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If I talk to farmers or people who are concerned about neonicotinoids in my constituency, I tell them that they can raise issues with me and I can make representations on them as a constituency MSP—as Rachael Hamilton can. However, if we go down the route that the UK Government is taking, that will not be possible.
We have received one apology. Unfortunately, Kenneth Gibson MSP is unable to come to the meeting, but I am delighted to say that David Torrance MSP is here as a substitute member in his place.
That is my only reason for referring to that correspondence. MSPs and others struggle with the idea of public bodies—in this case a local authority—having statutory duties.
Last week, I attended and spoke briefly at the evening reception in the Parliament that was organised by Michael Russell MSP, PEN and Amnesty. Works by writers from countries around the world were read out.
I do not have my notes of the meeting with me, but we met Mr Swinney, while the matter was within his brief. Our local MSP is Alex Neil, and Richard Leonard is also one of our local MSPs.
I am not looking for any sympathy, but you have to make personal sacrifices in the run-up to and preparation for elections, particularly when there is more than one poll, as we had this year. Maybe MSPs round the table have similar experiences.
However, I also urge everyone, especially MSPs and NGOs, to consider moving away from a subsidy system to reduce greenhouse gases and towards a pricing system, which would also help to resolve, to some extent, the budgetary problem.
While the Labour Party pushes families into poverty, the SNP will protect them. I call on the Labour MSPs in the chamber today to call on the UK Government to make urgent progress to reduce energy bills for their constituents.