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Showing 60 of 2,354,908 contributions. Latest 30 days: 0. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 25 Mar 2026.
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
10 Nov 2020
Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I have a general question. Do any of the witnesses have concerns about how the hate crime characteristics are defined in the bill? As a wee bit of background, we have explored issues about Gypsy Travellers, asylum seekers and refugees, and it is suggested that they be include...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
01 Sep 2021
Criminal Justice (Scottish Government Priorities)
Apologies, cabinet secretary—I will reframe the question. I felt that it was quite a helpful question, but I probably did not articulate it very well to you. That particular case—again, I will not go into it—meets the priority criteria that were originally set out by the Gove...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
03 May 2023
Subordinate Legislation
Russell Findlay has asked exactly the question that I was going to ask about the game on Sunday. However, rather than withdraw my question as I would usually do, given that it is your first appearance at the committee, I will take the opportunity to formally welcome you to you...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
07 Sep 2021
Scottish Government Priorities for Civil Justice
I mentioned earlier that I had a supplementary question—it is on the issue of coercive control and relates to a constituency case that I am dealing with. In the previous parliamentary session, the Justice Committee dealt with a very good piece of legislation to outlaw coerciv...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
27 Oct 2021
Misuse of Drugs and the Criminal Justice System
I have a broad question for the four people who have spoken to us about their lived experience. I really appreciate that; it is very helpful to the committee. I am a big believer in safe consumption rooms. We need to find a way to make them happen. Given that we are the Crimi...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
03 Nov 2021
Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2022-23
My colleague Collette Stevenson has probably covered my question because it is in the same area. If 20 people in that age group were moved into secure care, it strikes me that there would be a budget implication—in a positive sense—for the prison service. It would also be pos...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
02 Nov 2021
Petition
I thank the panel members for those responses. I will not ask my original second question, which was for the witnesses to discuss their experiences of supporting people who have been through conversion therapy, as that has been done by each of them at great length, and I am su...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
21 Mar 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I am glad to hear that. However, if the Parliament picks certain dates, might that open up the bill to criticism relating to other religious festivals or dates that might become important in the future? That is what the committee is grappling with. The more that I speak to wit...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
23 Mar 2022
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
In relation to the point about the differing views of local authorities, they have been democratically elected and I do not have a lot of difficulty with different local authorities making different decisions, because they make decisions based on the manifestos that they stood...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
26 Oct 2022
Pre-budget Scrutiny 2023-24
I think that the sirens that we just heard might have been for the benefit of the committee. I had a few questions, but some of them have been covered, and I asked a supplementary question earlier. I had a question on the Audit Scotland report and the 14 stations with serious...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
13 Dec 2022
Petitions
Good morning, panel and colleagues, from a sunny but very cold Coatbridge. I have a question for Nick Bland, but first of all, I want to thank all the witnesses—as colleagues have done—for their evidence so far. Richy, I thank you in particular; I know that it must be difficu...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Chamber
19 Jan 2023
General Question Time · Gartcosh Primary School
Last week, I was delighted to hear the news, which came just a day or so after I lodged this question, that NLC has now identified land in Gartcosh on which to build the school. I fully welcome the council’s statement, and I agree that it is a major step forward. The question...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
18 Jan 2023
Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Convener, just to clarify, my question is not necessarily a supplementary. I just put my hand up to show that I wanted in. Is that all right? However, my question is in this area and follows on from that. Can I check first with the clerk whether I can refer people to my entry...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
17 Apr 2024
Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Thank you very much for your evidence so far. I want to ask a question that is a wee bit from the other side of the discussion that we have had today. All our witnesses today have spoken about serious cases and serious impacts. Thank you again for bringing that to the committe...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
04 Dec 2024
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
My question is a wee bit different. I probably did not explain it right. The complainer should have a choice as to whether to give evidence in court or not, but do you ever come across a situation where a complainer would prefer to give prerecorded evidence or evidence on comm...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
28 Jun 2016
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland Assurance Review of Police Scotland’s Counter-Corruption Unit
Yes. My question is a supplementary to Mr Ross’s question.
