Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Ayr Pipe Band Society on its victory in the Grade 3B category at the 2022 British Pipe Band Championships; understands that the competition was held at Lurgan Park in Northern Ireland on 11 June 2022; notes that the Ayr Band was crowned the winners out of the seven bands from across the UK and Ireland that competed in the category; further understands that the band formed in 1910 and is now under the leadership of Pipe Major, James Jamieson, and Lead Drummer, Robert Andrew, and wishes all members and leaders the very best for the future, and every success at the upcoming Scottish, European and World Pipe Band Championships.

That the Parliament recognises the UK Government's efforts in Zambia to address the key barriers to holding credible and fair elections, with a focus on interventions that aim to contribute to increasing confidence in election outcomes and poll integrity; notes that the programme runs from March 2021 to November 2022, with a projected budget of £1.75 million and a total spend of £1.75 million to date; commends the UK Government's efforts in Zambia, and wishes nothing but success for this programme and everyone involved.

That the Parliament acknowledges the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese rule; condemns reports of action by the Chinese government to supress the freedom of speech, belief, or expression in Hong Kong since the handover; criticises the reported use of the National Security Law to arrest journalists and close pro-democracy media outlets; opposes the reported use of the National Security Law to arrest and imprison those who oppose the Chinese Communist Party, and supports the welcoming of fleeing Hong Kongers to settle in Scotland.

That the Parliament congratulates the Primary 6 pupils from St Leonard’s Primary School in East Kilbride for making it to the Euroquiz Final 2022; recognises that it is not the first year that St Leonard’s has reached the milestone in participating in the Chamber of the Parliament; acknowledges the winners and all of the pupils, from schools the length and breadth of Scotland, who took park; thanks Euroquiz, which is organised annually by the charity, Scottish European Educational Trust, which sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world; commends Euroquiz for its contribution to widening the knowledge and skills of this year’s participants, and wishes all the young competitors the very best as they prepare to transition to their final year in primary.

That the Parliament congratulates Weekday Wow Factor CIC on being awarded £8,386 by the National Lottery Awards For All Scotland; notes that the group will use the funding to continue to deliver its Virtual Daytime Disco and Virtual Tai Chi lessons to isolated older people across the local area; recognises what it sees as the positive role that the National Lottery plays in supporting creative community participation projects across Scotland, and wishes this organisation every success with this inclusive project.

That the Parliament congratulates the Rotary Club of Shetland on its 50th anniversary; understands that the Rotary Club of Shetland was founded in 1972; further understands that over its 50 years, the Rotary Club of Shetland has played an active role in Shetland life through direct involvement in local community activities; praises the fundraising successes of the Rotary Club of Shetland through events such as Ideal Homes exhibitions and car shows, which, it understands, support local, national and international organisations; notes that Rotary is an international organisation founded in Chicago in 1905 to encourage "fellowship and friendship" and the Shetland club is one of many Rotary clubs based in local communities across the world, and that over 1.2 million people globally volunteer their time and talent through Rotary clubs to benefit the lives of others; commends members of the Rotary Club of Shetland for their good work, and wishes them well on their anniversary.

That the Parliament supports Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, from 13 to 19 June 2022; notes that infant mental health is the term used to describe the social and emotional wellbeing and development of children in the earliest years of life; understands that infant mental health is influenced by secure attachments and the quality and reliability of early caregiving relationships; further understands that infants who are exposed to trauma and maltreatment are at greater risk of experiencing a range of poor physical and mental health problems throughout their lives; recognises that evidence shows that supporting early relationships and babies’ developing mental health can reduce the need for later intervention services across the life course, and understands that, despite a well-established awareness of the devastating consequences that adverse childhood experiences can have upon future health and wellbeing, infants in Scotland have very little access to mental health services.

That the Parliament congratulates Marc Crothall, CEO of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, on being named a Member of the British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty the Queen in the Platinum Jubilee Honours for services to the tourism industry in Scotland; understands that Marc began his career in hospitality 42 years ago at the age of 17 at the then very well known La Sorbonne Restaurant in Oxford; understands that he has held many frontline, senior management and executive positions across various sectors of the tourism, hospitality and leisure industry in different parts of the world, including posts in South Africa, France, the Channel Islands, London, the Highlands of Scotland, and in his home city of Glasgow, and understands that Marc was appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) in May 2012, during which time he has led the organisation to reportedly becoming acknowledged as one of the strongest representative trade bodies in the UK.

That the Parliament notes the week commencing 20 June 2022 is Cervical Screening Awareness Week; recognises that cervical screening can save lives and help prevent cervical cancer; understands that, currently, almost one in three people do not take up their screening appointment when invited; further understands that the cervical screening procedure is not easy for everyone and that barriers can include pain, embarrassment, and experience of trauma; believes that cervical screening should be accessible for everyone who is eligible; highlights that Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust provides information, tips, and support for anyone who needs them, and calls for all Members of the Scottish Parliament to support what it sees as this important week.

That the Parliament commends the Robert Gordon University on becoming the first higher or further education provider in Grampian to sign up to the national Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme; acknowledges the success of the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme, with more than 200 organisations in Grampian having signed up; notes that the Robert Gordon University is the single biggest participant to date in the scheme, with a community of more than 16,000 students and 1,500 staff; acknowledges the commitment of the University to the scheme, with staff having received training from NHS Grampian on how to enable a safe environment to protect mothers’ rights; recognises the importance of organisations showing their support for breastfeeding mothers, and encourages others to get involved with the Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland scheme.