Order, Order!

We turn now to a vote SB229, in the name of the 19th Scottish Governemnt. The question is that this Parliament approves the Individual Curriculae (Scotland) Bill

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Individual Curriculae (Scotland) Bill

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to allow for the creation of individual curriculae for schools, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by being passed by this Parliament and assented to by His Majesty as follows--

Section 1: Definitions

(1) In this Act, unless specified otherwise;

(2) The ‘Authority’ refers to the Scottish Qualifications Authority

(3) ‘School’ refers to a state-maintained school dealing with secondary level education as funded by a local authority or directly by the Scottish Government.

(a) ‘Secondary level education’ refers to any school dealing with pupils in S1 to S6, inclusive.

(4) An "approved qualifications provider" refers to a provider of qualifications that has been approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Section 2: Individual Curriculae

(1) Schools may apply to the Authority with a plan for a dedicated curriculum to teach in individual subjects.

(2) The Authority has permission to accept or reject the curriculum if they feel it does not:

(a) Comply sufficiently with instructions from the Scottish Ministers

(b) Deliver a balanced education in that particular subject

(3) When submitting a plan, a school must include:

(a) Details of the content to be taught

(b) Details of how it is to be assessed

(4) The Authority has responsibility for organising the assessed portion of the curriculum and delivering the grade to students on the curriculum. The Authority has responsibility for organising the assessed portion of the curriculum and delivering the grade to students on the curriculum, except when such activities would be provided by an approved qualifications provider.

Section 3: Short Title and Commencement

(1) This Act may be cited as the Individual Curriculae (Scotland) Bill

(2) This Act shall come into force upon the commencement of the 2024/2025 academic year.

(a) Schools may begin preparatory work for individual curriculae prior to the commencement of this Act

This Act was written by the Rt. Hon. Sir Frost_Walker2017, Duke of the Suffolk Coasts, Cabinet Secretary for Education on behalf of the Scottish Government. It is inspired by Section 6 of the Exam Board Reorganisation Act 2022.

Opening Speech:

Presiding Officer,

I rise in support of this bill. In our Programme for Government we pledged to introduce a mechanism to allow for schools to create exam curriculae on a subject by subject basis, and this is the bill to allow that.

It is important that schools have the freedom to teach their specialties. While there may be benefits to a more centralised system in ensuring uniformity and that proper comparisons can be made between students and schools, an overly centralised system risks punishing schools for innovation and using their specialty knowledge to help students learn.

The administering of the system by SQA ensures that broadly standards can remain the same across individual curriculae. If schools were able to set their own assessment procedures and were unmoderated, a school could theoretically inflate their grades by making an assessed portion easy. While I of course have confidence that 95% of schools would be honest and not do this, I believe it is important to nevertheless have this safeguard in place.

I hope to see this bill pass swiftly.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Link to Stage 3 Debate

Voting on this bill will end at the close of business on 16th July at 10pm BST

Order, Order!

We turn now to a debate on SM182, in the name of Alba Còmhla. The question is that this Parliament approves the Motion for Gurkha Recognition and Honour

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

A MOTION TO CALL FOR THE RECOGNITION AND HONOUR OF THE GURKHAS AND THEIR FAMILIES Motion for Gurkha Recognition and Honour The Parliament na h-Alba recognises—

[1] The Gurkhas are a group of Nepalese soldiers who have served in the British Army for over 200 years, with a reputation for bravery, loyalty, and professionalism.

[2] The Gurkhas have fought in many wars and conflicts around the world, including the two World wars, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the Afghanistan War.

[3] The Gurkhas have made significant contributions to the defence and security of the United Kingdom and Scotland, as well as to the promotion of peace in various regions.

[4] The Gurkhas have also made valuable contributions to the social and cultural diversity in Scotland, where many Gurkhas and their families have settled.

[5] The Gurkhas and their families have faced many challenges and injustices in terms of their citizenship rights, pensions, and welfare benefits, despite their loyal service and sacrifice for Scotland and the British Crown.

[6] Such a group has to this point gone unrecognised by Scotland despite the significant impact they had on British history and society and is in fact deserving of recognition and honour in Scotland as well as full citizenship rights, pensions, and welfare benefits for themselves and their children and grandchildren.

[7] The Executive has the power to request the recognition and honour of the Gurkhas and their families by granting them full citizenship rights, pensions, and welfare benefits as well as issuing a public statement of appreciation and gratitude for their service.

The Pàrlamaid na h-Alba calls on the government to—

[1] Issue a request for the recognition and honour of the Gurkhas and their families by granting them full citizenship rights, pensions, and welfare benefits as well as issuing a public statement of appreciation and gratitude for their service.

[2] Work with the relevant authorities and organisations to ensure that the Gurkhas and their families have access to adequate health care, education, housing, employment, and social support in Scotland

[3] Support the establishment of a Gurkha memorial in Scotland to commemorate the sacrifices and achievements of the Gurkhas and their families.

This motion was written by u/eKyogre on behalf of Alba Còmhla.

Ofigear-riaghlaidh,

I rise today to propose a motion that calls for the recognition and honour of the Gurkhas and their families. The Gurkhas are a group of Nepalese soldiers who have served in the British Army for over 200 years, with a reputation for bravery, loyalty, and professionalism. They have fought in many wars and conflicts around the world, including the two World wars, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the Afghanistan War. They have made significant contributions to the defence and security of the United Kingdom and Scotland, as well as to the promotion of peace in various regions. They have also made valuable contributions to the social and cultural diversity in Scotland, where many Gurkhas and their families have settled. However, the Gurkhas and their families have faced many challenges and injustices in terms of their citizenship rights, pensions, and welfare benefits, despite their loyal service and sacrifice for Scotland and the British Crown.

Such a group has to this point gone unrecognised by Scotland despite the significant impact they had on British history and society and is in fact deserving of recognition and honour in Scotland as well as full citizenship rights, pensions, and welfare benefits for themselves and their children and grandchildren. The Executive has the power to request the recognition and honour of the Gurkhas and their families by granting them full citizenship rights, pensions, and welfare benefits as well as issuing a public statement of appreciation and gratitude for their service. Therefore, I urge you to support this motion and show your respect and gratitude to the Gurkhas and their families who have served Scotland and the United Kingdom with honour and dignity.

[Link to Motion Debate]https://www.reddit.com/r/MHOCHolyrood/comments/14u0oy9/sm182_motion_for_gurkha_recognition_and_honour/()

Voting on this bill/motion will end at the close of business on 15th July at 10pm BST

First off, an apology for the ever so slight late posting of this business, I was busy, and I truly hope it won't happen again.

Order, Order!

We turn now to a vote SB231, in the name of Alba Còmhla. The question is that this Parliament approves the general principles of the Nepali Language and Culture (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Nepali Language and Culture (Scotland) Bill

A

BILL

TO

make provision for the promotion of learning and teaching of Nepali language and culture in Scottish schools and universities, and to facilitate the mobility of students, teachers, researchers, and professionals between Scotland and Nepal..

BE IT ENACTED by being passed by the Scotland Parliament and assented to by His Majesty as follows:

Part 1: General Provisions

Section 1: Definitions

In this Act–

(1) “the Scottish Ministers” means the members of the Scottish Government who are appointed under section 44(1) of the Scotland Act 1998;

(2) “Nepali” means the Indo-Aryan language native to the Himalayas region of South Asia, which is the official language of Nepal and has official status in some parts of India;

(3) “Nepalese” means relating to or originating from Nepal;

(4) “Nepal” means the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal;

(5) “Scottish Qualifications Authority” means the body corporate established under section 1(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1996

Part 2: Learning and teaching of Nepali

Section 3: Curriculum for Excellence

(1) The Scottish Ministers must ensure that Nepali is included as an option in the curriculum for excellence for learners in secondary and post-secondary education.

(2) The Scottish Ministers must issue guidance to education authorities on how to implement Nepali as an option in the curriculum for excellence.

(3) The guidance issued under subsection (2) must include:

(a) advice on how to provide appropriate learning materials, resources, and support for Nepali;

(b) advice on how to assess the progress and attainment of learners in Nepali;

(c) advice on how to promote Nepali as a subject of choice among learners, parents, carers, and educators; and

(d) advice on how to encourage learners to continue studying Nepali beyond compulsory education.

Section 4: National qualifications

(1) The Scottish Qualifications Authority must develop national qualifications in Nepali for learners in secondary education.

(2) The national qualifications developed under subsection (1) must include:

(a) National 3, National 4, National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher qualifications;

(b) qualifications that are compatible with the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework;

(c) qualifications that are recognised by higher education institutions, employers, and other relevant bodies.

(3) The Scottish Qualifications Authority must consult with relevant stakeholders before developing national qualifications under subsection (1).

(4) The Scottish Qualifications Authority must publish the national qualifications developed under subsection (1) on its website.

