Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Official Report 859KB pdf

Decision Time

We come to decision time.

The first question is, that motion S5M-03173, in the name of Ruth Davidson, a motion of condolence, be agreed to.

Motion agreed to,

That the Parliament expresses its deep regret and sadness at the untimely death of Alex Johnstone MSP; offers its sympathy and condolences to his family and friends; recognises the high esteem in which he was held by colleagues from all parties, and appreciates his contribution as a principled public servant dedicated to the people of the north east.

The next question is, that amendment S5M-03190.2, in the name of Jeremy Balfour, which seeks to amend motion S5M-03190, in the name of Mark McDonald, on improving the care experience for looked-after children, be agreed to.

Amendment agreed to.

The next question is, that motion S5M-03190, in the name of Mark McDonald, on improving the care experience for looked-after children, as amended, be agreed to.

Motion, as amended, agreed to,

That the Parliament welcomes the first-ever independent review of Scotland’s care system; agrees that the approach will be collaborative, working with councillors in local authority areas, who have a duty of care for looked after children, care-experienced young people, relevant professionals and carers to gain insight and develop meaningful improvements; agrees to inform the review through the voices of care-experienced young people; acknowledges that recommendations should be achievable, and supports the need to embed sustainable, ongoing improvement so that every child who experiences the care system has their needs fully met and feels loved.

The final question is, that motion S5M-03181, in the name of John Swinney, on the Higher Education and Research Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation, be agreed to.

Motion agreed to,

That the Parliament agrees that the relevant amendments to the Higher Education and Research Bill, introduced in the House of Commons, relating to extending the power of the Office for Students (OfS) to make arrangements under clause 25 of the Bill so as to also include Scottish higher education providers where Scottish Ministers consent; to allow joint working with Research England (UKRI) and the OfS and the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council and clarify the Secretary of State’s powers to fund research, to ensure that they are as broad as the Research Councils, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament or alter the executive power of Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.