Official Report: search what was said in Parliament
The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Filter your results Hide all filters
Displaying 928 contributions
|
Meeting of the Parliament
Scottish Constitution
Meeting date: 27 June 2023
Foysol Choudhury
No.
The Scottish Government could be tackling waiting times in the NHS, helping the people of Scotland to pay their bills or addressing social and health inequalities. However, as Willie Rennie mentioned, the SNP does not want to face the hard reality of the issues that people in Scotland face. That is why, as Sharon Dowey pointed out, we often struggle to get ministers to the chamber to address such issues.
Instead, the SNP is doubling down on the politics of division. Scottish Labour’s constitutional offer would strengthen devolution, not weaken or undermine it. It would ensure that the Government focused on the principle that power should be based as near as possible to the place in which it is exercised. It would focus on moving power into the hands of local authorities and communities.
Neil Bibby spoke about the £6 billion in cuts to local government budgets. Scottish Labour would ensure fairer funding for communities. That is the reality that Scottish Labour offers—not an ideological pipe dream of independence, which has little more support than it had in 2014.
Meeting of the Parliament
Scottish Constitution
Meeting date: 27 June 2023
Foysol Choudhury
No—I have a long list to go through.
Scotland is not a colony. At the SNP convention at the weekend, Mhairi Black MP referred to Scotland becoming the 63rd country to gain independence from the UK. Such rhetoric followed an SNP MSP commenting in the chamber last year that it was “beyond belief” that a Labour MSP would support a motion celebrating Indian independence but not support Scottish independence.
In Kenya, during the Mau Mau uprising in 1952, there were widespread reports of detention camps, torture, sexual assault and brutal bodily harm. During colonial rule in India, the Amritsar massacre of 1919 saw protesters against colonial rule brought inside a walled garden and fired on until the guns ran out of ammunition. British rule also saw widespread famine and poverty. In 1943, up to 4 million Bengalis starved to death while millions of tonnes of wheat were exported to Britain. Are we actually comparing that to Scotland’s relationship with the UK?
Meeting of the Parliament
Scottish Constitution
Meeting date: 27 June 2023
Foysol Choudhury
Will the minister give way?
Meeting of the Parliament
Scottish Constitution
Meeting date: 27 June 2023
Foysol Choudhury
The debate could have been used to discuss the crisis in our NHS and how children are having to wait months for routine medical tests or to discuss how to help students who are threatened with homelessness because of rising energy costs and housing supply issues. We could have discussed education reform, which is much needed, or local government budget cuts. Instead, we are debating independence again. The document brings nothing new to the table; in fact, it is the fourth of its kind.
Meeting of the Parliament
Topical Question Time
Meeting date: 20 June 2023
Foysol Choudhury
At the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee meeting last week, the minister praised the expertise and experience of the approximately 60 staff who now have no idea whether they will be paid or have a job. Is the minister concerned about the impact that those job losses will have on the implementation of DRS?
Meeting of the Parliament
Portfolio Question Time
Meeting date: 15 June 2023
Foysol Choudhury
A recent Marine Conservation Society report noted that only 4 per cent of Scotland’s sewage discharge points are monitored. The overspilling of sewage and recent heavy rainfall have left water in Leith being potentially dangerous. Residents have no idea what impact that is having on their health or their environment. Will the cabinet secretary commit to having the water in Leith tested by a public body so that the residents can know the condition of their water?
Meeting of the Parliament
First Minister’s Question Time
Meeting date: 15 June 2023
Foysol Choudhury
In February this year, the Minister for Community Safety confirmed that the car wash sector was high risk for labour exploitation. The minister also confirmed that 39 premises were attended by police across the country and that a number of offences were detected, and persons safeguarded.
In light of that, will the First Minister advise whether the Scottish Government would consider implementing a licensing scheme for car washes in Scotland to ensure that practices such as human trafficking and modern slavery are prevented in that trade?
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Continued Petitions
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Foysol Choudhury
Is this published, or has the information been given to the people in the area? Do you still think that 2025 is achievable?
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Continued Petitions
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Foysol Choudhury
It is to develop this point.
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
New Petitions
Meeting date: 14 June 2023
Foysol Choudhury
I will just add that I wrote to the minister to ask for a meeting about the West Lothian swimming pool closures. At that time, she did not have time for us to meet. I would like to keep the petition open and to ask questions about what the Scottish Government is doing to support swimming pools.