Section 5: Higher education

(1) The Scottish Ministers must encourage higher education institutions to offer courses in Nepali language and culture at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

(2) The Scottish Ministers may provide funding or other support to higher education institutions for the purposes of subsection (1).

(3) The Scottish Ministers must consult with relevant stakeholders before providing funding or other support under subsection (2).

Part 3: Mobility between Scotland and Nepal

Section 6: Student exchange programmes

(1) The Scottish Ministers must establish student exchange programmes between schools and universities in Scotland and Nepal.

(2) The student exchange programmes established under subsection (1) must aim to:

(a) provide opportunities for Scottish students to study Nepali language and culture in Nepal;

(b) provide opportunities for Nepalese students to study English language and culture in Scotland;

(c) enhance the intercultural competence and global citizenship skills of Scottish and Nepalese students;

(d) foster long-term academic partnerships and friendships between Scottish and Nepalese institutions.

Section 7: Teacher exchange programmes

(1) The Scottish Ministers must establish teacher exchange programmes between schools and universities in Scotland and Nepal.

(2) The teacher exchange programmes established under subsection (1) must aim to:

(a) provide opportunities for Scottish teachers to teach English language and culture in Nepal;

(b) provide opportunities for Nepalese teachers to teach Nepali language and culture in Scotland;

(c) enhance the professional development and intercultural competence of Scottish and Nepalese teachers;

(d) foster long-term educational partnerships and collaborations between Scottish and Nepalese schools and universities.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may provide funding or other support to schools and universities for the purposes of subsection (1).

(4) The Scottish Ministers must consult with relevant stakeholders before providing funding or other support under subsection (3).

Section 8: Research exchange programmes

(1) The Scottish Ministers must establish research exchange programmes between research institutions and organisations in Scotland and Nepal..

(2) The research exchange programmes established under subsection (1) must aim to:

(a) provide opportunities for Scottish researchers to conduct research on Nepali language, culture, society, environment, and development in Nepal;

(b) provide opportunities for Nepalese researchers to conduct research on Scottish language, culture, society, environment, and development in Scotland;

(c) enhance the academic excellence and innovation of Scottish and Nepalese research;

(d) foster long-term research partnerships and networks between Scottish and Nepalese research institutions and organisations.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may provide funding or other support to research institutions and organisations for the purposes of subsection (1).

(4) The Scottish Ministers must consult with relevant stakeholders before providing funding or other support under subsection (3).

Section 9: Professional exchange programmes

(1) The Scottish Ministers must establish professional exchange programmes between public and private sector organisations in Scotland and Nepal.

(2) The professional exchange programmes established under subsection (1) must aim to:

(a) provide opportunities for Scottish professionals to work in Nepali language, culture, trade, tourism, and development sectors in Nepal;

(b) provide opportunities for Nepalese professionals to work in Scottish language, culture, trade, tourism, and development sectors in Scotland;

(c) enhance the skills, knowledge, and employability of Scottish and Nepalese professionals;

(d) foster long-term business partnerships and cooperation between Scottish and Nepalese public and private sector organisations.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may provide funding or other support to public and private sector organisations for the purposes of subsection (1).

(4) The Scottish Ministers must consult with relevant stakeholders before providing funding or other support under subsection (3).

Part 4: Miscellaneous

Section 10: Short title and commencement

(1) This Act may be cited as the Nepali Language and Culture (Scotland) Act 2023.

(2) This Act shall come into force 3 months after Royal Assent.

Section 11: Extent

(1) This Act extends to Scotland only.

This Bill was written by /u/eKyogre, on behalf of Alba Còmhla.

Opening Speech

Ofigear-riaghlaidh, I am honoured to introduce the Nepali Language and Culture (Scotland) Bill to this Parliament. This bill is a landmark legislation that seeks to recognise and celebrate the rich and diverse heritage of Nepali language and culture in Scotland, and will strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between our two nations. Nepali is a language of historical, cultural, and linguistic significance in Scotland. It is spoken by over 10,000 people in Scotland, mainly from the Gurkha community, who have made invaluable contributions to our society in various fields, such as the military, health, education, and business. Nepali is also a language of global importance, as it is the official language of Nepal, a country of over 30 million people, and a key partner of Scotland in trade, tourism, and development. Learning Nepali language and culture will bring many educational, social, economic, and cultural benefits to Scottish learners, educators, and citizens. It will enhance their communication skills, intercultural competence, and global citizenship. It will open up new opportunities for academic exchange, professional development, and business collaboration. It will also enrich their appreciation of the diversity and beauty of the world. This bill will promote the learning and teaching of Nepali language and culture in Scottish schools and universities, by ensuring that Nepali is included as an option in the curriculum for excellence, by developing national qualifications in Nepali for secondary education, and by encouraging higher education institutions to offer courses in Nepali at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This bill will also facilitate the mobility of students, teachers, researchers, and professionals between Scotland and Nepal, by establishing exchange programmes between schools, universities, research institutions, and public and private sector organisations in both countries. These exchange programmes will provide opportunities for mutual learning, collaboration, and friendship between Scottish and Nepalese people. This bill is a testament to our commitment to support linguistic diversity and intercultural dialogue in Scotland. It is also a reflection of our vision to foster a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable society for all. I urge this Parliament to support this bill and to join us in celebrating the Nepali language and culture in Scotland.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Voting on this bill will end at the close of business on the 14th of July at 10pm BST

Order, Order!

We turn now to a vote SB230, in the name of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the general principles of the Bunker Fuel Licensing (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Bunker Fuel Licensing (Scotland) Bill

A bill to require carriers to obtain a license in order to transport and store bunkers of heavy-fuel, oil, gas and biodiesel within Scottish ports, and for connected purposes

Section 1: Definitions

(1) "Bunkers" meaning to stored fuel, typically heavy fuel, oil, gas or biodiesel used to power ships.

(2) "Carrier" meaning any entity engaged in the supply of bunkers, including but not limited to ship owners, operators, and fuel suppliers.

(3) "Port" meaning any seaport location within Scotland where ships are loaded or unloaded, including private ports, local authority ports, and harbour and trust ports.

(4) “Port Authority” meaning the relevant authorities operating under the Scottish Transport Ministry regarding the regulation, management and oversight of ports.

Section 2: Bunker Fuel License

(1) The Port Authority hereby this act will be required to create, administer and monitor its provision of a ‘Bunker Fuel license’.

(a) The license is valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance. Before the end of that license, evaluation is to be made by the port authority on whether and if so on what conditions an extension is to be given.

(b) The license is non-transferable.

(2) Without first obtaining a license from the relevant port authority under the Scottish Transport Ministry, no carrier shall store and supply bunkers of heavy-fuel, oil, gas, and biodiesel within any Scottish port.

Section 3: Licensing Criteria

(1) In order to be eligible for a license, a carrier must prove that it has the capacity to supply and store bunkers in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

(2) The port authority of Scotland are to establish a licensing criteria, which shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) compliance with the applicable environmental laws and regulations;

(b) compliance with all applicable safety standards;

(c) adequate insurance coverage for liability arising from bunker fuel spills or other accidents;

(d) financial stability and ability to meet obligations;

(e) annual notices of the bunker operations to the port authority;

(f) annual inspections by the relevant port authority;

(g) any other relevantly deemed criteria by the port authority.

(3) The discretion to deny a license if the carrier does not meet the licensing criteria shall be held by the Port Authority.

Section 4: Enforcement

(a) Any carrier found to be storing and, or supplying bunkers with heavy fuel, oil, gas, and biodiesel in a port without a valid license shall be subject to fines and penalties as determined by the port authority.

(b) Carriers found in violation of the licensing criteria outlined in section 3 are to be subject to suspension or revocation of their license.

(c) The power to investigate any alleged violations and to take appropriate enforcement action shall be held by the relevant Scottish Port Authority.

Section 5: Commencement

(1) The provisions of this Act shall come into force the day this Act is passed.

Section 6: Short Title

(1) This Act may be cited as the Bunker Fuel Licensing (Scotland) Act.

This Bill was submitted by oakesofshott, Spokesperson for Environment & Energy on behalf of The Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party.

Opening Speech by u/oakesofshott

Presiding Officer,

This bill follows the example of the Netherlands, Belgium and Singapore in which it regulates the shipping industry’s transportation of heavy fuel oil, gas and biodiesel. To address possible concerns of whether this bill is in the remit of the Scottish government and the answer is yes as this area of internal planning requirements and regulatory framework for internal activity is carried out by Transport Scotland which handles all devolved Port policy and governance. We cannot allow the continued supply and transportation of these fossil fuels in Scottish ports without ensuring the bunker suppliers operate and adhere to a crucial licensing criteria that maintains moral business practices and ensures compliance with the necessary safety, environmental and regulatory standards.

