Meeting of the Parliament

General Questions Paul Sweeney 1. [Not Lodged] Douglas Lumsden S6O-03646 2. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Scottish National Investment bank is operating legally, in light of reports that the advisory group that was meant to be established by the Scottish Ministers has not yet been established. Colin Beattie S6O-03647 3. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what it is doing to ensure access to primary care in areas that have a high projected population growth. Alexander Stewart S6O-03648 4. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to tackle any inappropriate care and overcrowding in NHS emergency departments. Keith Brown 5. [Withdrawn] Rhoda Grant S6O-03650 6. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its consideration of the impact of the change in subsidised air service provider between Uist and Stornoway on access to services, including health services, for people with reduced mobility. Katy Clark S6O-03651 7. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a further update on plans for the redevelopment of Ardrossan Harbour. Brian Whittle S6O-03652 8. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the provision of midwives by the NHS meets demand. followed by First Minister's Questions Douglas Ross S6F-03261 1. Question to be taken in Chamber. Anas Sarwar S6F-03262 2. Question to be taken in Chamber. Alex Cole-Hamilton S6F-03266 3. To ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet. Audrey Nicoll S6F-03277 4. To ask the First Minister, regarding the impact on child poverty levels in Scotland, what assessment the Scottish Government has made of recent research from the IFS on the impact of the two-child benefit cap. Murdo Fraser S6F-03264 5. To ask the First Minister, in light of the reported number of serious and fatal accidents on the A9 trunk road in recent weeks, what progress is being made on the dualling project. Emma Harper S6F-03280 6. To ask the First Minister whether he will provide an update on the Scottish Government’s work to roll out the Carer Support Payment. followed by Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee Debate: Standing Order Rule Changes - Procedures on Consent in Relation to UK Parliament Bills Martin Whitfield S6M-13746 That the Parliament notes the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 4th Report, 2024 (Session 6), Standing Order Rule changes - Procedures on consent in relation to UK Parliament Bills (SP Paper 627), and agrees that the rule changes to Standing Orders set out in annexe B of the report be made with effect from 2 July 2024. followed by Appointment of Scottish Minister and Junior Scottish Minister John Swinney S6M-13771 That the Parliament agrees that Gillian Martin be appointed as a Scottish Minister. John Swinney S6M-13772 That the Parliament agrees that Alasdair Allan be appointed as a junior Scottish Minister. followed by Stage 1 Debate: Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill Jamie Hepburn S6M-13758 That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill. followed by Decision Time followed by Members' Business — S6M-13487 Marie McNair: Action Mesothelioma Day 2024 That the Parliament recognises Action Mesothelioma Day 2024, which is on 5 July 2024; understands that mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, with tiny fibres getting into the lungs and damaging them over time; notes that the cancer most commonly occurs in the lining of the lung, but can also occur in the lining of the abdomen and the lining of the heart, with symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing and tiredness; understands that there are around 2,700 new mesothelioma cases in the UK every year, including around 200 in Scotland; recognises that Action Mesothelioma Day is a national event to raise awareness of asbestos and mesothelioma, raise vital funds to support the research into tackling mesothelioma, and to remember and support those who have been affected by the disease; notes with interest that a £2.1 million Cancer Research UK grant has been awarded to the University of Glasgow with the aim of answering the question of why it can take decades for exposure to the fibrous mineral to develop into cancer; applauds the long-standing and ongoing work of the Clydebank Asbestos Group, which has provided information and support to people with asbestos-related conditions for over 30 years; notes the calls for continued research into mesothelioma, and hopes for a successful Action Mesothelioma Day 2024. followed by Members' Business — S6M-13640 Beatrice Wishart: Rural and Island Digital Connectivity Challenges That the Parliament notes with concern that many households in rural and island Scotland face challenges regarding digital connectivity; understands that Ofcom reports that 25% of Shetland households have broadband speeds of less than 30Mbps; further understands that, despite the initial Scottish Government ambition to connect every household to superfast broadband by 2021 through the R100 programme, it is now estimated that full R100 rollout will not be achieved until 2028; notes the reported intention of telecommunications companies to retire the copper phone line network and replace phone lines with digital connections using fibre broadband; understands that this replacement is due by 2027; notes with concern reports that many households are unable to switch to digital phone lines due to lack of broadband connectivity in their area, which, it understands, can cause particular problems for customers with healthcare devices that use the phone line, or those who live in areas with poor mobile phone signal; expresses its disappointment that rural and island households are facing such difficulties, particularly in light of increasingly frequent adverse weather events, which, it understands, put rural and island households at risk of power outages; considers that poor 4G signal in rural and island areas has negative implications for businesses and education; understands that many households in Scotland are unable to be connected to smart meters due to poor connectivity of the smart meter network in their areas, with latest figures showing that less than 10% of households in Scotland’s island groups have smart meters; further understands that many of these households still use legacy radio teleswitch meters, with Scotland having a higher proportion of these meters than other parts of the UK; notes with concern that the radio teleswitch signal is due to be switched off by 30 June 2025, which, it believes, could leave households stuck paying higher tariffs; further notes the belief that a digital divide is detrimental, and notes the calls for both of Scotland’s governments to work together to address the digital connectivity challenges facing households in rural and island Scotland.