Meeting of the Parliament 18 February 2025
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I apologise for interrupting the debate but I seek to move a motion without notice under rule 17.2 of standing orders, to make a variation in the standing orders for today only. Rule 13.8.1 states that an urgent question must be submitted by 10 am in order to be taken on that day. I propose to move that deadline for today only, following the vote earlier, which showed that at least 47 MSPs believe that there should be a full statement on the issue of single-sex spaces for public sector workers.
My colleagues have already correctly highlighted the lack of opportunity for this national news story to be debated in Scotland’s Parliament. The 47 MSPs who voted in favour of my colleague Tess White’s amendment included members from different parties, regions and constituencies all over Scotland. That, I believe, highlights the national significance of the issue. Moreover, the vote on the amendment specifically called for a statement today, which underlines the urgent nature and topicality of the issue.
I therefore seek your permission to move a motion without notice proposing that the 10 am deadline be removed for today only, which would allow for an urgent question to be submitted and taken on the issue. If you grant this request, I urge all members to support the motion.