Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 20 December 2022
20 Dec 2022 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Business Motion
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am concerned by the scheduling of business in this Parliament. As a new mum, I already struggle to find childcare during regular work hours, let alone until late at night. Last week’s business proposal said that we would be here until 11:30 tonight, so I made the best arrangement I possibly could. Today’s revision could mean that we will be here until late tonight and also tomorrow.
First, in line with my colleague Jeremy Balfour’s point of order, I ask whether any existing parliamentary processes include impact assessments of the effect of the scheduling of business on new parents. I ask that because, at the end of the previous session of Parliament, several members stood down citing the impossibility of working here while raising a young family. I fear that matters are becoming worse.
Secondly, is it your understanding that it would be possible within parliamentary processes for this week’s consideration of stage 3 amendments to have been split into three sessions, with the final debate on the Gender Recognition Reform Bill being moved into the first week of work in January, which currently has a blank business slot on Tuesday 10?
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S3M-07320, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on changes to thi...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Alexander Burnett to speak to and move amendment S6M-07320.1. 14:21
Alexander Burnett (Aberdeenshire West) (Con)
Con
Here we are, then. After months of warnings from me and my party, which were largely ignored, we now face a vote on a motion that goes to extraordinary lengt...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Burnett, I will stop you for a second and ask you to take a seat. I advise in the strongest possible terms that there is a code of conduct, to which all M...
Alexander Burnett
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I should just point out that a lot of members have not had the opportunity to study the Official Report of that committee meeti...
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance. As we have just heard, today’s business promises to go on late into the evening and, for some c...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I thank Mr Balfour for his point of order. I am responsible for standing orders, but the chair does not govern matters of health and safety in the Parliament...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Mr Burnett spoke to an amendment to the business motion, but that amendment has not been circulated to me or other me...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I thank Mr Bibby for his point of order and I appreciate the points that he makes. However, standing orders allow that any member can lodge an amendment to t...
Neil Bibby
Lab
What is the amendment?
Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
What is the amendment?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Burnett, can you advise the Parliament of the wording of your amendment?
Alexander Burnett
Con
Well—
Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The issue is that the amendment should be published. Members received a business update at 1.38, which I assume was l...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I understand that it was not lodged later than that. The amendments were lodged after that point. I am going to suspend Parliament for the time being, in or...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I ask any member who has not yet received the notice of amendments to raise their hand. Thank you, Ms Webber, we will ensure that it reaches you. We will do...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am concerned by the scheduling of business in this Parliament. As a new mum, I already struggle to find childcare d...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I thank Ms Gallacher for her point of order. It is certainly the case that some of the matters the member raises are not matters for standing orders and ther...
Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I have a spreadsheet on my computer with a waiting list of members of the public who are desperate to get into the ga...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I thank Ms Webber for her point of order, which is not a matter that I would usually rule on from the chair. I am aware that tickets have been allocated. Our...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I wish to raise a point relating to the groupings of amendments. Please advise whether I should do that now or after ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Ms McNeill. I suggest that we take that point of order when we reach that stage in the proceedings. We will now carry on with the proceedings. I ...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I completely agree with everything that has been said by Mr Burnett, Mr Balfour and my other colleagues about today’s proceedin...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Liam Kerr to speak to and move amendment S6M-07320.3. 14:53
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am very grateful, Presiding Officer. I rise to request that tomorrow’s business be adjusted to include a ministerial statement on the Government’s biodiver...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Stephen Kerr to speak to and move amendment S6M-07320.4. 14:57
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Last week, a plethora of annual statistics was released about Scotland’s education system. I believe that those statistics ought to have been a focus of the ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call George Adam to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. 15:02
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (George Adam)
SNP
On behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, I say to some colleagues that had they spoken to their business manager to put those points across, their business man...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the minister for taking my intervention. He will be aware that we have called for several statements, including on the strategic transport projects r...