Meeting of the Parliament 11 March 2026 [Draft]
These are, of course, serious and substantial issues that we are being asked to consider. In my view, this is the most consequential member’s bill of the session—indeed, it is probably the most consequential bill since Parliament was established.
I acknowledge that timetabling has been difficult. We have consistently underestimated the amount of time that has been required. I appreciate all of that, but the process feels slightly chaotic and I do not think that it shows the Parliament in a terribly good light. I know that the Government’s legislative programme has been full, but it feels as if it is being rushed through and squeezed into the final few weeks of the session, and I do not think that that is a sensible way for us to legislate.
I appreciate that people have caring responsibilities. I also appreciate that many of us, particularly constituency members but also list MSPs, consider Fridays to be protected days for constituency work. Members already have plans, including surgeries and meetings with constituents and external organisations, and cancelling them at short notice causes difficulties.
However, I am also told that there is a strong possibility that we may be required to meet next Friday in order to deal with other legislation. I am worried that, in our dash to get to the end of the legislative programme in this parliamentary session, we will squeeze everything in and not consider it properly.
I absolutely accept the need to get through the amendments to the bill, but I ask that the Parliamentary Bureau consider its decision again. I am conscious that some committees have concluded their business and are no longer meeting, so it may be that some mornings might be available when members would be on the parliamentary estate anyway. Similarly, it may be that there are some slots when we could meet in the evening.
However, for all sorts of sensible legislative reasons, never mind being inclusive in the Parliament, I ask the Parliamentary Bureau to consider withdrawing its motion and looking at it again overnight. If there is no alternative but Friday, I think that members would more readily accept that. I am asking the Parliamentary Bureau to be flexible and to explore opportunities.