Speeches by Murray.

“Do you feel the Government are listening to and hearing what you are saying and what the industry is saying?”

“5. What steps his Department is taking to ensure that smaller platforms are adequately regulated to protect children from online harms.”

“Many schools in my constituency of Mid Dunbartonshire use mobile phones as an educational tool, yet along with this learning opportunity comes easy access to sites posting horrendous content. I would like to know how the Government plan to tackle small, foreign-based websites exposing people to graphic content. What st…”

“You mentioned the opinions given by the Fraser of Allander Institute about the Scottish Government budget process; actually, I felt that as a councillor in some ways, and that it makes it difficult to plan. But do you recognise that in-year spending changes are disruptive to the Scottish Government when they happen, an…”

“There has been a lot of praise for the Government’s commitment to one major fiscal event, which would be alongside this longer funding commitment. That will go part-way, hopefully, to mitigating disruptions. Is there anything else that you are able to do to mitigate any disruption to the way the funding is coming in, o…”

“In that sort of situation, there are suggestions that the current dispute resolution process for the operation of the Barnett formula might benefit from an objective third party. How would you respond to that?”

“You mentioned the reply to the Chair at the beginning. Would I be right in saying that you would not think that putting the Barnett formula on a statutory footing, or formalising it is beneficial?”

“We have heard that the Treasury is the ultimate arbiter of the Barnett formula. Do you think that is fair, and do you recognise that there is a need for other parties to be consulted on decisions?”

“I thank the Minister. It is good to hear that the Government support the principle of family reunion, but we will press the new clause to a vote. Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.”

“I beg to move, that the clause be read a Second time. It is a pleasure to work under your chairmanship, Dr Murrison. The new clause would enable replacements of large portions of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 —in particular, sections on asylum, immigration control, age assessments and modern slavery—to ensure th…”

“I thank the Minister for her clear outline. The Liberal Democrats want to enable the replacement of large portions of the Nationality and Borders Act and ensure that we uphold the refugee convention. We wish to push the new clause to a vote. Question put, That the clause be read a Second time.”

“I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. This new clause would make provision for leave to enter or remain the UK to be granted to the family members of refugees and of people granted humanitarian protection. Through the clause the Liberal Democrats seek to support refugee family reunion and to help people…”

“My next question is of a similar nature. Do you support the decision not to establish an exclusion zone around the pilot facility? What are the implications of encouraging people to use the facility, when effectively there might be no way of getting them there, while they are carrying an illegal substance that they int…”

“A constituent has told me about one of their clients, which is a care home owner that is facing an increase in operating costs of £70,000 a year as a result of the national insurance contributions increase. Most of the business’s caring staff work part time, which suits their family circumstances. However, for each par…”

“5. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to employer national insurance contributions on businesses in Scotland.”

“Certainly from the visit and from speaking to your people with lived experience, it is good to hear how this approach is working. Is there a need for any one particular service that is being highlighted by you being able to reach this disadvantaged group? Is there any one particular service that sticks out as being nee…”

“As my final comment, I will say that you are doing fantastic work. The way that you are able to reach this hard-to-reach group is such a key lesson that we should be trying to extend for other areas.”

“The UK Government have said they will not interfere with the Lord Advocate’s position regarding the pilot. What powers do the UK Government have to interfere with the site’s operation, if they were inclined to? Do you think that the UK Government could close the Thistle if they wanted to?”

“The pilot is for three years and it is funded for three years. Do you know about the funding for the wraparound services? There are significant amounts of money going into this. Are you confident that that money will continue to be available to support them?”

“This is a question for all of you—apologies, Chair. We know that the safer drug consumption rooms work best when there is a system of support in the community. Do you feel that that system of support in the community already exists in Glasgow?”