Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 17 June 2025
17 Jun 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Languages Bill: Stage 3
I have listened carefully to the Deputy First Minister’s comments. She highlighted three specific backstops in the bill, but I would argue that those backstops suggest that there is already a sense of a provision. My amendments would make it much clearer that communities will be at the heart of the decision-making process, as the bill would say that they “must” be consulted, not that they “may” be consulted. In addition, if a community’s request was denied, the reasons why the request had been denied would need to be published.
I heard what the Deputy First Minister said about Bòrd na Gàidhlig development officers, but my amendment 23 seeks to ensure that somebody from the grass roots will be in designated areas to help to build and sustain the community. As we know, much has been said about whether the bill will achieve the difference that is needed in Gaelic-speaking communities across Scotland. To ensure that the Gaelic language survives, communities must be provided with support on the ground, so I still think that amendment 23 is really important.
I press amendment 13.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Scottish Languages Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should have the bill as amended at s...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Group 1 is on areas of linguistic significance. Amendment 13, in the name of Pam Duncan-Glancy, is grouped with amendments 14 to 18, 1, 2, 19 to 23 and 65.
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I will speak to amendments 13 to 16, 1 and 2, all in my name. Amendments 13 to 16 relate to the process by which areas will be designated as areas of linguis...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Emma Roddick to speak to amendment 17 and other amendments in the group.
Emma Roddick (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh. The bill makes provision for local authorities to designate areas of linguistic significance. Those will be areas in which...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Ross Greer to speak to amendment 65 and other amendments in the group.
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green)
Green
Feasgar math. Amendment 65 would require local authorities to develop local Gaelic plans for the designated areas of linguistic significance, in consultation...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic (Kate Forbes)
SNP
Although this group will take slightly longer to deal with, and my remarks will therefore be longer than for the other groups, it is appropriate that we star...
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
Will the Deputy First Minister set out which part of amendment 13 is unclear? My understanding is that it is quite clear. It creates a specific definition ab...
Kate Forbes
SNP
I thank the member for that question, because it is a helpful cue from which to proceed. The requirement in the amendment does not specify the size or the t...
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
I am not sure that I entirely agree about the confusion, given that, on the most important part of the change, the bill already says that an “area may be des...
Kate Forbes
SNP
Yes, but the fact that the amendment says “must” and would therefore create a mandatory obligation to designate an area would lead to huge questions about wh...
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
Made a request to intervene.
Kate Forbes
SNP
I appreciate that the member disagrees with that and that she wants to intervene again. I am very happy to take that intervention.
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
What process does the Deputy First Minister think there is for people who believe that their area should be designated? If the legislation says only that an ...
Kate Forbes
SNP
As the member will know, we will consider a number of amendments today that will strengthen the provisions, and I will come on to those. Having heard loud an...
Ross Greer
Green
I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for offering points of reassurance around the guidance. Will she address my specific concern that there is a requireme...
Kate Forbes
SNP
That is a very fair point. One criticism that has been made is that there is a lot of duplication and overlap. If we believe in grass-roots community work, w...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Pam Duncan-Glancy to wind up and to press or seek to withdraw amendment 13.
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
I have listened carefully to the Deputy First Minister’s comments. She highlighted three specific backstops in the bill, but I would argue that those backsto...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The question is, that amendment 13 be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
There will be a division. There will be a suspension to allow members to log in to the digital voting system. 16:03 Meeting suspended. 16:10 On resuming—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
We move to the vote on amendment 13. Members should cast their votes now. The vote is closed.
Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My system would not connect in time. If it had, I would have voted yes.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you, Mr Leonard. I will make sure that that is recorded.
Lorna Slater (Lothian) (Green)
Green
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My apologies. My system was not updating. I would have voted no.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Thank you, Ms Slater. I will ensure that that is recorded.
Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am having some issues with my app. I am not sure whether my vote registered.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I can assure you that your vote was recorded, Mr Choudhury.
Foysol Choudhury
Lab
Thank you.