George Reid: The first meeting of the third session of Parliament is resumed with the election of the Presiding Officer. I have received two valid nominations. In alphabetical order, they are Alex Fergusson and Margo MacDonald. I invite the candidates to make themselves known to the chamber. The election will proceed in accordance with rule 11.9 of standing orders. Members should remain in their seats...
George Reid: In the election of the Presiding Officer, the number of votes cast for each candidate was: Alex Fergusson 108, Margo MacDonald 20. Accordingly, as Alex Fergusson gathered more votes than the total number of votes received by the other candidate, and as more than 25 per cent of members voted, Alex Fergusson is elected as the Parliament's Presiding Officer. [ Applause. ] You have just elected a...
George Reid: I am now minded to take a motion without notice, that motion S3M-1, a copy of which has been placed on members' desks and which is supported by all parties in the chamber, be taken at this meeting of Parliament. Motion moved, That motion S3M-1 be taken at this meeting of the Parliament.—[Alasdair Morgan.]
George Reid: This is a two-step process. The first question is, that the motion without notice be agreed to. Are we agreed? Motion agreed to. Motion moved, That the Parliament agrees that, for the purposes of electing a Presiding Officer and two Deputy Presiding Officers, the third sentence of Rule 8.16 of Standing Orders be suspended and that under Rule 8.16 thus varied, this meeting of the Parliament be...
George Reid: The second question is, that motion S3M-1, on suspension of standing orders, to allow this meeting of Parliament to be adjourned, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Motion agreed to. Meeting adjourned until 15:00 on 14 May 2007. As directed by rule 1.2(5) of the standing orders of the Scottish Parliament, the text of the oath of allegiance, in accordance with section 2 of the Promissory Oaths Act...
George Reid: We now resume the oaths and affirmations ceremony. The following members made a solemn affirmation: Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP) Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP) The following members took the oath: Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con) Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con) The following member made a solemn affirmation: Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP)...
George Reid: We now resume the oaths and affirmations ceremony. The following member took the oath: Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab) The following member made a solemn affirmation: Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab) The following member took the oath: Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab) The following members made a solemn affirmation: Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab) Christine Grahame...
George Reid: The third session of the Scottish Parliament is now convened. I warmly welcome all new and returning members. We proceed directly to members' oaths and affirmations. I will call each member in turn. When a member is called, they should proceed to the well of the chamber to take the oath or make an affirmation.
George Reid: And so, farewell. I am grateful—indeed, I am moved—by members' warm words. They are more than I merit. Thirty-three years, or a third of a century, or half my life ago, I was elected for the first time. I believed then, as I believe now, that if we are to create in Scotland a society that is enterprising and compassionate and which is comfortable with itself at home and capable of...
George Reid: Members will be aware that this final plenary meeting of the second session of the Scottish Parliament will continue for another 20 minutes or so. I ask Murray Tosh and Trish Godman, as Deputy Presiding Officers, to join me on the podium.
George Reid: The minister cannot give way, as he is in his last minute.
George Reid: We move to open debate. I am anxious to include everyone if at all possible, so members will need to keep their speeches to six minutes unless they have been notified that they will have four minutes or less.
George Reid: Good morning. The first item of business is a debate on the future of Scotland.
George Reid: There are three questions to be put as a result of today's business. The first question is, that motion S2M-5759, in the name of Phil Gallie, on the Airdrie-Bathgate Railway and Linked Improvements Bill Committee's first report of 2007, on the Airdrie-Bathgate Railway and Linked Improvements Bill and European protected species, be agreed to. Motion agreed to. That the Parliament notes the 1st...
George Reid: The second question is, that motion S2M-5760, in the name of Phil Gallie, that the Parliament agrees that the Airdrie-Bathgate Railway and Linked Improvements Bill be passed, be agreed to. Motion agreed to. That the Parliament agrees that the Airdrie-Bathgate Railway and Linked Improvements Bill be passed.
George Reid: The third and final question is, that motion S2M-5785, in the name of John Scott, on a Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body motion on the reappointment of the Scottish public services ombudsman, be agreed to. Are we agreed?
George Reid: There will be a division.
George Reid: The result of the division is: For 113, Against 1, Abstentions 2. Motion agreed to. That the Parliament nominates Professor Alice Brown to Her Majesty The Queen for reappointment as the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman from 30 September 2007 until 29 September 2011.
George Reid: I will allow two brief speeches, from Alex Neil and from Fergus Ewing.
George Reid: You have one minute.