

We find ourselves in exceptional circumstances. We are considering a bill and a legislative consent memorandum that seek extraordinary powers in an effort to...

Bill Bowman (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I speak as the convener of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. We discussed the bill at our meeting this morning, although, given the urgency of t...

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

I will make a brief contribution on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives and say at the outset that we will support the legislative consent motion at decisio...

Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

Labour, too, will support the Government today. I put on record my thanks to the cabinet secretary for the cross-party dialogue that has taken place today re...

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green

The Greens will also support the legislative consent motion. I say that as someone who has a long-standing grievance—I know that that word is sometimes used ...

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD

Bruce Crawford summed up the situation well when he said that “we are in a war against an unseen and deadly enemy”, and that we need to work in partnership...

Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP

To anyone who has any doubts that the bill is necessary, I would just say one word: Italy. Italy has an excellent health service—not unlike our NHS—and, at t...

Ruth Davidson (Edinburgh Central) (Con) Con

For me, this debate on the bill and the legislative consent motion is about one thing only: trust. It is about trusting the UK and Scottish Governments to ma...

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I begin with my heartfelt thanks to the committee, the First Minister, all Scottish Government ministers and Aileen Campbell, in particular, who made the rig...

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

Time is short, so I will be brief. I want to raise some concerns with the minister. Labour members support the legislation. However, it should be subject to...

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

The cabinet secretary opened the debate by saying that the restrictions that came into effect at midnight last night will feel difficult and strange to many ...

Adam Tomkins (Glasgow) (Con) Con

I will reflect in my remarks on the nature of emergency power and human rights. Ruth Davidson spoke about John Stuart Mill; I will go even further back and ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Before I call the cabinet secretary, I say that I should have said earlier that members should note that decision time has been delayed; you might have notic...

Michael Russell SNP

Thank you, Presiding Officer. I also thank members for the very constructive nature of the debate. I will try to get through a number of the points that have...

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Will the cabinet secretary give way?

Michael Russell SNP

No. I am sorry, but I do not have time. I have to get through this. I am in favour of a two-month reporting period, and I commit myself to that and will put...