Part of Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:00 pm on 10 October 2024.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that comprehensive response. She will be aware that we are now in black history month. Regrettably, Scotland played a leading role in the British empire, which involved the forced transportation of 3.1 million slaves from Africa to British colonies. Some of the wealthiest slave owners were Scottish—as, in fairness, were some of the leading abolitionists at the time. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, if we do not know our history, we are undoubtedly doomed to repeat it? Will she therefore provide an update on the efforts that are being made to ensure that our children are taught Scotland’s history in relation to the British empire?