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http://www.parliament.scot – Scottish Parliament Topical Questions:
Oliver Mundell
S5T-00125
1. To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it made of the reported level of support for independence ahead of the decision to bring forward the draft Referendum Bill before Article 50 has been invoked.
James Dornan
S5T-00126
2. To ask the Scottish Government how it will take forward plans for the minimum pricing of alcohol following the decision by the Court of Session.
Kezia Dugdale
S5T-00119
3. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will quash the convictions and cautions issued to people for now-abolished gay sexual offences and issue pardons.
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B
C
Og
starting
point
remains:
protecting
Scotland's
national
interest
is
set
out
by
the
First
Minister,
we're
considering
all
possible
options
to
ensure
Scotland's
continuing
relationship
with
and
place
in
Europe
Scotland
delivered
a
strong,
unequivocal
vote
to
remain,
and
our
focus
is
ensuring
that
Scotland's
interests
are
protected,
particularly
as
it
appears
that
UK
government
no
favors
are
hard
breaks
that
the
consultation
on
the
draft
Bell
launched
last
week
is
about
the
mechanics
of
the
referendum.
Should
we
conclude,
the
independence
is
the
best,
or
only
way,
to
protect
Scotland's
interests,
hello.
B
And
down
so
I
take
it
from
that
answer.
The
the
real
answer
is
none
I,
but
does
he
agree
with
me
that
in
pushing
ahead
with
the
bill,
as
the
government
plans
to
do
is
its
number
one
priority
before
even
listening
to
his
own
parties?
Listening
exercise
exposes
the
SNP's
true
colors
and
true
intentions:
independence
at
any
cost,
cabernet
signature,
oh.
C
This
government
is
listening.
This
government
is
engaging.
This
government
is
consulting,
but
this
government
is
also
acting
acting
in
Scotland's
national
interest
and
that's
what
we
will
do
each
and
every
day
that
is
a
be
job
standing
up
for
Scotland
against
a
heart
rate.
Tory
breaks
that
little
impact
on
the
economy
of
this
country.
So
we
will
do
what
is
best
for
Scotland
and
if
you
want
to
talk
a
bit
opinion
poll
ratings,
that's
fine
I.
C
C
B
So
if
we
want
to
talk
about
public
opinion,
why
is
it
that
his
government
are
so
keen
to
ignore
the
2
million
new
voters
who
made
their
intentions
crystal
clear,
and
why
is
it
that
the
SMP
are
so
keen
to
airbrush
I
of
history?
The
1
million
new
voters
in
this
country
more
than
voted
and
put
their
cross
next
Nicola
Sturgeon
for
First
Minister,
and
if
he
is
saying
what
I
think
he's
saying
that
this
legislation
might
not
be
needed?
C
Is
clear
that
the
Scottish
Government
has
a
mandate
to
consider
us?
It
was
clearly
outlined
in
the
elections
in
the
manifest
or
where
the
SMP
secured
victory
in
that
election
to
form
the
Scottish
Government,
and
you
know
when
Oliver
mandel
wants
to
talk
about
the
cost
of
policies.
Do
you
realize
this
Muslim
and
they'll
realize
what
the
cost
of
breaks
as
to
the
Hall
of
the
United
Kingdom,
as
well
as
Scotland
and
in
terms
of
respecting
destination?
Because
Scotland
is
not
just
a
constituency,
it
is
inition.
C
Every
part
of
this
nation,
every
local
authority
area
voted
to
remain
within
Europe
and
that's
what
should
be
respected
by
the
UK
government
know.
The
ball
is
in
the
court
of
the
UK
government
to
respect
Scotland
and
respect
how
the
people
voted,
and
if
they
do
that,
then
maybe
we
can
find
a
solution
that
works
for
every
part
of
the
UK.
E
Scottish
government
intends
to
implement
minimum
unit
pricing
as
soon
as
possible.
The
order
bringing
minimum
placing
n
must
first
be
lead
and
draft
before
the
Scottish
Parliament
for
approval
before
it
can
be
made
by
Scottish
Ministers.
While
we
respect
the
rate
of
the
Scotch
whisky
Association
to
seek
permission
to
appeal,
the
judgment
I
hope
it
will
accept
it,
enabling
us
to
get
on
with
implementing
this
life-saving
policy.
The
member
will
be
aware
that
I
am
limited
in
discussing
the
case
due
to
the
parliaments,
guidance
on
sub
judice
e
james.
