Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur) LD

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-19252, in the name of Russell Findlay, on stopping illegal immigration and recognising its impact on hous...

Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con) Con

I am proud of Britain’s long history of immigration. I am proud of the strength and richness of our diversity. I am proud of our culture—decent, welcoming, t...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

Russell Findlay Con

I would be delighted to do so if there is any guarantee of getting the time back.

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

We are tight for time. You will get some of it back, but not necessarily all of it.

Russell Findlay Con

Okay. I will take the intervention.

Daniel Johnson Lab

I welcome Russell Findlay’s comments about having a welcoming approach to people who come from other countries. However, would he endorse the statement that ...

Russell Findlay Con

What Mr Jenrick meant was that we want communities that are assimilated. We do not want people to be isolated or ghettoised. That is an entirely reasonable p...

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) SNP

Will the member give way?

Russell Findlay Con

It is not racist to want to stop the boats: a treacherous trade that claims lives and enriches gangsters. I will take one more intervention, from Mr Stewart.

Kevin Stewart SNP

Language in rhetoric is very important in this debate. What we heard from Robert Jenrick is not good, as far as I am concerned. Trying—

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Please be brief, Mr Stewart.

Kevin Stewart SNP

Trying to brand all immigrants as criminals is wrong, too. Does the member accept that?

Russell Findlay Con

I will not even waste my time in attempting to address that point. Kevin Stewart needs to open his ears and listen up to what is actually being said. Concer...

Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Russell Findlay Con

I am sorry, but I have no time remaining. Glasgow declared a housing emergency two years ago and it has a mountain of debt, which stands at £1.6 billion and...

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

You need to wind up.

Russell Findlay Con

I end by saying it loud and clear: the public purse cannot afford this. It is unsustainable. That is not racist. It is not far right. It is simply right. I ...

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan) SNP

I cannot say that I am pleased to open in this debate for the Government. The Conservatives brought a similar motion only four weeks ago, and on that day a n...

Russell Findlay Con

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Màiri McAllan SNP

I am not giving you one more second of our time. Members: Oh!

The Deputy Presiding Officer LD

Speak through the chair, cabinet secretary.

Màiri McAllan SNP

Secondly, the Conservatives misunderstand the rules on local connection. Let me explain those rules to them. The changes that were made in November 2022 only...

Russell Findlay Con

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention on that point?

Màiri McAllan SNP

I have already made it clear that I will not give the Conservatives a platform for one more moment—not on my watch. The Conservatives are wrong, they know th...

Craig Hoy (South Scotland) (Con) Con

What about the SNP Government?

Màiri McAllan SNP

The truth is that Mr Findlay’s party allowed enormous asylum backlogs to build up while creating a hotels policy that allows people to languish. Now, a Labou...

Russell Findlay Con

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention on that point?

Craig Hoy Con

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Màiri McAllan SNP

In closing, while continuing to ignore the Conservatives’ attempts for a greater platform, I want us to reflect on what has led us here—to the point where th...