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
29 Jun 2016
Scottish Government Priorities
I have a follow up to the question that I asked in the chamber yesterday—to which I appreciated your response, cabinet secretary—and a supplementary to Johann Lamont’s question. What are the cabinet secretary’s plans for closing the attainment gap for looked-after and accommod...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
22 Nov 2016
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
Rona Mackay has asked the question that I was going to ask, but I will ask a follow-up question. Do you believe that every offence—or more or less every offence, because you said that there was a case for direct measures—should come to court? Do you think that not bringing eve...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
20 Dec 2016
Draft Budget Scrutiny 2017-18
My question has more or less been covered—it follows on from Mary Fee’s question. You have identified that you need to live within your current financial circumstances, and the funding cuts that are coming from the Westminster Government are well documented. On specialist area...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
21 Dec 2016
Draft Budget Scrutiny 2017-18
Thank you. I was conscious, as I asked that question, that I had intended to ask a further question on the child protection framework, but I realise that we are focusing on the budget, so I will leave it at that.
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
17 Jan 2017
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
Yes. I will take this opportunity to ask my supplementary—thanks very much for giving me that, convener. I want to come back Mr Ross’s question and his comment that the Lord Advocate and Mr Harvie have not suggested that there is any need for change. Mr Harvie went on to answ...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Chamber
09 Feb 2017
Barnardo’s Scotland Nurture Week
I am sorry to disappoint everybody, but there is one more member to go before the minister. I thank Stuart McMillan for bringing the debate to the chamber. Like other speakers, I am delighted to be able to participate in this members’ business debate on Barnardo’s Scotland nu...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
22 Mar 2017
Children’s Hearings (Reforms)
I am talking about a solicitor at a children’s hearing. The point that I want to develop is that, for me, it depends on who the solicitor represents. You made a good case earlier with regard to a solicitor representing a child, which I have had experience of. It is fair enough...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
15 Nov 2017
Draft Budget Scrutiny 2018-19
Mr Lyle is definitely rubbing off on you, convener. Laughter. Before I go on to my main question, I want to pick up on points about innovation and productivity. We know from other sectors where there is gender balance that productivity and innovation can be increased. Can you...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
15 Nov 2017
Draft Budget Scrutiny 2018-19
I appreciate the panel’s honesty and frank responses to the question. It is important to discuss the issue, given the areas where there could be more productivity and—as I said—innovation, if there were gender balance. I am glad that the issue is being taken on board. My othe...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Chamber
29 Nov 2017
Portfolio Question Time · Scottish Sports Association
I put on record my apologies for coming in slightly late for the start of Lewis Macdonald’s question. National lottery income for good causes reduced by 14 per cent between 2015-16 and 2016-17. Does the minister agree that the United Kingdom Government’s lack of action to add...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Chamber
08 Mar 2018
Green-belt Land (Woodhall and Faskine Estates)
Thank you for that. I just wanted to declare it. We have heard a bit about why the green belt is important. It is important to have open space. It links with the play agenda and the healthy lifestyle agenda, and it is very good for physical and mental wellbeing. The briefing ...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Chamber
29 Mar 2018
First Minister’s Question Time · TOM Group Ltd (Administration)
I am grateful that you have allowed me to ask this question, Presiding Officer, in place of my colleague, Alex Neil, who is unable to do so as he is at a funeral. Following yesterday’s announcement that TOM Vehicle Rental Ltd in Airdrie is to close with the loss of more than ...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
28 Mar 2018
Transport (Winter Resilience)
Before I ask my question on warnings, I want to raise a constituent case that I am dealing with, because we were talking about employment. We hope to resolve the issue without needing to take any further action, but the lady has unfortunately been sacked from her work for not ...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
15 May 2018
European Structural and Investment Funds
Good morning, panel. My question relates to regional variations, on which a lot has already been teased out by other members and we have had quite a good discussion. However, before the convener moves on to another line of questioning altogether, perhaps I could bring that the...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
28 Jun 2018
Budget Strategy Phase 2019-20
I have quite a general question. How would you consider budget scrutiny in terms of human rights levers when there are major policy differences between Governments? There is the example of welfare—I think that you gave that example at the start, which prompted my question—on w...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
13 Sep 2018
Digital Device Triage Systems
My point has been covered—not unusually, Stewart Stevenson is a step ahead of me. However, I will ask a question from a slightly different angle, even if it runs the risk of a wee bit of repetition in the answers. We are all quite concerned about the possibility of the colla...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
18 Sep 2018
Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)
I felt that Ivor Marshall covered the timeline, so I was going back to the original question on reform. I would have incorporated that in the initial question.
