Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman): Lab

The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-3011, in the name of Stewart Maxwell, on forced marriages.

The Minister for Communities and Sport (Stewart Maxwell): SNP

In debating the issues that affect our country, it is not often that we approach a subject with consensus in the chamber. I thank all the parties and their s...

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): Lab

Presiding Officer, please use your power to take some time away from my summing-up speech if that will help you to juggle times later on and means that you w...

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

Does the member acknowledge that 38 per cent of the victims in forced marriages are male?

Johann Lamont: Lab

I absolutely accept that forced marriage is an issue that is not simply for women—although, because of defined roles in communities, it affects more women th...

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Lab

I remind members to ensure that their mobile phones and BlackBerrys are switched off.

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

I apologise to Johann Lamont. The figure of 38 per cent that I cited for male victims was incorrect—the true figure is 15 per cent, which is still highly sig...

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): LD

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate and to put forward the Liberal Democrats' thoughts on forced marriage. We welcome the opportunity th...

Stewart Maxwell: SNP

Does Hugh O'Donnell remember that?

Hugh O'Donnell: LD

No, I do not.Huge cultural pressure can be placed on young people. Prior to being elected to the Parliament, I had first-hand experience of that, as I have h...

Bashir Ahmad (Glasgow) (SNP): SNP

I welcome today's debate on an extremely serious and important issue. The term "forced marriages" is used a lot by the media, politicians and community organ...

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

As we know, there is no offence of forced marriage in Scotland. Civil and criminal law in Scotland offers some protection to victims who are forced to marry ...

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): Con

Although forced marriage is thankfully very rare in Britain and in Scotland, it can have a devastating effect on its victims. I therefore welcome the debate,...

Stewart Maxwell: SNP

I acknowledge what the member says; he is quite correct in what he says about the law as it stands. However, does he accept that what he has just explained c...

John Lamont: Con

I agree with the minister entirely. I have set out what Scots law currently allows for. We are trying to prevent forced marriages, rather than deal with them...

Hugh O’Donnell: LD

Will the member confirm that David Cameron initially proposed criminalising—in a non-civil way—forced marriage when the UK bill was introduced in 2006?

John Lamont: Con

I am not aware of that proposal. My understanding is that we as a party supported the bill when it went through the Westminster Parliament. The Scottish Cons...

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

At this stage in the debate, it is inevitable that much has already been said. I might occasionally tread where others have been and repeat what they have sa...

Johann Lamont: Lab

As far as I understand it, one of the big differences is that, in other parts of the United Kingdom, a third party can apply for an order. That is particular...

Christine Grahame: SNP

That is a very fair point, which I hope will be developed by the minister. Johann Lamont might have caught me on that point, but that is fine—it is what a de...

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): Lab

We have heard some details about what forced marriages are, and we recognise the differences between a forced, or coerced, marriage and an arranged marriage ...

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): Lab

I appreciate the opportunity to speak.On 25 November, new laws came into force in the rest of the UK to prevent forced marriages and to protect those who hav...

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): LD

This has been an important debate about a sensitive issue. Bashir Ahmad was right to say that one forced marriage is one too many.I thank all those who have ...

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): Con

The Conservative group will support the Government motion at decision time.There is contradictory evidence, as we have heard in the debate, about the number ...

Johann Lamont: Lab

It is a reflection on how far we have come that there is consensus that this matter is serious and appropriate for public debate and political action. We hav...

The Minister for Community Safety (Fergus Ewing): SNP

I welcome this afternoon's wide-ranging debate, and the cross-party support and commitment to eradicating forced marriage and other forms of honour-based vio...

Johann Lamont: Lab

Does the minister agree that there is a difference between giving people certainty that something will happen, and expecting people to make it happen? There ...

Fergus Ewing: SNP

There is a difference between the two prospects, but I certainly do not accept that the issue has been in any way deprioritised, nor do I accept that any cou...