The next item of business is consideration of business motion 1755, in the name of Graeme Day, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a timetable for the stage 3 consideration of the South of Scotland enterprise bill. I would call on Graeme Day to move this motion. Moved, Presiding Officer. Thank you very much, minister. No member has asked to speak against the motion. The question is that motion 1755 be agreed. Are we agreed? We are agreed. We move on to that item of business, the stage 3 proceedings on the South of Scotland enterprise bill. In dealing with that item, members should have with them the bill as amended at stage 2, the marshaled list and the groupings of amendments. The division bill will sound and proceedings will be suspended for five minutes for the first division of the afternoon and the period of voting for the first division will be 30 seconds, thereafter there will be a voting period of one minute for the first division after a debate. Members who wish to speak in the debate on any group of amendments should press their request seat button as soon as possible after I call the group. Members should now refer to the marshaled list. In group 1, on Ames, I call amendment 9, in the name of Colin Smyth, grouped with amendments 2, 3, 10, 11 and 12, Colin Smyth to move amendment 9 and to speak to all amendments in the group. Amendment 9, in my name, which I move, amends the agency's aims so that it is clear that they should be further in sustainable social and economic development rather than simply social and economic development. At stage 2, the bill was amended to call for sustainable economic growth, which was a welcome addition. However, my amendment makes clear that the principle of sustainability should inform decisions across the board when it comes to the implementation of the agency's aims, not only those that are expected to secure economic growth. For example, that includes environmental sustainability, support on the sustainability of communities or the sustainability of vital, but not necessarily profitable services if it furthers the aims of the agency. Sustainability should therefore be a key priority for the agency and this amendment will ensure that the legislation reflects that. Amendment 2, in my name, clarifies the importance of supporting rural businesses, enterprises and communities by adding reference to that in the agency's aims. It reflects the fact that large parts of the region are rural and that those communities have specific challenges and opportunities as a result. That support can take several forms, for example, recognising the importance of rural-based industries such as forestry, agriculture and agriculture to the region, and it could recognise that creating a handful of jobs in a small rural community by supporting the many small and micro-businesses could be as important to the sustainability of that community as creating 100 jobs in a large town. The amendment makes clear that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work within the south of Scotland and ensures that we learn from the current Scottish enterprise model, which has been the difficulty that it has had properly responding to the unique needs of different parts of the area that it covers. Amendment 2, in my name, clarifies the fact that the agency delivers for rural communities and recognises that that will require a different approach that is essential, and that amendment emphasises that by placing it on the face of the bill. With regard to amendment 3, it ties up the language that was used in my amendment at stage 2 to ensure that supporting social enterprises and corporatives was a key aim of the agency. I am more than happy to support amendment 3. Amendment 10, in my name, adds the need to promote the development of affordable agenda names at stage to amendments relating to promoting digital connectivity and transport infrastructure were added to the agencies' aims on the basis that these are key challenges in the region and the agency will have a role to play in helping tackle them. I believe that the shortage of affordable housing is the other major issue of this kind and one in which there is a role to be played by the new agency. As with Transport and Digital Connectivity, I am not suggesting that the agency should be seen as the only one to deliver toi yn cael ei gwahau am yr ystyried oedd, yn dod oedd yn yr ystafell y ddawyr ymlaen i ddechrau i'r ystyried oedd, fel gyda'r ystyried oedd yn ei fanlwyb, gwahad erroedd, yn ddechrau i'r gwrth o'r cyd-dredg minority ac oedd yn y cychwynol amdanoeddiol ac yn wybod o flaen i'r gyfnod o'r myfyrdd yma ar gyfer, erioeddydd oedd i fod yn y ddefnydd cyffredigol sydd yn yn embarkadu i gilydd y ffordd ac yn ddechrau i gynnyddol yn ei ddechrau i gynnyddol, the certainly deal shortage in the area and various trades and the need for the new agency to work with the local colleges, for example, to support a grow your own programme for trades people? On fulfilling the aim, the role of the agency would be working with stakeholders helping to develop solutions to the challenges that the region faces with regards to affordable housing. By making an aim of the agency, it stresses the importance of this to the south of Scotland. Amendment 11 by Joe McAlpine adds reference to cultural heritage in the agency's aims. a ddynt ni i gwybod i dod i adil a'u unrhyw costaidd oherwydd. Fawr i'r cyfnod oherwydd i bob meddwl i gael i wneudgot yn ddirf yn gyf troubledd, ac i ddrygu ddrygu'n cyfnod ei bod i ddrygu'n cyfnod iawn. Roedd y bydau chywcoedd yn ddrygu'n cyfnod iawn a bod