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Hansard

Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

129
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415
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2,354,908
Hansard contributions
1999–2026
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Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Reform) Reform Committee
02 Mar 2021
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
As has been said, it became apparent at last week’s meeting that there would not be support for amendments to the bill other than the ones that the minister has lodged. I exchanged emails with the minister and Neil Bibby and, on the basis of those emails, I will not move my am...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Reform) Reform Chamber
02 Mar 2021
Covid-19
One of my constituents, who is a merchant seafarer who left Scotland to join his cargo ship before the quarantine rules were introduced, now finds himself unable to continue his job unless he accepts not returning to his home and family, and pays most of his salary in quaranti...
Michelle Ballantyne Reform Committee
23 Feb 2021
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Much has already been said about MROs, so I will try not to repeat all the arguments—I am aware that this discussion is taking quite a long time. I think, from listening to the debate, that there seems to be a bit of confusion about whether we are trying to achieve consistenc...
Michelle Ballantyne Reform Committee
23 Feb 2021
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
I have three amendments in this group: 36, 37 and 47. Amendment 36 aims to tidy up the drafting and make it more precise. It would change “sell to the pub’s customers” to “offer for retail sale on the premises”. That change is important, because the wording is more meaning...
Michelle Ballantyne Reform Committee
23 Feb 2021
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Thank you. I hear what the minister and Neil Bibby, who is presenting the bill, have said, but it is important to ensure that the bill sets out that things must be fair and reasonable to both parties, that it accords with industry practice and, particularly, that it takes acco...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Reform) Reform Committee
23 Feb 2021
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
As has been discussed, the Parliament agreed to the general principles of the bill at stage 1. I believe that our job today is to make sure that it is fit for purpose for both sides. It is important that publicans who have tied leases feel that they are being fairly treated an...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Reform) Reform Chamber
03 Feb 2021
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
It gives me no pleasure to take up members’ time to speak against the motion, but I feel that it is important to raise how unsatisfactory it is that SSIs are presented to the Parliament with a broad range of elements that we have either to support or reject en masse. I have ra...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Reform) Reform Chamber
20 Jan 2021
Decision Time
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I did not connect to the digital voting system, but I would have voted yes.
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Reform) Reform Chamber
20 Jan 2021
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
I wish to speak against motions S5M-23910 and S5M-23911. With only a couple of minutes allocated to explain my objections, I start by saying that my concerns in no way dismiss the dangers of the Covid virus, nor do they suggest that decision makers do not care or are not tryin...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Reform) Reform Chamber
20 Jan 2021
Health and Care Workforce
The emergence of the coronavirus and its subsequent variants has resulted in decisions being made that would have been unthinkable a year ago. The idea that our liberties could be restricted, our livelihoods threatened and our children’s education disrupted is the stuff of nig...
Michelle Ballantyne Ind Chamber
22 Dec 2020
UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
In the light of the amendments that Liam McArthur has lodged and his explanation of them, I intend not to move amendments 52 and 17, because they overlap with head (1) of amendment 18. However, I will move amendment 16, because it would strengthen the way in which the stateme...
Michelle Ballantyne Ind Chamber
22 Dec 2020
UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Mr Lockhart has covered very well the issues that my amendments try to cover. It is wrong to think that everybody out there who is doing business and living their lives is watching every move that is made in this Parliament. Scottish statutory instruments are passed on a daily...
Michelle Ballantyne Ind Chamber
22 Dec 2020
UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
My intention was to limit the powers that the bill provides to the next two parliamentary terms. However, I do not intend to move amendment 42.
Michelle Ballantyne Ind Chamber
22 Dec 2020
UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Mike Russell is correct that I did not have any meetings with him about those amendments, but they were all back and forth from the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee’s report and he has responded to those, so they are not new. He has seen that committee’s thoughts on t...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Ind) Ind Chamber
22 Dec 2020
UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I want to set out the reasoning for lodging my amendments. I will try to keep my remarks on each group short and to the point, because I am conscious that this will be a long day. My amendments throughout stage 3 speak to the fact that, fundamentally, it is for the Parliament...
Michelle Ballantyne Ind Chamber
16 Dec 2020
Portfolio Question Time · Trade Arrangements (Post-Brexit)
Although I thank the cabinet secretary for that answer, the reality is that the democratic decision to resign the UK’s membership of the EU was supported by more than 1 million Scottish voters, and that we officially left the EU in January of this year. Therefore, does the c...
5. Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Ind) Ind Chamber
16 Dec 2020
Portfolio Question Time · Trade Arrangements (Post-Brexit)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on which post-Brexit trading arrangements between the United Kingdom and European Union would be best for Scotland. (S5O-04861)
Michelle Ballantyne Ind Chamber
26 Nov 2020
First Minister’s Question Time · Offensive Weapons
We have seen a downturn in the number of crimes. That has no doubt been brought about partly by the pandemic that we are experiencing. However, although there has been a decrease in crime in most local authorities, Midlothian is rare, in that there has been a 5 per cent incre...
6. Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Ind) Ind Chamber
26 Nov 2020
First Minister’s Question Time · Offensive Weapons
To ask the First Minister for what reason crimes involving offensive weapons reportedly continue to be on the rise, and what action the Scottish Government is taking to tackle this. (S5F-04595)
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
18 Nov 2020
Portfolio Question Time · Union Connectivity Review
What I really want to understand is whether the cabinet secretary is going to take part in the independent review. For those of us who live, work and run businesses in the south of Scotland, connectivity across the border is extremely important. It is not a political matter—it...
1. Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
18 Nov 2020
Portfolio Question Time · Union Connectivity Review
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement Transport Scotland has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding the union connectivity review. (S5O-04753)
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
17 Nov 2020
Veterans and Armed Forces Community
Many years ago, there was a saying that, if the Army wanted you to have a wife, it would have issued you with one. When I was a young Army wife, one of my first experiences was giving evidence to an inquiry into how to improve life for families and prevent soldiers from leavin...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
11 Nov 2020
Covid-19 Support (Tourism and Hospitality)
I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests. Last week, the South of Scotland Destination Alliance conducted a flash survey of the sector on the impact of the new tier system and the lockdown in England. The results are stark: 90 to 100 per cent of booki...
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
29 Oct 2020
First Minister’s Question Time · Flu Vaccinations (Completion)
When I previously asked the First Minister whether she could guarantee that everyone who is due a flu vaccine will receive one and what percentage she hoped to achieve by the end of November, she was not able to offer that guarantee. However, the health secretary wrote to me t...
6. Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
29 Oct 2020
First Minister’s Question Time · Flu Vaccinations (Completion)
To ask the First Minister whether all flu vaccinations will be completed on time. (S5F-04486)
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
28 Oct 2020
Energy Inquiry
So my talk is short. I am enthusiastic, but the minister must look at some of those points.
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
28 Oct 2020
Energy Inquiry
Dealing with the energy quadrilemma in four minutes seems to be a real gallop, so I will try to focus on one area, to which Graham Simpson alluded. I am a recent convert to being an EV driver. I have recently gone from being a petrolhead to whatever the new terminology is—nobo...
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
28 Oct 2020
Portfolio Question Time · United Kingdom Trade (Jobs)
I am sad to say that the cabinet secretary did not answer my question. There is no doubt that Covid has had a devastating impact on jobs. The cabinet secretary has taken every opportunity to make clear his lack of respect for the democratic decision of the UK to end UK member...
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
27 Oct 2020
Inward Investment Plan
What reassurances can the minister give investors that Scotland can grow and retain a workforce that has sufficient skills to build a digital economy?
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
27 Oct 2020
Inward Investment Plan
Although the ambitions set out in the statement are admirable, we are still remarkably short on detail—particularly on how we might make the digital economy a growth sector for all of Scotland. The Logan review noted that 17 per cent of Scottish secondary schools do not have ...
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
07 Oct 2020
Portfolio Question Time · Sheriffhall Roundabout Upgrade (Review)
As the cabinet secretary will know, councils across the south-east of Scotland are dealing with rapidly rising populations. They are sticking to their end of the deal by building more affordable homes, but they are being let down when it comes to access to Edinburgh. We need d...
3. Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
07 Oct 2020
Portfolio Question Time · Sheriffhall Roundabout Upgrade (Review)
To ask the Scottish Government when the conclusion of the review of the upgrade to the Sheriffhall roundabout will be published. (S5O-04667)
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
01 Oct 2020
First Minister’s Question Time · Flu Vaccination
The First Minister will be aware that many of my constituents in Lothian and the Borders have been contacting us to say that they were told to go for flu jab appointments only to have to wait in long queues or even be turned away on arrival. We all know that some areas of the ...
6. Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
01 Oct 2020
First Minister’s Question Time · Flu Vaccination
To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government can guarantee that everyone who has been referred for a winter flu vaccination will be able to get one. (S5F-04429)
Michelle Ballantyne Con Committee
29 Sep 2020
Work of the Committee 2019-20
That would be extremely welcome. I completely agree with you on moveable transactions. That issue should have been dealt with, because it would have huge economic benefits to business. It is a shame that the proposal is still sitting there.
