Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 16 September 2020
16 Sep 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
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 and we need safeguards, and effective testing is the most effective way to make that happen.
Trade is what we need in the aviation industry, as in all areas of our economy, and we have to be careful with large-scale bail-outs and financial support. I have heard calls today for continuing the job retention scheme. I would say that, although the UK’s shoulders are broad, they are not broad enough to continue paying everyone’s wages for ever. We need to understand what aviation is going to look like after Covid, and we need to have a tailored plan that ensures that the money that we are putting in is about sustaining the industry going forward, not just delaying an inevitable—[Interruption.]
In the same item of business
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...