Official Report 1117KB pdf
Good morning. The first item of business is general question time.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. You will already be aware that significant details of this afternoon’s ministerial statement on helping older people with energy costs have been widely published in national papers this morning. That information could only have come from the Scottish Government.
Yet again, publicity is being put ahead of policy and scrutiny. Presiding Officer, do you agree that that is unacceptable, and will you ask the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice to explain the breach of protocol and apologise to you, the Parliament and our constituents, whom we are here to represent? Given that most of the information is already in the public domain, are you content that the statement should go ahead as planned and, if so, in what format?
Thank you, Mr Balfour. I am aware that there are reports in the media in relation to the ministerial statement that is scheduled for this afternoon on supporting older people with increasing energy costs. Members are aware of my expectation that, in line with long-established guidance, where a ministerial statement has been scheduled by the Parliament, the content of the statement should be first made to the Parliament. I am looking into the matter and any decision will be made known to the Parliament.
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General Question Time