Meeting of the Parliament 18 June 2024
Martin Whitfield is absolutely spot on. This is about getting the right care and support for young people.
The parties that voted with the Scottish Government on the issue back on 8 May did so in good faith. Since that debate, I have held an event in the Parliament with families who have been impacted by gender clinics in Scotland. Their testimonies are heartbreaking, and they deserve to know what the Government will do to support them.
All the while, we have heard rumblings from media reports that a new NHS child gender service will be set up in Scotland. However, that does not appear to be a balanced approach. That is why we need an update in Parliament. Young people, children, families and parents need to know what is going on and what the next steps will be. They need to know how the Scottish Government will address the serious concerns that are being raised and how it will reassure everyone that it will take a scientific and evidence-based approach.
I understand that some items cannot be discussed because of the on-going election; I am certain that all MSPs understand that. However, it is imperative for the Scottish Government to share with members what correspondence the Minister for Parliamentary Business has had with the relevant portfolio holders and to explain on the record why an update cannot be given to the Parliament. Otherwise, the update that Parliament voted for and which families have been calling for will be yet another broken promise of the Scottish National Party Government.
I move amendment S6M-13692.1, to insert at end:
“(c) Thursday 20 June 2024—
after
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Gender Representation on Public Boards (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill
insert
followed by Ministerial Statement: Applying the Cass Review Recommendations to Scotland
delete
4.25 pm Decision Time
and insert
4.55 pm Decision Time”.
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.