Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson): NPA

The next item of business is a debate on S3M-1751, in the name of Linda Fabiani, on Historic Scotland and local authorities.

The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture (Linda Fabiani): SNP

I am pleased to open the debate, which allows me to highlight the many ways in which central and local government are working together to deliver a sustainab...

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): Lab

I welcome the announcement of the £8 million to continue the work of the conservation area regeneration scheme, and the key performance targets for planning ...

Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Con

I am a fan of Historic Scotland, although there are aspects of its operation with which I disagree, to which I will return. I continue to believe that the ag...

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): LD

I welcome this rare opportunity to focus on the role of Historic Scotland. At one point, I was concerned about whether there would be a ministerial statement...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman): Lab

We move to the debate. Speeches should be of six minutes.

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): SNP

I very much welcome this opportunity to explore the co-operation between Historic Scotland and local authorities, which the minister has enhanced today with ...

James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): Lab

I welcome this debate on Historic Scotland and its joint working with local authorities, because we should discuss its role in administering Scotland's histo...

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): LD

I am pleased to take part in a debate during which we have heard about numerous anomalies and difficulties relating to the work of our colleagues in Historic...

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): Con

You alluded to Eilean Donan castle as having been a pile of rocks, but I remind you that it was under your party's Administration that Castle Tioram remained...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan): SNP

That did not happen under my party's Administration.

John Farquhar Munro: LD

I do not think that the issue was ever debated seriously in the Scottish Parliament, because it was simply a planning matter between Highland Council and His...

Christopher Harvie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): SNP

I thank John Farquhar Munro for reminding us that one of Scotland's iconic structures dates from only about 70 years ago, thus depriving us of any historical...

Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): Lab

There is no doubt that the conservation and reuse of buildings must rank highly in terms of sustainability. Ensuring that restoration is sympathetic is a cru...

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): SNP

I start with a declaration of interest. Like many in the chamber, as a member of a local authority I have been involved in planning issues for a number of ye...

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): Lab

I declare an interest as a member of Historic Scotland.As others have said, our distinctive environment has been formed by centuries of activity by nature an...

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): LD

Like Patricia Ferguson and Willie Coffey, I declare an interest as a member of Historic Scotland. As a result of that membership, I have sons who have a heal...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

The member has one minute left.

Liam McArthur: LD

In my constituency I know of situations in which there has been a complete failure to communicate properly or to engage with local stakeholders. Although I f...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: SNP

The member must conclude now.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): Con

I am pleased to speak in the debate, which has been very informative. In 2004, during a similar debate, I made a speech that was partially critical of Histor...

Malcolm Chisholm: Lab

I am happy to support Iain Smith's amendment, with its emphasis on effective engagement with local communities in relation to listed buildings. More generall...

Linda Fabiani: SNP

The most sensible thing that I have heard Malcolm Chisholm say today is that I will not have enough time. He is right: in the eight minutes that are availabl...