This search includes all content on the Scottish Parliament website, except for Votes and Motions. All Official Reports (what has been said in Parliament) and Questions and Answers are available from 1999. You can refine your search by adding and removing filters.
As Mr Brocklebank said, this is a wide issue that causes concern regionally and, beyond that, nationally.It is incumbent on MSPs and on the Parliament to treat such an issue not only seriously—as my colleague Iain Smith rightly said—but responsibly.
The visit was one of the most emotionally draining that I have ever undertaken as an MSP. As Kenny Gibson pointed out, it is timeous that we debate the motion on the day that we pass the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Bill.
It can be done through an Executive bill or through a bill lodged by an MSP who can build consensus in the chamber—perhaps Tricia Marwick could give us some lessons on that.
I am glad that he will join me in the select band of MSPs who have succeeded in getting a member's bill through the Parliament.I thank all members who have been involved in the scrutiny of the bill.
I welcome my colleagues on the committee and our visitors who are here for the first item of business: Margaret Ewing, Stewart Stevenson, Richard Lochhead and Fergus Ewing. Other MSPs are waiting for the next item. I will introduce them when we come to that.
I hope that that is what happens. I hope that committees and MSPs will keep an eye on the situation to see that it is addressed and does not deteriorate further.
I understand that the minister wishes to make a brief introductory statement, following which we will move to questions. Jamie McGrigor MSP is interested in this issue and joins us today.
I am sure that it is nothing to do with the calibre of the members themselves, though one MSP—who shall remain nameless—should really get a job on "Any Questions?"
They are studying at the Robert Gordon University in my constituency.It is important for MSPs to take part in every available international forum and to speak with members of other countries' Parliaments to learn from them what they are doing and teach those countries what we know.