Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-10917, in the name of Neil Bibby, on supporting Scotland’s culture sector. I invite members who wish to p...

Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Scottish Labour has brought forward this debate because we recognise and revere the enormous contribution that the arts and culture sector makes to Scotland’...

Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Neil Bibby Lab

I mean no offence in saying this, Mr Brown, but I would be happy to take an intervention from the cabinet secretary, whom I was requesting details from. Let...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I advise members that there is no time in hand and that that will be ruthlessly enforced. I call Angus Robertson, who has up to five minutes. 16:47

The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (Angus Robertson) SNP

I apologise to you, Presiding Officer, and to members in the chamber that, exceptionally, owing to the change in parliamentary business timings, I will not b...

Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con) Con

Will the minister give way?

Angus Robertson SNP

I will make a bit of progress first, if the member does not mind. We have committed to increasing opportunities for participation and creative pursuits in s...

Craig Hoy Con

Is Mr Robertson aware that the future of the Lammermuir festival in East Lothian is in doubt after Creative Scotland withdrew all funding from the programme ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Briefly.

Craig Hoy Con

Is it not the case that what Scotland’s arts and heritage organisations need—

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Cabinet secretary.

Craig Hoy Con

—is more funding today and not headline-grabbing promises for tomorrow?

Angus Robertson SNP

If the member had been here for questions on the culture portfolio earlier, he would have heard my answer on the matter. I encourage him to read it in the Of...

Neil Bibby Lab

Will the minister take an intervention?

Angus Robertson SNP

I have to make some progress, and I have so little time. I am sure that Mr Bibby wants me to answer the questions that he has asked. Due diligence and consi...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

I call Alexander Stewart to speak to and move amendment S6M-10917.1. You have up to four minutes, Mr Stewart. 16:53

Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I am delighted to open on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives. The motion rightly speaks about the importance of the arts and culture sector and the numero...

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD) LD

I am grateful to the Labour Party for bringing this important and timely debate to the chamber. The playwright George Bernard Shaw once said: “Without art,...

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I am pleased that Scottish Labour has chosen the culture budget cuts as the topic of its Opposition debate. We need to clear up some of the confusion in the ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

You have very little time.

Angus Robertson SNP

I have just a quick question. Does Pauline McNeill agree that such decisions need to go through the normal budgetary processes—yes or no?

Pauline McNeill Lab

Why do you not give us a yes or no answer on whether that is real money and when we will see some detail? You could have answered my question. You could have...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Speak through the chair, please.

Pauline McNeill Lab

—but you chose not to. I will finish on that point. 17:05

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP) SNP

The Scottish Government is evidently committed to growing a more sustainable, diverse and impactful culture sector in Scotland. Given that the creative indus...

Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Several members have now commented that the figure of £100 million appears to have been plucked out of the air. As convener of the Finance and Public Adminis...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Speak through the chair.

Sarah Boyack Lab

—that that money should be allocated and budgeted and the timescales revealed?

Kenneth Gibson SNP

I think that that would be set out in the draft budget, as is normal. We are talking about a five-year investment, starting from the spring of 2024, which is...