Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 15 January 2026
15 Jan 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill (Implementation)
As the First Minister will recall, Parliament voted to support the general principles of my bill at stage 1, since when both the Scottish and UK Governments have worked constructively to ensure that a comprehensive system of assisted dying can be implemented if that remains the will of MSPs. I put on the record my thanks to both of them for those efforts.
At this point, however, can the First Minister assure the Parliament that the Scottish Government will now engage on any amendments that it believes will be necessary at stage 3 to deliver a safe and compassionate choice for terminally ill adults in Scotland who wish it?
In the same item of business
6. Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to findings published by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow indicat...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I am somewhat disconcerted that we do not have a live audio and video feed for Ms Duncan-Glancy. I will let the question go ahead in this instance while we s...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
The Scottish Government is aware of the findings of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, which detail its members’ views on assisted dyin...
Pam Duncan-Glancy
Lab
I hope that the technical issues with the audio and video feed have resolved themselves. I thank the First Minister for that answer. It is important that we...
The First Minister
SNP
As I indicated in my earlier answer, the Government is neutral on the bill. It is a matter of conscience and personal decision making, I think, for all membe...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
As the First Minister will recall, Parliament voted to support the general principles of my bill at stage 1, since when both the Scottish and UK Governments ...
The First Minister
SNP
The Government is actively considering the issue. Obviously, the Government has to be mindful of the position, which will be sustained during consideration o...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to constituency and general supplementary questions. I would be grateful for concise questions and responses.