Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-18081, in the name of Natalie Don-Innes, a legislative consent motion on the Children’s Wellbeing and Sch...

The Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans (Graeme Dey) SNP

Thank you, Presiding Officer, for the opportunity to open the debate, which will focus on proposed changes to United Kingdom legislation that have the potent...

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Con) Con

The minister will be aware that the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee met on Tuesday. There was no time for the committee to consider a written repor...

Graeme Dey SNP

There were a number of questions in there. On the timing and why we are discussing the LCM now instead of waiting, there is a compatibility issue with legisl...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I call Douglas Ross to speak on behalf of the Education, Children and Young People Committee. 16:18

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I rise to speak not about the detail of the LCM but about the process, and I endorse everything that Jeremy Balfour said. Before I come to what the DPLR Comm...

Roz McCall (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

I rise to speak on the LCM that we have been asked to approve this afternoon. It has already been highlighted that it covers child employment, secure care an...

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I will speak on behalf of Scottish Labour to various elements of the LCM. I compliment both committees that were involved in this matter—I appreciate the cha...

Graeme Dey SNP

I appreciate the opportunity to clarify. Let us be absolutely clear that the bill does not in any way change the approach in Scotland. Indeed, if we take the...

Martin Whitfield Lab

I thank the minister for his intervention. Unlike Roz McCall, I am reassured by that, because I think that, when the Government gives such assurances, we sho...

Jeremy Balfour Con

Will the member give way?

Martin Whitfield Lab

I will finish my point, and then I will come to Mr Balfour. I thank the minister for stepping in to cover the debate at this late stage.

Jeremy Balfour Con

Martin Whitfield will be aware that the legislation that we pass does not last just for the duration of the current Government; it lasts for years to come. I...

Martin Whitfield Lab

I am grateful for Mr Balfour’s intervention. Of course, no Parliament or Government can bind future Governments. On his underlying point, of course there sho...

Graeme Dey SNP

I will deal first with the legitimate points that members have raised. I absolutely take on board Douglas Ross’s point about the workload of the Education, ...