D
E
Minimum
unit
pricing
is
underpinned
by
a
wealth
of
international
evidence,
so
in
the
public
health
benefit
which
has
been
before
this
Parliament
on
a
number
of
occasions
and
indeed
before
the
court.
Just
today,
we've
seen
the
publication
of
alcohol-related
hospital
statistics
which
show
that
the
rate
of
at
messenger
means
four
times
higher
than
it
was
in
the
earlier
1980s,
adding
further
to
the
need
for
this
life-saving
policy
which,
as
I,
said
earlier
or
hope
we
can
introduce
as
soon
as
possible
teams.
E
E
Of
course,
we
have
a
very
comprehensive
strategy
to
tackle
alcohol-related
harm
in
scotland.
It
contains
41
measures,
including
minimum
unit
pricing,
but
other
measures
include
the
multi
buy
discount
ban,
which
was
in
a
reduction
or
two
point:
six
percent
and
consumption
there's
in
a
nationwide
program
of
alcohol,
defensive
anciennes,
which
has
delivered
over
six
hundred
and
sixty
seven
thousand.
Since
the
introduction
back
in
2008
we've
improved
substance,
masseuse
education
with
legislated
to
buying
the
response
promotions
and,
of
course,
a
recently
introduced
a
lower
drink-drive
limit.
A
G
I
thank
kiss
a
dog
deal
for
raising
this
important
issue.
It
is
sadly
the
case.
The
Scotland
tires
only
relatively
recently
modernised
her
criminal
laws
operate
so
that
the
no
longer
discriminate
against
same-sex
sexual
activity.
It
is
shocking
to
consider
that
consensual
sex
between
men
was
only
decriminalized
in
Scotland
in
1980,
and
the
age
of
consent
for
same-sex
sexual
activity
was
not
equalized
with
sexual
activity
between
men
and
women
until
2001.
G
Thankfully,
we
can
no
loot
back
at
the
operation
of
these
discriminatory
laws,
knowing
that
they
no
longer
operate
with
a
sense
of
pride.
Such
laws
clearly
have
no
place
in
a
modem,
inclusive
Scotland.
However,
there
are
people
in
Scotland
who
have
criminal
convictions
for
same-sex
sexual
activity,
which
is
no
lawful,
and
we
must
right
this
wrong.
Over
the
summer,
I
instructed
officials
to
look
at
the
necessary
steps
that
would
need
to
be
taken
in
Scotland
to
correct
this
injustice.
G
I
can
therefore
advise
Parliament
that
we
weren't
to
just
an
automatic
pardon
for
people
convicted
so
that
the
new
they
are
absolved
filling
of
that
conviction.
We
want
to
address
the
injustice
that
people
experience
simply
because
of
their
sexual
orientation
in
circumstances
that
are
no
legal
and
the
granting
of
an
automatic
pardon
is
one
way
of
achieving
this
separately.
G
It
is
the
case
that
information
on
these
convictions
is
held
on
records
maintained
by
police
Scotland,
and
we
have
engaged
with
police
Scotland
over
the
summer
to
seek
views
on
steps
that
could
be
taken
to
rate
these
historic
wrongs.
I
have
therefore
instructed
my
officials,
working
in
partnership,
was
pleased
Scotland
to
determine
the
practical
steps
required
to
establish
a
scheme
that
willow
main
convicted
for
actions
that
are
no
legal
to
have
those
convictions
disregarded.
F
Also,
that
is
a
hugely
welcome
announcement,
in
fact,
it's
nothing
short
of
a
historic
moment
for
Scotland
to
be
a
more
equal
and
respectful
country.
The
minister
will
be
aware
that
there
are
many
men
across
the
United
Kingdom
who
have
been
prosecuted
convicted
and,
in
some
cases
imprisoned
for
who
they
are
and
who
they
love.
A
pardon
is
therefore
the
very
least
that
the
government
of
the
day
can
do
given
the
significance
of
that
I'm,
a
new
person
officer,
I,
hope
you'll.
F
Forgive
me
for
three
very
quick
questions
can
administer
confirmed
that
this
would
be
a
blanket
pardon
for
any
gay
or
bisexual
man
who
has
been
convicted
of
a
crime
that
is
no
longer
a
crime.
Secondly,
can
the
minister
confirmed
that
no
legislation
is
required
for
such
a
pardon
and
indeed
that
those
affected
need
not
applied
to
be
pardoned,
as
has
been
argued
elsewhere
in
the
United
Kingdom?
G
No,
so
I'll
try
to
deal
with
each
of
these
issues
in
tongue.
For
the
member
on
the
issue
of
the
blanket
pardon,
it
will
be
an
automatic
pardon
for
those
offences
which
are
where
individuals
were
convicted
for
offences
which
are
no
lawful.
It's
important.
We
have
a
system
in
place
which
also
recognizes
that
there
are
individuals
who
are
convicted
using
the
all
criminal
law,
which
are
matters
which
remain
a
criminal
offences.
G
So
that's
why
we
will
create
a
system
which,
although
that
happens,
that
will
take
place
and
on
automatic
basis,
for
those
who
are
convicted
claims
which
are
no
lawful
it
for
the
provision
of
an
automatic
part.
Then
we
will
require
legislation
in
which
to
do
so.
What
we
will
do
to
bring
forth
legislation
at
a
nail
in
this
Parliament
over
the
course
of
the
next
year,
at
the
very
least
it
to
make
sure
that
we
make
progress
in
this
matter
swiftly
with
regards
to
the
disregard.
G
That
is
an
issue
which
we
can
take
forward
as
a
practical
policy
measure
and
me
not
required
to
have
legislation
for
its
implementation,
and
the
affair
will
seek
to
meet
progress
and
that
as
quickly
as
possible,
I
feel
acknowledged.
The
issue
about
the
rating
of
the
wrongs
of
those
who
are
convicted,
some
of
whom
but
imprisoned
as
a
result
of
offences
which
D
which
they
were
convicted
of
and
which
are
no
lawful
and
I.
Do
think.
The
issue
of
an
apology
is
an
appropriate
measure.
G
That
government
should
give
consideration
to
my
view
that
would
be
best
dealt
with
in
a
collective
way
when
we
look
at
bringing
forward
for
the
legislation
as
Parliament
or
no
matter
of
a
pardon
and
I'll.
Certainly
give
that
see.
This
consideration
has
been
part
of
that
package
of
measures
which
will
take
forward.
H
Can
I
welcome
the
question
from
Kate
Dale
and
also
the
answer
from
the
cabinet
secretary
very
much
just
to
reinforce
that
final
point.
Regarding
the
importance
of
an
apology.
Does
the
cabinet
secretary
appreciate
that,
while
many
will
welcome
a
pardon
others
take
from
it
at
an
implication
that
they
are
being
forgiven
for
having
done
something
wrong?
H
And
that
is
not
the
message
that
should
be
sent
out,
but
the
government
also
has
a
responsibility
to
acknowledge
that
the
state
is
the
body
which
has
acted
wrongly
by
enacting
laws
based
on
such
values
that
we
would
regard
now
as
completely
immoral.
So
can
I
just
reinforce
the
importance
for
many
people
in
this
situation
that
the
apology
comes
alongside
any
pardon
so
as
to
ensure
that
it
is
not
misinterpreted.
G
Campus
security
I
recognize
very
point
that
the
member
has
needs
because
the
state
has
been
responsible
for
creating
the
situation
in
the
first
place,
but
I
do
believe
that
the
most
appropriate
way,
which
to
take
the
matter
of
any
apology
for
more
than
to
consider
the
issue
of
an
apology,
would
be
alongside
any
legislation
which
we
intend
to
bring
forward
for.
The
introduction
of
an
automatic
at
part
them.
G
I
Sorry,
thank
you
for
saving
off
certain
could
I
associate
the
Scottish
conservatives
with
the
remarks
that
have
been
made.
The
cabinet
secretary
will
be
aware
that
there
is
cross-party
support
for
what
is
being
proposed
throughout
the
United
Kingdom
and
indeed
in
this
Parliament,
but
he'll
also
be
aware
that
the
developments
down
south
last
week-
and
you
know
the
keys
put
forward
by
one
of
his
party
members,
the
issue
of
it.
The
blanket
van
was
difficult
because
down
south
there
were
concerns
that
it
would
cover
a
vince's
that
are
still
illegal.
I
G
I
think
him
I
welcome
the
fact
the
member
has
recognized
this
as
an
issue
which
has
got
cross-party
support.
Sure
the
member
will
also
recognize
it
was
provision
in
my
colleague,
John
Nicholson's
bill
to
deal
with
the
issue
of
offences
which
were
committed
previously,
which
remain
criminal
offences
and
I
do
regret.
The
approach
has
been
taken
by
the
UK
government
on
this
particular
issue.
I
think
they
could
have
what
harder
to
ensure
that
cross
part
agreement
was
achieved
on
that
matter.