mae'r materiasol i ddrygu'n cyfnod iawn i ddim yn eu gwybod i ddymaeigτur oherwydd i ddsod hen weithaddwad y niferion r zusammen o bucks a the cofgands장이ain amd considering it. Gwell, the Cabinet Secretary to speak to amendment 3 that's強 y other amendment in this group. Mr Ewing. Amendment 3 is a technical tiding up revision to ensure the bill's terms are yn gwneud sicrhau o'r ddweudio cyfnodau cyllidau cyllidau cyfnodol, yn credu i ddweudio'r ddweudio cyfnodol, lleidio'r ddweudio cyllidau cyllidau cyllidau cyllidau cyfnodol. Yn mynd i ddod o'r ddweudio, am fawr, wrth fy nghylch, mae'n rwyf wedi ddod o'r ddweudio'r ddweudio fyddog hwnnw oedd i felw i'w gweithio i dwybodaeth yn y regionf, a oeddio eu bod yn yn gwell i gyfnodig iawn i gyfrifio cwmnogwyrain. Rwy'n cael ei parhau o b repeating o chi wych yn gyfaintio i mleidon ni, i gyfrifio'r cyrchonisi a i d�w hynny i gyfrifio'r cyrchonisi, i fyd fanchiffwyr nifer o'r maithiad. Fybdd eich mynd i chi'n ffrindiau i gyfrifio'r cyfrifio'r cyfrifio'r Cwmwyr. It builds in the good work of members of the south of Scotland economic partnership, such as Paula Ogovee and Dame Barbara Kelly, in bringing experience of book festivals and art trusts to the south of Scotland. I will also be supporting amendment 12. Emma Harper's amendment brings the bill's wording into line with climate legislation, so I'm getting off to an extremely positive start, Presiding Officer, which I hope is appreciated by all. However, I do have some concerns about Mr Smith's amendments 2 and 10, but let me start off by saying that I absolutely understand the aims of what he's seeking to do, but I don't think that they're technically felicitous. I understand the point that he's making with the reference to rural businesses, but I would contend that all businesses and communities in the south of Scotland are predominantly rural, including those that are based in some of the bigger towns such as Dumfries and Gallashill. If by rural Mr Smith means those businesses that are considered to be rural industries such as farming, forestry and fishing, it is absolutely the case that this agency will take a closer than ever interest in these vital industries to the south of Scotland. I hope that members will expect nothing less and that they're right to do so. I appreciate the aim of Mr Smith's amendment 10 about affordable housing. Affordable housing is key to inclusive growth, as well as being key to achieving the aims of the proposed agency, but I'm sure that Mr Smith would also not want to rule out supporting other types of housing than affordable housing and other types of housing, such as mid-market housing or housing developments, not all of which may be affordable. Therefore, his amendment, and it's not intended to do that, may have the effect of preventing him from doing so. I don't consider it necessary for reference to the promotion of affordable housing to be set out in the bill because this is already absolutely clearly implicit in the aims of the bill, set out in the bill and the ways in which those aims will be supported. For example, I can refer members to section 5 to F and section 5 to BA. We will, by having those provisions in the bill already in the bill at stage 2, already be supporting communities which incorporate affordable housing, of course it does, to help them to meet their needs and to increase the number of residents who are of working age. I would encourage members to support amendments 9, 3, 11 and 12 and to resist amendment 2. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. My amendment 11 emphasises the importance of protecting and enhancing the cultural as well as the natural heritage of the south of Scotland. During stage 2 deliberations, the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee was keen that cultural heritage was included on the face of the bill, recognising the role of culture alongside natural heritage. That resonates with people across the south of Scotland who are rightly proud of their culture and that is why I would like to see amendment 11 supported. The vibrancy of our area's culture is renowned locally, nationally and internationally. From the abbeys in the borders to the castles and standing stones of Dumfries and Galloway, the south has a heritage to be proud of. That heritage spans centuries and many genres and forms. We are celebrating the 250th birthday of Walter Scott in 2021 and the 160th birthday of J.M. Barrie next year. I was very pleased to attend the opening of Moat Bray, a storytelling centre in the house that J.M. Barrie found inspiration for Peter Pan in Dumfries. Our summer in the south of Scotland starts with the Borders Book Festival and closes with the Wigton Book Festival. Kirkcwbri thrived as an artist town, promoting Dorothy L Sears to say in Galloway when either fishes or paints. Of course, that historic success is built on with the wonderful new art gallery that opened in Kirkcwbri recently. Right up to date, our success continues with the Dumfries-born Brit award-winning DJ Calvin Harris. Culture and the creative economy, as we know, is more than simply a means in itself, of course, and more than a means of boosting tourism, but it is a way of developing community capacity and aiding regeneration. I would like to cite the work of the Stove artists collective in Dumfries in driving the mid-stiple quarter, which is aimed at regenerating the high street through housing and other economic activity. Part of the Stove's work also includes creative futures, which is building community capacity in West Dumfries. That is a really good example of art and