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Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should have the bill as amended at stage 2—that is, SP bill 46A—the marshalled list and the groupings of amendments. The di...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
11 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The next item of business is stage 3 of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should have the bill as amended at stage 2—that is, Scottish Parliament bill 46A—the marshalled list and the groupings of amendments. T...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
11 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Group 7 is on assessments, including support, of terminally ill adults. Amendment 150, in the name of Brian Whittle, is grouped with amendments 22, 23, 153 to 155, 157, 26, 28 to 32, 161, 163 to 171, 173, 34, 34A, 176, 179, 9, 183, 183A, 184, 185, 37, 186, 91, 92, 188, 38, 95,...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
10 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
We turn to group 5, which is on training, qualifications and experience of health professionals. Amendment 3, in the name of Daniel Johnson, is grouped with amendments 86, 4, 145, 146, 87, 147, 5, 88, 6, 156, 89, 238, 239, 120 to 123, 125, 133B and 133A. I point out that, if a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
10 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Group 2 is on eligibility to be provided with assistance. Amendment 2, in the name of Daniel Johnson, is grouped with amendments 137 to 141, 143, 162, 316 to 318 and 322 to 324. If amendment 161, which is to be debated in group 7, on assessments, including support, of terminal...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
10 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
We turn to group 4, which is on coercion, pressure and undue influence of terminally ill adults. Amendment 144, in the name of Michael Marra, is grouped with amendments 151, 24, 152, 25, 27, 158, 160, 33, 172, 174, 175, 35, 177, 178, 36, 180 to 182, 187, 93, 189, 209, 41, 50, ...
Annabelle Ewing SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2014
Welfare Reform
I thank my colleague for his intervention, with which I agree. We must be careful to differentiate the thousands and thousands of excellent hard-working staff in DWP offices, who, when they go home at night, must feel heart-sore indeed, from the policy that is driven by the We...
Annabelle Ewing (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP) SNP Chamber
04 Sep 2013
Programme for Government 2013-14
I am pleased to speak in the debate on the Scottish Government’s programme for 2013-14. As we have heard during this two-day debate, a number of important measures have been proposed in the legislative programme for the coming year—measures that will make a real difference ...
Annabelle Ewing SNP Chamber
12 Nov 2014
Welfare Benefits (People with Disabilities)
Does Rhoda Grant accept that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has made it clear to local authorities—including, I presume, Labour local authorities—that it is not on to charge terminally ill individuals for care, and that no charges should be made?
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
22 Jun 2021
MND Scotland (40th Anniversary)
While members are leaving the chamber, I remind them that social distancing measures are in place in the chamber and across the Holyrood campus. I ask members to take care to observe those measures, including when entering and exiting the chamber. Please use only the aisles an...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 May 2025
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
There is limited time.
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP Chamber
13 May 2025
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I advise members that there are, quite understandably, a considerable number of members who wish to speak in the debate, and we are trying to accommodate that. To enable that, members have agreed to speak for up to five minutes. I take the opportunity to put that into the mix ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP Chamber
13 May 2025
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Please be very brief.
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP Chamber
13 May 2025
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
That was not so brief. Mr Ross, please bring your remarks to a close.
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP Chamber
13 May 2025
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Please conclude, Mr Stewart.
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP Chamber
13 May 2025
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We are getting close to the point at which we will have no time in hand, and I want to ensure that every member gets a fair shot. 17:31
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP Chamber
13 May 2025
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I remind members to always speak through the chair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer SNP Chamber
09 Dec 2025
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill
I call Clare Haughey to speak on behalf of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. 17:37
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
17 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
There is time for a very brief intervention.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I call Liam McArthur to speak to amendment 57 and other amendments in the group.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The question is, that amendment 256 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Thank you, Ms Todd. Your vote will be recorded.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I call Liam McArthur to speak to amendment 56 and other amendments in the group.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Always speak through the chair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
We come to group 19, on guidance. Amendment 259, in the name of Ross Greer, is grouped with amendments 54, 260, 261, 55, 262 to 264, 56 and 265 to 274.I point out that, if amendment 56 is agreed to, I cannot call amendment 265, due to pre-emption.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Always speak through the chair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Members.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The result of the division is: For 52, Against 62, Abstentions 4.Amendment 256 disagreed to.Amendment 257 moved—John Mason.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The result of the division is: For 41, Against 70, Abstentions 8.Amendment 257 disagreed to.Amendment 53 moved—Jackie Baillie and agreed to.Amendment 258 moved—Jackie Baillie and agreed to.Section 23—Guidance
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I call Douglas Ross to wind up the debate and to press or withdraw amendment 256.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I call Daniel Johnson, who joins us remotely.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Group 20 is on collection of data, provision of information and reporting. Amendment 275, in the name of Audrey Nicoll, is grouped with amendments 276 to 279, 57, 280, 58 to 61, 115, 62, 281 to 283, 63, 284 to 287, 64, 288 to 291, 116, 294 to 296, and 310.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
There will be a division.The vote is closed.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I call Audrey Nicoll to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 275.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The question is, that amendment 257 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
There will be a division.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
13 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I call Liz Smith to speak to amendments 268 and other amendments in the group.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The question is, that amendment 17 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
There will be a division.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
I call Daniel Johnson to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 18.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The result of the division is: For 65, Against 53, Abstentions 3.Amendment 194 agreed to.Amendment 195 moved—Daniel Johnson.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Thank you, Mr Robertson. Your vote will be recorded.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The result of the division is: For 41, Against 74, Abstentions 7.Amendment 18 disagreed to.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
There will be a division.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The question is, that amendment 18 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
As amendment 102 has been agreed to, amendment 222 has been pre-empted.Amendment 103, in the name of Neil Gray, has already been debated with amendment 90. I remind members that, if amendment 103 is agreed to, amendments 104, 105 and 223 will be pre-empted.Amendment 103 moved—...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The question is, that amendment 103 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
There will be a division.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
There will be a division.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The result of the division is: For, 46, Against 72, Abstentions 4.Amendment 227 disagreed to.Amendment 228 moved—Stephen Kerr.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Group 9 is on signing by proxy. Amendment 94, in the name of Liam McArthur, is grouped with amendments 190 to 192, 65 and 68.15:00
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The result of the division is: For 93, Against 19, Abstentions 11.Amendment 101 agreed to.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Amendment 102, in the name of Neil Gray, has already been debated with amendment 90. I remind members that, if amendment 102 is agreed to, amendment 222 will be pre-empted.Amendment 102 moved—Neil Gray.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The question is, that amendment 102 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The question is, that amendment 44 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The result of the division is: For 77, Against 47, Abstentions 1.Amendment 224 agreed to.Section 17—Death certification
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The result of the division is: For 76, Against 42, Abstentions 2.Amendment 45 agreed to.Amendment 46 moved—Liam McArthur.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
There will be a division.The vote is closed.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The question is, that amendment 226 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP Chamber
12 Mar 2026
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
The result of the division is: For, 16, Against 99, Abstentions 6.Amendment 226 disagreed to.Amendment 227 moved—Jeremy Balfour.
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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 12 March 2026 [Draft]