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
02 Oct 2018
Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Post-legislative Scrutiny)
I have a short supplementary question, because the questions that I was going to ask have broadly been answered. I thank the panel for coming in. I highlight that, as you mentioned last week, convener, it is important that we always treat panellists with respect when they are ...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Chamber
13 Dec 2018
Demonstrating Leadership in Human Rights
It is an honour to speak in this afternoon’s debate to recognise the 70th anniversary of the ratification of the milestone Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I am a member of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, which, as others have said, has published a report tha...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Chamber
13 Nov 2018
Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
As a member of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, I too associate myself with the convener’s opening remarks and pay tribute to the clerks for all their work in pulling together the very comprehensive stage 1 report. The current age of criminal responsibility in Scot...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
28 Feb 2019
Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Good morning, panel. I agree with the bill’s principles but, obviously, we take evidence to hear the different views. The bill deals with a point that is important for the Scottish Parliament and the country as a whole. If we go back a couple of generations, people in Scotland...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
28 Feb 2019
Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I will ask the same question that I asked the previous panel. This is definitely not a trick question, by any means. Is any of the panellists aware, through their research or work in the area, how often the defence of justifiable assault has been used?
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
07 Mar 2019
Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I apologise to Maureen Phillip for my earlier supplementary question. It was not intended to be a trick question, and I did not mean to put her on the spot; her evidence has been very good. I was trying to explore the idea that, as far as I can see, not a lot would change, bec...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Chamber
04 Jun 2019
Topical Question Time · Prisoner Transport (Family Vehicles)
Following on from the answer to Rona Mackay’s question, will the minister clarify which vehicles children and young people travel in?
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
19 Sep 2019
Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Perhaps I can rephrase the question, because I probably did not put it very helpfully. At present, the children’s hearings system can implement legal orders for children who are at risk of harm and in need of protection. That was mentioned in the responses to Alex Cole-Hamilto...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
03 Oct 2019
Pre-budget Scrutiny 2020-21
Good afternoon, cabinet secretary. My question could be seen as an extension of Margaret Mitchell’s line of questioning, in that it is about Police Scotland’s statement that there is to be no reduction in the number of officers. I agree with your analysis of the previous quest...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
21 Nov 2019
Facial Recognition Technology
What about the more general question about private companies? You have answered the question about the blurring of boundaries between the private and public sectors, and I appreciate that answer, but what about the financial interests of the private companies who are developin...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
14 Jan 2020
Children (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I quite agree with the principle of your argument, and I will ask you a similar question to one that I asked Ian Maxwell. What suggestions do you have for changing that? In England in Wales, it is called a “child arrangement order”, but I suppose that we could ask ourselves th...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Chamber
12 Aug 2020
Return to School
I ask this question as a father of a kid who went into primary 2 today. I thank his school and North Lanarkshire Council for all that they have done to make him and us feel safe, which was very evident at the gates. Before I ask my question, I would like to take this opportun...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Chamber
12 Aug 2020
Return to School
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I wanted to put my thanks on the record, given the week that this has been. My question is about face coverings and school transport, and is similar to where Jackie Baillie was going with her question. I have had a number of queries from p...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
05 Oct 2020
Police Governance and Accountability
I appreciate that you want to reserve judgment, but the question is one of the issues that you are weighing up. Would you have concerns about the SPA’s legitimacy being brought into question with a spending limit specified?
