Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 4 February 2020.

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Photo of Maurice Corry Maurice Corry Conservative

I support Liz Smith’s amendment 16. In Helensburgh, in my region, we have a school called Lomond school. It supports the children of parents who serve in Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde and in our UK submarine fleet. They are away on deployment for weeks or more at a time, and their children find stability in Lomond school, as boarders or otherwise. It would be a gross mistake to penalise them. I met the school’s board and headteacher, who are very concerned that some children might have to be pulled out. There is no room to put them in other local schools—certainly not at primary level.

I ask the Government and the minister to look very carefully at the damaging effect it will have if this penalty is imposed on the independent sector. I support Liz Smith’s amendment 16.