Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman): Lab

The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S2M-5596, in the name of Alasdair Morrison, on celebrating success.

Motion debated,

That the Parliament welcomes the substantive progress being made in tackling sectarianism in Scotland; commends the initiatives undertaken by Scotland's larg...

Mr Alasdair Morrison (Western Isles) (Lab): Lab

I extend a warm welcome to representatives of Rangers Football Club who are in the public gallery.The twin evils of bigotry and racism blight many societies ...

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): SNP

I congratulate Alasdair Morrison on bringing forward this debate, which is timely and appropriate. It is clear that, in Scotland, we have a significant probl...

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): LD

I congratulate Alasdair Morrison on securing the debate and on his speech, which covered the ground well. Kenny MacAskill also made many good points.We are a...

John Swinburne (Central Scotland) (SSCUP): SSCUP

I thank Alasdair Morrison for securing today's debate. People do not realise how much progress has been made. When I went to Ibrox and Parkhead just after th...

Dave Petrie (Highlands and Islands) (Con): Con

I thank Alasdair Morrison, as well as other members, for bringing up this important issue. I recall with horror my only visit—in the early 1970s—to an old fi...

Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind): Ind

I do not disagree with many of Dave Petrie's assertions, and I support the moves to end sectarian and racist behaviour that Alasdair Morrison spoke about. Ho...

Dave Petrie: Con

I take Margo MacDonald's point, but I do not think that it is directly related to the debate.We need to look at the issue of more police on the streets. As r...

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): Lab

I congratulate my colleague Alasdair Morrison on securing the debate. It is especially timely, given that an old firm derby is to be held this weekend and wa...

The Deputy Minister for Justice (Johann Lamont): Lab

I, too, congratulate Alasdair Morrison on securing this important debate. In particular, I thank him for recognising the Executive's efforts and those of our...

John Swinburne: SSCUP

Does the minister agree with me that the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980, which banned alcohol from football grounds, was a gigantic step forward in con...

Johann Lamont: Lab

I understand that alcohol can fuel sectarianism and cause difficulties, but alcohol is also sometimes used as an alibi. As with other forms of violence, peop...

Meeting closed at 17:45.