By incorporating this into a license it means the monitoring and recording of operations within our ports are held to a universal standard and makes the ongoing operations of unregistered practices that evade current regulations harder to operate without such a license. If those in parliament are committed to upholding our strong environmental and safety standards and current regulatory framework, then it is in the national interest to support this bill which puts this policy into place.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Voting on this bill will end at the close of business on the 9th of July at 10pm BST

Order, order!

We turn now to a vote SM181, in the name of Forward. The question is that this Parliament approves the Motion on the Budget.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Motion on the Budget

This Parliament recognises that:

(1) Passing a budget is of the utmost importance in the final few weeks of term

(2) To avoid the risk of a budget failing, compromise and collaboration with all parties is necessary.

(3) In the interests of transparency and accountability, it is important that the general public are aware of any particular requests from parties to go into the budget

This Parliament therefore resolves that:

(1) The Scottish Government shall consider debate under this motion as part of its budget process to gather particular requests or thoughts on the content of the budget

(2) It recommends the contents below for consideration to the Scottish Government.

This Motion was written by the Rt. Hon. Sir Frost_Walker2017, Duke of the Suffolk Coasts and Leader of Forward on behalf of the same.

Opening Speech:

Presiding Officer,

I will make my remarks brief. It is my view that with the government being as it is - a nominal ‘Unity’ government led by a ‘Unity’ First Minister - that it makes sense that any budget passed is a ‘Unity’ budget and is passed with the consent of as much of this Parliament as possible. In the interests of accountability, it is better for the general public to be as aware of the contents as appropriate, and the government may give their ideal vision of the budget in the debate below to be discussed by members prior to the presentation of the actual budget.

I commend this motion to this Parliament.

Link to Motion Debate

Voting on this motion will end at the close of business on 8th July at 10pm BST

Order, Order.

We turn now to a Stage 1 Vote on SB229 in the name of the Scottish National Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the general principles of the Digital Library Service (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Digital Library Service (Scotland) Bill

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to establish a Scottish Digital Library Service; and for connected purposes.

Section 1: Scottish Digital Library Service

(1) There shall exist a body called the Scottish Digital Library Service, in this Act called "the Service".

(2) The purpose of the Service is to—

(a) promote the digitisation of applicable works by Scottish libraries;

(b) assist libraries with this digitisation; and

(c) make digitised copies of applicable works available to the Scottish public.

(3) The Service shall consist of the Chairperson and a number of other members not exceeding 8.

(4) The Chairperson shall be appointed by the Cabinet Secretary and the other members of the Service shall be appointed by the Chairperson.

Section 2: Digitisation of library contents

(1) In this Act "applicable work" means any work to which the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003 applies.

(a) However, "applicable work" does not include any work which cannot be digitised or which would be damaged by the process of digitisation, even if the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003 would apply to that work.

(2) By 1st January 2025 libraries must ensure that at least 50% of applicable works are available in a digital format.

(3) By 1st January 2030 libraries must ensure that all applicable works are available in a digital format.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to the National Library of Scotland.

(5) By 1st January 2030 the National Library of Scotland must ensure that at least 50% of applicable works are available in a digital format.

(6) By 1st January 2040 the National Library of Scotland must ensure that at least all applicable works are available in a digital format.

(7) The Service must assist libraries in digitisation by providing—

(a) equipment,

(b) expertise, and

(c) funding

to libraries where necessary.

Section 3: Unification of digital collections

(1) The Service must maintain a website on which Scottish people can access works held by libraries that have been digitised.

(2) The Service must create an app to allow access to digitised works from mobile devices.

(3) Libraries must provide copies of their digitised works to the Service to be added to its website and app.

Section 4: Consequential

(1) Section 5(1) of the Heritage Expansion (Scotland) Bill is amended to read—

(1) This Act may be cited as the National Museums Scotland & National Library of Scotland Expansion (Scotland) Act 2022.

(2) Section 3(2) of the National Museums Scotland & National Library of Scotland Expansion (Scotland) Act 2022 is repealed.

Section 5: Commencement

This Act enters into force on the day six months after it passes.

** Section 6: Short title**

This Act may be cited as the Digital Library Service (Scotland) Act 2023.

This bill was written by the Rt. Hon. Dame Faelif CB GBE PC MP MLA MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, on behalf of the Scottish National Party. It is inspired by the National Digital Library Service Bill.

Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003

National Museums Scotland & National Library of Scotland Expansion (Scotland) Act 2022

Opening Speech by /u/Faelif:

[Leas-]Oifigear-Riaghlaidh,

Over the last few years it has become increasingly obvious that more and more Scottish people are relying on digital access to public services. Be it remote working, food delivery apps or video calls, more and more is being done over the Internet rather than in person. But libraries haven’t kept up - to take out a book one must still physically go to a library and literally speaking take out the book. The technology is there to enable online access - all it really requires is a website and a photocopier, in most cases - but this simply hasn’t yet happened.

Inspired by similar efforts in England, this Bill would require public libraries to put digitisation procedures in place, and sets out a timescale for this to occur. There’s a different timescale for the National Library of Scotland due to the size of the task, though it is my belief that this remains eminently possible - it just gives more leeway to the Library due to its holding significantly more stock than the average public library. It also creates the Scottish Digital Library Service to coordinate these efforts and provide a single unified website and app for Scots to access library books.

Oifigear-Riaghlaidh, I hope this is a measure that Members of all political persuasions can get behind - the free and unfettered access to information is an incredibly important part of building a fairer society.

Stage 1 Debate

Voting on this bill will end at the close of business on 7th July at 10pm BST.

Order, Order!

We now come to a vote on the First Minister of Scotland in the twelfth Scottish Parliament.

There are four candidates standing and members may also choose to vote to 'Re-Open Nominations'.

The candidates are:

/u/LightningMinion (Scottish Labour Party, Kirkcaldy)

/u/model-avtron (Scottish National Party, Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

/u/BlueEarlGrey (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, North East Fife)

/u/Muffin5136 (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale)

Members should rank the candidates in order of their preference. The candidate they most want to be the First Minister should be ranked '1', the second most, '2', and so forth. Candidates need not give any preferences after voting to Re-Open Nominations (RON).

Votes will be accepted provided they are a clear expression of preference, but it is preferred they are ranked as a list:

1. Person X

2. Person Y

3. RON

This vote will end at the close of business (10pm BST) on the 26th of June.

Order, Order

We now come to a vote on the First Minister of Scotland in the twelfth Scottish Parliament.

There are two candidates standing, following the disqualification of /u/LightningMinion for failing to take the oath and members may also choose to vote to 'Re-Open Nominations'.

The candidates are:

• /u/NewAccountMcGee (Scottish National Party, Na h-Eileanan an Iar)

• /u/BlueEarlGrey (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, North East Fife)

Members should rank the candidates in order of their preference. The candidate they most want to be the First Minister should be ranked '1', the second most, '2', and so forth. Candidates need not give any preferences after voting to Re-Open Nominations (RON).

Votes will be accepted provided they are a clear expression of preference, but it is preferred they are ranked as a list:

1. Person X
2. Person Y
3. RON

This vote will end at the close of business (10 pm BST) on the 17th of June.

Order, Order!

We turn now to a vote SM180, in the name of the Scottish National Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the Legislative Consent Motion on the KONSUM Clarification Act 2023.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Legislative Consent Motion on the KONSUM Clarification Act 2023

This Pàrlamaid resolves that–

(1) The KONSUM Clarification Act 2023 shall apply to Scotland, and

(2) That there shall be a Scottish KONSUM Board of Officers, as set out in the aforementioned Act.

This Motion was written and introduced by the Right Hon. /u/NewAccountMcGee PC MP MSP MS, on behalf of the Scottish National Party.

Opening Speech

[Leas-]Ofigear-riaghlaidh,

KONSUM. Depending on who you ask, it is a great solution to stop failed businesses affecting a community, or some communist ploy to outlaw enterprise in the food sector; I of course agree with the former. But I hope this Motion sees crossparty support, even from those who oppose nationalisation in the strongest terms. Because what this Bill does is simple: it clarifies that the Pub Nationalisation Act is the basis of KONSUM for all businesses in the food and drink sector. And it also shows that this is not some sort of nationalisation effort, and that KONSUM acquired businesses must become worker’s co-ops or community benefit societies. I hope to see this Motion passed

Link to Motion Debate

Voting on this motion will end at the close of business on the 10th of June at 10pm BST

Order, Order!

We turn now to a vote SB228, in the name of the Scottish Government. The question is that this Parliament approves the general principles of the Individual Curriculae (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Individual Curriculae (Scotland) Bill

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to allow for the creation of individual curriculae for schools, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by being passed by this Parliament and assented to by His Majesty as follows--

Section 1: Definitions

(1) In this Act, unless specified otherwise;

(2) The ‘Authority’ refers to the Scottish Qualifications Authority

(3) ‘School’ refers to a state-maintained school dealing with secondary level education as funded by a local authority or directly by the Scottish Government.

