Former Scottish National Party MSP for West Scotland
I believe that today represents another significant step on the journey of this Parliament, and I feel privileged to have played a part in that process as a member of the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee. Before that, I was a member of the Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee and, before that, I served on the Scotland Bill Committee, so I have been involved in a considerable part of that...
I hope that, as we approach the end of this session of Parliament, we do so with a sense of determination to ensure that in the next session Parliament will use these new powers to make Scotland better and that all those who are fortunate enough to serve in it will aspire to deliver a fairer and more prosperous country.
For a relatively modest piece of proposed legislation, the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill has generated considerable comment. Members of the Education and Culture Committee have certainly heard a number of concerns, some of them justified, others not. It is important to remember what lies at the heart of the bill: the ambition to democratise, modernise and bring greater...
Will the member give way?
Go on.
I congratulate Jackson Carlaw on securing time for a debate on this important subject. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a very difficult and fraught subject, and feelings run very high. It is natural that people should look for a way to help end this very painful division, and a cultural boycott is a way of bringing moral rather than physical pressure to bear. Certainly there is nothing to...
3. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to deal with antibiotic resistance in the food chain. (S4O-05566)
I thank the cabinet secretary for that detailed and comprehensive answer. Given the possible variability in the implications for different sectors, can he tell me whether the Scottish Government has investigated the economic impact on the farming sector of a rise in antimicrobial resistance in different forms of livestock—for example, poultry, cattle or sheep?
