Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 18 September 2024
18 Sep 2024 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Business Motion
Is it not telling but also sad that the First Minister speaks about independence and separating Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom when the discussion is about free school meals for all primary school pupils across Scotland?
In the question that I asked the First Minister—
“may I invite the First Minister to address Parliament and indicate, as I am sure he will, that he intends to obey the will of Parliament?”—
I did not use my words. Those are John Swinney’s words. That is what John Swinney said when he was sitting on the Opposition benches in 2001 and the then Labour-Liberal Democrat Executive had been defeated, resulting in a motion being passed against its will. John Swinney was the first one up on his feet asking for a statement from the then First Minister about how he would obey the will of Parliament. [Interruption.]
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-14534, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a b...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Douglas Ross to speak to and move amendment S6M-14534.1. 17:10
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
It was exactly one week ago today that two Scottish Conservative motions brought before this Parliament were passed by a majority of members. They dealt with...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
If Mr Ross wishes me to talk about the will of Parliament, what about Mr Ross obeying the will of a Parliament that has voted for there to be an independence...
Douglas Ross
Con
Is it not telling but also sad that the First Minister speaks about independence and separating Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom when the discuss...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear Mr Ross.
Douglas Ross
Con
If the First Minister wants to hear more of his words, I can say that he went on to say this: “Ministers seem desperate to make statements when it suits the...
Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee City West) (SNP)
SNP
You are tedious.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Members, can I ask that we conduct ourselves in a courteous and orderly manner?
Douglas Ross
Con
I do not think that it is extremely tedious. I think that it is extremely important that we have an opportunity to hear from the First Minister or his cabine...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes)
SNP
I recognise the member’s enthusiasm for these policies. Will he, therefore, bring forward amendments to the Scottish Government’s budget to ensure that they ...
Douglas Ross
Con
I am very keen on these policies, and I note that people are applauding the idea that the SNP might actually do what it said that it would do. My colleague...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear one another.
Douglas Ross
Con
—but we would be able to hear more about it and be able to have a discussion if the Government simply made time to enable us to do so. I have been very clea...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Jamie Hepburn to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. 17:14
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Jamie Hepburn)
SNP
With regard to the amendment that is before us, I must make it clear that, following last week’s debates on these matters, there is nothing new for ministers...
Douglas Ross
Con
Surely something new is that the will of Parliament has been very clearly articulated in a vote that had support from members of the Scottish Conservative Pa...
Jamie Hepburn
SNP
Members can bring these matters up across a range of opportunities. I will return, momentarily, to the subject matter. As was made clear to Parliament last ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The first question is, that amendment S6M-14534.1, in the name of Douglas Ross, which seeks to amend motion S6M-14534, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behal...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system. 17:18 Meeting suspended. 17:20 On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We come to the vote on amendment S6M-14534.1, in the name of Douglas Ross, which seeks to amend motion S6M-14534, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of ...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I would have voted yes.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Mr Bibby. We will ensure that that is recorded. For Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Balfour, Jer...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division on amendment S6M-14534.1, in the name of Douglas Ross, is: For 57, Against 69, Abstentions 0. Amendment disagreed to.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next question is, that motion S6M-14534, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme, be agreed...