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
10 Nov 2020
Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Excellent. That is a very good point on which to end that particular line of questioning. I have one further question, although the witnesses should not feel the need to answer it, because some of it has been covered with earlier questions. It is about general hate crime char...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
12 Nov 2020
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Dr Boyle has helpfully pre-empted my second question. Will the other witnesses, as well as answering the initial question, also go on, as Dr Boyle did, to tell us about the remedies that courts and tribunals could provide, and about how effective those might be in practice for...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
12 Nov 2020
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I have a brief follow-up question on an issue relating to part 2 of the bill that witnesses have already touched on. Do you think that it goes far enough to ensure that judicial remedies that can be provided by courts and tribunals will be effective in practice for children an...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
17 Nov 2020
Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I have a general question. Do you have any concerns about the way in which the various hate crime characteristics are defined in the bill, and are there any other characteristics that you think should be added? I would like Dr Galbraith and Amy Allard-Dunbar to answer that bef...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
17 Nov 2020
Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
We heard something similar in relation to young people from a witness on the previous panel. Danny Boyle, I would like to ask the same question of you, but I would also like to give you an opportunity to put on record your view about whether sectarianism should have been addr...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
19 Nov 2020
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I have a question on the time limits for court proceedings. I should probably have rolled that into my previous question. If you do not mind, deputy convener, I will ask some of the witnesses to give brief answers on that. Is that okay?
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
19 Nov 2020
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I ask the panel to bear with me, as I will roll together the three questions under the next heading. Under normal circumstances, I would have preferred to ask three separate questions, or at least two. As you know, the bill requires the Scottish ministers to publish a childre...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
23 Nov 2020
Policing During the Coronavirus Pandemic
I ask this question on the back of Margaret Mitchell’s question. I support her as a colleague on the cross-party group on adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She shared some of the statistics that she has just mentioned with the cross-party group, and I think that she m...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
26 Nov 2020
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I have a second question, but it is more of a summing up one. I am happy to leave it to the end—if, indeed, you think that such a question would be appropriate to ask, convener, given that the answers have been really full.
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP) SNP Committee
22 Dec 2020
Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
My question follows from Liam Kerr’s question on multi-agency working and moves on to the referral of a person at risk to a support organisation. Do the witnesses think that a presumption to refer a person to support services would be a worthy addition to the bill? Does that r...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Chamber
23 Dec 2020
Portfolio Question Time · Covid-19 (Instrumental Music Tuition)
I thank the cabinet secretary for that very positive response. Music tuition has always played an important role in the secondary schools in my constituency, with St Ambrose, St Andrew’s, Coatbridge and Chryston high schools all having a proud history. Of course, music offers ...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
13 Jan 2021
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Budget 2021-22
I agree with Liam McArthur’s response to my question. The uplift is justified because it helps us to achieve all those aims. My final question follows on from Alexander Burnett’s line of questioning. Was any comparison made between MSP offices and MP offices? I apologise if I...
Fulton MacGregor SNP Committee
10 Feb 2021
Budget Scrutiny 2021-22
Thanks for that. Interruption. I apologise—you might hear my kids in the background. The joys of the current situation! I will ask you a question that I put to the panel last week. How has council funding changed over the past year? You have talked about the costs that they...
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Committee

Justice Committee 10 November 2020

10 Nov 2020 · S5 · Justice Committee
Item of business
Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
MacGregor, Fulton SNP Coatbridge and Chryston Watch on SPTV
I have a general question. Do any of the witnesses have concerns about how the hate crime characteristics are defined in the bill? As a wee bit of background, we have explored issues about Gypsy Travellers, asylum seekers and refugees, and it is suggested that they be included in the bill. We have also talked about there being no provisions on sectarianism. I will probably ask the next panel of witnesses more about that, but I would like to hear your general thoughts on the issue. Annabelle Ewing will come in on the issue of sex and misogyny, so I would be grateful if the witnesses could take that into account when responding to my question. Being cognisant of the convener’s earlier remarks about time and there being no need for every witness to answer every question, I put my question to Fraser Sutherland and Lisa Clark, although I am happy to take John McLellan and David Greig, if they want to come in.