culture playing an important role in engagement and energising communities and community development, which is very much in the spirit of what we are doing with this bill. My amendment makes clear that one way that SOSC can further its aims is to maintain, protect and enhance the cultural heritage of South Scotland, and I urge members to support it. Thank you very much. I call Emma Harper to speak to amendment 12 on the other amendments in this group. Thank you, Presiding Officer. I am on my feet this afternoon to move amendment 12 in my name. I welcome the amendments at stage 2, firstly from the Scottish Government and then from Colin Smith, to commit the new South Scotland Enterprise Agency to work to support our climate change ambitions. While, clearly, Colin Smith's amendment helped to move the framing of the provision into the appropriate space of net zero, I do not think that the language was quite appropriate. My amendment therefore revises the language that the amendment was agreed to at stage 2, whilst aiming to bring it in line with current terminology in environmental legislation provided better alignment with the Climate Change Scotland Act 2009. The Parliament is currently considering the climate change bill, which would set a world-leading statutory target for net zero greenhouse gas emissions and is the flagship legislative response to the climate emergency. It is therefore appropriate that we link what we are trying to achieve in the environmental policy and legislation with the South Scotland Enterprise Bill, so I encourage members to support this amendment accordingly. I support amendment 11 by Joan McAlpine. It is absolutely essential that the new agency supports the wide-ranging cultural aspects that were highlighted very clearly by my colleague Joan McAlpine. I agree with Cabinet Secretary regarding amendment 10. I would not wish that to lead to any duplication in housing developments as local authorities and housing authorities and the Scottish Government have an absolute aim to build affordable housing, so duplication would not be my goal. I am better grateful for the member for taking an intervention on that point. Will the member not agree that social housing and the role that it plays not only in retaining the population but in encouraging the population is worthy of specific mention? Part of the aim of the legislation is to promote the sound. The Scottish Government is already committed to building affordable housing in rural communities, so that is an essential programme that is already in place. I am not keen to have duplication, because we already have concerns about multiple agencies and multiple members, not people not knowing the best direction to go. Affordable housing is essential, but I do not think that it needs to be here at this point. Liberal Democrats will be supporting Colin Smyth's amendment 9, Fergus Ewing's amendment 3, Joan McAlpine's amendment 11 and Emma Harper's amendment 12. I think that, like the cabinet secretary, we have issues with amendments 2 and 10. We think that amendment 2 is too restrictive, supporting rural businesses. We all want to support rural businesses, of course we do, but by putting that in the bill, what about urban businesses? I do not think that it meets what Colin Smyth is aiming for, so I do not think that that is right to put it on the face of the bill. Secondly, in his amendment number 10, promoting the development of affordable housing, we feel that a mixed housing is not necessary to support employment and bring people into the south of Scotland. It is too restrictive, just affordable housing—as important as it is, of course. Oliver Mundell, I thank the member for taking the intervention. However, as someone representing that part of the world, there is an acute problem with affordable housing, and I am not convinced by the arguments that the member is making, or we have heard from other members, that there is going to be any harm that comes from making that explicit in the bill. Can you explain that? Mike Rumbles. Yeah, it is helpful intervention, but I should explain more. Obviously, I believe that it is an important issue that everybody deserves to live in a decent house. That is a fundamental human right, and we are not meeting that need at the moment. However, I have to say that 5-2-F, supporting communities to help them to meet their needs to me, is an enabling element here in this bill. I have just taken intervention on that point, but I will if you— Colin Smyth. I mean that twice we have had members refer to other aims of the agency around communities, but, frankly, those arguments could be used around the change that we made at stage 2 on transport, for example, and also on digital connectivity, which, in fact, is a reserved issue. Mr Rumbles explained why he supports transport and digital connectivity, promoting improvements there to be an appropriate aim for the new agency, but not housing, which is probably the third—along with transport and digital connectivity—a biggest issue facing the south of Scotland. Mike Rumbles. I do think that Colin Smyth is misunderstanding me. I actually just said, absolutely emphasised it, that everybody needs a decent house to live in. It is a fundamental human right, and we need to focus on that. I am worried about just putting on the face of the bill the affordable issue. We have to have affordable housing, but if we are to attract employment to the south of Scotland, we need to encourage a mix of housing for everyone. I think that the Government is right in 5.2F to support communities to help them to meet their needs. That would be the enabling legislation that I would prefer to support. I have finished. Thank you very much. In that case, there are no other members who wish to speak in this group.  