Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 16 April 2024
16 Apr 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scotland’s International Culture Strategy
I just heard from a member on the Conservative front bench the concern that the Edinburgh festival fringe might not be able to continue. It is that kind of playing up of concerns that I do not think is helpful for the Edinburgh festival fringe—or any other festival, for that matter. There is no matter of dispute that the culture sector here—and indeed, in many other countries—has been going through a period of extraordinary distress over recent years.
I know that we are all committed to seeing resilience and recovery in the sector. To that end, wherever colleagues from different political perspectives have particular views on where extra funding might be sought or where other interventions might be secured, Mr Bibby knows that my door is open to them. I look forward to suggestions from members on both front benches in the course of today’s statement. I would be interested to hear what specific commitments and suggestions in general they have.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-12845, in the name of Angus Robertson, on Scotland’s international culture strategy. I invite members who...
The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (Angus Robertson)
SNP
Today is the first opportunity that we have had since the Easter break to note some significant developments in relation to culture. I begin by taking the op...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
On the point about enhancing culture in Scotland, is the cabinet secretary concerned about the comments that were made recently about the Edinburgh fringe, a...
Angus Robertson
SNP
I speak as both the cabinet secretary for culture and the MSP for Edinburgh Central, so I am sure that Meghan Gallacher appreciates that that matter is close...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I share the concern that Meghan Gallacher has raised about the need to support the Edinburgh festival fringe, and I know what the cabinet secretary has said....
Angus Robertson
SNP
I just heard from a member on the Conservative front bench the concern that the Edinburgh festival fringe might not be able to continue. It is that kind of p...
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary give way?
Angus Robertson
SNP
Forgive me, but I have already given way twice. I want to make a bit more progress until it is clear how much of my time remains, but I will happily give way...
Alexander Stewart
Con
I thank the cabinet secretary for giving me that time. We talked about the relief of funding issues in the sector and he was keen on that. What are the cabi...
Angus Robertson
SNP
I was in conversation with the Treasury to ask for that to happen and am delighted that it has. It is important not only to have what would have been a tempo...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I remind those members who hope to participate in the debate but have not already pressed their request-to-speak buttons to do so. I also remind those making...
Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I apologise for being guilty of not doing that. I associate myself with the remarks that the cabinet secretary made about Scot...
Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
SNP
On the subject of being honest with ourselves, does the member agree that cheering to the echo the cuts to the Scottish Government’s budget from Westminster ...
Meghan Gallacher
Con
Keith Brown really needs to look at his own Government’s spending and the amount of money that has been squandered over the years by this SNP Government. Tha...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I join others in paying my condolences to the loved ones of Scott Williamson. We can rightly be proud of our culture in Scotland. From the songs of Robert B...
Keith Brown
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Neil Bibby
Lab
Yes, I will.
Keith Brown
SNP
The member will be aware of the likely closure of Wales’s national museum, which has been attributed to cuts in funding for the Welsh Government. Does he acc...
Neil Bibby
Lab
The member made a number of points. First, we are in the Scottish Parliament, not in Wales. I am not aware of the situation in Wales, but there have been sig...
Angus Robertson
SNP
Forgive me, Presiding Officer, because I did not press my request-to-speak button. It would be helpful if Mr Bibby could clarify whether it is the Labour Pa...
Neil Bibby
Lab
I will come on to Labour’s plans shortly. We recognise that touring is vital in enabling many performers to make income and reach new audiences, but that h...
Michelle Thomson (Falkirk East) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Neil Bibby
Lab
I am sorry; I have already taken two. That is why Labour would push for a visa waiver for touring artists and would negotiate an EU-wide cultural touring ag...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
On a personal level, I echo the comments of all three front-bench members who have mentioned the sad and sudden passing of Scott Williamson. 15:40
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
On behalf of Scottish Liberal Democrats, I echo the comments that have been made on the loss of Scott Williamson. I am grateful to Angus Robertson for makin...
Angus Robertson
SNP
I think that Alex Cole-Hamilton and I agree on the possibility of the United Kingdom’s rejoining programmes such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe. Does he agre...
Alex Cole-Hamilton
LD
I am happy to say that we are. Liberal Democrats are fundamentally committed to rebuilding our fractured relationship with Europe, whether it be through Eras...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We now move to the open debate. 15:46
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Scottish Opera’s production studios in Glasgow. I thank Alex Reedijk and his staff for a wonderful tour of the prop...
Michelle Thomson
SNP
I, too, made that trip, and I found it most illuminating. I was struck by the innovation that Scottish Opera is carrying out as a company in renting out its ...