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Chamber and committees

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 12 July 2025
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Displaying 2881 contributions

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Education, Children and Young People Committee

“Higher History Review 2024”

Meeting date: 19 February 2025

John Mason

I raised a similar point with history teachers when they came to the committee. I had an email from one history teacher whose attitude was that it should all be so clear that, if he taught or tutored a pupil, they would be guaranteed to get an A or whatever it might be. That worried me a bit, because it strikes me that we do not want to look at history in a very narrow way like that. I was looking at the purpose and aims of the course, and the first aim is for candidates to develop a conceptual understanding of the past and an ability to think independently. I accept that that is a difficult thing to examine, but if we are tied into exactly this part of Scottish history, the independence wars, the great war, immigration, slavery or whatever it might be, we are not going to end up with the ability to think independently, are we?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Subordinate Legislation

Meeting date: 19 February 2025

John Mason

Following on from that point, I note that, normally, fees would be charged to cover costs. However, in this case, the decision has been being made for them to be below cost. Can you explain the thinking behind that?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

“Higher History Review 2024”

Meeting date: 19 February 2025

John Mason

Among the other things that we have heard from teachers, specifically from SATH, there has been a suggestion that teachers, particularly markers, have not really understood the standards for history during the past few years. Pupils find it difficult to answer questions and there has been a suggestion that teachers are unsure how to teach the higher course. What is your comment on those points?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

“Higher History Review 2024”

Meeting date: 19 February 2025

John Mason

Do you think that teachers are better placed this year than they were last year? Are they feeling more comfortable this year?

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 18 February 2025

John Mason

Can we forget about VAT assignment?

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 18 February 2025

John Mason

The most recent review was not a major review. Do you think that it counts as one in the cycle?

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 18 February 2025

John Mason

I accept that we have a slightly larger public sector, but the rest of the UK is not getting 100 per cent either, is it? GPs there are not getting anything.

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 18 February 2025

John Mason

In some longer-term projections, a £701 million negative reconciliation could come up at some point. Does that concern you? The fiscal framework does not allow us to borrow that kind of money.

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 18 February 2025

John Mason

In its future forecasts, the Scottish Funding Council was looking 50 years ahead, which I accept is quite a long time. I understand that the Government is looking a maximum of five years ahead, so there does seem to be a gap.

Finance and Public Administration Committee

Budget Scrutiny 2025-26

Meeting date: 18 February 2025

John Mason

That is fair enough.

I have one question on the subject of council tax—before Ross Greer gets there. You say that you are looking for consensus on council tax, but what is “consensus”? Is it 100 per cent agreement or an agreement between four parties?