Thank you, Presiding Officer. I welcome the cabinet secretary and other support for some of the amendments, but I am disappointed that, when it comes to the substantive amendments relating to support and development of housing and support in rural, business, enterprise and communities, there is no support there. I have to say that arguments against the housing amendment are exactly the same arguments that the Government put at stage 2, or rather, stage 1 debate, against including transport and digital connectivity, which is a reserved issue. Improving that as part of the aims of the agency and why it does not believe that housing, which is probably the third other major issue facing the area, should be included as disappointing. I am most grateful for Mrs Smyth giving way. The reason why we do not think that the amendment should be accepted is that affordable housing already falls within the definition of communities and the matters that are to be pursued is already something that the agency will do. Secondly, by singling out one type of housing, as Mr Rumbles indicated, that could—we are getting a lot of noises off, Presiding Officer—by including one type of housing, which we all absolutely support in this chamber, the risk is that the interpretation of law by the courts would be that other types of housing would not be something that the agency should be promoting. That is not something that any member surely would wish. Colin Smyth. I do not think that anybody is suggesting that the agency will take the lead on those areas. In the same way, they will not take the lead on transport—that is a role for transport Scotland. The point is that the challenge that we have in the region is around affordable housing. Housing is being built across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. Where the shortage is, where we need that intervention, where there is market failure is around the issue of affordable housing. That is one of the reasons why every day we see young people leaving the south of Scotland and moving into the central belt to get jobs and educational opportunities, because they cannot afford to have housing in the south of Scotland and the job opportunities are not there from them. Everybody recognises that this is a big challenge for the area, and we should be recognising that by putting it on the face of the bill and making it an aim for the new agency. I will give way to Rachel Hamilton. Rachel Hamilton. Thank you for taking the intervention. I agree that it is absolutely crucial to bring young people back to the south of Scotland for reasons that they cannot find affordable housing. It is important that it is a crucial part of economic growth, and we will be supporting the amendment. On the further amendment 2, which clarifies the importance of support in rural businesses, it has been implied that somehow that will mean not support in urban businesses, which I think shows a complete misunderstanding of the rest of the aims in the bill itself. The aims of the bill talk about support and inclusive sustainable economic growth. It talks about encouraging business startups and entrepreneurship. It already covers all businesses, but there is a specific challenge when it comes to rural businesses, and that is recognising that sometimes in a small community, to make that community sustainable, you may need to create four or five jobs. That is as important as creating 100 jobs in a larger town or city, but that is something that has been missing from the current economic development support that a region faces. Likewise, it is recognising the fact that, in a rural community, you will need additional support to make that happen and to make a difference to communities. That is why it is important to specify that. It also encompasses the importance of those industries from forestry to agriculture to aquaculture, which will make a big difference to the economy of Dumfries and Galloway in the Borders. That is why so many organisations such as the NFU very much support the amendment to the bill. I will take an intervention along. I will finish there. He said that it was implied, because it wasn't implied at all. I said it straight out that if you just put in stage 3 of this bill, if you just put in law supporting rural businesses in law in this stage 3 debate, it can easily be interpreted as saying that urban businesses may not be supported. That is the point. We have no revising chamber, and it is stage 3. It is really important that we get this right. Colin Smyth. That interpretation would mean that, frankly, Mike Rumbles hasn't looked at the rest of the aims of the bill, which talks about encouraging business startups and entrepreneurship. Those are covered, but the distinctive way in which we need to support rural businesses isn't covered. In the same way that you could argue, we shouldn't have transport or support in digital connectivity, because that excludes other things. That is an ridiculous statement to make. It emphasises the importance of a focus on rural businesses for the new agency. That is why I am happy to support that amendment 2 and the other amendment that is disappointing that others do not appear to be supported. The member is there for pressing amendment 9. The question is that amendment 9 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? We are agreed. I call amendment 2 in the name of Colin Smyth. Colin Smyth to move or