Michael McMahon: I have no hesitation in welcoming the passage of the bill, which will go a long way towards securing many of the rights for private sector renters and their landlords that Labour members have longed for. However, it could have done much more. That is why we supported in particular Patrick Harvie’s amendment 83, which called for a review after three years. That raises an overall concern...
Michael McMahon: I would like to correct that—I did not say that; I said that the proposal had not appeared from nowhere. It was a result of the discussions that took place during the bill process.
Michael McMahon: One of the roles of the Public Petitions Committee is to keep under review the operations of the Parliament’s petitions process. I would like to say a little bit about the effect of the proposed rule changes on that process. The change to rule as inadmissible a petition that breaches the rule of law reflects a similar requirement in relation to motions. As has been indicated, the proposed...
Michael McMahon: I welcome the debate and congratulate Margaret Mitchell on securing it. Hamilton Academical FC is more than deserving of having the invaluable contribution that it makes to the community in Hamilton and throughout South Lanarkshire recognised by our having the debate. Margaret Mitchell’s motion identifies the wide array of organisations that benefit from the club’s support. They range...
Michael McMahon: I, along with Siobhan McMahon, recently met members of the autism parent and carer support group that meets at the Hamilton Accies stadium. They spoke openly about the problems that they are having, in particular around the transition from school to adult services. Is there anything in the programme that the minister has mentioned that would directly support improvements in that area? It is...
Michael McMahon: 9. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the RMT union-commissioned report, “The Economic Benefits of Public Sector Ferry Provision”, on lifeline ferry services in the Clyde and Hebrides. (S4O-05644)
Michael McMahon: I point the minister to the report’s conclusion, which suggested how damaging the privatisation of the ferry services in the Clyde and Hebrides would be should the tender process go to Serco. Is the minister also aware that, prior to the Scottish Government overturning North Lanarkshire Council’s decision to reject the planning development proposed by Peter D Stirling Ltd in my...
Michael McMahon: I am pleased to open today’s debate on the Criminal Verdicts (Scotland) Bill. Today we debate and vote on whether the Parliament agrees to the general principles of a bill that aims to remove one of the most controversial and illogical elements of the Scottish judicial system. The not proven verdict has been much criticised, with Sir Walter Scott most famously referring to it as “that...
Michael McMahon: Will the member give way?
Michael McMahon: I thank the staff of the non-Government bills unit, whose assistance has been invaluable to me over the past number of years. I am also grateful to the people who contributed to my consultations, and to the legal experts and academics who provided me with advice and support in introducing the bill. They left me in no doubt at all that the bill is necessary. Had I been persuaded otherwise, I...
Michael McMahon: That is one piece of evidence, but the majority or responses to the consultation suggested otherwise. That is all evidence that allows people to determine whether they want to support the bill. I think that I have explained to Christian Allard why we had to have two parts to the bill and to take both issues together. What I find really disappointing is his suggestion that voting against the...
Michael McMahon: That was a cracking intervention.
Michael McMahon: Over the past few months, I have taken part in a few debates on housing in which it has been exasperating, to say the least, to hear the minister and her backbenchers go through linguistic contortions in order to defend their record. Time after time, I have listened to them either simply deny the crisis or try semantic gymnastics in order to pat themselves on the back, despite their continued...
Michael McMahon: I will let Mr MacKenzie in later, if I have a chance. To hear the minister’s explanation beggars belief. To explain that a consequential did not emerge and that the SNP has done nothing to address that but has simply passed on that reduction clearly shows that the SNP is much happier managing austerity than trying to tackle it.
Michael McMahon: Given the budget that the Scottish Government has and the priorities that it sets, it is its responsibility to ensure that it meets the targets that it sets. We will make the argument that the Scottish Government has decided to pass on the cut rather than meet its target. That is its responsibility. The simple fact is that Scotland has the highest rates of fuel poverty in the UK, but the...
Michael McMahon: Will the minister take an intervention?
Michael McMahon: Will the minister go to the Deputy First Minister and ask him to find the £15 million from within the budget so that she can do her job?
Michael McMahon: No answer.
Michael McMahon: Was that a no?
Michael McMahon: I am pleased to open this debate on the review of the petitions process. This is the fourth debate that we have had on the Parliament’s petitions process since 1999 and the second such debate in which I have spoken as convener of the Public Petitions Committee. The petitions process has, of course, developed since 1999. A number of changes have been made over that time, but what remains...