Hansard

18:18

Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con) Con

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance in relation to parliamentary procedure. The Parliament is supposed to hold the Government to acc...

The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone) NPA

Let us hear Mr Findlay.

Russell Findlay Con

—and what Mr Swinney did with that information, which was kept secret from the public.I had the opportunity to ask only one question, which was limited to 45...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Mr Findlay, for clarity, I note that a point of order should describe which procedure you think has not been followed or is not being followed.

Russell Findlay Con

I understand, Presiding Officer. I am just attempting to put context around it.John Swinney failed to disclose that when I questioned him at First Minister’s...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Mr Findlay, I am very keen that you identify the procedure that you are concerned about in relation to our standing orders.

Russell Findlay Con

I am just doing so.This is about parliamentary scrutiny and Government accountability—Interruption.—so can you please tell me whether—

The Presiding Officer NPA

Let us hear Mr Findlay.

Russell Findlay Con

Can you please tell me what methods or mechanisms are available to me, or to any other member, to compel the Lord Advocate to provide a full statement to thi...

The Presiding Officer NPA

If a member seeks a ministerial statement, they can speak with their business manager, who would bring the request to the Parliamentary Bureau, or they can d...

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) SNP

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance on some of the issues that were raised just seconds ago. Mr Findlay said that the answers that t...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Let us hear Mr Stewart.

Kevin Stewart SNP

I seek your guidance, Presiding Officer. What do you think would be answers that are too comprehensive?

The Presiding Officer NPA

I would suggest that that is not a point of order, Mr Stewart. When I feel that my intervention is required, I will make one.

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Can I ask you directly why you interrupt points of order from Conservative members but allow SNP members uninterrupte...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Mr Ross, it is not appropriate to challenge the chair. I am making my decisions in the chair, live, according to what I have heard. I ask that you consider w...

Douglas Ross Con

Further to that point of order, Presiding Officer.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Is it on the same subject?

Douglas Ross Con

It is further to that point of order.

The Presiding Officer NPA

I call Douglas Ross for a point of order on another subject.

Douglas Ross Con

Our standing orders are there to protect all members—not just those of the SNP and not just the Presiding Officer. Interruption. Standing orders are very cle...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Mr Ross, please take your seat. I am wholly impartial and fair in this chair.

Douglas Ross Con

No, you are not.Members: Oh!

The Presiding Officer NPA

Mr Ross, I ask you to withdraw that. I would very much like you to remain with your colleagues until the end of the day. I think that it is very important th...

Douglas Ross Con

I will withdraw them even though I believe them.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Thank you, Mr Ross, but I afraid that that is not satisfactory and I now regretfully ask you to please leave the chamber.

Douglas Ross Con

No.

The Presiding Officer NPA

I would be grateful if we could suspend proceedings for a moment.18:25Meeting suspended.18:28On resuming—

The Presiding Officer NPA

Given the situation in which we find ourselves, with on-going disregard for the authority of the Presiding Officer, but cognisant of the impact on all other ...