Michelle Ballantyne Con Committee
29 Sep 2020
Work of the Committee 2019-20
I am sure that you do not plan on the back of a fag packet, so to speak. Usually, amendments at stage 3 are avoided, but if that happens, it would be helpful if you could give us a heads-up in advance that there will be a revision, so that we can at least think about how that ...
Michelle Ballantyne Con Committee
29 Sep 2020
Work of the Committee 2019-20
Thank you. That moves me on to ask about a problem that we have spotted, and which has arisen today. It relates to what you were saying earlier about the need to implement change quickly and things happening fast. As we approach the end of the parliamentary session, there will...
Michelle Ballantyne Con Committee
29 Sep 2020
Work of the Committee 2019-20
That would be helpful. Are you aware of any groups of instruments that are coming?
Michelle Ballantyne Con Committee
29 Sep 2020
Work of the Committee 2019-20
That is good. That leads me nicely on to the second point that I want to raise. The committee often considers packages of SSIs, particularly around new acts—for example, the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 and the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019. I am sure that the issue is ...
Michelle Ballantyne Con Committee
29 Sep 2020
Work of the Committee 2019-20
It is about both; it is about everything that you have to do beyond Covid and EU withdrawal legislation.
Michelle Ballantyne Con Committee
29 Sep 2020
Work of the Committee 2019-20
Clearly, there is a substantial amount of legislation to go through before the end of the current parliamentary session, which is, no doubt, a big challenge for you. I am wondering about the work that we have to do on non-Covid and non-EU withdrawal legislation. How is the Sco...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Committee
29 Sep 2020
Work of the Committee 2019-20
I want to pick up on that point. The expression “the rules” is used all the time. In Parliament, it is perhaps incumbent on us to use more technical language and to talk about regulations or guidance. I think that a lot of the confusion comes from the First Minister or whoever...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
24 Sep 2020
Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Without doubt, the bill has a commendable purpose. As I was convener of the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee during the stage 1 process, I would like to thank all those who gave evidence, and the committee clerks for all their hard work in producing our report. I had t...
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
16 Sep 2020
Sustainable Aviation beyond Covid-19
Will the member accept an intervention?
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
16 Sep 2020
Sustainable Aviation beyond Covid-19
In conclusion, we need a balanced approach that takes safety and sustainability into account while addressing the fundamental economic realities. The months ahead do not present a menu of easy choices, but it is important that we stimulate the aviation sector through the ebb a...
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
16 Sep 2020
Sustainable Aviation beyond Covid-19
I do not agree with bail-outs when there is no future for the company. However, as I acknowledged just then, assistance is required at the moment, and I have listed some of the assistance that is being given. What we must bear in mind is that we need the arrival of visitors an...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
16 Sep 2020
Sustainable Aviation beyond Covid-19
No one doubts the importance of aviation as an industry, and the debate is welcome, given the number of emails that I have received from very worried employees. Because of our geographic position as an island, we cannot just dismiss aviation; we need to cross the seas, and we ...
Michelle Ballantyne Con Chamber
16 Sep 2020
Portfolio Question Time · Brexit (Impact on Fisheries)
The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has said that negotiating with the EU for anything other than the UK being a fully independent coastal state would be a “colossal betrayal”. Does the cabinet secretary agree that foreign affairs is a reserved matter and, therefore, that any ...
2. Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
16 Sep 2020
Portfolio Question Time · Brexit (Impact on Fisheries)
To ask the Scottish Government what talks it has had with the European Union regarding the potential impact of Brexit on Scotland’s fisheries. (S5O-04590)
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
09 Sep 2020
Dirty Camping
The minister makes an important point. As a youth leader who works with children from deprived areas, I would say that the biggest issue is education. That was mentioned by Liz Smith and Stewart Stevenson. As youngsters, we learned through our outdoor education in scouts, cade...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Chamber
01 Sep 2020
Logan Review (Technology Sector)
I, too, welcome the report, which is a good commercial guide for the Government to take forward. Does the cabinet secretary recognise that leaving the European Union might afford us greater opportunities to attract the best in global tech talent, given that the four major expo...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con Committee
25 Aug 2020
Interests
Thank you, convener. I declare that I have a large shareholding in a private company. I am also the managing trustee of a private estate that was left for the benefit of the people. I refer everyone to my entry in the register of members’ interests.
The Convener Con Committee
18 Aug 2020
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Under the circumstances, it will be extremely difficult to take evidence from the minister today. Unless the minister feels otherwise, I suggest that we postpone the evidence session. I apologise to Dr Burgess and Aileen Bearhop, but we do not have a clear line to the ministe...
The Convener Con Committee
18 Aug 2020
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Your voice is breaking up.
