Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson): NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-2208, in the name of Roseanna Cunningham, on the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee's report on floo...

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): SNP

We all remember the images from England last year when very serious flooding took place in the middle of the summer. The devastation and distress were only t...

That the Parliament notes the conclusions and recommendations contained in the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee’s 2nd Report, 2008 (Session 3):

Flooding and Flood Management (SP Paper 96).

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment (Richard Lochhead): SNP

I warmly commend the committee for its thorough investigation and report, which are certainly helping to ensure that flooding remains firmly on the Parliamen...

The Presiding Officer: NPA

I ask members who are speaking and those who are sitting close to them to ensure that their telephones and BlackBerrys are turned off. Quite a lot of interfe...

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): Lab

We very much welcome the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee's report, which is timely given that the Pitt report, which contains recommendations arising...

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): Con

The Rural Affairs and Environment Committee is to be congratulated on a thorough and timely piece of work, which coincides with the Government's consultation...

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): LD

One of the most important points in our report is the recommendation that SEPA should take the lead at a national level in overseeing the flood risk plans th...

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): Lab

Does Mr Rumbles not accept that there is more than one way to skin a cat? I was able to ask all the questions that I required to ask—and the committee makes ...

Mike Rumbles: LD

Yes, but is it not unfortunate that we had to go round in circles and were prevented from using the word "Aviemore"? Let us be clear: the First Minister made...

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

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The issue of flooding is a very serious subject for debate. If Mr Rumbles is addressing not the issue of flooding but...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman): Lab

I am listening very carefully—

Mike Rumbles: LD

I—

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Lab

I am speaking, Mr Rumbles. I am listening carefully to what you have to say. I ask you to remember what the subject is and to be very careful from now on.

Mike Rumbles: LD

The subject is clear. It is about managing flooding and preventing the building of houses on the flood plain. This is a prime example of that.The First Minis...

Roseanna Cunningham: SNP

Will the member give way?

Mike Rumbles: LD

No. Another SEPA e-mail referred to"Interference in due process … if signed off, it will no doubt affect staff morale".

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Lab

You have one minute.

Mike Rumbles: LD

All those interventions have taken time from me, Presiding Officer, but never mind.After all that, Mike Russell, the planning minister, came before our commi...

Michael Russell: SNP

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am not the planning minister, so I hope that Mr Rumbles is not misleading the chamber. Perhaps that point could be ...

Mike Rumbles: LD

The convener was so concerned about protecting the minister that prior to the meeting she informed us all that she would not even allow any mention of the Av...

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP

By now, observant members will have noticed that motions have been laid before the Parliament that would mean changes to the membership of various committees...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): Lab

Like other members, I think that the committee conducted a good inquiry. It is worth acknowledging the fact that, with one exception, which Mike Rumbles ment...

Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

Having quickly rewritten the start of my speech, I now begin by congratulating Roseanna Cunningham on her chairing of the committee. Events in the chamber ha...

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): Lab

Is it Bill Wilson's understanding that the SNP Government will not go ahead with any PFI or public-private partnership projects in the future?

Bill Wilson: SNP

My understanding is that we are moving towards an alternative, non-profit-sharing method, which will phase out PFI. Where contracts have already been signed,...

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): Lab

I echo the mostly positive comments of previous speakers. I thank the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee and its clerks for all their work in preparing ...

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): Con

I am not a Rural Affairs and Environment Committee member, or even a substitute member, so I do not have the depth of knowledge that committee members have. ...

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): LD

There must be something symbolic in the fact that, when Mary Scanlon and I choose to speak in a debate in which we have only a general interest, the heavens ...

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

The flooding that affected the Highlands and Islands about 18 months ago and the Western Isles a year earlier sharpened much of the debate in the Parliament ...