In the same item of business

The Convener Con
The next item of business is the continuation of stage 1 consideration of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill. We have two panels of multiple wit...
Lisa Clark (Scottish PEN)
Our written submission focused a lot on our concerns about freedom of expression, particularly in relation to part 2 of the bill, which is on stirring-up off...
The Convener Con
Will you outline what further proposals you would like to see made in addition to what the cabinet secretary has already proposed?
Lisa Clark
Sure. We argue that it would be helpful to strengthen the reasonableness defence by including a new section in the bill that would take account of the litera...
The Convener Con
That is very helpful. I ask the same question to John McLellan.
John McLellan (Scottish Newspaper Society)
Inaudible.
The Convener Con
I cannot hear John—he appears to have been unmuted, but there is no sound. While broadcasting fixes that issue, I will put the same question to Fraser Suther...
Fraser Sutherland (Humanist Society Scotland)
I echo some of the points that were made by Lisa Clark. The change to remove the words “likely to” and so stick with intention are very welcome. The initial ...
The Convener Con
That is very helpful indeed. I ask David Greig the same question.
David Greig (Royal Lyceum Theatre)
I admit that I came late to the process, so I do not really know about earlier iterations of the bill and can speak only about the version that I have looked...
The Convener Con
If John McLellan is back with us, I invite him to respond to those issues.
John McLellan
Can you hear me now?
The Convener Con
Yes, we can.
John McLellan
Hurray! The update from the cabinet secretary was broadly welcome, as it indicated a sense of direction, but our main concerns remain. Lisa Clark said someth...
Annabelle Ewing (Cowdenbeath) (SNP) SNP
I have a question specifically for John McLellan and Lisa Clark. It concerns a recent suggestion that religiously inflammatory material would be subject to d...
John McLellan
We are reflecting on all aspects of the proposed legislation, but just because something has not happened in another jurisdiction, that does not mean that it...
Lisa Clark
I echo John McLellan’s point. It is definitely a conversation worth having. We know that there is a concern for writers; they self-censor the subjects that t...
Annabelle Ewing SNP
I thank both witnesses for their responses. I appreciate that time is tight, but I just want to say that I am not suggesting that we do not have the conversa...
John McLellan
No, I have not, but what is of concern to me is cases where we have seen the seizure of such things as computers and phone records in an investigative proces...
Annabelle Ewing SNP
I suggest that, on the balance of probability, one has to look at those issues as, in life, one does not have a crystal ball. However, the answers have been ...
The Convener Con
One material difference between the provisions in England and Wales and those in the bill is the extent of the free speech protections. As we have already he...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD
That was precisely the segue that I was going to refer to. Fraser Sutherland has already mentioned some of his concerns about the need for the bill to exten...
John McLellan
Sorry, could you repeat the question?
Liam McArthur LD
My question relates to the freedom of expression protections. The cabinet secretary has indicated a willingness to look at both broadening the way in which t...
John McLellan
The fundamental problem that we have is that the protections are defences, not exemptions—they do not prevent investigations. From experience, we know that i...
Lisa Clark
Our submission did not consider the investigation stage to the extent that John McLellan’s did. We would not want to see an undue burden being placed on jour...
Liam McArthur LD
I see that Fraser Sutherland wants to come in. I hope that he will add to what he said earlier about the defences, including the reasonableness defence.
Fraser Sutherland
Annabelle Ewing mentioned other jurisdictions. Perhaps a lot can be learned from the work of the United Nations Human Rights Committee and the Rabat plan of ...
Liam McArthur LD
That is very helpful.
David Greig
I want to speak about nuisance or malicious attempts to use this, with people probably being found to be not guilty ultimately, but the process of investigat...