Meeting of the Parliament
Meeting date: Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Official Report
797KB pdf
Presiding Officer’s Statement
Before we start today’s business, I would like to make a few remarks.
In recent days, we have passed a number of important hurdles in the debate on Scotland’s constitutional future. The two Governments have reached an agreement, the section 30 order has been laid before both Parliaments and this Parliament has established a new committee—which has now had its first meeting—to look into those matters.
There is a great deal of interest in the work of the Parliament, from both within and outwith Scotland. It is therefore important that we set the correct tone in our debates and in our other parliamentary engagement.
Members will recall the words of our first First Minister, the late Donald Dewar, in his opening speech to the Parliament. He said:
“This is about more than our politics and our laws. This is about who we are, how we carry ourselves.”
I agree. This is Scotland’s national Parliament and, as such, the Presiding Officers are determined to ensure that the public are proud of the manner in which we conduct ourselves and engage with the challenging issues ahead. I am confident that we will have the support of all parliamentarians in that.
Finally, let me say a few words about the use of language and the conduct that I expect of all members in the chamber. Although context is critical, there are certain words that I consider to be unparliamentary by their very nature. I recognise that some members will seek to be creative, and we will therefore make our judgments according to the circumstances at the time. We will not seek to inhibit debate and the legitimate holding of the Government to account, but I remind all members to consider very carefully their choice of words and the tone in which they are delivered.