Chamber and committees

That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill, introduced in the House of Lords on 19 July 2021 relating to enabling devolved judicial offices to be added to a judicial pension scheme at the request of the Scottish Ministers, the increase in the mandatory retirement age for devolved judicial office holders in Scotland to 75 and the addition of provisions on the determination and payment of allowances, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament or alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

That the Parliament notes that 30 January 2022 is World Leprosy Day; understands that this event takes place on the last Sunday of January every year; believes that this is an opportunity to raise awareness of a disease that many people are not aware still exists, and that those affected often experience fear and stigma; understands that people affected by leprosy and communicators from leprosy-focused organisations work together to build and develop ways to raise awareness each year on World Leprosy Day; welcomes that, in many countries where leprosy is not present, churches have hosted Leprosy Sunday Services to raise money to help tackle the disease; applauds the work of those advocating for what it sees as this often forgotten disease, particularly the work conducted by The Leprosy Mission Scotland, and hopes for a successful event this year.  

That the Parliament wishes that all Scottish athletes competing in the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 have a successful Olympics; notes that this includes in particular the Men and Women's Great Britain Curling Teams, which are based at the National Curling Academy at the PEAK Leisure Centre in Stirling, part of Stirling's Sports Village; further notes that the National Curling Academy was opened in August 2017, in the run-up to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang; believes that it provides a dedicated curling facility that gives British Curling athletes a world-class environment in which to train, and understands that the National Curling Academy was built thanks to awards of £1,425,000 from sportscotland and £1,726,566 from Stirling Council to make a total project cost of £3,151,566

That the Parliament notes with sadness that Craigie Butchers, a family-run wholesale butcher in Orkney, will be closing its doors at the end of this month after 33 years trading; understands that the wholesale butcher, based at the Hall of Yenstay in the east mainland of Orkney, which has been owned by the Craigie family for over 200 years, has grown to become one of the largest suppliers of premium-quality meat products in Orkney; highlights what it sees as the success of The Brig Larder, a conglomeration of Craigies Butchers with local fishmongers, Jollys of Orkney, run by George Stout, and a wine, beer and spirits purveyors, John Scott & Miller, jointly owned by Thorfinn and George, which was established in 2014 in Kirkwall; notes that Craigie Butchers have also scooped a number of prestigious local and national awards, including Best Meat Supplier/Best Producer at Orkney Food and Drink Awards in 2016, four gold awards at the Scottish Craft Butcher Awards in 2017 and Best Meat-Based Product at the Orkney Food and Drink Awards in 2018; understands that Craigies Butchers also pioneered the use of sustainably-managed Orkney goose, and has offered a popular selection of products using this healthy seasonal meat; commends Craigies Butchers for what it sees as their commitment to high-quality, locally-farmed and traceable Orkney beef, lamb and pork, and to supporting the local community by offering home-delivered meat packs during the COVID-19 pandemic; understands that Thorfinn has decided, after 33 years, that it is time for a new challenge; wishes Thorfinn and Katherine Craigie, as well as all the staff at Craigie Butchers, the very best for the future, and thanks them for their excellent service to the Orkney community.

That the Parliament notes with great sadness the passing of Very Rev Canon Benedict (Benny) O’Keefe, a well-known and respected priest in the Diocese of Paisley; recognises that Canon O’Keefe, who came to Scotland from Ireland having been born in Ballyclogh, County Cork, served his parishes across the Diocese, which is within the West Scotland region, and the wider catholic community for over 60 years; notes the positive impact that he had on communities throughout his service, especially in the areas of Barrhead, Clarkston and Greenock, and his ministry to young people and people who were sick or had life-limiting conditions through the annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes; recognises the work of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Greenock and the staff of the Inverclyde Royal Hospital for their attentive care of him, and sends condolences to his family and the clergy and people of the Diocese of Paisley.

That the Parliament recognises first aider and community volunteer, Robert Muirhead, who passed away recently at the age of 82; understands that he was dedicated to helping others, which included instructing thousands on how to deliver first aid and CPR, volunteering as an ambulance driver in Alexandria and founding Leven First Aid, and believes that local volunteers, like “Bob”, are the foundation rocks of society and that the next generation of volunteers needs to be encouraged and trained on an ongoing basis.  

That the Parliament notes the 100th anniversary of the first use of insulin on the 23 January 2022; understands that the discovery of insulin is seen as one of the greatest medical achievements of the 20th Century, and that John Macleod, one of three key scientists involved in the discovery, was from Aberdeen; notes what it sees as the important work still taking place 100 years later to help improve the lives of people who have diabetes, with Diabetes UK continuing to support scientists with their research, and hopes that this work can continue to find new life-changing discoveries.

That the Parliament recognises what it sees as the kindness and commitment of Tain chocolate makers, Gordon and Jane Kenny, of Highland Thistle Chocolates, who, it understands, have donated their profits to the Sutherland branch of the Soldiers, Sailors Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA); understands that recent difficulties, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, have posed new and unexpected challenges to ex-servicemen and their families; recognises what it sees as the heightened importance of the work of SSAFA in that context, and wishes Highland Thistle Chocolates all the best in all its future endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates Airdrie Academy schoolgirl, Eilidh Shaw, who is 17 years old, on being selected for Great Britain’s junior cycling and track team; understands that selection for this team is historically linked with developing young athletes to compete on the World and Olympic stage; further understands that Eilidh has taken inspiration from Team GB cyclists, world champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist, Katie Archibald, Olympic silver medallist, Neah Evans, and mountain bike world champion, Evie Richards; wishes Eilidh all the very best of success in the future, and looks forward to cheering her on to world, Commonwealth and Olympic glory in the years to come

That the Parliament believes that public service broadcasting has an important role in society; considers that what it sees as recent attempts by the UK Government to undermine the BBC and Channel 4 are deeply concerning; believes that publicly-funded public service broadcasting gives an outlet and a platform to a wide range of output on TV, radio, and online that would not otherwise have found a home or an audience; understands that Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament are meant to have a role in any reviews of the BBC’s Charter; considers that, if the UK Government disregards this process and continues with what it sees as threats to the BBC, it will be clear that the UK Government has no respect for devolution or the views of the people of Scotland; believes that publicly-funded public service broadcasting has an integral role in the creative economy, and wishes to see a fair share of that investment come to Scotland, rather than see it be scrapped by the UK Government.