On Monday I held surgeries in Ballater, Dinnet and Lumphanan. I appreciate my constituents coming out to speak to me about their concerns and issues.
On Tuesday I attended the Scottish Government Debate Celebrating 100 Years of Women’s Right to Vote. The focus of the debate was that the Parliament recognizes that it has been 100 years since the Representation of the People Act 1918, which finally gave some women the right to vote, and the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918, which allowed women to stand for the UK Parliament; welcomes the activity taking place in Scotland and across the UK to celebrate and commemorate the centenary of women’s suffrage. It further welcomes the considerable progress that has been made in women’s political representation over the last 100 years. There is still much to do to achieve equality for all across the UK, and we must work together to ensure this is achieved.
On Wednesday I attended the Finance Committee meeting on the Scottish Fiscal Commissions, Stage 2 of the Budget bill and Land and Buildings Transaction Tax. In the meeting I asked a question on the behavioural response to the change in policy during the conversation on Scottish Fiscal Commissions.
In the evening I attended Horseback UK’s Parliamentary Reception. This reception provided an opportunity for Members to learn how the ground breaking methodology and training developed by HorseBack UK is aligned to modern medical thinking and how Scottish charity is learning and helping others with this methodology. Later in the evening I attended a dinner on Building Gigabit Scotland which is a partnership approach to delivering world class digital infrastructure.
On Thursday in the morning I had a meeting with Jodie Allan the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers (FPS) president and Tony Brown the FPS Technical manager. I attended the First Minister Questions (FMQ’s). During the FMQ’s the main topic was Scottish Police Authority and police in Scotland and the merger of Scotland’s eight regional police force into one national force.
I attended the afternoon debate on the Stage 1 Debate on the Islands Bill. The bill focuses on the improvement of island communities through investment, empowerment and increasing sustainable growth. The parliament agrees with the general principles of the Islands Bill.