In Parliament - James Kelly MSP

Internal Market

Scottish Parliament debates

The devolution settlement must be protected, but any change to powers or trading relationships must have regard to economic impact. What tests does the Scottish Government propose in order to...

Court System (Backlog of Cases)

Scottish Parliament debates

The delay in court cases is particularly challenging for victims of crime, those who are on remand and witnesses. It is important to make progress but to safeguard the important principle of fair...

Court System (Backlog of Cases)

Scottish Parliament debates

7. To ask the First Minister what action is being taken to minimise the backlog of cases in the court system. (S5F-04251)

Scottish Qualifications Authority (Grading Process)

Scottish Parliament debates

As the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills will appreciate, for many young people throughout Scotland, the process of grading is a stressful and worrying time. It...

Scottish Qualifications Authority (Grading Process)

Scottish Parliament debates

6. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that the SQA grading process is fair and transparent for all pupils. (S5O-04433)

Justice Sector Response, Recovery and Renewal

Scottish Parliament debates

I thank the cabinet secretary for advance sight of his statement, and I echo his comments in complimenting those in the police, prison and court sectors who continue to work in very difficult...

Covid-19 (Family Contact for Prisoners)

Scottish Parliament debates

The Scottish Human Rights Commission has identified that restrictions placed on prisoners leaving their cells and the lack of exercise can potentially compromise a prisoner’s mental health...

Covid-19 (Family Contact for Prisoners)

Scottish Parliament debates

As the cabinet secretary noted, the current restrictions are very challenging for prisoners and their families due to the lack of contact. Visits have been cancelled since 24 March. Why has the...

Covid-19 (Family Contact for Prisoners)

Scottish Parliament debates

1. To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are being made to enable prisoners to have contact with their families during the Covid-19 outbreak. (S5T-02245)

Coronavirus Acts Report

Scottish Parliament debates

For emergency legislation to be effective, proper consultation with stakeholders and with the Parliament is required. It is therefore regrettable that, in its submission to the Parliament’s...

Covid-19 (Prisoners) (Family Contact)

Scottish Parliament debates

3. To ask the Scottish Government what arrangements are being made to enable prisoners to have contact with their families during the Covid-19 outbreak. (S5T-02245)

Older People (Support during Covid-19 Outbreak)

Scottish Parliament debates

What is being done to support older people with Covid-19 medical conditions—[ Temporary loss of sound. ]—to ensure that those can get monitored and do not deteriorate—[...

Older People (Support during Covid-19 Outbreak)

Scottish Parliament debates

8. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support older people during the Covid-19 outbreak. (S5O-04371)

Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill

Scottish Parliament debates

I do not think that that was a helpful intervention, to be honest. I will mention some of the other aspects of the bill. It is important that the provisions on donations for local government...

Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill

Scottish Parliament debates

I rise to speak in favour of the bill, which Scottish Labour will support at decision time. As Mark Ruskell said, the bill is largely technical, but there are some good parts in it. It is...

Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill

Scottish Parliament debates

I understand that the priority of the Government and everyone else is tackling issues around the pandemic. However, bearing in mind that the Electoral Commission stated that any changes around...

Children (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

The Government has drafted the bill in such a way as to emphasise the rights of the child, which is correct. However, given the number of members who addressed the subject and the amount of...

Children (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

As Pauline McNeill pointed out, it has been a very high-quality stage 1 debate. Members have come to the chamber after looking not just at the Government’s bill, the general principles of...

Children (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

That is a very good point. The committee took substantial evidence on contact centres, the importance of the right infrastructure around them, ensuring that there is proper health and safety...

Children (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Scottish Parliament debates

I thank the Justice Committee clerks for putting together the report under very difficult circumstances, particularly towards the end of the process, when the Covid-19 pandemic started to have an...