Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-11958, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on Scotland as a technology nation. I invite members who wish to ...

The Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade (Richard Lochhead) SNP

Today, as we celebrate the contribution of Rabbie Burns to the world, in this debate we can celebrate and discuss Scotland’s contribution to the world as a t...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

It is interesting to note that the minister highlights both pure technology and its applications. Do we need greater clarity on the fact that tech is not jus...

Richard Lochhead SNP

There is an element of truth in the member’s point, and it is an important point in the debate, but I hope that, as my remarks progress, I can give the membe...

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con) Con

Scotland has always been very good at innovation and early-stage advanced technology. However, we have not been so good at taking that to the next level. Wha...

Richard Lochhead SNP

The member raises an issue that is very topical and pertinent to the debate. Of course, at the moment, there is a huge amount of activity in Scotland, with l...

Ivan McKee SNP

Will the minister take an intervention?

Richard Lochhead SNP

I will take a final intervention.

Ivan McKee SNP

I think that the minister knows what I am going to say. It is great to highlight that infrastructure that is in place, but how does that align with the Gover...

Richard Lochhead SNP

As the member knows, the Scottish Funding Council carried out a review—at arm’s length from Government—of long-term funding for innovation centres. A lot of ...

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

Will the minister take an intervention?

Richard Lochhead SNP

I am happy to do so if I can get the time back.

Pam Duncan-Glancy Lab

Given the point that the minister just made about universities, is he concerned by the £28 million cut that they are facing this year?

Richard Lochhead SNP

The universities have received more than £1 billion from the Government per year for the past number of years. I am concerned about the very difficult budget...

Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

Will the minister take a quick intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

There is time, minister.

Richard Lochhead SNP

I will take the intervention.

Jamie Halcro Johnston Con

I declare an interest in relation to farming. The minister has not mentioned some of the technology around agriculture. Gene editing is a real opportunity f...

Richard Lochhead SNP

Agritech has a big role to play, and I am keen to learn more about it as part of our innovation strategy as we take it forward. At the same as we keep an ope...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

As I indicated to the minister, there is some time in hand this afternoon. At this stage, we have plenty of time for interventions. 15:13

Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con) Con

I am delighted to begin the Scottish Conservatives’ contribution to this important debate. Any day when I get to quote the science fiction author Arthur C Cl...

Daniel Johnson Lab

Does Brian Whittle agree that the critical point with technology is that we always need to push ourselves further, that doing so is a constant challenge and ...

Brian Whittle Con

Daniel Johnson is absolutely correct. One of the things that we must do is stop looking at the short term. We must look beyond that, look at the possibilitie...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

I will pick up where Brian Whittle left off, because the issue at hand is about challenge, what we need to achieve and the gap between what that means and wh...

Brian Whittle Con

I cannot agree more with what Daniel Johnson said. Does he agree that the issue, rather than being about teaching our kids technology—after all, the jobs of ...

Daniel Johnson Lab

I completely agree, but it is also important for them to apply technology to their work when they seek to do new things. We do not have enough of that and it...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Gentlemen, please do not speak across the chamber from a secondary position.

Daniel Johnson Lab

I am trying to bring a constructive challenge. There may be a wider point to make, but I am my party’s front-bench spokesperson for the economy and it is a c...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Minister, please refrain. I remind members that the person who has the floor is the person who gets the shot at speaking. Please continue, Mr Johnson.

Daniel Johnson Lab

There is a challenge for us all; I do not think that is a partisan point. If we are to deliver on the challenges of demography, climate change and all the ot...