The Convener Con Committee
18 Aug 2020
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
No, you are coming and going. Unless we can improve the connection, I do not think that it will work. I will ask business information technology staff for advice. I do not think that we have any sound at all now.
The Convener Con Committee
18 Aug 2020
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
You are back. Try again.
The Convener Con Committee
18 Aug 2020
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We could hear you earlier, minister. Try again. I think that we might have lost the minister. I will ask broadcasting to confirm whether that is the case.
The Convener Con Committee
18 Aug 2020
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Yes, we can hear you. Go ahead.
The Convener Con Committee
18 Aug 2020
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We are having problems with the minister’s connection. I will ask broadcasting to turn off his video and we will just go with the sound.
The Convener Con Committee
18 Aug 2020
Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Welcome back. I am pleased to welcome our final panel for the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill evidence session, from the Scottish Government: Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills; Aileen Bearhop, head of good food nation, public and third sector team; and Dr Ge...
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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 09 September 2020

09 Sep 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Dirty Camping
Ballantyne, Michelle Con South Scotland Watch on SPTV

The minister makes an important point. As a youth leader who works with children from deprived areas, I would say that the biggest issue is education. That was mentioned by Liz Smith and Stewart Stevenson. As youngsters, we learned through our outdoor education in scouts, cadets and school, and that provision is being massively eroded. Netherurd in the Borders region is being closed, but it is in such places that we learned how to treat the countryside, how to behave, how to camp, where to walk and not to litter. Will the minister commit to improving funding for outdoor education?

In the same item of business

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S5M-22367, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on tackling dirty camping. The debate will be conc...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer—it is good to finally get to the start of the debate. I thank members from all sides of the chamber who signed my motion to allo...
Maree Todd (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Murdo Fraser Con
Yes, of course.
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP
I call—I have forgotten the member’s name.
Maree Todd SNP
It is Maree Todd. Laughter.
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP
It has been such a long day. I am hearing that the member is Mairi Gougeon or Clare Haughey—it is neither of them. It is Maree Todd.
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con
I will take over from you, Presiding Officer, if you would like me to.
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP
No, thank you, Mr Mountain. That is very gentlemanly of you, but I am embarrassed enough.
Murdo Fraser Con
Maree Todd has forgotten her intervention now.
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP
Are there any names that I have forgotten to mention, Ms Todd? I am sorry about that. Please continue with your intervention.
Maree Todd SNP
To help you remember my name, Presiding Officer, I will set the context. My name is Maree Todd, and I was named after Loch Maree. You will be aware of the re...
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP
This is supposed to be an intervention, Ms Todd.
Maree Todd SNP
Does the member agree with me, or does he believe that there should be one law for the Prime Minister and another law for the rest of us?
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP
That was not an intervention. There was a wee hiatus that I was not expecting.
Murdo Fraser Con
I am sorry, Presiding Officer, that you had to wait for so long for such a tiresome party political point from the member, which was—to be frank—not worthy o...
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP
I remind all members who wish to speak that they must press their request-to-speak buttons. I am not naming anyone in particular, but I hope that they have p...
Bruce Crawford (Stirling) (SNP) SNP
I am grateful for the chance to speak in the debate, and I thank Murdo Fraser and congratulate him on bringing the debate to the chamber. I proudly represen...
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP
I understand that Mr Crawford, and I understand about late hours. 18:16
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con
I thank Murdo Fraser for securing the debate. The £3 million VisitScotland scheme to encourage holidays at home in Scotland has resulted in more staycations...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP) SNP
I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate on tackling dirty camping. This is only our second members’ business debate since March, and I congratulate...
Finlay Carson Con
Will the member take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP
The member is coming to a conclusion—she is in her final minute.
Emma Harper SNP
I am sorry; I would have taken an intervention from Mr Carson if we had more time.
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP
Well, all right—seeing as I made such a mess of things earlier, I will allow the intervention.
Finlay Carson Con
Does Emma Harper agree that bringing all such services together could best be facilitated through the likes of a countryside ranger service? The countryside ...
Emma Harper SNP
I was just coming to the point that partnership working is critical. Obviously, budgets are really challenged at the moment. The minister would need to respo...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab
I thank Murdo Fraser for securing the debate, and Ramblers Scotland and Mountaineering Scotland for the helpful briefings that they have provided. It is imp...
Andy Wightman (Lothian) (Green) Green
I thank Murdo Fraser for bringing the debate to the chamber. The matter is of great concern to many of our constituents, especially those who live in the Hig...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP) SNP
I was 22 years old when I first stayed overnight on holiday in a hotel. Up to that point, all our family holidays were under canvas. The first of them, in th...