Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-23370, in the name of Graeme Dey, on Scottish Government support for the veterans and armed forces commun...

The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans (Graeme Dey) SNP

I am delighted to present the Scottish Government’s fourth annual update to Parliament on support for the veterans and armed forces community. I advise that ...

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

For people who have served in the military—a military that has been at war for much of my lifetime—reintegration into civilian life can be challenging. Are w...

Richard Lyle (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP) SNP

Does the member, as a former councillor, agree that some councils do not do enough for veterans or place them highly enough on housing waiting lists?

Alex Rowley Lab

The minister will say more about the issue, which we have discussed. There is a mix across local authorities, but I think that progress is being made in near...

Maurice Corry (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I declare an interest as a proud veteran and as convener of the cross-party group on the armed forces and veterans community. I heard the rumour about the Bl...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I am sorry, Mr Corry, I have not given you an extra minute; could you begin to wind up? I am smiling at you benignly.

Maurice Corry Con

I am trying to conclude. The responsibility to support the veterans community lies not with only one organisation or Government. The UK and devolved Governm...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Mr Rumbles, in fairness to you, I will not grumble if you take an extra minute. 16:17

Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (LD) LD

If I may, I will mention to Maurice Corry my Black Watch credentials. I served with the Black Watch and other Scottish infantry regiments during my first arm...

Mike Rumbles LD

Well done to the minister for his personal commitment to getting the national veterans care network launched this week. Long may the good work continue, beca...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Thank you. Just because I give you an extra minute, that does not mean that you have to use it. We move to the open debate. 16:21

Annabelle Ewing (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) SNP

I mark my appreciation of and offer my thanks to our veterans and armed forces community. It is a special community, which is a huge asset to Scotland and ma...

Peter Chapman (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I welcome the opportunity to speak about the annual veterans update and how both the UK and Scottish Governments can continue to protect and support our vete...

Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) SNP

I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate on the fourth annual update on support for the armed forces and veterans community in Scotland. It may well ...

Mary Fee (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I thank Graeme Dey for bringing the debate to the chamber. Last week, I had the privilege of taking part in the remembrance day debate and speaking about som...

Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP) SNP

Following last week’s debate on remembrance commemorations, it is fitting that this week we are discussing support for veterans and the armed forces communit...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani) SNP

Please come to a close.

Maureen Watt SNP

There is help for veterans in Scotland. No one should feel that it is not there. 16:43

Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Con) Con

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 fi...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

The extra time has largely been used up. 16:48

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab

I thank the Scottish veterans commissioner for all his work, as I thank the minister, too. Perhaps it is a career-ending moment to be praised by Mike Rumbles...

Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

As an ex-serviceman, I am pleased that there continues to be almost total cross-party support for improving support for the armed services and for the vetera...

Graeme Dey SNP

A rainforest has died today in the cause of my taking notes on members’ contributions this afternoon. As a former convener of the Environment, Climate Change...

Maurice Corry Con

Talking about V1P, I have a concern, as the minister’s predecessor knows. What certainty can the minister give to members that health boards will incorporate...

Graeme Dey SNP

As Maurice Corry knows, we cannot instruct health boards to do that, but there is incentivisation through co-funding of the model. Furthermore, I view the fu...