Meeting of the Parliament 25 June 2026 [Draft]
I apologise for joining the debate slightly late.
I am speaking mainly on behalf of Julie MacDougall, but I have an interest in the matter because both of my grandfathers were miners and died of lung disease, although I did not know either of them, because they died so long ago. One died very young and the other died soon after he retired. I do not know whether they were diagnosed, but it seems likely that what we have been talking about today was a contributory factor.
However, I am here to speak on behalf of my colleague Julie MacDougall, who, unfortunately, has taken ill. I am sure that everyone will join me in hoping that she recovers quickly. She very much wanted to be here.
I would like to read something about Julie’s father, John MacDougall, whom some members would have known. He was a British Labour politician who served as MP for Glenrothes from 2005 until his death. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2001, as the MP for Central Fife. In 2007, he was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and, due to his illness, his participation in the Parliament became fleeting, although he remained an MP until his death the following year. He had major surgery and had a lung removed before his death, and his illness was caused by working in the shipyards.
Julie MacDougall very much wanted to participate in this debate. I assure Marie McNair and other members that we are interested in co-operating with any move to take matters forward, and I thank her for securing the debate.