not move. That is moved. The question is that amendment 2 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? We are not agreed. This is the first division of the day, so we are going to suspend for five minutes while I call the other members to the chamber. We are now resumed and we are now going to vote on amendment 2 in the name of Colin Smyth. Members may vote now that this is a 32nd division on amendment 2. The number 2 in the name of Colin Smyth is, yes, 53, no, 60. There were no abstentions, the amendment is therefore not agreed. I call amendment 3 in the name of the cabinet secretary. Cabinet secretary to move. Thank you. The question is that amendment 3 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? We are agreed. I call amendment 10 in the name of Colin Smyth. Already debated, Colin Smyth to move. That is moved. The question is that amendment 10 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? We are not agreed. We will move to division. Members may cast their votes now. The result of the vote on amendment 10 in the name of Colin Smyth is, yes, 52, no, 60. There were no abstentions, the amendment is therefore not agreed. I call amendment 11 in the name of Joan McAlpine. Joan McAlpine to move. That is moved. Thank you. The question is that amendment 11 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? Yes. We are agreed. I call amendment 12 in the name of Emma Harper. Emma Harper to move. Moved. Thank you very much. The question is that amendment 12 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? We are agreed. We move now to group 2, the collaboration and co-operation with other bodies. I call amendment 13 in the name of Claudia Beamish. Grouped with amendments 14 and 19. Claudia Beamish to move amendment 13 and to speak to all the amendments in the group. Thank you, Presiding Officer. I move the amendment in my name and declare an interest as a member of the co-operative group of members of the Scottish Parliament. This amendment would add to the aims in section 5, a requirement to, I quote, encourage persons and bodies with an interest in the environment to co-operate in achieving environmental objectives. I bought this back from stage 2 because I strongly believed that it should be on the face of the bill. It would enable and facilitate, he's not listening, a whole range of bodies and individuals such as farmers, land managers and communities, urban and rural to work together. The amendment would encourage groups to take environmental projects forward on a co-operative model. I emphasise that this is not only about collaboration but a more robust model of co-operation. I'm disappointed that the cabinet secretary does not grasp the importance of this. In commenting on the amendment at stage 2, he stated that it is essential that everyone works together and co-operates, but it's not really about the agency. The bill is not really telling about telling third parties what to do. That does not really come under the scope of the bill. People need to work together across the whole scope of government. That is expected and desirable, but it is not really within the scope of any bill that establishes a new body to state that third parties should co-operate. That should happen anyway. The persons and bodies interested in the model should be self-selecting. There would be no obligation. The amendment is not about should, but it is about could. It is not about telling people what to do, which is what the cabinet secretary stated is his interpretation of it at stage 2. It is about facilitating co-operative action. The cabinet secretary also stated at stage 2 that, with an environmental interest, was a vague term. I disagree with that, and I will give some examples, which are all things that would be far more difficult on an individual small scale for farmers, land management and community groups to do without the support and advice on working co-operatively. One would be river-based and wide work, for example such actions as riparian tree planting to mitigate flooding and bring shade to salmon-spawning grounds. Another is the removal of non-native invasive plant species such as giant hogweed from a wide area, less worth doing on a small scale due to the likely continuing spread in spite of being tackled. Another is agroforestry schemes, which would enable action, which, because of the economies of scale, would make tree planting more possible across smaller landholds in a way that would be otherwise more difficult. My final example is woodland planting, of which there are many good examples by communities already. That would enhance it further, such as pebbles and other places in South Scotland that are doing that work already. The amendment would support and facilitate communities to work on that and other issues and many more with advice from the agency and support. In view of the recent United Nations report on nature and the extinction warnings therein and the IPCC warning about remaining below 1.5 degrees, the new commitment by the Scottish Government to net zero emissions by 2045, which is welcome, and more broadly, the climate and the environment emergencies, and the cabinet secretary's commitment to look at all policies in the context of climate change, I am clear that the amendment adds to the aims in a way that would facilitate a co-operative approach to positive environmental and climate change objectives. That support for co-operation for environmental purposes is surely exactly the sort of policy marker that the Scottish Government should be making explicit on the face of this relevant bill. That