12 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Ewing, Annabelle SNP Cowdenbeath Watch on SPTV

The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members should have the bill as amended at stage 2—that is, SP bill 46A—the marshalled list and the groupings of amendments. The division bell will sound and proceedings will be suspended for around five minutes for the first division of the stage 3 proceedings today. The voting period for the first division will be 30 seconds. Thereafter, I will allow a voting period of one minute for the first division after a debate. Members who wish to speak in the debate on any group of amendments should press their request-to-speak buttons or enter RTS in the chat function as soon as possible after I call the group.

Members should now refer to the marshalled list of amendments.

Section 12—Signing by proxy

In the same item of business

14:58
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amendments, members sho...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
Group 9 is on signing by proxy. Amendment 94, in the name of Liam McArthur, is grouped with amendments 190 to 192, 65 and 68.15:00
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD
My amendments 94, 65 and 68 relate to the issue of signing by proxy. The bill would allow a proxy to sign a first or second declaration form on behalf of a p...
Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind
Amendment 190 relates to section 12 and concerns the responsibilities and potential criminal liability of proxies who are involved in the assisted dying proc...
Jamie Hepburn (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP) SNP
I am genuinely open minded on the issue and understand the point that has been made, but I wonder whether amendment 191 is strictly necessary, as there is no...
Jeremy Balfour Ind
That is a fair point, but I am seeking to introduce a safeguard. Several decades ago, when I was a trainee solicitor, I would be passed a file and told to go...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
I call Stephen Kerr to speak to amendment 192, in the name of Fergus Ewing, and other amendments in the group.
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con) Con
I am pleased to present amendment 192 on behalf of Fergus Ewing. The amendment would introduce a simple but crucial safeguard by requiring that any declarati...
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Neil Gray) SNP
On amendment 190, the Scottish Government has noted several issues. First, the liabilities set out in the amendment do not follow standard procedure. For rea...
Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green) Green
I share the Government’s concerns about the drafting of the amendment, but Mr Balfour’s key point—that there should be consequences if someone is essentially...
Neil Gray SNP
Mr Greer makes a fair point, on which I cannot comment. It is an area that I have not been voting on and that I have not passed comment on, because it involv...
Jeremy Balfour Ind
I thank the cabinet secretary for his helpful remarks.I am not concerned only about solicitors and proxies opting out. Is the cabinet secretary able to give ...
Neil Gray SNP
Unfortunately, that is the best that I can put on the record, because that issue will be subject to discussion and negotiation. We cannot provide a guarantee...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
I invite Liam McArthur to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 94.
Liam McArthur LD
I thank Jeremy Balfour and Stephen Kerr for setting out the rationale for the amendments that they spoke to, and I thank the Scottish Government for identify...
Jamie Hepburn SNP
I understand Mr McArthur’s point that amendment 94 reflects the Law Society of Scotland’s concerns. However, I think that the present wording of section 12(4...
Liam McArthur LD
The Law Society was concerned that the relationship that would be required between the proxy and the individual requesting an assisted death would be more ex...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
The question is, that amendment 94 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
There will be a division.As this is the first division of today’s stage 3 proceedings, I suspend the meeting for around five minutes to allow members to acce...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
We come to the vote on amendment 94. Members should cast their votes now.
ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)Briggs, Miles (Lothian) ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
The result of the division is: For 64, Against 52, Abstentions 4.Amendment 94 agreed to.Amendments 190 and 191 not moved.Amendment 192 moved—Stephen Kerr.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
The question is, that amendment 192 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
There will be a division.
ForAdamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Ind)Bib...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
The result of the division is: For 50, Against 67, Abstentions 3.Amendment 192 disagreed to.After section 12Amendment 95 moved—Jackie Baillie.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
The question is, that amendment 95 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing) SNP
There will be a division.
ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an I...