In this section you can read recent speeches Mary has made in the Parliament and questions she has raised.
Budget Debate Stage 1
Many issues could be raised in this debate on the budget. However, as 88,000 people between 18 and 24 years old are registered unemployed, surely further education should be a priority for spending, not a target for cuts, if we are to be a wealthier and fairer nation, as the First Minister outlined earlier.
As an economics and business studies ... [more]
Common Agricultural Policy Reform
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): Last week, I remarked on how unusual it was to have a committee debate before a report had been published. That worked well in last week’s Education and Culture Committee debate, and I am sure that it will work again, particularly given the importance of 2012 for negotiations on the CAP reforms. It is welcome that we are ga... [more]
Looked After Children Debate
In my past life I lectured Economics in Further and Higher Education and with this background I am very pleased to speak in this debate. In two decades as a lecturer students came from all backgrounds, of all ages and with many not so good experiences of life. Further Education, in particular has the enviable reputation of giving so ma... [more]
MS Better Care
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): I, too, congratulate Rhoda Grant on securing the debate. I acknowledge the support that you, Presiding Officer, have given to people with multiple sclerosis in previous sessions of the Parliament and your commitment to the issue. I remember your members’ business debate on the subject many years ago. I imagine that t... [more]
Regulatory Framework
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): The debate has been mainly constructive, with some excellent speeches. Angus MacDonald made a first-class speech, as did Elaine Murray, Margaret McCulloch, with her background of business experience, and Tavish Scott. We all welcomed a first-class speech from Helen Eadie, who is a convert to regulatory review. I say to Chic Brodi... [more]
Autum Statement
Mary Scanlon: The first line of the Government’s motion notes the Office for Budget Responsibility’s reduction in the economic growth forecast. What many have failed to mention is the context of that reduced forecast as stated by the OBR. With higher than expected inflation due to sharp increases in global commodity prices, the enduring crisis in the euro zone ... [more]
Public Sector pensions
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): I refer members to my entry in... [more]
Role of the Public Sector
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): I begin by acknowledging the valuable contribution that the public sector makes to the economy and society in Scotland. It is that hugely valued contribution by public sector workers that makes the potential strikes so devastating, particularly for the most vulnerable. Public sector staff make their cont... [more]
Protecting Scotland's NHS
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): I thank the health secretary for her kind words. I know that Jackson Carlaw will be a great asset to the health debate in Scotland and I am sure that he is looking forward to coming back to health. Although I am leaving health, I certainly do not intend to leave some issues, such as mental health and car... [more]
Welfare Reform
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): The Welfare Reform Bill is an extensive piece of legislation that cannot be fully covered in the tight six minutes that I have.
Our amendment recognises the need to reform the welfare system, become a fairer society and bring an end to the penalising of hard-working families. Although we can all disagree on the det... [more]
