Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Murray Tosh): Con

The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5169, in the name of Karen Whitefield, on the general principles of the Christmas Day and New Year's Day ...

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): LD

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Many of us have concerns about the inclusion in the bill of new year's day and the impact that that might have. We wo...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

Under standing orders, decisions on the admissibility of amendments are the responsibility of the convener of the appropriate committee, once the bill has be...

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): Con

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I thank you for taking my point of order without notice. Further to the point that was made by the Liberal Democrat w...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

I am not sure that a point has been put to me on which I am required to rule. With due respect to the Executive and its role in proceedings, the interpretati...

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): Lab

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am puzzled and seek further clarification of the position. Quite properly, you say that it is not for the Executive...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

I had believed that those matters were widely understood, but for the avoidance of doubt, the decision on admissibility at stage 2 is entirely the responsibi...

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): Lab

I trust that the Presiding Officer's "Dear Santa" letter is in the post. Mine is already winging its way. I like to think that I have been pretty good this y...

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Con

Does the member not see the inconsistency in her argument? If the tourism sector has grown over hogmanay, does it not mean more people have to work in hotels...

Karen Whitefield: Lab

The bill covers retail trading in Scotland. Tourism has continued to grow despite shops not opening on new year's day in Scotland. It is not a disincentive t...

The Deputy Minister for Justice (Johann Lamont): Lab

I congratulate Karen Whitefield on the work that she has put into examining how we can best protect vulnerable retail staff from having to work on Christmas ...

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

The minister talked about department stores but, nowadays, many stores are in shopping malls and centres, such as the Gyle centre, Fort Kinnaird and Ocean Te...

Johann Lamont: Lab

As I said, there is an unresolved debate about new year's day, and such issues can be explored further if the bill gets to stage 2.We want that process of ex...

Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind): Ind

The point that Brian Monteith raised could be covered by a simple amendment that would provide that smaller shops that operate under the brand name of, or ar...

Johann Lamont: Lab

I thank Margo MacDonald for that helpful intervention. I was trying to say to Mr Monteith that his question would not be sufficient reason to kill the bill a...

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): SNP

The Scottish National Party intends to support the bill, which seeks to balance family values, our cultural values and modern terms and conditions. In partic...

Mr Monteith: Ind

I hear what the member says about the SNP position. Has he consulted Sandra White?

Jim Mather: SNP

Yes, I have consulted Sandra White.

Bill Butler: Lab

Will Jim Mather give way?

Jim Mather: SNP

I ask Bill Butler to let me build another point before I take another intervention.As with any move to improve the quality of life in Scotland, we are mindfu...

Bill Butler: Lab

I am glad to see that the SNP seems to have performed a U-turn. Is it disowning the position expounded by its previous representative on the Justice 2 Commit...

Jim Mather: SNP

This party does not dictate how members vote in committee, and it has reflected on the majority view in the committee.We want to broker an open and authorita...

Mr Monteith: Ind

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Will you rule on the relevance of Mr Mather's speech to the subject under debate?

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman): Lab

I call Mr Mather.

Jim Mather: SNP

I am talking about impact and the fact that, in a jurisdiction that is identical to Scotland, the analysis is the same as ours and puts wind in the sails of ...

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Con

Let me try to address the bill before us. The bill is designed to prohibit large shops from opening their doors to the public on Christmas day and new year's...

Margo MacDonald: Ind

I find it hard to believe that anybody is ever bored in Edinburgh. The tourists could try Morningside, Bruntsfield, Stockbridge or any of the other villages ...

Murdo Fraser: Con

I am sure that Ms MacDonald could offer personal tours of Edinburgh to bored tourists on new year's day. The simple fact is that many tourists gravitate to t...

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): Lab

Will the member give way?

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Lab

Mr Fraser is finishing.