Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid): SNP

The next item of business is a debate on motion S1M-3862, in the name of Karen Gillon, that the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill be...

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): Lab

It is with great pride and honour that I will move the motion on behalf of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee. I begin with some wise words from Sir ...

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Con

A guid Tory.

Karen Gillon: Lab

The words good and Tory are not ones that I would naturally put together, but let us move on.Sir Walter Scott stated:"Children know—instinctive taught, the f...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr Murray Tosh): Con

I call Nicol Stephen to speak for the Executive. I will give everyone else a notional five minutes, but we have a bit of time in hand.

The Deputy Minister for Education and Young People (Nicol Stephen): LD

I congratulate Karen Gillon and the other members of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee on the work that they have done in progressing the bill to es...

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): SNP

Anyone who needs to be convinced of the varied nature of the legislation that the Parliament is passing could do worse than look at our business programme fo...

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Con

I am pleased to support the bill. I remember Jackie Baillie's reaction the first time I announced my support—I swear that I saw her face change. My support d...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): Lab

I welcome all converts, even Brian Monteith, but I doubt that I will ever again be surprised by his actions.What do children have to do with politics? In som...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

It might be of assistance if I say that five members have indicated that they would like to speak in the debate. It is possible that we will reach decision t...

Ian Jenkins (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): LD

I intend to be kind to the younger people, as every other member of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee is younger than I am.I am grateful to the mini...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

Contrary to what I said before, I call Fiona McLeod, to be followed by Donald Gorrie.

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

Yes indeed, I am not Mike Russell. Nor am I Irene McGugan; Irene and I are often confused with each other and I am delighted that we have, over the past few ...

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): LD

As someone who—before the Parliament was set up—was involved with the various youth organisations in planning to achieve what we are achieving today and some...

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I echo the minister's tribute to Ian Jenkins, who is the only member of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee who is choosing not to return to the Parli...

Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West): *

Is that a capital offence?

Michael Russell: SNP

It is not a capital offence as yet—although, with the present Prime Minister, one never knows what will happen next.There is a historical continuity in this ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

I have received a request late in the day from Robin Harper, who wants to contribute. There is time in hand, so I will allow Robin Harper to speak.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): Green

As someone with an involvement in youth work from the age of 16, and as a former member of the children's panel and a member of the cross-party group on chil...

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): Lab

I thank all the members who have contributed to this afternoon's debate. Karen Gillon has already given thanks and appreciation to the list of all the folk w...