Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 08 February 2023
08 Feb 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2023
I want to pick up those themes around inequality and the need for flexibility. We hear a lot from women who have real trouble having the conversation with their employer or manager to get time off work. What discussions is the minister having with employers and trade unions about how we can remind people of fair work principles, to ensure that, in particular, women who are in precarious and low-paid work do not face additional barriers, which is the reality for many people in our communities?
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-07546, in the name of Ruth Maguire, on cervical cancer prevention week 2023. The debat...
Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
SNP
It is a privilege to open the debate on cervical cancer prevention week, but I confess that I do not feel entirely comfortable. I did not get into politics t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you very much, and congratulations, Ms Maguire. We move to the open debate. Given that, unusually, we have two members’ business debates this evening,...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank Ruth Maguire for securing the parliamentary time for such an important debate. Tragically, cancer is a major cause of death in Scotland. All of us ha...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate my colleague Ruth Maguire on securing the debate and on her very powerful opening speech; I know that she is sitting right behind me. We know...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
I begin by thanking Ruth Maguire for securing this important debate, and I thank her for sharing her experience. I take this opportunity to commend the work ...
Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Ruth Maguire for securing and leading the debate. Anyone who knows her will know that she does not like to talk about her own situation in her work, ...
Sharon Dowey (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank Ruth Maguire for securing this important debate. We are fortunate to live in a time when we have access to early detection and prevention strategies...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Monica Lennon. 18:32
Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am sorry, Presiding Officer—my throat has been struggling all day, so I will keep this brief. I join colleagues in paying tribute to Ruth Maguire, and I th...
Siobhian Brown (Ayr) (SNP)
SNP
I thank my colleague Ruth Maguire for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I also commend her for recently hosting a drop-in event at the Parliamen...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
The final speaker in the open debate will be Carol Mochan, who joins us online. 18:40
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, thank Ruth Maguire for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I am sorry that I am not in the chamber but at home. I will make a short contr...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I invite Maree Todd to respond to the debate. 18:44
The Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport (Maree Todd)
SNP
I thank my good friend and colleague Ruth Maguire for raising this issue in the chamber today and for sharing her personal experience. I also thank colleague...
Monica Lennon
Lab
I want to pick up those themes around inequality and the need for flexibility. We hear a lot from women who have real trouble having the conversation with th...
Maree Todd
SNP
I thank the member for raising that issue. Work is being done to raise awareness among employers and trade unions. In addition, NHS Forth Valley did an inter...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
That concludes the debate. There will be a brief pause before we move on to the next item of business.