Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-22711, in the name of Colin Smyth, on sustainable aviation beyond Covid-19. I invite members who wish to ...

Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I declare an interest as a proud member of a trade union. Last week’s decision to slam on the brakes, and in some cases to move into reverse, on the easing ...

Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (LD) LD

I congratulate Colin Smyth on identifying in his motion exactly what the Scottish Government should be doing. Will he comment on the so-called quarantine tha...

Colin Smyth Lab

I thank Mike Rumbles for making that pertinent point. The reality is that the current process is simply not fit for purpose. Later, I will give details of wh...

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP) SNP

Colin Smyth talks about firing and rehiring. I do not see any mention in the motion of the bill on that particular issue in the House of Commons from Gavin N...

Colin Smyth Lab

As Keir Starmer made absolutely clear in his address to the Trades Union Congress, we fully support an end to firing and rehiring. The challenge for the Scot...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Excuse me a moment. Do not just have a private debate. We would all like to hear what you are saying.

Colin Smyth Lab

I would like to hear the answer to my question: will the cabinet secretary meet the unions to discuss targeted support? Will he also tell the Parliament, and...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We have a little time in hand. I will let members make up their time if they take interventions as we like to encourage them. 15:04

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity (Michael Matheson) SNP

We do not underestimate the international impact that Covid-19 has had on the aviation industry, nor do we underestimate the importance of that sector to our...

Mike Rumbles LD

Does the cabinet secretary not understand that that is not the most effective way to combat Covid-19? The Scottish Government does not know how many people h...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Briefly, Mr Rumbles.

Mike Rumbles LD

—and we do not know who is carrying it in.

Michael Matheson SNP

When it comes to these matters, we take very clear clinical advice. I must confess that I am much more minded to listen to the clinical advice that we receiv...

Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

Have the airports submitted any options yet?

Michael Matheson SNP

My understanding is that, in the past day or so, they have submitted some data to the clinical advisers in the Scottish Government, which is presently being ...

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

Does the cabinet secretary support my and the Caithness Chamber of Commerce’s campaign to ensure that we have a public service obligation for Wick to Edinbur...

Michael Matheson SNP

The member will be aware that we are presently evaluating the business case that has been put forward by the Caithness Chamber of Commerce. My good colleague...

Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

I thank the Labour Party for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I raised the matter of the crisis in our aviation sector with the First Minister ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

No—I will not have that. Mr Harvie is speaking remotely, as many members do. That is very unfair—please take it back.

Graham Simpson Con

The Greens are not in the chamber.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I beg your pardon, but Mr Harvie is speaking remotely, as is required. If not to me, which I would accept, you should apologise to Mr Harvie.

Graham Simpson Con

I apologise to Mr Harvie. However, we will not support the Government’s amendment, because it does not go far enough on airport testing. The Greens’ amendme...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you, Mr Simpson. However, you gave a grudging apology for an unfortunate remark that made me very angry. I call Patrick Harvie to speak to and move am...

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green

Thank you, Presiding Officer; I am happy to accept any apology for that comment. I also thank you for your recognition that working from home, where we can d...

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD) LD

I am very grateful to Colin Smyth of the Labour Party for securing the debate. As a representative for what would normally be Scotland’s busiest airport, I k...

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

Airports have ground to a halt in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The industry is collapsing, and some think that there might be no return if no help i...

Michael Matheson SNP

The current clinical advice on moving to an airport testing regime is that it carries a greater risk than that of the existing quarantine arrangements. I res...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

It is all right, Ms McNeill—you will get all that time back.

Pauline McNeill Lab

Thank you, Presiding Officer. That is the heart of the matter, but I have to ask the cabinet secretary why 30 countries are using some form of airport testi...