Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid)

Meeting date: Thursday, June 24, 2021

Official Report 944KB pdf

Points of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Today—on the final day of Parliament before recess—the Scottish Government was forced, through a freedom of information request, to release the draft farming and food production future policy group recommendations. We have been waiting for two and half years for the document and it is still only in draft form. The cabinet secretary promised the document in August 2020 after pressure from my colleagues, but of course it has still not been published.

The Scottish National Party has failed to offer policy clarity in a timely manner to the agriculture industry. By withholding the promised document for so long, the Scottish Government is disrespecting the Parliament and the sector.

I seek your guidance, Presiding Officer, as to whether the Scottish Government should uphold its commitment to publish a document when it says that it will publish it. Given that we are heading into recess in a few minutes, what parliamentary procedures are in place to ensure that we have time to scrutinise such publications?

I thank Rachael Hamilton for advance notice of her point of order, but that is not a matter for me to rule on. As she knows, there are several avenues through which members can hold the Scottish Government to account, including during periods in which Parliament is in recess. If she feels that a Government minister has failed in their duties somehow, she might wish to make a complaint under the relevant article of the ministerial code.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I know that I am at risk of prolonging the agony—we are all keen for the recess to start—but we are making the point that this is about not just that policy document.

Another Government-initiated question was answered today, on Dame Elish Angiolini’s well-respected report into policing. These are important matters for the Parliament to consider.

The problem is the timing. The response to the GIQ was issued at 2 pm this afternoon, which was an hour after the end of First Minister’s question time. There is no opportunity for me or any other member to submit urgent or topical questions on the matter. Indeed, there is no opportunity for us to question the relevant cabinet secretary.

The Presiding Officer has made overt requests that the Government make such announcements in a timely fashion in order to allow scrutiny from members from across the political spectrum, but the question is whether we will be afforded that respect by being given the opportunity to grill the Government on such matters. That is the point that we are trying to make.

I thank Mr Greene for his point of order. Again, that is not a matter for me to rule on. However, his comments have been noted.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I realise that it is not possible to amend previous votes, but I would like to put it on the record that my intention was to support, not oppose, amendment 11.

Thank you, Ms Villalba. Your comments have been noted.