Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 8:24 pm on 20 January 2026.
Douglas Ross
Conservative
8:24,
20 January 2026
It is my understanding that, just last month, SDS wrote to the Minister to set out alternative views and opinions on possible reforms that would not be as costly and disruptive as those that the Scottish Government has proposed. Should those views not be considered in this debate and as we go forward?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