amendment is in the public interest in view of those imperatives. I hope that, even at this late stage, in view of the arguments that I have put forward, the cabinet secretary will reconsider his position and agree to my amendment. I will be pleased to hear, Presiding Officer, that I am going to leave the other two amendments to those who are moving them at this stage. Thank you very much, Ms Beamish. I call Maureen Watt to speak to amendment 14 on the other amendments in the group. During the rural economy and connectivity committee's consideration of the bill, it was clear that, with a number of bodies operating in the south of Scotland, it would be important to ensure that the new agency did not duplicate existing activity but would enhance the current landscape. Amendment 14 makes it clear that, in working to deliver its aims, the new agency should encourage and facilitate collaboration. Collaboration can effectively contribute towards advancing the aims of the agency, whether that collaboration and co-operation be between the various agencies operating the region or between other persons or bodies. Claudia Beamish and Colin Smyth similarly recognise the need for collaboration and co-operation to be mentioned in the bill, but their amendments place a narrower focus on the purpose of that collaboration or the bodies involved. Collaboration will be important to the delivery of all the aims of the new agency, whether that be environmental, economic or social. We should not be prescriptive about that collaboration. In my name, the amendment seeks to emphasise the importance of the new agency, both working collaboratively and promoting collaboration in pursuit of its aims. It provides the necessary flexibility to drive collaboration and co-operation in the most appropriate way and with the most appropriate bodies. I ask members to support amendment 14. Thank you, and I call Colin Smyth to speak to amendment 19, and the other amendment in the group. Amendment 19 in my name places a duty on the new agency to facilitate co-operation between relevant bodies. That serves as a specific purpose around the practical operations of public bodies in the region. It is not just about supporting the broad concept of co-operation but making it a requirement. There is no doubt that one of the key concerns local stakeholders raised with the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee at stage 1 was how the new agency would work with existing bodies, the risk of duplication or gaps was raised and the need for a cohesive collaborative approach achieving aims was stressed by most stakeholders. The new agency will be working alongside Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Business Gateway, the Scottish Funding Council, two local authorities, whatever governance structures introduced to run the Borderlands Initiative and many others. The cluttered landscaping concerns over poor co-operation between existing bodies has been a real problem in the region in the past. As we add a new agency to the existing list, we cannot afford a repeat in the future. Simply saying co-operation will happen is not as robust as underpinning this in legislation. The right committee recognised that in stage 1 in our report, which called for the development of appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and co-ordination between the new agencies and all the various existing agencies that operate in the region, including the strategic board. One example of such a mechanism was provided by the leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Elaine Murray, and her evidence on behalf of the council and all the groups on that council where she suggested a memorandum of understanding between the various public authorities. In my amendment, I am not being prescriptive about what approach should be taken, but unless we make this collaboration a priority, indeed a legal requirement, then we can talk all we like about promoting improved transport, a digital connectivity, but it will be meaningless unless there is a clear co-operation across agency and the best way to focus minds on the need for that is to make it a legal requirement. Amendment 13 by Claudia Beamish calls for the agency to take on a role in encouraging co-operation for the purposes of achieving environmental aims. This co-operation could cover a whole range of models from formal co-operatives to catchment-based co-operation to general co-operation. That is clearly a positive move. Given that a new agency will have a social environmental remit as well as an economic one, it is fair to ask it to play a role in encouraging that kind of work. Finally, amendment 14 by Maureen Watt likewise calls for the agency to play a facilitating role when it comes to collaboration within the region again. I think that that is a worthwhile addition, and I tabled the same wording. However, I do not believe that the new agency needs to have a leadership role in the region on issues that are relevant to its aims, and I do not think that amendment 14 goes far enough to deliver that. However, I do not believe that it is in any way a substitute for amendment 19, as Maureen Watt seems to imply. I think that it will complement amendment 19. Amendment 13, 14 and 19 all seek in differing ways to impress upon the new agency the importance of working collaboratively and promoting collaboration. A culture of co-operation has been a key characteristic of the work across the south to date, taken forward by the south of Scotland economic partnership. Indeed, we have already seen the willingness of the partnership to work