Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 28 May 2024
28 May 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Business Motions
I thank Mr Kerr for lodging his amendment. The matter was discussed at the bureau this morning, where there was no agreement to a statement—indeed, it was not particularly pushed for at the bureau.
I indicated at the bureau that I am receptive to the request for a statement; I have no significant concerns per se about there being a statement. However, despite Mr Kerr’s closing remarks, I am unconvinced of and unclear about the urgency or necessity for the statement being made this week.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-13384, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on a timetable ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-13389, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on changes to t...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Liam Kerr to speak to and move amendment S6M-13389.1. You have up to five minutes. 14:05
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I rise to request that, after the early finish this week, on Thursday 30 May, a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport regarding the imposition o...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Jamie Hepburn to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. You have up to five minutes. 14:09
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Jamie Hepburn)
SNP
I thank Mr Kerr for lodging his amendment. The matter was discussed at the bureau this morning, where there was no agreement to a statement—indeed, it was no...
Liam Kerr
Con
Surely the minister must concede that, given that the zone will be imposed from Saturday, we have to hear the statement now, before the measures come in. Giv...
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
I return to the point about the scheduling of business. Even Liam Kerr would accept that a statement this week will not change the fact of the coming of the ...
Liam Kerr
Con
Will the minister take another quick intervention?
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
On the matter of footfall, the Glasgow LEZ has been in operation since June 2023, and the metrics from Glasgow Chamber of Commerce show that weekend footfall...
Liam Kerr
Con
I am genuinely grateful to the minister for giving way again, and I understand the point that he is making. The point that I am very clear on is that it appe...
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
The cabinet secretary cannot be held to account for the misunderstanding or otherwise of the leader of Aberdeen City Council. I do respect—
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
One last time—very briefly.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I declare an interest, as I live within the LEZ. We have a situation here in which we are seeing electioneering. Mr Kerr’s colleague, Councillor Lumsden—I a...
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
Just as the cabinet secretary cannot be held to account for the council leader’s comments, I certainly cannot be held to account for Mr Lumsden’s comments.
Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take an intervention? He has to let me speak—I have been mentioned.
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
Mr Lumsden knows that I am normally very amenable, but I think that I have just a minute and 15 seconds left. To continue with the point that I was making, ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The question is, that amendment S6M-13389.1, in the name of Liam Kerr, which seeks to amend motion S6M-13389, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 14:14 Meeting suspended. 14:20 On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the vote on amendment S6M-13389.1, in the name of Liam Kerr. Members should cast their votes now.
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Colleagues should bear with us for a moment. I am going to rerun the vote. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray)
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I apologise; I could not connect to the app. I would have voted no.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Mr Gray. We will ensure that that is recorded. For Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con) Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con) Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeens...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division is: For 29, Against 62, Abstentions 18. Amendment disagreed to.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next question is, that motion S6M-13389, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, on changes to the business programme, be ag...