Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-15876, in the name of Jenny Gilruth, on the Education (Scotland) Bill at stage 1. I advise members that t...

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (Jenny Gilruth) SNP

I am pleased to present the Education (Scotland) Bill and set out its general principles to Parliament. I start by thanking the Education, Children and Young...

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD

We will support the bill at stage 1. However, I hope that the cabinet secretary understands that there are deep concerns and that the bill will require funda...

Jenny Gilruth SNP

Mr Rennie will know from our meeting yesterday that I am very open to engaging with the Opposition parties on a range of amendments. The fundamental point th...

Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con) Con

I agree with Jenny Gilruth about the need for a change of culture. Does that mean that she can assure the Parliament that, when the new bodies are formed, th...

Jenny Gilruth SNP

The member raises an important point, which was addressed when I gave evidence to the committee in October. We are talking about people’s employment rights, ...

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

Given that accreditation will remain within the qualifications body, does the cabinet secretary believe that the proposed structure is sufficient and will be...

Jenny Gilruth SNP

We discussed that at the education committee in October. The member raises an important point about accreditation. In recent times, there have been some chal...

John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind) Ind

Does the cabinet secretary agree that a lot of the issues around independence and separation arise because of the attitude of people as much as the legal lines?

Jenny Gilruth SNP

I am more than happy to speak to the member about that. Perhaps he can give me more detail on it outwith the debate. However, I recognise the challenge in re...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons. 15:01

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I am pleased to speak on behalf of the Education, Children and Young People Committee about our scrutiny of the Education (Scotland) Bill. As the relativel...

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

Will the member give way?

Douglas Ross Con

Yes.

Martin Whitfield Lab

I am very grateful to Douglas Ross for taking an intervention. Was he as disappointed as I was by the Scottish Government’s response to the committee’s repor...

Douglas Ross Con

I was warned within an inch of my life to be very careful about the speech that I am delivering as the convener of the committee. Perhaps I may intervene lat...

Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con) Con

I, too, thank the clerks to the Education, Children and Young People Committee for the power of work that they have put into the Education (Scotland) Bill to...

Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I am pleased to open on behalf of Scottish Labour. I thank my committee colleagues and all the organisations, individuals, pupils, parents and teachers and s...

Jenny Gilruth SNP

I hope that the member heard, at the committee and in the chamber today, my willingness to engage on amendments. Is it the Scottish Labour Party’s position t...

Pam Duncan-Glancy Lab

I will come on to explain the position that my party will take this evening, and I will allude to the committee’s recommendations. Reform is essential. Last...

Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con) Con

You will recall that some of the evidence that we heard at committee was that, at some point, we have to say no to some of the many interest groups being inc...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Always speak through the chair.

Pam Duncan-Glancy Lab

The member makes a very good point, but the fact of the matter is that there is no guarantee of any particular representation on the committee as the bill st...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Ross Greer to open on behalf of the Scottish Greens. 15:26

Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green) Green

The bill has certainly been a long time coming. I thank everyone who has been involved, not just in the stage 1 process, but in the years of work that brough...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I call Willie Rennie to open on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. 15:32

Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD) LD

There is no doubt that our education system is in crisis, and it has been the top subject of political debate for many years. However, the inspectorate has p...

John Mason Ind

Would the member accept that the work was reviewed externally?

Willie Rennie LD

The process was reviewed externally, but the involvement of the Welsh representative in the details of the review was not substantial. I hope that John Mason...

Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

Will the member take an intervention?