Committee
COVID-19 Committee 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 · S5 · COVID-19 Committee
Item of business
Coronavirus (Scotland) (No 2) Bill: Stage 2
Amendment 22, in the name of Pauline McNeill, has already been debated with amendment 15. I invite Pauline McNeill to respond briefly to the debate, if she wishes to do so, and to say whether she will move amendment 22.
In the same item of business
The Convener (Murdo Fraser)
Con
Good morning, and welcome to the fifth meeting of the COVID-19 Committee. The only item on our agenda today is stage 2 consideration of the Coronavirus (Scot...
Annabelle Ewing (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)
SNP
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. Therein, members will note that I am a member of the Law Society of Scotland and hold a cu...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I am a member of Unite the union.
The Convener
Con
We come to the stage 2 proceedings. Members will have in front of them the marshalled list, which shows the order in which amendments will be considered. Se...
The Convener
Con
The first group of amendments is on housing and tenancies. Amendment 15, in the name of Graham Simpson, is grouped with amendments 16, 22, 17 to 20, 42, 46 a...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Good morning, everyone. Good luck today—I know that you have a lot to get through. I have the convener’s words that we should keep things brief ringing in my...
The Convener
Con
I remind members that if they want to contribute to the discussion on the amendments, they must type “R” in the message box, please.
Andy Wightman (Lothian) (Green)
Green
As members are aware, the first coronavirus bill—the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill—provided welcome protection for tenants by ensuring that notice periods for ...
The Convener
Con
Pauline McNeill will speak to amendment 22 and other amendments in the group.
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
As Andy Wightman said, many tenants will face severe economic hardship due to Covid-19. Government should seriously consider the importance of trying to avoi...
The Convener
Con
As no other members wish to speak at this point, we will hear from the minister.
The Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning (Kevin Stewart)
SNP
There are several amendments in the group, and I will address each in turn. I will start with amendment 15, in the name of Graham Simpson. I thank Mr Simpso...
The Convener
Con
Thank you, minister. As you have said, that was a comprehensive assessment of the group.
Graham Simpson
Con
I thank members who have taken part in the discussion on the group, and I thank the minister for what was, as has been said, a comprehensive look at all the ...
The Convener
Con
Amendment 16 is in the name of Andy Wightman. Because the technology that we are using does not allow interventions, it is reasonable to allow members who ha...
Andy Wightman
Green
Thank you, convener. I will move amendment 16. The minister said that no landlord should evict a tenant because of coronavirus, but the reality is that tena...
The Convener
Con
The question is, that amendment 16 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.
The Convener
Con
There will be a division. For Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Agai...
The Convener
Con
The result of the division is: For 3, Against 6, Abstentions 0. Amendment 16 disagreed to.
The Convener
Con
Amendment 22, in the name of Pauline McNeill, has already been debated with amendment 15. I invite Pauline McNeill to respond briefly to the debate, if she w...
Pauline McNeill
Lab
I will move amendment 22. I agree with Andy Wightman that tenants will potentially be evicted from their homes if we do not take a more radical approach to ...
The Convener
Con
The question is, that amendment 22 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.
The Convener
Con
There will be a division. For Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD) Agai...
The Convener
Con
The result of the division is: For 3, Against 6, Abstentions 0. Amendment 22 disagreed to. Amendment 17 moved—Andy Wightman.
The Convener
Con
The question is, that amendment 17 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.
The Convener
Con
There will be a division. For Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Against Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine ...
The Convener
Con
The result of the division is: For 2, Against 7, Abstentions 0. Amendment 17 disagreed to. Amendment 18 moved—Andy Wightman.
The Convener
Con
The question is, that amendment 18 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.
The Convener
Con
There will be a division. For Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green) Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab) Against Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine ...
The Convener
Con
The result of the division is: For 2, Against 7, Abstentions 0. Amendment 18 disagreed to. Amendment 19 moved—Andy Wightman.