Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 24 March 2026 [Draft]
24 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Sport and Activity as a Force for Good
I sincerely thank members for their co-operation in more or less sticking to their agreed speaking slots. We have been able to hear from everybody. I have made a list with the clerk—I think that 14 sports have been covered thus far—and we are still to hear from the minister. No pressure, minister.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Good morning. The first item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-20497, in the name of Brian Whittle, on sport and activity as a force fo...
Brian Whittle (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
I have been warned.My passion lies in the firm belief that education is the solution to health and welfare issues. By education, I mean not only academia but...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Before we commence the open debate, I note that a couple of speakers who had previously indicated that they might wish to speak have not pressed their reques...
James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Brian Whittle for giving me the opportunity to give my final speech in this august place on a subject that is very close to my heart. I was involved ...
Tim Eagle (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I thank Brian Whittle for securing the debate. I have been here for two years, and he and I have had more conversations in the stairwells about sport, and th...
Alex Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to speak in Brian Whittle’s members’ business debate. When I saw the motion, I thought, “That’s the one I’ll make my final speech as an MSP in.”...
Foysol Choudhury (Lothian) (Ind)
Ind
First, I thank Brian Whittle for securing this much-anticipated members’ business debate and for championing sports throughout this parliamentary session. As...
Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP)
SNP
I thank my colleague Brian Whittle for securing this excellent debate. I rise to speak about sport being a force for good with a mixture of pride, gratitude ...
Finlay Carson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
I thank my friend and colleague Brian Whittle for bringing the debate to the chamber. The motion highlights something that most of us know instinctively, whi...
Carol Mochan (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Finlay Carson’s daughter and all the team, and I am sure that everyone would join me in doing so.I thank Brian Whittle for bringing this debat...
Emma Harper (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Brian Whittle for bringing this important debate to the chamber. Mr Whittle’s motion rightly highlights that sport and physical activity are about fa...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I advise members that, given the number of members who still wish to speak in the debate, I am minded to accept a motion under rule 8.14.3 that the debate be...
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I remind members of my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am a match official and officiate matches for the Scottish Football Association.I, too,...
George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
SNP
The first time that I spoke to Brian Whittle was when he first came into the Parliament. We were having one of those team photographs on the garden lobby sta...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I sincerely thank members for their co-operation in more or less sticking to their agreed speaking slots. We have been able to hear from everybody. I have ma...
The Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy and Sport (Maree Todd)
SNP
Tapadh leibh, Oifigeir Riaghlaidh—thank you, Presiding Officer. I thank Mr Whittle for bringing this important motion to the chamber and all members for thei...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
That concludes the debate. There will be a short pause before we move on to the next item of business.