Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 22 November 2023
22 Nov 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Business Motion
I would expect nothing less from Michelle Thomson. She has taken the interests of her constituents to heart and has set up those meetings. However, that does not negate the responsibility of the Scottish Government to make a ministerial statement in the chamber and allow members of the Parliament the right to ask questions and seek assurances and answers.
As I have said, people expect their Government to work to secure their best interests, so it is reasonable—and it is certainly reasonable of my constituents and Michelle Thomson’s constituents—to look for assurances from the Government, and the issue should be raised in Parliament. That is why I am asking ministers for a statement tomorrow. That is reasonable and proportionate, given the impact on the entire Scottish economy.
Grangemouth is responsible for 4 per cent of Scottish gross domestic product.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-11374, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a bus...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call Stephen Kerr to speak to and move amendment S6M-11374.1. Mr Kerr, you have up to five minutes. 17:20
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Having consulted my party’s business manager, I am pleased to bring the amendment to the chamber. I have been quite shocked that there has been no attempt b...
Michelle Thomson (Falkirk East) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, as the constituency MSP for Falkirk East, am shocked by this. I have spent this afternoon in dialogue with Petroineos, I have a meeting tomorrow with...
Stephen Kerr
Con
I would expect nothing less from Michelle Thomson. She has taken the interests of her constituents to heart and has set up those meetings. However, that does...
Jim Fairlie (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Stephen Kerr
Con
I am not sure that I will get any time back if I give way. Will I, Deputy Presiding Officer?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Not really, Mr Kerr.
Stephen Kerr
Con
I will therefore continue, because some things need to be said about the importance of the issue. Grangemouth fuels our cars, buses, ambulances, police cars...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I call George Adam to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. Minister, you have up to five minutes, please. 17:25
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (George Adam)
SNP
At the heart of the discussion and debate are the families and people who are employed at BP Grangemouth. Those are the people and the community that the Sco...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Mr Kerr had the opportunity to ask questions about Grangemouth this afternoon, as other members did. However, after he made a point of order that was dealt w...
George Adam
SNP
Kevin Stewart makes a very important point. At 2 o’clock, Stephen Kerr made a point of order. The amendment came in at 4.59 pm, after the first division bell...
Stephen Kerr
Con
First, let us first address the issue of what happened at 2 o’clock. I attempted to raise a point of order, which was dealt with by the Deputy Presiding Offi...
George Adam
SNP
The Parliament has processes, one of which is parliamentary questions. Mr Kerr needs to have a look at himself and decide how he is going to interact with th...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
The question is, that amendment S6M-11374.1, in the name of Stephen Kerr, which seeks to amend motion S6M-11374, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting platform. 17:29 Meeting suspended. 17:31 On resum...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
The question is, that amendment S6M-11374.1, in the name of Stephen Kerr, be agreed to. Members should cast their votes now. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
The result of the division on amendment S6M-11374.1, in the name of Stephen Kerr, is: For 52, Against 64, Abstentions 0. Amendment disagreed to.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
The next question is, that motion S6M-11374, in the name of George Adam, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme, be agreed t...