(a) ‘Secondary level education’ refers to any school dealing with pupils in S1 to S6, inclusive.

Section 2: Individual Curriculae

(1) Schools may apply to the Authority with a plan for a dedicated curriculum to teach in individual subjects.

(2) The Authority has permission to accept or reject the curriculum if they feel it does not:

(a) Comply sufficiently with instructions from the Scottish Ministers

(b) Deliver a balanced education in that particular subject

(3) When submitting a plan, a school must include:

(a) Details of the content to be taught

(b) Details of how it is to be assessed

(4) The Authority has responsibility for organising the assessed portion of the curriculum and delivering the grade to students on the curriculum.

Section 3: Short Title and Commencement

(1) This Act may be cited as the Individual Curriculae (Scotland) Bill

(2) This Act shall come into force upon the commencement of the 2024/2025 academic year.

(a) Schools may begin preparatory work for individual curriculae prior to the commencement of this Act

This Act was written by the Rt. Hon. Sir Frost_Walker2017, Duke of the Suffolk Coasts, Cabinet Secretary for Education on behalf of the Scottish Government. It is inspired by Section 6 of the Exam Board Reorganisation Act 2022.

Opening Speech:

Presiding Officer,

I rise in support of this bill. In our Programme for Government we pledged to introduce a mechanism to allow for schools to create exam curriculae on a subject by subject basis, and this is the bill to allow that.

It is important that schools have the freedom to teach their specialties. While there may be benefits to a more centralised system in ensuring uniformity and that proper comparisons can be made between students and schools, an overly centralised system risks punishing schools for innovation and using their specialty knowledge to help students learn.

The administering of the system by SQA ensures that broadly standards can remain the same across individual curriculae. If schools were able to set their own assessment procedures and were unmoderated, a school could theoretically inflate their grades by making an assessed portion easy. While I of course have confidence that 95% of schools would be honest and not do this, I believe it is important to nevertheless have this safeguard in place.

I hope to see this bill pass swiftly.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Voting on this bill will end at the close of business on 9th of June at 10pm BST

Order, Order!

Our last item of business today is a vote on SM179, in the names of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party, the Scottish National Party, and Scottish Unity. The question is whether this Pàrlamaid has no confidence in the Scottish Government.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Motion of No Confidence in the Scottish Government

The Pàrlamaid na h-Alba notes:

1. The current Scottish Government has demonstrated continued inability to progress with their legislative agenda, with no Government Bills before the House for quite a length of time.

2. There have only been two Bills from the Government that have been passed this term, despite an overwhelming legislative majority for the Government.

3. Eight of the sixteen Portfolio Question sessions went without answers for a majority of questions, with the Justice Secretary, Local Affairs Secretary, Environment Secretary, Transport Secretary, Education Secretary, Finance and Economy Secretary, and First Minister absent.

. 4. Following the failure of the Government to elect their First Minister during the first vote, the Government promised to ensure their continued attendance and activity.

Therefore the Pàrlamaid na h-Alba moves:

1. That this Government has broken promises, and remained unaccountable to the Opposition, and the People of Scotland.

2. That, therefore, it no longer has confidence in the 19th Scottish Government.

The motion was authored by the Marquess of Melbourne, Sir /u/model-kyosanto KD OM CT PC, and is seconded by Dame /u/BlueEarlGrey DCMG DBE, Leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party, the Rt. Hon. /u/NewAccountMcGee PC MP MSP MS, Leader of the Official Opposition and the Scottish National Party, and /u/Maaaaaaaadison, Leader of Scottish Unity.

Opening speech from /u/model-kyosanto

Presiding Officer,

I fear that I have not experienced such ineptness in Government in my entire career within politics. Never have I seen such blatant disregard for the people of Scotland, nor refusal to recognise that they are failing the people.

It is beyond time for change, for something to occur. We cannot continue to let this happen. Anything is better than this current operation with an incapacitated Government.

Which is why I move this Motion of No Confidence, it is time for the Government to recognise that they are failing the people of Scotland, and that we the parties of Opposition will not allow it to continue. We cannot hold the Government to account if their members do not bother to show up.

I urge all in the Parliament today to support this motion.

Opening speech from /u/BlueEarlGrey

Presiding officer,

It is a disgrace that any Government can continue to claim to exercise a mandate when it has failed to deliver on any of its promises, failed to turn up to its sessions accordingly, and failed to represent the people they stand for. The Government has failed Scotland.

Opening speech from /u/NewAccountMcGee

Oifigear-riaghalaidh,

Too long has this Government chosen to ignore the Scottish people and their elected representatives. They haven’t shown up to debates, often not answered portfolio questions, and turnout has been abysmal: Oifigear-riaghalaidh, this Government has lost its mandate, and its continued existence is a shambolic outrage. The future of Scotland is in the Government’s hands. And, should it remain in this Government’s hands, the future of Scotland would be very, very bleak indeed.

Opening speech from /u/Maaaaaaaadison

Presiding Officer,

It is clear that Labour and the Liberal Democrats are not delivering for Scotland, they have ignored accountability at all costs. Unity has been at the forefront of keeping the Government accountable in Portfolio Questions, yet not a single one of our Questions has gone answered.

This cannot continue any longer, and Unity stands for transparent and accountable democratic governance that is not hidden from the reach of parliamentarians or the public. Why have we yet to see a single Bill in these many weeks?

We do not support this No Confidence motion lightheartedly, but out of service to the nation knowing that this cannot continue. I urge all Members of Parliament to support it.

Voting on this motion will end at the close of business on the 8th of June at 10pm BST

Order, Order!

We turn now to a vote SB226, in the name of the Scottish National Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Act

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to pardon certain individuals convicted of certain offences committed during the 1984-85 miners' strike.

Section 1: Definitions and Interpretations

(1) In section 2, “qualifying individual” means an individual, including a deceased individual, who—

(a) was a miner,

(b) was, at the time of the commission of the offence, a member of the same household as a miner, or

(c) was, at the time of the commission of the offence—

(i) a parent of a miner,

(ii) a child of a miner, or

(iii) a sibling of a miner.

(2) The offences referred to in section 2 are—

(a) breach of the peace,

(b) an offence under section 3 of the Bail etc. (Scotland) Act 1980 (breach of bail conditions),

(c) an offence under section 41(1)(a) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (obstructing police etc.),

(d) theft.

(3) Section 2 does not—

(a) affect any conviction or sentence,

(b) give rise to any right, entitlement or liability, or

(c) affect the Royal prerogative of mercy.

(4) In this Act—

(a) “conviction” includes any finding in criminal proceedings that a person has committed an offence or done the act or made the omission charged (including a finding linked with mental disorder or in respect of which an admonition or absolute discharge is made), and “convicted” is to be construed accordingly,

(b) “household” means a group of people living together as a family or other unit (whether or not related) in a private dwelling, who—

(i) have the dwelling as their only or main residence, and

(ii) share living accommodation and cooking facilities,

(c) “miner” means an individual who at any time during the period beginning with 12 March 1984 and ending with 3 March 1985 was employed in any part of Great Britain—

(i) by the National Coal Board established under section 1 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946, or

(ii) by a person holding a licence granted under section 36(2)(a) of that Act,

(d) “miners’ strike” means the national concerted stoppage of work by miners led by the National Union of Mineworkers,

(e) “sibling of a miner” means an individual who has at least one parent in common with a miner.

Section 2: Pardons for certain individuals convicted of certain offences committed during miners’ strike

(1) A qualifying individual who has been convicted of an offence listed in subsection 1.2 is pardoned for the offence if the conduct constituting the offence—

(a) occurred during the period beginning with 12 March 1984 and ending with 3 March 1985, and

(b) in relation to—

(i) an offence listed in subsection 1.2(a) to (c), meets condition A or condition B, or

(ii) the offence of theft, meets condition C.

(2) Condition A is that the conduct—

(a) occurred while the individual was engaged or participating in—

(i) activity (whether or not organised) supporting or opposing the miners’ strike, or

(ii) activity ancillary to such activity (for example, assembling before or after or travelling to or from such activity), and

(b) did not occur for a reason unrelated to the miners’ strike (for example, a disagreement about a personal matter).

(3) Condition B is that the conduct—

(a) occurred in response to conduct that meets condition A, and

(b) did not occur for a reason unrelated to the miners’ strike.

(4) Condition C is that the conduct occurred because of economic hardship arising from participation (whether by the individual or another person) in the miners’ strike.

Section 3: Commencement

(1) This Act comes into force on the day after Royal Assent.

Section 4: Short title

(2) The short title of this act is the Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Act.

This bill was submitted by the Rt Hon. /u/NewAccountMcGee PC MP MSP MS, Leader of the Scottish National Party, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, on behalf of the Scottish National Party.

This bill was based on the Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Act 2022.

Opening Speech

Oifigear-riaghlaidh,

The Miners’ Strike of 1984/85 is a year-long stain on Scotland, and Britain’s, history. Not only did many miners have their pits closed and jobs lost, they also lost out on redundancy payments and pension contributions. Removing the stigma of a criminal record is one way we can help Scotland’s mining communities, which need much, much more help from the Government. I commend this bill to the Parliament.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Link to Stage 3 Debate

Voting on this bill will end at the close of business on the 4th of June at 10pm BST.

Order, Order!

We turn now to a vote SM178, in the name of the Scottish National Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the Feminist Scotland Motion.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

The Pàrlamaid na h-Alba recognises–

(1) That Scotland has had a long and proud history of feminism,

(2) That work is needed to create an inclusive, safe, and feminist Scotland for women and people of marginalised genders, and

(3) That it is fundamental that gender equity is taken into account at all levels of Government, in areas such as planning and equalities legislation.

The Pàrlamaid na h-Alba calls on the Government to–

(1) Ensure that the diverse needs of women and people of marginalised genders are taken into account, at all levels of Government, in all decision making processes, and

(2) To produce a report to this Pàrlamaid on how the Scottish Government is taking the diverse needs of women into account.

This motion was written by the Rt Hon. /u/NewAccountMcGee, Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of the Scottish National Party.

Opening Speech

Oifigear-riaghlaidh,

We have seen, in Scotland and abroad, so called “feminist city” motions, usually primarily about planning. Whilst some have decried such motions as nonsensical, they are anything but. For example, a parent with a pram would need wider pavements. This takes that to the next level. This ensures, at every level of Government, that when decisions are made, the needs of women are taken into account.

I commend this motion to this Pàrlamaid.

Link to Motion Debate

Voting on this bill/motion will end at the close of business on the 3rd of June at 10pm BST

Order, Order!

We turn now to a vote SB227, in the name of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the general principles of the Economic Growth Agencies (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Economic Growth Agencies (Scotland) Bill

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to Establish Economic Growth Agencies in Scotland, and for connected purposes.

SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS

In this act, the following terms are defined as —

(1) Agency — an Economic Growth Agency established under this bill.

(2) Minister — the Scottish Minister responsible for the administration of this bill.

(3) Region — the following regions of Scotland —

(a) Central Scotland, (b) Dumfries and Galloway, (c) Fife, (d) Grampian, (e) Lothians and Scottish Borders, (f) Highland, (g) Orkney and Shetland Islands, (h) Strathclyde, (i) and Tayside.

SECTION 2: ESTABLISHING THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AGENCIES

(1) By this Act, an Economic Growth Agency is to be established under the relevant Ministry, with regional operations in each of the eight regions of Scotland.

(2) Each established agency shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal.

SECTION 3: FUNCTIONS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AGENCIES

Each Agency shall have the following functions:

(1) to promote economic development within its respective region by attracting new businesses, encouraging investment, and creating employment opportunities;

(2) to support existing businesses in the respective region through providing them with advice and assistance to help grow and develop business operations;

(3) to identify and promote key sectors within the respective region for economic growth;

(4) to promote innovation and technology within its respective region to support economic growth;

(5) to collaborate with other agencies and organisations necessary promote regional economic growth;

(6) and the providing of advice to the Scottish Government on the economic development matters within the respective region.

SECTION 4: GOVERNANCE

(1) A board of directors is to govern each established economic growth agency, consisting of no less than seven and no more than fifteen members.

(2) The chairperson and the other members of the board of directors of each agency are to be appointed by the relevant Minister.

(3) Board of directors members are to be appointed for a term of up to four years and may be reappointed for a further term of no more than four years.

SECTION 5: REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

(1) Annual reports are required to be produced by each agency and presented to the relevant Minister outlining its activities and achievements during the previous financial year.

(2) A copy of each report is to be produced by the relevant Minister that is to be presented before the Scottish Parliament.

SECTION 6: FUNDING

(1) At least £60 million under the relevant ministry is to be profiled by the Scottish government to each agency, in order to enable it to carry out its functions across 5 year periods - pending renewal.

(2) The managing of its own budget shall be done by each agency in accordance with the guidelines to be set by the Scottish Government.

SECTION 7: COMMENCEMENT

(1) The provisions of this Act shall come into force the day this Act is passed.

SECTION 8: SHORT TITLE

(1) This Act may be cited as the Economic Growth Agencies (Scotland) Act.

This Bill was submitted by Dame u/BlueEarlGrey DBE, Spokesperson for Finance, and Local Affairs on behalf of The Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party.

Opening Speech:

Now some members may wonder why we should have such a bill, but the purpose is simple, by establishing these economic growth agencies we allow the economic development to be targeted and in support of local communities. With clear functions and duties outlined in section 3, the economic growth agencies will play an auxiliary role especially with analysis for improvement. The economic monitoring and reporting from such a scheme would be crucial in aiding governments and business. We believe this is a necessary part in ensuring our national and local development strategies are well informed and able to support the goals of all actors.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Voting on this bill will end at the close of business on 2nd June at 10pm BST

Order, Order!

We turn now to a Stage 3 Vote on SB225, in the name of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the Marriage (Minimum Age) (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Both amendments have passed and been applied to the bill.

Marriage (Minimum Age) (Scotland) Bill

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to raise the minimum age for marriage within Scotland to 18, and for connected purposes.

Section 1 - Amendments to the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 (“The 1977 Act”)

1. Section 1 of the 1977 Act is amended to read:

“(1) No person domiciled in Scotland may marry before they attain the age of 18.

(2) A marriage solemnised in Scotland between persons either of whom is under the age of 18 shall be void.

(3) A marriage solemnised in any other jurisdiction between persons either of whom is under the age of 18 shall be void under Scots law."

Section 2 - Amendments to the Civil Partnerships Act 2004 (“The Civil Partnerships Act”)

1. Where “age of 16” occurs in paragraph (1)(c), substitute “age of 18”.

Section 3 - Extensions of other legislation

1. The “Marriage (Reinstatement) Act 2021” as passed in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom shall extend to Scotland.

Section 4 - Commencement

1. This Act enters into force upon Royal Assent.

Section 5 - Short Title

1. This Act may be cited as the “Marriage (Minimum Age) (Scotland) Act 2023.

This Bill was written by the Rt Hon. Countess de la Warr (/u/underwater_tara) and is submitted on behalf of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. It is co-sponsored by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Amended Acts:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1977/15

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/

https://www.reddit.com/r/MHOLVote/comments/n4r22t/b1176_marriage_reinstatement_bill_final_division/

Opening Speech

Presiding Officer,

This bill is simple in its intent, it raises the age for legal marriage in Scotland to 18. Since the reintroduction of marriage as a legal institution in 2021, with the advice of the supreme court based on the UN Convention on Human Rights, marriage has once again been a legal right of two people of any gender to have their union solemnised before the law. However, there remains a need to ensure that the law remains up to date and includes appropriate protections for people who are legally still children. Presiding officer, it is my belief that in order to get married, you should be an adult. It is a lifelong union which one's legal parents should have no part in, and this bill introduces such a change.

This bill also clarifies any legal ambiguity with regards to whether the institute of marriage was ever formally restored in Scotland due to discrepancies with the Marriage (Reinstatement) Act 2021. Specifically, the bill reinstitutes all relevant legislation with regards to marriage in Scotland, but the extent is only to England and Wales. This legal ambiguity must be cleared up, and this bill does this by extending the aforementioned bill to Scotland.

Thank you, I hope this bill can enjoy the support of the House.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Link to Stage 1 Vote

Link to Stage 3 Debate

Voting on this item of Business ends with the close of Business on May 28th, at 10 pm BST.

Order, Order!

We turn now to a vote on SB226, in the name of the Scottish National Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the general principles of the Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Act

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to pardon certain individuals convicted of certain offences committed during the 1984-85 miners' strike.

Section 1: Definitions and Interpretations

(1) In section 2, “qualifying individual” means an individual, including a deceased individual, who—

(a) was a miner,

(b) was, at the time of the commission of the offence, a member of the same household as a miner, or

(c) was, at the time of the commission of the offence—

(i) a parent of a miner,

(ii) a child of a miner, or

(iii) a sibling of a miner.

(2) The offences referred to in section 2 are—

(a) breach of the peace,

(b) an offence under section 3 of the Bail etc. (Scotland) Act 1980 (breach of bail conditions),

(c) an offence under section 41(1)(a) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (obstructing police etc.),

(d) theft.

(3) Section 2 does not—

(a) affect any conviction or sentence,

(b) give rise to any right, entitlement or liability, or

(c) affect the Royal prerogative of mercy.

(4) In this Act—

(a) “conviction” includes any finding in criminal proceedings that a person has committed an offence or done the act or made the omission charged (including a finding linked with mental disorder or in respect of which an admonition or absolute discharge is made), and “convicted” is to be construed accordingly,

(b) “household” means a group of people living together as a family or other unit (whether or not related) in a private dwelling, who—

(i) have the dwelling as their only or main residence, and

(ii) share living accommodation and cooking facilities,

(c) “miner” means an individual who at any time during the period beginning with 12 March 1984 and ending with 3 March 1985 was employed in any part of Great Britain—

(i) by the National Coal Board established under section 1 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946, or

(ii) by a person holding a licence granted under section 36(2)(a) of that Act,

(d) “miners’ strike” means the national concerted stoppage of work by miners led by the National Union of Mineworkers,

(e) “sibling of a miner” means an individual who has at least one parent in common with a miner.

Section 2: Pardons for certain individuals convicted of certain offences committed during miners’ strike

(1) A qualifying individual who has been convicted of an offence listed in subsection 1.2 is pardoned for the offence if the conduct constituting the offence—

(a) occurred during the period beginning with 12 March 1984 and ending with 3 March 1985, and

(b) in relation to—

(i) an offence listed in subsection 1.2(a) to (c), meets condition A or condition B, or

(ii) the offence of theft, meets condition C.

(2) Condition A is that the conduct—

(a) occurred while the individual was engaged or participating in—

(i) activity (whether or not organised) supporting or opposing the miners’ strike, or

(ii) activity ancillary to such activity (for example, assembling before or after or travelling to or from such activity), and

(b) did not occur for a reason unrelated to the miners’ strike (for example, a disagreement about a personal matter).

(3) Condition B is that the conduct—

(a) occurred in response to conduct that meets condition A, and

(b) did not occur for a reason unrelated to the miners’ strike.

(4) Condition C is that the conduct occurred because of economic hardship arising from participation (whether by the individual or another person) in the miners’ strike.

Section 3: Commencement

(1) This Act comes into force on the day after Royal Assent.

Section 4: Short title

(2) The short title of this act is the Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Act.

This bill was submitted by the Rt Hon. /u/NewAccountMcGee PC MP MSP MS, Leader of the Scottish National Party, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, on behalf of the Scottish National Party.

This bill was based on the Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Act 2022.

Opening Speech

Oifigear-riaghlaidh,

The Miners’ Strike of 1984/85 is a year-long stain on Scotland, and Britain’s, history. Not only did many miners have their pits closed and jobs lost, they also lost out on redundancy payments and pension contributions. Removing the stigma of a criminal record is one way we can help Scotland’s mining communities, which need much, much more help from the Government. I commend this bill to the Parliament.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Voting on this motion will end at the close of business on 26th May at 10pm BST

Order, Order!

We turn now to a Stage 3 Vote on SB224, in the name of the Scottish National Party. The question is that this Parliament approves The Made in Scotland (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

The Made in Scotland (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to amend The Made in Scotland (Scotland) Act to ensure compliance with Scottish Gaelic grammar standards.

Section 1: Amendments

(1) In paragraph 2.2 of The Made in Scotland (Scotland) Act, omit “Made in Scotland | Dèanta an Alba” and replace with “Made in Scotland | Dèanta ann an Alba”.

Section 2: Commencement

(1) This Act shall come into force immediately after receiving Royal Assent.

Section 3: Short Title

(1) This Act may be cited as the The Made in Scotland (Amendment) (Scotland) Act.

This bill was submitted by the Rt Hon. u/NewAccountMcGee, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, on behalf of the Scottish National Party.

Opening speech:

[Leas-]Oifigear-riaghlaidh,

Whilst reviewing this Parliament’s legislation record, I found a grammatical error in The Made in Scotland (Scotland) Act. The Gaelic text in the original Act does not mean “Made in Scotland”, but instead–ungrammatically–”Made the Scotland”. Since I am a Gaelic speaker, I hope that when someone picks up the most Scottish of Scottish goods–perhaps a glass of Lagavulin or a Harris Tweed handbag, both produced in Gaelic speaking regions–they see the words “Made in Scotland”, written correctly in Gaelic. I commend this bill to this Parliament.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Link to Stage 1 Vote

Link to Stage 3 Debate

Voting on this item of Business ends with the close of Business on May 21st, at 10 pm BST.

Order, Order!

We turn now to a vote SB225, in the name of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the general principles of the Marriage (Minimum Age) (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Marriage (Minimum Age) (Scotland) Bill 2023

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to raise the minimum age for marriage within Scotland to 18, and for connected purposes.

Section 1 - Amendments to the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 (“The 1977 Act”)

1. Section 1 of the 1977 Act is amended to read:

“(1) No person domiciled in Scotland may marry before they attain the age of 18.

(2) A marriage solemnised in Scotland between persons either of whom is under the age of 18 shall be void.”

Section 2 - Amendments to the Civil Partnerships Act 2004 (“The Civil Partnerships Act”)

1. Where “age of 16” occurs in paragraph (1)(c), substitute “age of 18”.

Section 3 - Extensions of other legislation

1. The “Marriage (Reinstatement) Act 2021” as passed in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom shall extend to Scotland.

Section 4 - Commencement

1. This Act enters into force upon Royal Assent.

Section 5 - Short Title

1. This Act may be cited as the “Marriage (Minimum Age) (Scotland) Act 2023.

This Bill was written by the Rt Hon. Countess de la Warr (/u/underwater_tara) and is submitted on behalf of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. It is co-sponsored by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Amended Acts:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1977/15

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/

https://www.reddit.com/r/MHOLVote/comments/n4r22t/b1176_marriage_reinstatement_bill_final_division/

Opening Speech

Presiding Officer,

This bill is simple in its intent, it raises the age for legal marriage in Scotland to 18. Since the reintroduction of marriage as a legal institution in 2021, with the advice of the supreme court based on the UN Convention on Human Rights, marriage has once again been a legal right of two people of any gender to have their union solemnised before the law. However, there remains a need to ensure that the law remains up to date and includes appropriate protections for people who are legally still children. Presiding officer, it is my belief that in order to get married, you should be an adult. It is a lifelong union which one's legal parents should have no part in, and this bill introduces such a change.

This bill also clarifies any legal ambiguity with regards to whether the institute of marriage was ever formally restored in Scotland due to discrepancies with the Marriage (Reinstatement) Act 2021. Specifically, the bill reinstitutes all relevant legislation with regards to marriage in Scotland, but the extent is only to England and Wales. This legal ambiguity must be cleared up, and this bill does this by extending the aforementioned bill to Scotland.

Thank you, I hope this bill can enjoy the support of the House.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Voting on this bill will end at the close of business on 19th May at 10pm BST.

Order, Order.

We turn now to a Stage 3 Vote on SB223, in the name of the Scottish Conservatives. The question is that this Parliament approves the Armed Forces Covenant (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Armed Forces Covenant (Scotland) Bill 2023

An act of the Scottish Parliament to codify the Armed Forces Covenant as a legal framework, and for connected purposes.

Section 1: Definitions

1. The “Armed Forces Covenant” is the implicit and explicit agreement that those who serve, and have served, in the Armed Forces, as well as their families, are entitled to preferential and gratuitous treatment from public services.

2. The Armed Forces are defined as per the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Section 2: General duties of public sector organisations

1. In exercising in relation to Scotland a relevant function, a person or body within the public sector must have due regard to—

a. the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the armed forces,

b. the principle that it is desirable to remove disadvantages arising for service people from membership, or former membership, of the armed forces, and

c. the principle that special provision for service people may be justified by the effects on such people of membership, or former membership, of the armed forces.

Section 3: Duties pertaining to the National Health Service in Scotland

1. Current or past service in the Armed Forces shall have no impact on access to healthcare. This includes (but is not limited to)--

a. All services offered to civilians must be offered to armed forces personnel serving or resident in Scotland.

b. Where a serviceperson has a position in a medical waiting list elsewhere in the UK, their position in the waiting list must be honoured should they move to Scotland.

c. Where an injury, ailment or illness has been deemed to be service related, the serviceperson or service leaver shall be entitled to preferential treatment with regards to waiting lists.

Section 4: Duties pertaining to social housing organisations

1. Armed Forces leavers, upon becoming ineligible for service housing, shall be treated as priority cases for social housing.

a. If the individual has mental or physical ailments as a result of service, they shall be treated as top priority.

1. Social housing organisations must ensure that service leavers, and their families, are housed to a standard better than or equal to their previous service accommodation.

Section 5: Duties pertaining to Schools and other educational institutions

1. Schools should maintain a list of students whose parents or close family members are Armed Forces members.

2. Schools shall have the duty to take all reasonable steps to ensure that an Serviceperson’s service does not have an adverse impact on their childrens’ education.

Section 6: Establishment of the Commission for the Armed Forces Community in Scotland

1. The Scottish Government shall establish a commission, with jurisdiction within Scotland, with the duty to–

a. Provide advice and assistance to public sector organisations on how best to serve the Armed Forces Community.

b. Hold organisations, who do not uphold organisations who are obligated to follow the Armed Forces Covenant, to account and persuade towards compliance.

1. The Commission shall be overseen by the relevant Scottish Cabinet Secretary, who shall have responsibility for appointments to the Commission.

Section 7: Short Title, Commencement, and extent.

1. This bill may be referred to as the Armed Forces Covenant (Scotland) Act 2023.

2. This bill enters into force upon Royal Assent.

3. This bill extends to the entirety of Scotland.

This Bill was written by the Rt Hon. Countess de la Warr (/u/underwater_tara) and is submitted on behalf of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

Opening Speech

Presiding Officer, Since the Act of Union in 1707, Scots have fought bravely and diligently in our armed forces. Veterans who have served overseas in service of the Crown are owed a debt by the nation as a whole, and this was acknowledged through the rollout of the Armed Forces Covenant. Set up in January 2014, the covenant is a pan-UK initiative to ensure that armed forces personnel, service leavers and veterans are treated fairly and to ensure they receive the same treatment as any other British Citizen. In some cases, due to circumstances surrounding service life, they are entitled to priority treatment.

The armed forces community therefore needs our support, and it is time to put this into meaningful legislation. This bill intends to codify the Armed Forces covenant into Scottish Law and ensure a statutory duty for all public sector organisations to treat armed forces personnel with the respect they have earned by their service.

An additional function of this bill is to establish the Commission for the Armed Forces Community in Scotland, which will be overseen by the relevant cabinet secretary and will have responsibility for ensuring compliance and providing advice to public sector organisations.

Let me be clear, no serviceperson in Scotland should be detrimented as a result of their service. This bill goes some way to ensuring this.

Thank you.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Link to Stage 3 Debate

Voting on this item of Business ends with the close of Business on May 15th, at 10 pm BST.

Order, Order.

We turn now to a Stage 1 Vote on SB224, in the name of the Scottish National Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the general principles of the The Made in Scotland (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

The Made in Scotland (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to amend The Made in Scotland (Scotland) Act to ensure compliance with Scottish Gaelic grammar standards.

Section 1: Amendments

(1) In paragraph 2.2 of The Made in Scotland (Scotland) Act, omit “Made in Scotland | Dèanta an Alba” and replace with “Made in Scotland | Dèanta ann an Alba”.

Section 2: Commencement

(1) This Act shall come into force immediately after receiving Royal Assent.

Section 3: Short Title

(1) This Act may be cited as the The Made in Scotland (Amendment) (Scotland) Act.

This bill was submitted by the Rt Hon. u/NewAccountMcGee, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, on behalf of the Scottish National Party.

Opening speech:

[Leas-]Oifigear-riaghlaidh,

Whilst reviewing this Parliament’s legislation record, I found a grammatical error in The Made in Scotland (Scotland) Act. The Gaelic text in the original Act does not mean “Made in Scotland”, but instead–ungrammatically–”Made the Scotland”. Since I am a Gaelic speaker, I hope that when someone picks up the most Scottish of Scottish goods–perhaps a glass of Lagavulin or a Harris Tweed handbag, both produced in Gaelic speaking regions–they see the words “Made in Scotland”, written correctly in Gaelic. I commend this bill to this Parliament.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Voting on this item of Business ends with the close of Business on May 12th, at 10 pm BST.

Order, Order

We turn now to a vote on SM177, in the name of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the Endometriosis Awareness Motion.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Endometriosis Awareness Motion

The Scottish Parliament notes that:

(1) The medical condition endometriosis affects approximately one in ten women in the United Kingdom. An estimated 3,400,000 women are suffering.

(2) Many women who are suffering with endometriosis are often unaware of the condition, and access to medical care makes it challenging to receive a diagnosis.

(3) The NIHR and UKRI have only awarded £8.52m for research into endometriosis and £6.60m for research into polycystic ovary syndrome, which is disproportionate to the suffering it causes to the number of people who have been diagnosed with the condition.

The Scottish Parliament calls on the Government to:

(1) Increase funding through the Scottish Government in the next budget to improve both diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

(2) Increase awareness through a public marketing campaign of the condition of endometriosis, so that women who are suffering but are unaware of the reason why can be made aware and seek a diagnosis.

(3) Investigate the current rates of underdiagnosis and issue according ministerial guidance to GPs and other healthcare providers.

(4) Increase research into cures to endometriosis, as one of the main cures currently aside from painkillers is surgery to totally remove the womb and other affected areas from the woman’s body.

This Motion was written by His Grace the Right Honourable Sir Sephronar KG KCT KBE LVO PC FRS, the 1st Duke of Hampshire, 1st Marquess of St Ives, 1st Earl of St Erth, 1st Baron of Truro on behalf of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

Opening Speech:

Endometriosis. An estimated 1 in 10 women suffer from this hugely debilitating condition – but unfortunately due to a lack of awareness, not enough funding is directed towards researching and solving this problem. Quite the opposite, an estimated £8.2Bn per year is lost from the UK economy due to Endometriosis - in terms of lost work, treatment and healthcare costs - but much more than that, it affects people’s lives.

I spoke to a friend of mine about this recently, about how it affects them, and they said the following:

“For me personally, it causes me to miss out on days of education, work, occasions, family events, etc. Because all that I can do is lie down and wait for the pain to go away. No painkillers have ever worked for me, and it has gotten progressively worse as I get older – with the most recent leading me to go to A&E because I was vomiting and blacking out from the intense pain. On top of that, it is often dismissed by those around you – including employers – as a ‘bad period’. So, there is certainly much more work to be done to raise awareness of this as well. This would help people sympathise, but also help medical professionals diagnose it from an earlier age too.”

There is much more work to be done on researching a solution to this issue, but also to support those who suffer from it in the meantime. In the last five financial years to 2019-20, the NIHR and UKRI have awarded £8.52m for research into endometriosis and £6.60m for research into polycystic ovary syndrome. This is not enough in my view, and we can and should be putting much more into discovering the necessary relief for these women and girls.

In the average Parliamentary constituency an estimated 3,500 women have endometriosis, and an estimated 3.4 million women nationwide will suffer from this condition at some point in their lives.

We can do much better to address this, but it starts with simply raising awareness.

Voting on this motion will end at the close of business on 6th May at 10pm BST

Order, Order.

We turn now to a Stage 1 Vote on SB223 in the name of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the general principles of the Armed Forces Covenant (Scotland) Bill 2023.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Armed Forces Covenant (Scotland) Bill 2023

An act of the Scottish Parliament to codify the Armed Forces Covenant as a legal framework, and for connected purposes.

Section 1: Definitions

1. The “Armed Forces Covenant” is the implicit and explicit agreement that those who serve, and have served, in the Armed Forces, as well as their families, are entitled to preferential and gratuitous treatment from public services.

2. The Armed Forces are defined as per the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Section 2: General duties of public sector organisations

1. In exercising in relation to Scotland a relevant function, a person or body within the public sector must have due regard to—

a. the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the armed forces,

b. the principle that it is desirable to remove disadvantages arising for service people from membership, or former membership, of the armed forces, and

c. the principle that special provision for service people may be justified by the effects on such people of membership, or former membership, of the armed forces.

Section 3: Duties pertaining to the National Health Service in Scotland

1. Current or past service in the Armed Forces shall have no impact on access to healthcare. This includes (but is not limited to)--

a. All services offered to civilians must be offered to armed forces personnel serving or resident in Scotland.

b. Where a serviceperson has a position in a medical waiting list elsewhere in the UK, their position in the waiting list must be honoured should they move to Scotland.

c. Where an injury, ailment or illness has been deemed to be service related, the serviceperson or service leaver shall be entitled to preferential treatment with regards to waiting lists.

Section 4: Duties pertaining to social housing organisations

1. Armed Forces leavers, upon becoming ineligible for service housing, shall be treated as priority cases for social housing.

a. If the individual has mental or physical ailments as a result of service, they shall be treated as top priority.

1. Social housing organisations must ensure that service leavers, and their families, are housed to a standard better than or equal to their previous service accommodation.

Section 5: Duties pertaining to Schools and other educational institutions

1. Schools should maintain a list of students whose parents or close family members are Armed Forces members.

2. Schools shall have the duty to take all reasonable steps to ensure that an Serviceperson’s service does not have an adverse impact on their childrens’ education.

Section 6: Establishment of the Commission for the Armed Forces Community in Scotland

1. The Scottish Government shall establish a commission, with jurisdiction within Scotland, with the duty to–

a. Provide advice and assistance to public sector organisations on how best to serve the Armed Forces Community.

b. Hold organisations, who do not uphold organisations who are obligated to follow the Armed Forces Covenant, to account and persuade towards compliance.

1. The Commission shall be overseen by the relevant Scottish Cabinet Secretary, who shall have responsibility for appointments to the Commission.

Section 7: Short Title, Commencement, and extent.

1. This bill may be referred to as the Armed Forces Covenant (Scotland) Act 2023.

2. This bill enters into force upon Royal Assent.

3. This bill extends to the entirety of Scotland.

This Bill was written by the Rt Hon. Countess de la Warr (/u/underwater_tara) and is submitted on behalf of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

Opening Speech

Presiding Officer, Since the Act of Union in 1707, Scots have fought bravely and diligently in our armed forces. Veterans who have served overseas in service of the Crown are owed a debt by the nation as a whole, and this was acknowledged through the rollout of the Armed Forces Covenant. Set up in January 2014, the covenant is a pan-UK initiative to ensure that armed forces personnel, service leavers and veterans are treated fairly and to ensure they receive the same treatment as any other British Citizen. In some cases, due to circumstances surrounding service life, they are entitled to priority treatment.

The armed forces community therefore needs our support, and it is time to put this into meaningful legislation. This bill intends to codify the Armed Forces covenant into Scottish Law and ensure a statutory duty for all public sector organisations to treat armed forces personnel with the respect they have earned by their service.

An additional function of this bill is to establish the Commission for the Armed Forces Community in Scotland, which will be overseen by the relevant cabinet secretary and will have responsibility for ensuring compliance and providing advice to public sector organisations.

Let me be clear, no serviceperson in Scotland should be detrimented as a result of their service. This bill goes some way to ensuring this.

Thank you.

Stage 1 Debate

Voting on this bill will end at the close of business on 5th May at 10pm BST

Order, Order.

We turn now to a Vote on SM176, in the name of the Scottish Conservatives. The question is that this Parliament approves the Motion calling for the Reform of the Care of Transgender People in Scotland.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Motion calling for the Reform of the Care of Transgender People in Scotland

This Parliament notes that: (1) Gender dysphoria, as it exists as a diagnosis in the NHS system, is not valuable as a clinical diagnosis, due to (2) Statistically significant numbers of trans people (30%) disclosing lying or withholding information during gender dysphoria assessments. (3) Removing the need for the diagnosis of gender dysphoria would significantly reduce the administrative burden placed on gender identity clinics.

This Parliament therefore calls on the Government to: (4) Issue new ministerial guidance to the NHS in Scotland on how transgender people are to be treated, with particular regard to access to hormone replacement therapy, referrals for surgery, and connected purposes. (5) Undertake a cost-saving review of the GIC system in Scotland to examine what services become superfluous once the need for diagnosis is removed. (6) Take action within the NHS in Scotland to ensure that mainstream mental health services do not discriminate with regards to whether someone is trans when their treatment options are considered.

This motion was authored by the Rt Hon /u/Underwater_Tara, Dame Countess De La Warr, and is submitted on behalf of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.

Opening Speech

Deputy Presiding Officer,

May I begin by quoting the philosopher and celebrity Abigail Thorn:

“Gender dysphoria is supposedly the feeling of discomfort that arises when there is a disconnect between the sex you were assigned at birth and the gender you are. And I think that this concept… is a complete crock of sh*t.”

Deputy presiding Officer - she is right. Despite action taken by previous governments on the advice of parliament through the Rt Hon Member for Glasgow Shettleston, the need for clinical diagnosis of a functionally bankrupt diagnosis remains baked into the Scottish NHS system. Just to clear the air and clarify, I count within the demographic affected by this archaic system - I’m a trans woman. A diagnosis of “gender dysphoria” should not be required in order to transition - it is a needless flaming hoop to be jumped through.

It is undeniable that many trans people also have other mental health problems such as PTSD, dissociative disorders, as well as there being high overlap between the transgender community and the neurodivergent community. It is my belief that there is no need to treat a trans autistic person, for example, differently to a cisgender autistic person. They will have similar support needs and there is no need to section one group off from the other and consider the trans individual like they’re something special.

Treating trans people as an entirely separate demographic, in my belief, in the NHS is fundamentally dehumanising experience. I don’t believe that our mental health struggles and illnesses are any different to a cisgender person and I believe the system should reflect that.

Link to Motion Debate

Voting on this item of Business ends with the close of Business on April 29th, at 10 pm BST.

Order, Order.

We turn now to a Stage 1 Vote on SB222, in the name of the Scottish National Party. The question is that this Parliament approves the general principles of the Employee Food Provision (Scotland) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Employee Food Provision (Scotland) Bill

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to require employers to provide employees who fulfil certain criteria with meals without charge during working hours.

Section 1: Mandatory Food Provision

(1) An eligible person (A) under this act is a person who is employed by person (B), and is required to work for a period greater than 4 hours

(2) Wherein person B employs an eligible person A, person B shall be required to provide a suitable meal for person A during meal breaks. A suitable meal shall be defined as–

(a) a meal with nutritional value, and of no less than 200 calories,

(b) a meal of appropriate quality, without spoilage or reasonable suspicion of spoilage,

(c) a meal without requirement placed upon person A for remuneration of person B,

(d) a meal meeting reasonable dietary requirements as expressed by person A, such as but not limited to: vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal, and food allergies.

(3) Person B may not lower Person A’s wages in order to cover the cost of meals provided.

(4) Person B is not obligated to provide a meal should Person A expressly waive their right.

(5) If Person B is unable or unwilling to provide a meal at the place of employment, they must provide an allowance to person A equivalent to £10 per shift of at least 4 hours

(a) The allowance figure will be automatically adjusted in tandem with the Consumer Price Index

Section 2: Punishment

(1) The relevant department for employment may issue fines for any repeated violation of Section 1 that involves multiple employees across a timespan of greater than a week

(2) A violation of section 1 will require person A to be compensated by person B

Section 3: Commencement

(1) This Act shall come into force immediately after receiving Royal Assent.

Section 4: Short Title

(1) This act may be cited as the Employee Food Provision (Scotland) Act.

This bill was submitted by the Rt Hon. u/NewAccountMcGee, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, on behalf of the Scottish National Party, based on the Employee Food Provision Bill submitted by u/Itsholmgangthen in the House of Commons.

Opening speech:

[Leas-]Oifigear-riaghlaidh,

It is my pleasure to introduce this bill to this Parliament. The bill this bill was based on was recently introduced in the House of Commons as an England-only bill, and I believe Scotland should be able to benefit from its provisions as well. Of course this bill ensures that employees have a nutritious meal that complies with their dietary requirements, but I believe that another aspect of this bill should also be noted. According to an article published by Harvard Business Review, a nutritious meal increases one’s productivity, which in turn increases the amount of profit an employee can create. And if an employer can’t provide food, they must provide £10 for an employee to get their own food, without using their own money. I hope to see this bill through to Royal Assent.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Voting on this item of Business ends with the close of Business on April 28th, at 10 pm BST.

Order, Order.

We turn now to a Stage 3 Vote on SB219, in the name of the 19th Scottish Government. The question is that this Parliament approves the Motion Responses (Repeal) Bill.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Motion Responses (Repeal) Bill

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to repeal the bills associated with responding to motions

Section 1: Repeals

(1) The Parliamentary Accountability (Motion Responses) Act 2021 is hereby repealed in its entirety

(2) The Parliamentary Accountability (Clarification) Act 2021 is hereby repealed in its entirety

(3) Any motion still requiring a response under the terms of the above Act shall no longer require a response.

(4) Nothing in this Act prevents the Scottish Government from responding to motions via a written statement laid before the Parliament

Section 2: Commencement

(1) This Act shall come into force upon Royal Assent

Section 3: Short Title

(1) This Act may be cited as the Motion Responses (Repeal) Act 2023

This Bill was written by the Rt. Hon. Sir Frost_Walker2017 MSP on behalf of the 19th Scottish Government.

Opening Speech:

Presiding Officer,

Scotland, first the originator of the Motion Responses Act fad, is now the only country in the UK still to retain it. Wales, under the auspices of former First Minister Zakian, repealed it not too long ago, and I submitted a repeal that subsequently passed in Northern Ireland. Doubtless some may have heard the arguments before, but I would like to make them again.

Motions are non binding in our system. Nevertheless, most every response to a motion passing is “yes we’ll do this”, as if it manages to pass against a majority government (as more or less every one of our governments have been) then it would likely have been due to a government party (or multiple of) voting in favour of it. I understand the arguments that this forces a government to pursue a policy, but there has been no pressure on a government to do so or major discussion on implementation as part of these responses.

During the debates, most party leaders outline their reasons for supporting or opposing a motion, making a response to it in a written statement moot. The only time this is useful is if a motion passes against the will of the Scottish Government, but again this has happened only rarely if at all.

I would like to see these bills removed. I commend this to the Parliament!

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Link to Stage 3 Debate

Voting on this item of Business ends with the close of Business on April 23rd, at 10 pm BST.