with other agencies and communities to deliver for the region. I am confident that the relationships that it has forged and the fresh dynamic that it has brought to discussions and activities will continue. The Government strongly encourages co-operation and alignment to deliver maximum impact. It is a theme that we highlight firstly in strategic guidance letters that we issue to agencies. Therefore, I intend to do similarly in the guidance letter to south of Scotland enterprise. Secondly, it is a key theme of the work of the enterprise and skills strategic board, which by its very existence is concerned with creating greater synergy and alignment across planning of our enterprise and skills agency. In addition, the chair of the new agency will be a member of that strategic board. We are also, thirdly, committed to establishing regional economic partnerships across Scotland. I do not think that it would make sense for all of those three amendments that seek to do the same thing to make it into the bill. Saying the same thing in legislation several times in slightly different words tends not to make the law clearer but more confusing. I therefore encourage members to support Maureen Watt's amendment and to reject the others in this group. I want to set out the reasons why that is the case. Amendment 14 is the most complete statement about the sort of collaboration that I am sure everyone across the chamber wants to see the new agency engage in and promote. It makes it clear that the new agency should work collaboratively with others and encourage and facilitate others to work co-operatively amongst themselves to support the delivery of all of the agency's aims. That is furthering sustainable economic and social development and improving the immunity and environment of the south of Scotland. In contrast, amendment 13 from Claudia Beamish relates only to collaboration around environmental aims. I welcome Ms Beamish lodging that amendment to highlight the undoubted importance of collaborating around environmental goals. However, if the bill were to underscore the importance of collaboration on environmental matters only, it would suggest that collaboration around economic and social development is of lesser importance. I do not think that that is the message that anyone, including Ms Beamish, would want this legislation, which is to set up an enterprise agency to send. Colin Smyth's amendment 19 is also narrower than amendment 14. Whereas amendment 14, and for that matter, 13, is concerned rightly with the promotion of co-operation amongst all persons, be it a public, private or third sector, amendment 19 is limited to dealing with co-operation in the public sector. It does not refer to bodies in the private sector or in the third sector. It further confines the agency's role to facilitating co-operation between itself and other public authorities operating in the region, rather than acknowledging that it might also wish to encourage co-operation between and with any public body who may play a part in achieving the agency's aims, even if those public bodies operate or are based outwith the region. The result is that amendment 19 ignores the importance of the agency working co-operatively with, for example, neighbouring local authorities, such as in Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire, in spite of the committee expressing a strong view during stage 1 that it would want the agency to work in co-operation with those neighbouring authorities. For those reasons, I encourage members to support Maureen Watt's amendment 14, which is helpful in fostering co-operation and co-laboration in an expansive way and to reject the others in this group. No other member wishes to contribute. I will ask Claudia Beamish to wind up and to pressure amendment 13. In reference to amendment 19, how the new agency will work with existing bodies and the need for a cohesive and collaborative approach, it has been stressed by stakeholders, as Colin Smith stated in his remarks. The reference to a cluttered landscape by Colin Smith is really important because the lines of communication have to be really clear in relation to co-laboration. While I take the point as a resident of Clydesdale and representing the whole of the region of South Scotland about working with other local authorities that are not included within the South Scotland agency, I do not think that this is an exclusive amendment. I think that it is inclusive in terms of co-laboration. It is disappointing that the cabinet secretary is not prepared to support it. I think that clarity on that amendment would have been bought by having it on the face of the bill. I would also argue in relation to my own amendment—although I do not want to add very much to that—that, in view of the climate and environment emergencies, I believe that it is the dereliction of duty of the Scottish Government not to support that amendment in relation to environmental co-laboration. It does not prevent or—it is not exclusive in that way and does not prevent social and economic co-laboration from happening. It simply emphasises the importance of that in relation to the climate emergency. I think that I will leave it at that. Thank you, Presiding Officer, and see where we go. Thank you very much, Ms Beamish. The question is that amendment 13 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? We are not agreed. We will move to a vote and this will be a one-minute division. Amendment 13, in the name of Claudia Beamish, is yes, 53, no, 59. There were no abstentions, the amendment is therefore not agreed. Amendment 14, in the name of Maureen Watt, Maureen Watt to move. The question is that amendment 14 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? We are agreed. I am going to turn now to group 3 consultation on action plan. Amendment 15, in the name of Colin Smyth, grouped with amendment 16 and 17, Colin Smyth to move amendment 15 and to speak to all the amendments in the group. