Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-14524, in the name of John Swinney, on creating a modern, diverse and dynamic Scotland. I invite members ...

The First Minister (John Swinney) SNP

From my experience of taking part in every year of this Parliament since it was reconvened 25 years ago, one thing is clear—no matter where any of us sit in ...

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

As the First Minister is speaking about powers, will he outline how many powers he has been offered by the UK Government but has returned to it because the S...

The First Minister SNP

It is clear from what I have set out so far, and from my comments earlier today, that, since the independence referendum in 2014, there has been a strengthen...

Douglas Ross Con

It is the powers that—

The First Minister SNP

The powers that I am concerned about are the powers of this Parliament that the people of Scotland voted for in a democratic referendum in 1997. Those powers...

Douglas Ross Con

I will try a different question, then. Will the First Minister tell this Parliament one power that the UK Government has taken away from the Scottish Governm...

The First Minister SNP

The use of the internal market—

Douglas Ross Con

One power that has been taken away.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Mr Ross.

The First Minister SNP

I will explain to Mr Ross exactly what has happened, if he is not familiar with what he has voted for. This Parliament had exclusive power over a range of co...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I call Douglas Ross to speak to and to move amendment S6M-14524.4. 15:11

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I want to start by imagining a different decade to the one that we have had—not a different outcome on 18 September 2014, because the people of Scotland vote...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Let us hear Mr Ross.

Douglas Ross Con

I believe that Scotland is a modern, dynamic and diverse country—that is set out in my amendment. However, the SNP does not believe that; that is clear from ...

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes) SNP

I am a big fan of being true to your word. What would have happened if the Conservatives had been true to their word, when they said, “Vote no to stay in the...

Douglas Ross Con

I am sorry, but the Deputy First Minister cannot pick and choose. “One choice” is what the nationalists told us in 2014. They said that it was a “once-in-a-g...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Always speak through the chair, please.

Douglas Ross Con

I cannot believe that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care does not believe that our health service is in crisis. I am happy to give way if he ca...

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray) SNP

I refuse to talk down the work of the incredible staff and committed workforce in our health service. The First Minister provided a list of the Government’s ...

Douglas Ross Con

Can the health secretary not understand that we have the highest number of drug deaths not just in the United Kingdom but across Europe and that one in six p...

The First Minister SNP

Will Mr Ross give way?

Douglas Ross Con

Is there extra time for an intervention?

The Presiding Officer NPA

There is no extra time.

Douglas Ross Con

I am sorry, but I have given way twice to members on the SNP front bench. In his motion, John Swinney claims that independence is “normal”, but a democracy ...

The First Minister SNP

Will Mr Ross give way?

Douglas Ross Con

I am sorry, but I am very tight for time. If there was an opportunity for me to get more time, I would give way.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Taking interventions, within members’ allocated time, is a matter for members.

Douglas Ross Con

I am sorry, but I have already taken two interventions from members on the Government front bench. As historians look back over the past 10 years, they will...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I call Anas Sarwar to speak to and move amendment S6M-14524.5. 15:20