Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 22 December 2020
22 Dec 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I join Tom Arthur in congratulating Angela Constance on her reappointment as a minister and wishing her well in that important role. I also thank her for the work that she has done in collaboration with me, Patrick Harvie, Alex Rowley and others to lodge the amendments. She lodged similar amendments at stage 2, recognising that, although the bill had been improved by that stage to expand the underlying principles, there was still a gap regarding the overall purpose.
As Tom Arthur said, providing that degree of clarity and certainty reflects what the Parliament has heard from a variety of stakeholders. The amendments lodged by Angela Constance address those concerns very effectively. I thank her for her work on that and I thank the Government for working collaboratively with members across parties to make this important improvement to the bill. Scottish Liberal Democrats will be happy to support these amendments.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
We turn to stage 3 proceedings on the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should have...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Group 1 is on the power to make provision corresponding to European Union law. Amendment 4, in the name of Michelle Ballantyne, is grouped with amendments 5,...
Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Ind)
Ind
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 th...
Dean Lockhart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
We will support Michelle Ballantyne’s amendments in the group. As we have just heard, amendments 4, 5 and 6 are based on recommendations of the Delegated Pow...
The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs (Michael Russell)
SNP
I thank all those who have worked with the Government to try to improve the bill since its introduction. The bill today is significantly better than when it ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Michelle Ballantyne to wind up on group 1 and to press or withdraw amendment 4.
Michelle Ballantyne
Ind
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 ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question is, that amendment 4 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We will suspend for five minutes so that I can summon members to the chamber and allow members who are joining us remotely to access the voting app. 15:34 M...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the vote on amendment 4, in the name of Michelle Ballantyne. This will be a one-minute division. The vote is now closed. If any member believes t...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division is: For 26, Against 89, Abstentions 0. Amendment 4 disagreed to. Amendment 5 moved—Michelle Ballantyne.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question is, that amendment 5 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a one-minute division. The vote is now closed. If any member had difficulty voting please let me know. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division is: For 26, Against 90, Abstentions 0. Amendment 5 disagreed to. Amendment 6 moved—Michelle Ballantyne.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question is, that amendment 6 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a one-minute division. The vote is now closed. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Ballantyne, Michelle (South Scotland) (Ind) Bowman, Bil...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division is: For 25, Against 90, Abstentions 0. Amendment 6 disagreed to. After section 1
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to group 2, on the section 1(1) power and the purpose of maintaining and advancing standards. Amendment 7, in the name of Angela Constance, is groupe...
Tom Arthur (Renfrewshire South) (SNP)
SNP
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak to amendments 7, 22, 23 and 30 in the name of Angela Constance. I take the opportunity to congratulate her on her ...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I join Tom Arthur in congratulating Angela Constance on her reappointment as a minister and wishing her well in that important role. I also thank her for the...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I will briefly make some comments similar to Liam McArthur’s. At stage 2, a great many members, including Angela Constance—who I also congratulate on her rea...
Dean Lockhart
Con
I also congratulate Angela Constance on her very recent appointment. Amendment 7 refers to a number of important areas in which keeping pace powers may be u...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Alex Rowley wishes to contribute before the minister comes in.
Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you. I concur with what has been said, although I do not agree with Dean Lockhart. By working together, we have achieved a better bill. The cabinet sec...
Michael Russell
SNP
I would not want Mr Lockhart’s remarks to imply that the bill does not have wide support among stakeholders. It does. Any bill will have criticisms of small ...
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Michael Russell
SNP
Of course. Members: Oh!
Michael Russell
SNP
Well, you know.
Mark Ruskell
Green
I was enjoying the flow of the cabinet secretary’s speech, so I thank him for giving way. Will environmental standards Scotland have a role in advising on th...
Michael Russell
SNP
There will be no constraints on organisations of any sort in that regard. Indeed, when the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform ...