BUSINESS BULLETIN No. 171/2014 - Monday 24 November 2014
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BUSINESS BULLETIN No. 171/2014
Monday 24 November 2014
Summary of Today’s Business
Meetings of Committees
5.15 pm Local Government and Regeneration Lochaber High School
Committee
For full details of today’s business, see Section A. For full details of the future
business, see sections B and C.
___________________________________________________________________
1Contents
The sections which appear in today‘s Business Bulletin are in bold
Section A: Today‘s Business
- Meetings of Committees
- Meeting of the Parliament
Section B: Future Meetings of the Parliament
Section C: Future Meetings of Committees
Section D: Oral Questions
- Questions selected for First Minister‘s Questions
- Questions selected for response by Ministers and junior
Scottish Ministers at Question Time
Section E: Written Questions – new questions for written answer
Section F: Motions and Amendments
Section G: Bills
- New Bills introduced
- New amendments to Bills
- Members‘ Bills proposals
Section H: New Documents – new documents laid before the Parliament
and committee reports published
Section I: Petitions – new public petitions
Section J: Progress of Legislation – progress of Bills and subordinate
legislation
Section K: Corrections to the Official Report
2Business Bulletin: Monday 24 November 2014
Section A – Today’s Business
Meetings of Committees
All meetings take place in the Scottish Parliament, unless otherwise specified.
Contact details for Committee Clerks are provided at the end of the Bulletin.
Local Government and Regeneration Committee
30th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 5.15 pm in Lochaber High School
1. Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence
on the Bill at Stage 1 from—
Councillor David Alston, Deputy Leader, Highland Council;
Rachael McCormack, Director - Strengthening Communities, and Sandra
Holmes, Head of Community Assets, Highlands and Islands Enterprise;
Sarah-Jane Laing, Director of Policy & Parliamentary Affairs, Scottish
Land and Estates;
Lesley Benfield, Chief Executive, Lochaber Chamber of Commerce;
and then from—
Duncan Martin, Secretary, Oban Community Council;
Alasdair Nicholson, Chief Executive, Voluntary Action Lochaber;
Patricia Jordan, Chairman, The Nevis Partnership;
Andrew Baxter, Chairman, Kinlochleven Development Trust.
3Business Bulletin: Monday 24 November 2014
Section B – Future Meetings of the Parliament
Business Programme agreed by the Parliament on
19 November 2014
Tuesday 25 November 2014
2.00 pm Time for Reflection – Dr David Brazier, President of the
International Zen Therapy Institute and Dharmavidya of the
Amida Order of Pure Land Buddhism
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Ministerial Statement: Vale of Leven Inquiry
followed by Stage 1 Debate: Legal Writings (Counterparts and Delivery)
(Scotland) Bill
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members‘ Business – S4M-11537 Marco Biagi: Marking the
Anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine (for text of motion see
Section F)
Wednesday 26 November 2014
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions
Culture and External Affairs;
Infrastructure, Investment and Cities (for text of questions see
Section D of the Business Bulletin for Thursday 20 November
2014)
followed by First Minister‘s Statement on the Scottish Government‘s
Programme for Government 2014-15
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Scottish Government‘s
Programme for Government 2014-15
5followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members‘ Business – S4M-11340 Ken Macintosh: Even it Up:
Time to End Extreme Inequality, Oxfam‘s New Report and
Campaign (for text of motion see Section F)
Thursday 27 November 2014
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions (for text of questions see Section D of the
Business Bulletin for Thursday 20 November 2014)
12.00 pm First Minister‘s Questions
followed by Members‘ Business – S4M-11550 Jim Hume: One Step Closer
to Trains at Reston and East Linton (for text of motion see
Section F)
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Members‘ Business – S4M-11565 Annabelle Ewing: St Andrew‘s
Day 2014 (for text of motion see Section F)
followed by Continuation of the Scottish Government Debate on the Scottish
Government‘s Programme for Government 2014-15
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
Tuesday 2 December 2014
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motions
6followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members‘ Business
Wednesday 3 December 2014
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions
Education and Lifelong Learning
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members‘ Business
Thursday 4 December 2014
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister‘s Questions
followed by Members‘ Business
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
7Business Bulletin: Monday 24 November 2014
Section C – Future Committee Meetings
This section includes the agendas of the forthcoming committee meetings and
outlines proposed future business, which may be subject to change.
Committees have the right to take items in private and this will be notified as
far in advance as possible.
Many committees include details of their future business on their webpages,
which can be accessed at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/index.htm
Education and Culture Committee
25 November 2014
28th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in the James Clerk Maxwell Room (CR4)
1. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16 (in private): The Committee will consider a
draft report to the Finance Committee on the Scottish Government‘s Draft
Budget 2015-16.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 16 December, the Committee will take oral evidence on
the British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, whose details are
provided at the end of the Bulletin.
Health and Sport Committee
25 November 2014
31st Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in the David Livingstone Room (CR6)
1. Mental Health (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the Bill at
Stage 1 from—
Michael Matheson, Minister for Public Health, Carol Sibbald, Mental
Health (Scotland) Bill Team Leader, and Stephanie Virlogeux, Solicitor,
Legal Directorate, Scottish Government.
2. Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider its
approach to the scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1.
3. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16 (in private): The Committee will consider a
draft report on the Scottish Government‘s Draft Budget 2015-16.
9Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 2 December, the Committee expects to consider oral
evidence on Health Inequalities; a draft report on the 2015-2016 budget and
subordinate legislation.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, whose details are
provided at the end of the Bulletin.
Public Petitions Committee
25 November 2014
17th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in the Robert Burns Room (CR1)
1. Consideration of a new petition: The Committee will consider—
PE1538 by Dr Richard Burton, on behalf of Accountability Scotland, on
transparency in SPSO investigations
and take evidence from—
Peter Stewart-Blacker, Chairman, Accountability Scotland.
2. Consideration of a current petition: The Committee will consider—
PE1463 by Lorraine Cleaver on effective thyroid and adrenal testing,
diagnosis and treatment
and take evidence from—
John Kinsella, Chair, Sara Twaddle, Director, and Roberta James,
Programme Lead, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.
3. Consideration of a new petition: The Committee will consider—
PE1535 by Alexander Fraser on teaching sustainability and banning
plastic bags
and take evidence from—
Alexander Fraser.
4. Consideration of current petitions: The Committee will consider—
PE1477 by Jamie Rae, on behalf of the Throat Cancer Foundation, on a
gender neutral Human Papillomavirus vaccination;
PE1500 by Stuart Housden OBE, on behalf of RSPB Scotland, on the
Golden Eagle as the national bird of Scotland;
PE1513 by Ron Park on equal rights for unmarried fathers and PE1528 by
John Ronald on child court reform;
PE1529 by John Ronald on enforcement of child court orders;
PE1524 by James McFarlane on free Wi-Fi in Scottish public buildings;
PE1525 by Catherine Fraser on access to justice.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 9 December, the Committee expects to consider
petitions on a register of interests for members of Scotland‘s judiciary. housing
associations to come under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002,
the proposed energy park at Cockenzie, giving the Tinkers‘ Heart of Argyll back
to the Travelling People and making sex and relationship education in Scotland
statutory for all schools.
10For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, whose details are
provided at the end of the Bulletin.
Justice Committee
25 November 2014
30th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.30 am in the Mary Fairfax Somerville Room
(CR2)
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether
to take item 5 in private.
2. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16: The Committee will take evidence on the
Scottish Government‘s Draft Budget 2015-16 from—
Chief Constable Sir Stephen House, Deputy Chief Constable Neil
Richardson, and Janet Murray, Director of Financial Services, Police
Scotland;
and then from—
Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Neil Rennick, Acting
Director of Justice, Gillian Russell, Deputy Director, Police Division, Hilary
Pearce, Police Division, and Richard Dennis, Deputy Director, Fire and
Rescue Division, Scottish Government.
3. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will take evidence on the Criminal
Legal Aid (Fixed Payments and Assistance by Way of Representation)
(Scotland) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2014 [draft] from—
Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Denise Swanson, Head of
Access to Justice Unit, and Alastair Smith, Solicitor, Directorate for Legal
Services, Scottish Government.
4. Subordinate legislation: Kenny MacAskill (Cabinet Secretary for Justice) to
move—
S4M-11524—That the Justice Committee recommends that the Criminal
Legal Aid (Fixed Payments and Assistance by Way of Representation)
(Scotland) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2014 [draft] be
approved.
5. Modern Slavery Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will
consider its approach to the legislative consent memorandum lodged by Kenny
MacAskill (LCM(S4)35.1).
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 2 December, the Committee expects to take evidence on
the legislative consent memorandum on the Serious Crime Bill (UK Parliament
legislation) and on the draft Public Services Reform (Inspection and Monitoring
of Prisons) (Scotland) Order 2014.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, whose details are
provided at the end of the Bulletin.
11Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
25 November 2014
33rd Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 11.30 am in the Adam Smith Room (CR5)
1. Draft document subject to approval: The Committee will consider the
following—
Scottish Regulators‘ Strategic Code of Practice (SG 2014 236)
2. Instruments subject to negative procedure The Committee will consider the
following—
Products Containing Meat etc. (Scotland)Regulations 2014
(SSI 2014/289);
Charities Accounts (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2014
(SSI 2014/295);
Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland)
Amendment (No. 2) Order 2014 (SSI 2014/300);
Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed
Applications) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2014
(SSI 2014/301);
Civil Partnership (Prescribed Bodies) (Scotland) Regulations 2014
(SSI 2014/303);
Same Sex Marriage (Prescribed Bodies) (Scotland) Regulations 2014
(SSI 2014/305);
Marriage and Civil Partnership (Prescribed Forms) (Scotland) Regulations
2014 (SSI 2014/306);
Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Health Professionals and Social Care
Professionals) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/307);
Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Membership of Strategic Planning Group)
(Scotland) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/308);
Looked After Children (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2014
(SSI 2014/310);
Notice of Potential Liability for Costs (Discharge Notice) (Scotland) Order
2014 (SSI 2014/313)
3. Instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure The Committee will
consider the following—
Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session and Sheriff Court Rules
Amendment No. 2) (Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014)
2014 (SSI 2014/302)
4. Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider its
approach to the delegated powers provisions in this Bill at Stage 1.
5. Serious Crime Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider
the powers to make subordinate legislation conferred on Scottish Ministers in
the Serious Crime Bill(UK Parliament legislation).
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 2 December 2014, the Committee will consider further
Scottish Statutory Instruments.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, whose details are
provided at the end of the Bulletin.
12Local Government and Regeneration Committee
26 November 2014
31st Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 9.30 am in the Robert Burns Room (CR1)
1. Decision on taking business in private The Committee will decide wether to
take item 3 in private.
2. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16: The Committee will take evidence on the
Scottish Government‘s Draft Budget 2015-16 from—
Councillor Kevin Keenen, Finance Spokesperson, and Vicki Bibby, Team
Leader - Finance, COSLA;
Sue Bruce, Chief Executive, City of Edinburgh Council;
Lindsay Freeland, Chief Executive, South Lanarkshire Council;
Roddy Burns, Chief Executive, Moray Council;
and then from—
John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and
Sustainable Growth, Robin Haynes, Local Government Division, and Bill
Stitt, Local Government Finance Division, Scottish Government.
3. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16 (in private): The Committee will consider the
evidence recieved on the Scottish Government‘s Draft Budget 2015-16.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 3 December the Committee expects to consider the Air
Weapons and Licensing BIll.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, whose details are
provided at the end of the Bulletin.
Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee
26 November 2014
30th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 9.30 am in the Adam Smith Room (CR5)
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether
to take item 6 in private.
2. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will take evidence on the Scotland
Act 1998 (Functions Exercisable in or as Regards Scotland) Order 2015 [draft]
from—
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the
Environment, Brian Endicott, Deputy Scheme Manager, and Gemma
MacAllister, Solicitor, Scottish Government.
3. Subordinate legislation: Richard Lochhead (Cabinet Secretary for Rural
Affairs, Food and the Environment) to move—S4M-11642—That the Rural
Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee recommends that the The
Scotland Act 1998 (Functions Exercisable in or as Regards Scotland) Order
2015 [draft] be approved.
4. The Scottish Government’s Draft Budget 2015-16: The Committee will take
evidence from—
13Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the
Environment, David Barnes, Deputy Director, Agriculture and Rural
Development, Drew Sloan, Director of Rural Payments and Inspections,
Susan Davies, Deputy Director of Rural and Environmental Science, and
Linda Rosborough, Director, Marine Scotland, Scottish Government.
5. Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence
on the Bill at Stage 1 from—
Peter Peacock, Policy Director, Community Land Scotland;
Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets, Highlands and Islands
Enterprise;
David Prescott, Chair of the Board, Holmehill Community Buyout;
Duncan Burd, Rural Affairs Sub-Committee, Law Society of Scotland;
John Watt, specialist in community land ownership.
6. The Scottish Government’s Wildlife Crime in Scotland - 2013 Annual
Reoprt: The Committee will consider its letter to the Scottish Government.
Proposed future business
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, whose details are
provided at the end of the Bulletin.
Finance Committee
26 November 2014
30th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in the David Livingstone Room (CR6)
1. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16: The Committee will take evidence on the Draft
Budget 2015-16 from—
Liam McArthur MSP, member of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate
Body, Paul Grice, Clerk/Chief Executive, and Derek Croll, Head of
Financial Resources, Scottish Parliament.
2. Devolved Taxes Implementation: The Committee will take evidence from—
Eleanor Emberson, Head of Revenue Scotland, Scottish Government;
John King, Director of Registration, Registers of Scotland;
John Kenny, Head of National Operations, Scottish Environment
Protection Agency.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 1 December, the Committee will continue to take
evidence on Draft Budget 2015-16.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, whose details are
provided at the end of the Bulletin.
14Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee
26 November 2014
27th Meeting, 2014
The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in the Mary Fairfax Somerville Room
(CR2)
1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether
to take items 3 and 4 in private.
2. Scottish Housing Regulator annual report 2013-14: The Committee will take
evidence from—
Tony Cain, Head of Housing and Customer Service, Stirling Council,
Association of Local Authority of Chief Housing Officers;
David Bookbinder, Director, Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of
Housing Associations;
Alan Stokes, Policy Manager, Scottish Federation of Housing
Associations.
3. Freight transport in Scotland: The Committee will consider a list of
candidates for the post of inquiry adviser.
4. Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16: The Committee will consider a draft report to
the Finance Committee on the Draft Budget Scrutiny 2015-16.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting, on 3 Dec ,the Committee expects to take evidence on its
general transport update and consideration on Draft Budget report 2015-16.
For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, whose details are
provided at the end of the Bulletin.
15Business Bulletin: Monday 24 November 2014
Section E – Written questions lodged on 21 November 2014
Questions marked with a triangle (Δ) are initiated by the Scottish Government
in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.
Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked
with an "R".
S4W-23316 Richard Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government which NHS boards
it has given directions to regarding the performance of their duties under subsections
(1) and (4) of the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011.
S4W-23317 Richard Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government what action it has
taken under section 14 subsection (5) of the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011.
S4W-23318 Richard Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government what reports it has
(a) requested and (b) received and from which NHS boards regarding the
performance of their duties under section 14 subsections (1) and (4) of the Patient
Rights (Scotland) Act 2011.
S4W-23319 Richard Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government how the recording
and management of patient feedback is being incorporated into the operation of, or
aligned with, sections 14 and 15 of the Patient Rights (Scotland) Act 2011.
S4W-23320 Richard Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government when it will report
to the Parliament on the operation of sections 14 and 15 of the Patient Rights
(Scotland) Act 2011.
S4W-23321 Richard Simpson: To ask the Scottish Government how it is ensuring
that NHS board staff are trained in the operation of sections 14 and 15 of the Patient
Rights (Scotland) Act 2011.
S4W-23324 Neil Findlay: To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that
seafarers on vessels contracted by Transport Scotland receive the (a) rate of pay, (b)
pension rights and (c) terms and conditions of employment agreed through the ferry
industry‘s collective bargaining process.
S4W-23325 Neil Findlay: To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that
contracts for ferry services chartered by Transport Scotland stipulate that the owners
of the vessels must abide by the (a) rates of pay, (b) pension rights and (c) terms and
conditions of employment agreed through the ferry industry‘s collective bargaining
process.
17S4W-23326 Neil Findlay: To ask the Scottish Government how much it has cost to
charter ferries on the (a) Northern Isles and (b) Clyde and Hebrides ferry route in
each year since 1993-94.
S4W-23327 Neil Findlay: To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) ratings and
(b) officers are employed on ferries chartered on the (i) Northern Isles and (ii) Clyde
and Hebrides ferry route.
S4W-23328 Neil Findlay: To ask the Scottish Government what the average rate of
pay is for ratings employed on ferries chartered from Seatruck on the (a) Northern
Isles and (b) Clyde and Hebrides ferry route and what (i) employment and (ii) pension
rights they have.
S4W-23331 Neil Findlay: To ask the Scottish Government what the total value is of
the contract for each ferry service chartered from Seatruck, also broken down by how
much has been spent on each to date.
S4W-23339 Neil Findlay: To ask the Scottish Government how many of the
seafarers employed on the ferry services chartered from Seatruck are Scottish.
S4W-23340 John Wilson: To ask the Scottish Government whether it secured
commitments for the (a) employment and (b) training of Scottish seafarers on freight
vessels operated by DFDS on the Rosyth-Zeebrugge route in the memorandum of
understanding (MOU) that it has signed with the company and Forth Ports regarding
the future of services on that route, and whether it will publish a copy of the MOU.
S4W-23341 John Wilson: To ask the Scottish Government what the annual value is
of the contract managed by DFDS for maritime freight services between Rosyth and
Zeebrugge and how many (a) sailings and (b) freight movements there have been on
the route in each month since 2010-11.
S4W-23342 John Wilson: To ask the Scottish Government what the public
contribution has been to the contract managed by DFDS for maritime freight services
on the Rosyth-Zeebrugge route and what the contribution will be in 2015-16.
S4W-23343 John Wilson: To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has
had with the UK Government regarding the impact on Scottish (a) seafarers, (b)
dockers and (c) operators of the sulphur dioxide emissions limits for commercial
ships operating in the North Sea that come into force on 1 January 2015.
S4W-23344 John Wilson: To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has
had with the UK Government regarding the cost of converting vessels on the Rosyth-
Zeebrugge route to comply with the sulphur dioxide emissions limits for commercial
ships operating in the North Sea that come into force on 1 January 2015.
S4W-23345 John Wilson: To ask the Scottish Government whether it sought
assurances regarding the terms and conditions of employment of seafarers working
on the Finlandia Seaways between Rosyth and Zeebrugge in its discussions with
DFDS and Forth Ports on the future of maritime freight services on that route and
18whether it confirmed that these seafarers are covered by a collective bargaining
agreement.
S4W-23346 Jim Eadie: To ask the Scottish Government what the average saving
was in 2013-14 for people who used the national concessionary travel scheme.
S4W-23347 Jim Eadie: To ask the Scottish Government how many people it expects
to become entitled to a concessionary bus pass in 2015-16.
S4W-23348 Jim Eadie: To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an
estimate of the number of bus journeys made by holders of a concessionary bus
pass in the last year.
S4W-23349 Lewis Macdonald: To ask the Scottish Government which agency has
responsibility for (a) investigating and (b) securing prosecutions in cases of fraud,
attempted fraud or conspiracy to defraud via the internet in which the actual or
intended victims live in Scotland.
S4W-23350 Lewis Macdonald: To ask the Scottish Government what action it has
taken to tackle fraud, attempted fraud or conspiracy to defraud via the internet in
which the actual or intended victims live in Scotland.
S4W-23351 Lewis Macdonald: To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it
has issued to public agencies on fraud, attempted fraud or conspiracy to defraud via
the internet in which the actual or intended victims live in Scotland.
S4W-23352 Lewis Macdonald: To ask the Scottish Government what measures it
has taken to ensure effective coordination with other governments or public
agencies, elsewhere in the UK or in other states, on fraud, attempted fraud or
conspiracy to defraud via the internet in which the actual or intended victims live in
Scotland.
S4W-23353 Lewis Macdonald: To ask the Scottish Government which agency has
responsibility for (a) investigating and (b) securing prosecutions in cases of
contraband goods, such as alcohol, tobacco or medical drugs, being advertised for
sale, sold or delivered via the internet in which the actual or potential buyers live in
Scotland.
S4W-23354 Lewis Macdonald: To ask the Scottish Government what action it has
taken to tackle cases of contraband goods, such as alcohol, tobacco or medical
drugs, being advertised for sale, sold or delivered via the internet in which the actual
or potential buyers live in Scotland.
S4W-23355 Lewis Macdonald: To ask the Scottish Government what guidance it
has issued to public agencies on cases of contraband goods, such as alcohol,
tobacco or medical drugs, being advertised for sale, sold or delivered via the internet
in which the actual or potential buyers live in Scotland.
S4W-23356 Lewis Macdonald: To ask the Scottish Government what measures it
has taken to ensure effective coordination with other governments or public
19agencies, elsewhere in the UK or in other states, on cases of contraband goods,
such as alcohol, tobacco or medical drugs, being advertised for sale, sold or
delivered via the internet in which the actual or potential buyers live in Scotland.
S4W-23357 Alison McInnes: To ask the Scottish Government how many people
have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted in cases where the main charge had a
domestic abuse aggravator recorded in each year since 2011-12, also broken down
by (i) disposal and (ii) how many were sent to a prison or young offenders institution.
S4W-23358 Alison McInnes: To ask the Scottish Government how many
convictions for offences with a domestic abuse aggravator in each year since 2011-
12 have been for a repeat offence.
S4W-23359 Alison McInnes: To ask the Scottish Government what meetings
ministers have had regarding the establishment of guidance on the referral to and
provision of restorative justice services, and on what date it will be published.
S4W-23360 Alison McInnes: To ask the Scottish Government how many times the
Saturday courts working group has met and when it will (a) complete its work and (b)
publish its findings.
S4W-23361 Alison McInnes: To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of
(a) sheriff summary and (b) justice of the peace cases was dealt with within 26 weeks
from caution and charge to verdict at the courts in (i) Arbroath, (ii), Cupar, (iii)
Stonehaven, (iv) Forfar, (v) Dundee and (vi) Aberdeen in each (A) year since 2006-
07 and (B) month since May 2013, and what the average time taken was.
S4W-23362 Alison McInnes: To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of
(a) sheriff summary and (b) justice of the peace cases was dealt with within 26 weeks
from caution and charge to verdict at the courts in (i) Annan, (ii) Cumbernauld, (iii)
Irvine, (iv) Motherwell, (v) Portree, (vi) Stornoway, (vii) Wick, (viii) Dornoch, (ix)
Kirkcudbright, (x) Rothesay, (xi) Dumfries, (xii) Coatbridge, (xiii) Kilmarnock, (xiv)
Hamilton, (xv) Tain and (xvi) Greenock in each (A) year since 2006-07 and (B) month
since November 2012, and what the average time taken was.
S4W-23363 Fiona McLeod: To ask the Scottish Government who the members are
and what organisations are represented on the Scottish Independent Living Fund
Project board.
S4W-23364 Liam McArthur: To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide
a breakdown of the buildings in its estate by energy performance certificate rating.
S4W-23365 Liam McArthur: To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide
a breakdown of the renewable energy sources installed in the buildings in its estate
and the dates of installation.
20Business Bulletin: Monday 24 November 2014
Section F – Motions and Amendments
Motions and amendments are normally printed the day after they are lodged. If an
amendment is lodged to a motion then the original motion will appear alongside
the amendment, along with any support lodged that day, in this section.
Each Monday, this section also contains all motions and amendments lodged the
previous week that are still live and any motions and amendments that have been
lodged for debate in the coming week. A motion or amendment is live if it has not
been debated, withdrawn or otherwise deleted from the list.
Where a motion or amendment has been withdrawn, it is indicated in this section
the day after it has been withdrawn. Support for motions and amendments
received after they are lodged is shown at the end of this section the day after
such support is received.
Motions and amendments can be published with various symbols:
Asterisks before the motion or amendment number indicate a motion or
amendment published for the first time;
Asterisks also identify alterations to the text of a motion or amendment
made since it was first published;
A hash symbol identifies motions eligible for debate at Members’ Business;
A diamond symbol identifies motions lodged for Members’ Business that
have not yet attracted the required cross-party support;
An "R", identifies motions or amendments in which the Member who lodged
it has a registrable interest.
The Parliamentary Bureau periodically deletes motions or amendments not
scheduled for debate and which are over six weeks old.
A search facility is also available on the Scottish Parliament web site at
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.
Any questions in relation to this section should be directed to the Chamber Desk,
for which contact details are provided at the end of the Bulletin.
21New and altered motions and amendments
*S4M-11655 Sarah Boyack: Second Anniversary of the Fire at the Tazreen
Fashions Factory—That the Parliament notes that 24 November 2014 marks the
second anniversary of the tragic fire at the Tazreen factory in Dhaka in Bangladesh;
understands that the fire claimed at least 112 lives and that hundreds more were
injured; is concerned that the victims and their loved ones have yet to be fully
compensated for the preventable disaster; notes the work of Scottish Education and
Action for Development (SEAD) to highlight the impact of failure of high street
retailers to provide compensation to the survivors of the disaster, and welcomes its
work in negotiations to establish a compensation process based on the system
developed for the victims of the Rana Plaza disaster, which will include medical
examinations and assessment of treatment to ensure no more survivors will suffer
unnecessarily as a result of their injuries.
*S4M-11654 Hanzala Malik: Nicola Sturgeon’s Cabinet Reshuffle 50/50 between
Women and Men—That the Parliament notes and welcomes the Cabinet reshuffle
announced on 21 November 2014; recognises that there is now a gender balance in
the Scottish Cabinet; congratulates the new cabinet secretaries on their posts, and
looks forward to achieving an ethnically balanced Cabinet in the future.
*S4M-11653 Cara Hilton: Celebrating Andrew Carnegie Day 2014—That the
Parliament notes that Andrew Carnegie Day will be marked in Dunfermline on 25
November 2014; understands this is the second time his birth will be marked in this
way; believes that it will be a celebration of the life and achievements of
Dunfermline‘s most famous son and will explore themes that his legacy has inspired,
including enterprise, lifelong education, philanthropy and peace; understands that the
day will put Dunfermline at the centre of global celebrations and will include an
enterprise breakfast for local business and social entrepreneurs, community
organisations and students keen to celebrate his legacy in Dunfermline, Fife and
worldwide; understands that there will be a civic reception at which there will be a
video link with New York and Pittsburgh to celebrate the strong connections between
Dunfermline and Carnegie‘s legacy in the USA; notes that there will also be museum
tours, guided walks and other events and that the day will conclude with a panel
discussion, Peace and Reconciling the Past, which will be hosted by the
Dunfermline-born filmmaker, Richard Jobson, and will have as panellists Baroness
Shirley Williams and Professor Ilan Pappé, the historian and author of The Ethnic
Cleansing of Palestine; understands that the panel will explore how to establish
dialogues between communities riven by centuries of historic conflict; congratulates
Visit Dunfermline, Fife College, Previously…Scotland‘s History Festival and the
Carnegie Conference Centre on organising and promoting what it considers an
exciting day of events to Fife businesses, staff and students of Fife College, schools
and the community; believes that this annual event is an innovative way of promoting
Carnegie‘s legacy by providing support and education for people in Dunfermline, Fife
and throughout the world, and wishes Andrew Carnegie Day 2014 every success.
*S4M-11652 John Mason: The Centenary of William McGhie—That the
Parliament notes the centenary of the birth of the Reverend William McGhie from
Shettleston in Glasgow, who was born on 23 November 1914; celebrates what it
considers the Reverend McGhie‘s enthusiastic contribution to the establishment of an
22independent Jamaica, including his unique role in introducing the Saltire in the design
of Jamaica‘s iconic flag, and welcomes the efforts of Flag Up Scotland Jamaica to
raise awareness of the historic links between the two nations and to develop what it
believes is the positive relationship between the nations.
Supported by: Kenneth Gibson*, Hanzala Malik*, Bill Kidd*, Kevin Stewart*
*S4M-11651 Hanzala Malik: More Women in Scotland Saving Adequately for
Retirement—That the Parliament notes and welcomes that the number of women in
Scotland who are saving adequately for their retirement has risen sharply as a result
of recent pension reforms, according to a report; understands that Scottish Widows
said that half of the female population was now preparing adequately, up from 44%
last year, and attributed the rise to significant changes in pensions regulations,
including auto-enrolment; notes, however, that the report said that the gender
pension gap had widened in the past year and that the proportion of Scottish men
preparing adequately for retirement had jumped from 49% in 2013 to 60% in 2014,
and notes that a retirement expert said "While it is still early days, the recent pension
reforms are clearly helping more women in Scotland to save more for retirement, and
to recognise the importance of starting this as early as possible."
*S4M-11650 Hanzala Malik: Forensic Archaeologists Begin Work at the
Mackintosh Library—That the Parliament notes that forensic archaeologists have
started to sift through the ashes of the fire-damaged Mackintosh Library at the
Glasgow School of Art; understands that the experts hope to find items that can be
restored or provide information that will help toward the restoration of the building,
which is considered one of the world‘s finest examples of art nouveau, and wishes
them every success in their endeavours.
Supported by: Patricia Ferguson*, Kenneth Gibson*, Fiona McLeod*, Liam
McArthur*, Jim Hume*, Liz Smith*, Nanette Milne*, Kevin Stewart*, Richard
Simpson*, Anne McTaggart*
*S4M-11649 Hanzala Malik: Scotland’s Job Market Continues to Improve—That
the Parliament believes that Scotland‘s jobs market continued to improve in October
2014 as business confidence remained high; notes that, according to the latest Bank
of Scotland report on jobs, the month saw sharp increases in permanent placements
and salaries but that growth eased in the temporary jobs market, reaching its slowest
level in five months; understands that the bank‘s labour market barometer also
remained high, with a reading of 65.0, the fourth highest in the survey history, and
believes that this indicates a marked improvement in labour market conditions.
Supported by: Liam McArthur*, Anne McTaggart*
*S4M-11648 Kezia Dugdale: 10th Anniversary of Parenting across Scotland—
That the Parliament congratulates Parenting across Scotland on its 10th anniversary;
commends the organisation for its work in providing support for children and families
in Scotland; acknowledges that the organisation wants to celebrate the people at the
centre of its work, mums, dads, carers and families; welcomes support for the
organisation‘s 10th anniversary event, which will take place at the Parliament on 4
December 2014, and wishes the organisation success in the years to come.
23Supported by: Hanzala Malik*, Jackie Baillie*, Jayne Baxter*, Liz Smith*, Nanette
Milne*, Graeme Dey*, Iain Gray*, Elaine Murray*, Kenneth Gibson*, Malcolm
Chisholm*, Kevin Stewart*, Anne McTaggart*
*S4M-11647 Rob Gibson: Building Alzheimer-friendly Communities—That the
Parliament congratulates Reshaping Care for Older People, The Capstone Centre
and Creativity in Care, which are based in Easter Ross, on their work to create
Alzheimer-friendly communities; recognises what it sees as the difficulties that can be
faced by people with Alzheimer‘s and their ability to remain active members of
society and take up hobbies such as artistic expression; encourages more
development and the greater expansion of Alzheimer-friendly communities;
welcomes further work to cure or mitigate the effects of Alzheimer‘s disease;
recognises the work of the NHS, local authorities, Alzheimer Scotland and other
groups in helping to fund Alzheimer-friendly communities; congratulates people
working in the communities on what it sees as their success so far, and wishes the
communities all the best for their continuance in the future.
Supported by: Bill Kidd*, Kenneth Gibson*, Fiona McLeod*, Joan McAlpine*, Stuart
McMillan*, Dennis Robertson*, Hanzala Malik*, Kevin Stewart*, Annabelle Ewing*
*S4M-11646 Margaret McDougall: Observer Status for Taiwan—That the
Parliament notes that, in 2013, Taiwan was invited to attend the 38th Session of the
Assembly of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a guest under the
name, Chinese Taipei; believes that, as a result of this, Taiwan‘s capability and
efficiency in regulating and servicing civil aviation was strengthened and that the
rights and benefits of passengers became better protected; understands with
disappointment that it continues to be excluded from the UN Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC); notes that, under the UNFCCC, countries are
currently negotiating a new agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol and that this is
expected to be signed in 2015 and come into force in 2020; believes that, if this is to
succeed, it must be inclusive and seek the coordination of all nations; understands
that, with 23 million citizens, Taiwan is vulnerable to global warming; believes that it
should therefore be included in these discussions and in any new obligations that
arise; further believes that Taiwan would boost the global fight against climate
change; considers that the invitation extended to it to attend the 38th ICAO assembly
demonstrates that that body understands the necessity for Taiwan to be included in
UN obligations, and believes that Taiwan should be invited to attend, or at least be
given observer status, in all UNFCCC and ICAO activities.
Supported by: Anne McTaggart*, Kenneth Gibson*, Liam McArthur*, John Lamont*
*S4M-11645 Graeme Dey: Dundee and Angus College Lecturer Wins National
Award—That the Parliament congratulates Susan Ettershank, of Dundee and Angus
College, who has been named Appointee of the Year at the Scottish Qualifications
Authority Star Awards; understands that these awards are unique in recognising the
achievements of the candidates working toward SQA qualifications and the people
and centres that enable candidates to realise their potential; notes that Susan has
over 30 years‘ experience and teaches human resources, communication and social
science subjects from Intermediate 1 level through to HND, and recognises with
24pleasure that it was Susan‘s commitment to delivering and supporting the Higher
psychology course that impressed the judges most.
Supported by: Joan McAlpine*, Stuart McMillan*, Dennis Robertson*, Chic Brodie*,
Bill Kidd*, Kevin Stewart*, Rob Gibson*, Kenneth Gibson*, Annabelle Ewing*
*S4M-11644 Clare Adamson: Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week—That the
Parliament recognises that the week of 17 to 23 November 2014 is Carbon Monoxide
Awareness Week, which aims to increase people‘s knowledge of carbon monoxide
and encourage the installation of audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarms; understands
that many cases of CO poisoning in the UK last year were from disposable
barbeques and outdoor gas burners; congratulates Scotland Gas Networks (SGN) on
working to promote education and awareness regarding CO safety, and further
recognises what it considers SGN‘s passionate campaign to make CO alarms
mandatory where carbon-burning appliances are installed.
Supported by: Joan McAlpine*, Jackie Baillie*, Dennis Robertson*, Stuart McMillan*,
Bill Kidd*, Kevin Stewart*, Graeme Dey*, Elaine Murray*, Kenneth Gibson*, Fiona
McLeod*, Rob Gibson*, Annabelle Ewing*
S4M-11643 David Torrance: Transgender Day of Remembrance—That the
Parliament recognises Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is taking place on
20 November 2014; understands that this day is for commemorating people who
have lost their lives as a result of anti-transgender violence and hate crime as well as
reflecting on the discriminatory attitudes that still exist in society and acknowledging
the tragic consequences that these can inflict on transgender people in Scotland and
all over the world; welcomes the commitment of LGBT Youth Scotland, the Scottish
Transgender Alliance and the LGBT National Youth Council (NYC) in raising
awareness and educating people across the country on the issue; understands that
NYC has also initiated a campaign called Time For T.E.A. (Transgender Education
Awareness), which aims to extend educational links and provide useful materials to
schools; strongly believes that such efforts are a necessary step toward a more
inclusive society in which each individual can express themselves through their own
means without facing prejudices and transphobia, and wishes the above-mentioned
organisations success in any future campaigns.
Supported by: Joan McAlpine, Drew Smith, Annabelle Ewing, Jean Urquhart*, Gil
Paterson*, Colin Beattie*, Dennis Robertson*, Kevin Stewart*, Stuart McMillan*,
Christina McKelvie*, Margaret McCulloch*, Mike MacKenzie*, Richard Lyle*, Adam
Ingram*, Rob Gibson*, Fiona McLeod*
S4M-11642 Richard Lochhead: Scotland Act 1998 (Functions Exercisable in or
as Regards Scotland) Order 2015 [draft]—That the Rural Affairs, Climate Change
and Environment Committee recommends that the Scotland Act 1998 (Functions
Exercisable in or as Regards Scotland) Order 2015 [draft] be approved.
Supported by: Paul Wheelhouse
S4M-11641 Alex Neil: Marriage Between Civil Partners (Procedure for Change
and Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 [draft]—That the Equal Opportunities
25Committee recommends that the Marriage Between Civil Partners (Procedure for
Change and Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 [draft] be approved.
Supported by: Michael Matheson
S4M-11640 Jackie Baillie: #ImTesting, National HIV Testing Week—That the
Parliament welcomes National HIV Testing Week, which runs from 22 to 30
November 2014; understands that this is a major nationwide event that aims to
encourage people to be tested for HIV; supports the #ImTesting campaign, which
reflects what it considers everyone‘s responsibility for playing their part and getting
tested; understands that, while over 4,000 people are diagnosed with HIV in
Scotland, a third of people living with it do not know their status, and continues to
support the work of the third sector in continuing to raise awareness both of testing
and safer sex.
Supported by: Patricia Ferguson, Richard Simpson, Sarah Boyack, Kenneth Gibson,
Elaine Murray, Mary Fee, Liam McArthur, Richard Lyle, Neil Findlay, Anne
McTaggart, Jayne Baxter, Cara Hilton*, Colin Beattie*, Stuart McMillan*, Kevin
Stewart*, Fiona McLeod*
S4M-11639 Jackie Baillie: 100th Changing Places Toilet Installed in Scotland—
That the Parliament congratulates PAMIS and the Changing Places Consortium on
the ongoing installation of the 100th Changing Places toilet in Scotland at the BT
Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh; understands that opening celebrations are
planned for 9 December 2014; recognises that this achievement fulfils
recommendation 44 of The Keys to Life, Scotland‘s learning disability strategy, ahead
of its goal of 100 Changing Places toilets in Scotland by June 2015; notes that
accessibility of changing facilities can increase social inclusion for disabled people
and highlights the importance of the Changing Places campaign to this end, and
applauds PAMIS and partner organisations on their eight years of work to increase
the availability of Changing Places toilets across Scotland.
Supported by: Patricia Ferguson, Joan McAlpine, Richard Simpson, Annabelle
Ewing, Hanzala Malik, Margaret McCulloch, Elaine Murray, Liam McArthur, Graeme
Dey, Richard Lyle, Neil Findlay, Anne McTaggart, Jayne Baxter, Colin Beattie*, Cara
Hilton*, Kevin Stewart*, John Mason*
S4M-11638 Paul Martin: Congratulations to Dennistoun Photographers—That
the Parliament congratulates Dennistoun Photographers on receiving a £9,029
Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund; understands that the group will use
the money to purchase equipment, hold three exhibitions and attend two others, and
considers that this project will bring people together while helping them to learn.
Supported by: Sarah Boyack, Drew Smith, Annabelle Ewing, Patricia Ferguson,
Hanzala Malik, Margaret McCulloch, Richard Lyle, Anne McTaggart, Colin Beattie*
S4M-11637 Paul Martin: The Prince’s Trust and Samsung Celebrate Success
Awards—That the Parliament congratulates Kevin Connolly and Dani Boyd on being
nominated for The Prince‘s Trust and Samsung Celebrate Success Awards; notes
that Kevin, from Cranhill, has been shortlisted for the Arnold Clark Flying Start
26Award, and Dani, of Smithycroft Secondary School, for the ISSOS International
Educational Achiever of the Year; considers that both are great ambassadors for the
scheme and an inspiration to other young people, and wishes them every success at
the awards ceremony in Glasgow.
Supported by: Roderick Campbell, Sarah Boyack, Drew Smith, Annabelle Ewing,
Jackie Baillie, Patricia Ferguson, Hanzala Malik, Margaret McCulloch, Liz Smith,
Nanette Milne, Richard Lyle, Anne McTaggart, Colin Beattie*
S4M-11636 Willie Coffey: Congratulations to Angela Alexander—That the
Parliament congratulates the student president of Ayrshire College, Angela
Alexander, on what it considers an outstanding achievement in picking up an array of
awards during her graduation ceremony at Kilmarnock‘s Grand Hall on 7 November
2014; acknowledges that these awards included Sports and Social Science Student
of the Year, Overall Student of the Year for the Kilmarnock Campus and an SQA Star
Award for College Candidate of the Year presented later the same day at Glasgow
Clyde College, all in addition to graduating with an HND in Coaching and Developing
Sport; notes that these awards are just the latest that Angela has received following
success at the East Ayrshire Active Schools Volunteer of the Year Awards Ceremony
in June and helping Ayrshire College win the Volunteer Champion Award at
sportscotland‘s Scottish Student Sport awards ceremony a week later; considers
Angela to be a fantastic role model to both her fellow students and the pupils with
whom she volunteered while helping disabled children, and wishes her all the best in
completing her honours degree in Sport Studies, which she plans to begin next year.
S4M-11635 Alison Johnstone: ‘Previously…’, Scotland’s History Festival—That
the Parliament celebrates ‗Previously…‘, Scotland‘s History Festival and the largest
festival of its kind in the UK; notes that the festival is now in its fourth year and
includes events in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Moffat, Dunfermline and St Andrews;
wishes this year‘s festival, which began on 13 November 2014 and will run until St
Andrew‘s Day, continuing success; supports the festival‘s efforts to demonstrate that
history ―isn‘t about dusty rooms or books but about vibrant, informative, incredible,
terrifying, heart-stopping and engaging stories‖; welcomes the support provided by
the festival‘s range of sponsors and partners, and believes that festivals such as
‗Previously…‘ are worthy of public support.
Supported by: Kenneth Gibson, Joan McAlpine, Dennis Robertson, Jackie Baillie,
Hanzala Malik, Bill Kidd, Fiona McLeod, Kevin Stewart, Mike MacKenzie, Jayne
Baxter, Anne McTaggart, Gil Paterson, Sarah Boyack, Annabelle Ewing, Elaine
Murray, John Finnie, Jean Urquhart, Rob Gibson, Richard Lyle, Colin Beattie*, John
Mason*
S4M-11634 David Torrance: Congratulations to Kirkcaldy War Veteran—That the
Parliament congratulates the war veteran, Tommy Lawson, from Kirkcaldy on
receiving a Russian medal for his service in the Royal Navy during the Second World
War; acknowledges that Mr Lawson, now 89, was presented with the Ushakov
medal, an award for bravery, to honour the role that he played in keeping Russian
forces supplied on the Eastern Front throughout the conflict; understands that Mr
Lawson risked his life several times and braved freezing conditions while on Arctic
convoys under constant threat of attack, described by Winston Churchill as the worst
27journey in the world; understands that Mr Lawson was also awarded the British Arctic
Star medal last year in recognition of his service during the war, and believes that he
is a deserving winner of these medals in light of his bravery and commitment to
serving his country.
Supported by: Stuart McMillan, Liz Smith, Nanette Milne, Jackie Baillie, Joan
McAlpine, Roderick Campbell, Bill Kidd, Gil Paterson, Annabelle Ewing, Elaine
Murray, Adam Ingram, Rob Gibson, Mike MacKenzie, Richard Lyle, Colin Beattie*,
Kevin Stewart*
S4M-11633 Colin Beattie: Volunteer Midlothian Awarded £4,000—That the
Parliament congratulates Volunteer Midlothian on its Connect Online project being
awarded £4,000 from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland‘s Henry Duncan
Awards; notes that the organisation provides IT tuition for older people, offers home
visits, runs computer clubs and provides iPad learning courses; believes that this
offers its service users the opportunity to develop new skills; understands that it also
aims to reduce feelings of social isolation, and, in applauding Volunteer Midlothian on
its efforts to help older people and maintain their independence, wishes it all the best.
Supported by: Chic Brodie, Bill Kidd, Fiona McLeod, Joan McAlpine, Kevin Stewart,
Adam Ingram, David Torrance, Anne McTaggart, Annabelle Ewing, Rob Gibson,
Mike MacKenzie, Richard Lyle, Dennis Robertson*
S4M-11632 David Torrance: Congratulations to Gallatown Nursery on Green
Flag Award—That the Parliament congratulates Gallatown Nursery in Kirkcaldy on
receiving a Green Flag award for the first time; understands that this follows it
receiving a glowing report from the Eco-School‘s assessor in September 2014 in
which the children were praised for their impressive efforts and that the nursery will
now be used as a model to promote good practice; notes that the children have been
involved in numerous activities in their attempts to make their community a cleaner
and greener place to live, including developing habitats for the wildlife in the
nursery‘s garden and promoting recycling and anti-littering campaigns; considers that
the staff and children have set a shining example in how to adopt eco-friendly
measures to help protect the natural environment, and hopes that they will inspire
other nurseries, schools and community organisations to follow in their footsteps.
Supported by: Liz Smith, Stuart McMillan, Annabelle Ewing, Colin Beattie, Bill Kidd,
Joan McAlpine, Kevin Stewart, Mike MacKenzie, Adam Ingram, Dennis Robertson,
Christian Allard, Richard Lyle, Rob Gibson, Jayne Baxter, Gil Paterson
S4M-11631 David Torrance: Congratulations to Nicola Wallace for Technology
Teachers Association Awards—That the Parliament congratulates Nicola Wallace,
a student from Kirkland High School, on receiving a certificate of excellence at the
recent Scottish Technology Teachers Association awards for having manufactured a
wooden cabinet during her fifth year; understands that the Technology Teachers
Association (TTA) was founded in 1955 and hosts an annual ceremony aimed at
identifying pupils with particular talent and skills in the subjects of metalwork,
engineering and graphic communication; notes that, during the selection process,
judges focussed not only on high quality and excellence in construction and finish but
also on detailed and clear supporting documents describing the construction process,
28all of which were provided by Nicola; welcomes the TTA‘s efforts in fostering
awareness of these practical subjects, as, it considers, the country depends heavily
on people possessing such skills and creativity; recognises that Nicola was one of
the youngest contestants at the awards, and wishes her the best of luck for her future
projects.
Supported by: Annabelle Ewing, Colin Keir, Colin Beattie, Bill Kidd, Joan McAlpine,
Stuart McMillan, Mike MacKenzie, Adam Ingram, Dennis Robertson, Christian Allard,
Richard Lyle, Rob Gibson, Jayne Baxter, Gil Paterson, Kevin Stewart
S4M-11630 Maureen Watt: Domestic Abuse Day of Action in Aberdeenshire and
Moray—That the Parliament welcomes the Domestic Abuse Day of Action in
Aberdeenshire and Moray, which took place on 20 November 2014; understands that
teams of officers carried out checks at properties to ensure the safety of victims of
domestic abuse and to track down offenders; commends Police Scotland on working
with organisations such as Domestic Abuse Outreach and recognises that domestic
abuse remains a serious issue in Scotland; joins Detective Inspector Topping in
urging people to speak out if they are in an abusive relationship or if they believe that
someone they know is being abused, and highlights that there is help and support
available for people affected by domestic abuse.
Supported by: Alex Johnstone, Jackie Baillie, Patricia Ferguson, Annabelle Ewing,
Fiona McLeod, Nanette Milne, Liz Smith, Chic Brodie, Kenneth Gibson, Colin Beattie,
Bill Kidd, Joan McAlpine, Kevin Stewart, Stuart McMillan, Christina McKelvie, Mike
MacKenzie, Adam Ingram, Graeme Dey, Christian Allard, Dennis Robertson, Aileen
McLeod, John Wilson, Mary Scanlon, Richard Lyle, Rob Gibson, Anne McTaggart,
David Torrance, Gil Paterson, Roderick Campbell
S4M-11629♦ Kenneth Gibson: Cunninghame Housing Association’s Highly
Successful Lemon Aid Initiative—That the Parliament expresses its support for the
Lemon Aid Fuel Poverty Initiative by Citrus Energy, which is a wholly owned social
enterprise subsidiary of Cunninghame Housing Association (CHA); understands that
Citrus Energy was established in 2013 to help businesses and home energy users to
reduce their energy cost and consumption and that, after securing further funding
from the Scottish Government‘s People and Communities Fund and the Big Lottery‘s
Support and Connect Fund, CHA established the Lemon Aid Fuel Poverty Initiative
aimed at both addressing fuel poverty in Ayrshire and beyond and creating local
employment; understands that, based on the social return on investment report
published in August 2014, the initiative has had a significant positive impact on the
lives of its customers, both mentally and monetarily; considers that, by ensuring the
most efficient and effective use of energy by Scottish residents, Lemon Aid services
have resulted in increased disposable and taxable income for customers equivalent
to 6.2 times the level of investment, reduced health costs by reducing health
problems associated with poorly heated homes and, through employment, Lemon
Aid has reduced governmental costs associated with unemployment and
homelessness; congratulates what it sees as the highly innovative and imaginative
Cunninghame Housing Association on its successful ventures with Citrus Energy
and, specifically, the Lemon Aid Fuel Poverty Initiative, and believes that this model
can be successfully implemented beyond Ayrshire to provide important services to
more communities across Scotland.
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