Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises the exceptional contribution of Pippa and Alasdair Swan to Dunbar Community Council over the past decade; notes that Pippa joined the council in 2014, becoming chair in 2018, while Alasdair has served as treasurer for approximately 10 years; commends their leadership in reviving Dunbar Civic Week, supporting the town centre economy, and overseeing a range of projects, including the restoration of the 25-pounder gun, the establishment of the book barn in Lauderdale Park, and improvements to the High Street; thanks them for their commitment, energy and practical focus, and wishes them well for the future.

That the Parliament notes with concern the reported findings of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) regarding repeated leaks of radioactive waste water from the Coulport nuclear weapons facility into Loch Long in recent years; understands that SEPA attributes these incidents to shortfalls in maintenance and asset management, including the failure to replace ageing infrastructure, with up to half of the components at the base reportedly beyond their design life at the time of the leaks; acknowledges that there was a pipe burst in 2010, and that flooding in a nuclear weapons processing area in August 2019 led to the release of low levels of tritium, a radioactive substance used in warheads, into the marine environment; is aware that there were reportedly two further pipe bursts in 2021; considers that repeated failures to maintain equipment, including the “sub-optimal” plans to replace 1,500 old pipes, pose serious risks to environmental and public health; believes that the lack of transparency and accountability in managing these risks is unacceptable, and calls on the UK Government to ensure that robust safeguards are in place to protect communities and ecosystems; believes that the closure of this facility would be better still, and urges the UK Government to remove all nuclear weapons from Scotland at the earliest possible date.

That the Parliament congratulates the Isle of Lewis Cancer Research UK Committee on being shortlisted for BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal’s Make a Difference Award; acknowledges that the committee celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, and commends and thanks the Committee for its tireless work in raising over £1.2 million through community-driven events over the years to help beat cancer for good.

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the inaugural Edinburgh Finance Festival, taking place from 15 to 26 September 2025, which will bring together over 2,500 delegates from the global finance, tech and energy sectors; understands that the festival is estimated to generate around £1 million in gross added value for the local economy through spending on accommodation, hospitality and venues; recognises that the festival will include major events, such as Scottish Renewables’ Onshore Wind Conference, the FinTech Scotland Festival, and the tenth Ethical Finance Global Summit, with a focus on green finance, sustainable growth and the energy transition; notes that the event is organised by the Global Ethical Finance Initiative, which is committed to building a fairer financial system that prioritises people and the planet, and recognises what it sees as Edinburgh’s growing international reputation as a leading hub for ethical and sustainable finance.

That the Parliament welcomes the designation of the Scapa Flow site and the Queen of Sweden wreck site as Historical Marine Assets; notes that the Scapa Flow site holds the largest amount of warship wrecks and artefacts in the UK; further notes that the Queen of Sweden wreck site contains one of the best preserved artefacts of a Swedish East India Company Ship in the waters around Scotland; understands that, under this designation, it becomes a criminal offence to remove, alter or disturb these sites; further understands that this move has been welcomed by both Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council leadership, and celebrates these measures to protect these historical sites, helping to ensure preservation and that future generations can learn and explore from these areas.

That the Parliament condemns plans to take control of Gaza City approved by Israel's security cabinet.

That the Parliament is deeply concerned by the reported murder of Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pele", who was reportedly killed by Israeli occupation forces during an attack on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid; notes with distress the reports that over 400 Palestinian footballers have been killed by what it sees as Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza since 2023, and calls on UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israeli national teams and clubs from all international football competitions, including the World Cup, until the occupation of Palestine is ended.

That the Parliament believes that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.

That the Parliament acknowledges the passing of Grangemouth’s John Anderson on 23 July 2025 at 76 years old; understands that John undertook important work for major industries in the Falkirk area, in his work as a technician, contracted to work for BP then INEOS for over two decades; believes that John’s ability with technical and mechanical skills led to him becoming an invaluable member of the International Rescue Corps (IRC), which was formed in 1981, with the IRC becoming operational in 1985; notes that from 1985, the IRC had undertaken missions both in the UK and internationally, working alongside various agencies at the sites of international devastation and crisis, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods; commends John for his work locally and internationally via the International Rescue Corps, and extends its sympathies to his family, friends and all those within the wider community who mourn his loss.

That the Parliament celebrates the Glorious Twelfth, which is marked annually on 12 August, and is the official start of the grouse shooting season in Scotland; welcomes the publication of British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) Scotland’s latest report, The Natural Capital Benefits of Shooting, which states that Scotland’s shooting sector delivers more than £246 million in annual natural capital benefits; understands that shooting in Scotland is worth £340 million (GVA) to the UK economy, and the equivalent of 5,600 jobs, and that it generates £780 million of wider economic activity; recognises the year-round work of gamekeepers and land managers in protecting and enhancing Scotland’s moorlands and their rich biodiversity; believes that estates spend more than £7.4 million each year on contractors, keeping rural businesses alive even in non-shooting periods; praises gamekeepers for their recent efforts in helping to combat the recent spate of wildfires across Moray and the north east of Scotland, and wishes all those involved in managing in Scotland’s uplands the very best for the season ahead.