Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-06520, in the name of Graham Simpson, on essential road improvements. 16:34

Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

We have been here before. Nearly a year ago we held an almost identical debate, calling on the Scottish Government to reaffirm its commitment to dualling the...

Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con) Con

Will the member take an intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Mr Simpson is bringing his remarks to a close.

Graham Simpson Con

I am happy to take the intervention.

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

You will have to conclude your speech within your allotted seven minutes.

Finlay Carson Con

Will Mr Simpson join me in welcoming the news that, after concerted efforts from the Conservative benches, the Scottish Government has dropped its grievance-...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Graham Simpson, you have 20 seconds left.

Graham Simpson Con

I thoroughly agree with Mr Carson, who is a champion of these roads. I do not want to be here, moving this motion, because it should not be necessary. With ...

The Minister for Transport (Jenny Gilruth) SNP

I thank the Conservatives for bringing forward today’s motion for debate. The tone of the motion is respectful to the families of those who have lost loved o...

Graham Simpson Con

Of course, short-term measures can have an effect, but would the minister accept that fully dualling both of those roads could lead to a significant improvem...

Jenny Gilruth SNP

I think that Mr Simpson makes a fair assertion. If he does not mind, I will come to that later in my remarks. We have made that investment and, this year, w...

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I am grateful to hear that commitment to fully dual the A96, which I hope to see come to fruition. The minister was written to in September by Moray Chamber ...

Jenny Gilruth SNP

I am happy to do so. I apologise to Mr Ross and to Moray Chamber of Commerce, and I will ensure that it receives a response from my private office. As membe...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Minister, I appreciate that you took two interventions, which I am sure that members wanted to hear your responses to, but I must ask you to wind up.

Jenny Gilruth SNP

I move amendment S6M-06520.2, to leave out from “believes that” to end and insert: “and indeed the pain caused by all fatalities and serious accidents acros...

Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I thank Graham Simpson for bringing the debate to the chamber. I would normally say about one of his debates that I welcome the debate, but, as he acknowledg...

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con) Con

Today, Neil Bibby and I were in a meeting with the A75 and A77 action group—the A77 campaign team. What is the member’s response to the group’s assertion tha...

Neil Bibby Lab

I will come on to that. I thank Mr Whittle for his intervention. Investment to upgrade transport infrastructure is not just an issue for the north and north...

Jenny Gilruth SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Neil Bibby Lab

I certainly will take an intervention. I would be grateful if the minister could clarify whether the Greens have a veto on SNP roads policy—yes or no?

Jenny Gilruth SNP

I do not appreciate two members separately taking words that were given in a private meeting with a group in relation to a road earlier today—Interruption. W...

Neil Bibby Lab

I notice that the minister did not answer my question about whether the Greens have a veto on SNP policy. She is not denying the claim that was made. As I s...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

I, too, thank Graham Simpson for allowing Parliament to have this debate and for setting its tone, which I think has been entirely in keeping with the seriou...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. 17:00

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

At the outset, I associate myself with all the comments that Liam McArthur made, in what was a well-informed contribution on the issues. The A9 trunk road b...

Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

On the A9 between Perth and Inverness, there are only two areas where compulsory purchase of land for dualling would be difficult—at Dunkeld and Aviemore. Th...

Murdo Fraser Con

My colleague Mr Mountain makes a very good point. I know that communities along the A9 are now wondering whether the project will ever be completed. The invo...

Paul McLennan (East Lothian) (SNP) SNP

The recent accidents on the A9 are, of course, a tragedy for everyone involved, and my sympathies are with the families and friends of everyone affected by t...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

Will the member take an intervention?