Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP

The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-19504, in the name of Claire Baker, on non-fatal strangulation laws and intimate partne...

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

I thank the members who signed my motion so that it could be debated in the chamber. I particularly thank Tess White and Michelle Thomson, whom I have worked...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

We move to the open debate. 12:56

Michelle Thomson (Falkirk East) (SNP) SNP

I, too, thank Claire Baker for her work in this matter and for obtaining the debate, and I accord my own respects to the power of collaborative cross-party w...

Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I want to say a special thank you to Claire Baker for raising this topic and to Michelle Thomson for working on it over the past few years. Emily Drouet was...

Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I thank Claire Baker for bringing this important debate to the chamber, and I thank all those who have contributed so far. I associate myself with the remark...

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

Emily Drouet was a law student at the University of Aberdeen. She was kind, compassionate, intelligent and thoughtful. Emily died in 2016 when an incident oc...

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab) Lab

I thank Claire Baker for securing the debate and bringing the matter to the Parliament. I endorse her view that the work that Tess White and Michelle Thomson...

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Lab) Lab

I thank Claire Baker for securing this important debate and I thank all colleagues for their contributions—in particular, Tess White and Michelle Thomson, wh...

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (Angela Constance) SNP

I thank Claire Baker for bringing the important issue of non-fatal strangulation to the Parliament today. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity...

Tess White Con

I hear what the cabinet secretary says, and I am glad that she referred to the work of the Criminal Justice Committee. However, has she reviewed the committe...

Angela Constance SNP

I am aware of that evidence. Claire Baker, in her opening remarks, spoke about the importance of us all engaging with the evidence. Later in my remarks, I w...

Monica Lennon Lab

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Angela Constance SNP

Of course—briefly, thank you.

Monica Lennon Lab

I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for taking my intervention before she moves on to the next point. I appreciate the efforts that are being made, and th...

Angela Constance SNP

Ms Lennon raises an important point. The work that goes on in schools around the equally safe strategy and the curriculum input on healthy relationships—whic...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

Cabinet secretary, I appreciate that there is a lot of information to impart on what is a very important matter, but you have gone considerably over your time.

Angela Constance SNP

Forgive me.

Liam Kerr Con

Is there time for the cabinet secretary to take an intervention?

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

I am afraid that there is no time for interventions because we are running fairly late.

Angela Constance SNP

I agree with the motion’s sentiment that non-fatal strangulation should not go unrecorded, and I have spoken in detail about the consultation. My final piece...

The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP

That concludes the debate. 13:36 Meeting suspended. 14:30 On resuming—