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Amendments 15, 16 and 17 in my name set out requirements and timescales for the new agency to review and consult on its action plan. During stage 2, I put forward a number of amendments on this issue and agreed to consider feedback on those from the committee. The principle, however, remains exactly the same. Consulting with communities will be essential to the work of the new agency, and I believe that the bill must include clear statutory requirements in this regard. We need an agency that is for the south of Scotland and is very much rooted in the south of Scotland. Lest we find local solutions to the local challenges and opportunities facing the economy and communities in the region, the agency will not deliver on its aims, and that means that it is listening to the communities within the south of Scotland. Amendment 17 places a requirement on the new agency to consult before making its first action plan and within a maximum of five years after that. It is important that the agency's action plan is kept up-to-date to ensure that it is always relevant to the needs and priorities of the region, and to consult on the plan on a regular basis will help to achieve that. The maximum five-year window delivers the flexibility needed to allow the agency to make plans on their own terms and to synchronise with those of other enterprise agencies. However, I stress that the five-year period is a maximum. We should fully expect the agency to revise its plan often enough so that this upper limit does not need to be enforced and to also ensure that on-going consultation and community engagement is part of the regular activity of the new agency. Local input in any consultation is essential. The agency needs to reflect the views of the people whom it serves, so my amendment makes clear that the new agency must consult with those who live and work in the south of Scotland and also businesses and public bodies that operate in the south of Scotland. However, I consider it crucial that local authorities have the opportunity, in particular to respond, and the amendment makes provision for that at subsection 3 of amendment 17. That makes clear that the new agency must specifically seek the views from Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council. Subsection 4 of amendment 17 requires the new agency to report on what it will do in response to views obtained through the consultation process. In the interests of transparency, that report must be sent to Scottish ministers, local authorities and then laid before Parliament. Amendments 15 and 16, which are also part of this group, are technical amendments should amendment 17 be approved. I therefore formally move amendment 15 in my name. I am happy to support those amendments that address key issues of whom to consult with, when to consult and how often and what it should do with the consultation findings. Those give effect to key matters raised at stage 2 but without imposing an unduly bureaucratic burden on the agency. By stating that the action plan must be reviewed at least every five years, amendment 17 ensures that the new agency's planning cycle can be synchronised with the other enterprise agencies. I am pleased that the amendment also expressly states that the new agency must consult those who live and work in the south of Scotland as well as businesses and public authorities who operate in the south, including local authorities who are critical partners for the new agency. I hope that members will join the Government in supporting those amendments. Does Colin Smyth wish to add anything to his previous comments? In that case, we move to the vote. The question is that amendment 15 be agreed to. Are we agreed? We are agreed. Amendment 16, in the name of Colin Smyth, is to move. Thank you very much. The question is that amendment 16 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? We are agreed. Amendment 17, in the name of Colin Smyth, is to move. That is moved. The question is that amendment 17 be agreed to. Are we all agreed? We are agreed. Turn now to group 4, powers not to be used to contribute to arms trade. Amendment 1, in the name of John Finnie, in a group on its own, John Finnie to speak to and move. Amendment 1. Thank you very much. Throughout deliberations and scrutiny of this bill, much has been made of the comparator with Highlands and Islands Enterprise. With regard to monies provided with companies, I have asked over a number of years, as have colleagues about the role of public monies and the defence sector. In 2017, I asked a series of questions and culminating in a meeting with the chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise when she explained that, for instance, in an actual example, a company may manufacture batteries—that battery could be used in a motor vehicle—and it could also be used in a tank. It does not necessarily mean that they are working for the defence sector. I got a breakdown of monies that had been provided and I was assured that there was no promotion of that. Therefore, I imagine my surprise when, the following week, I received an invitation from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and I will read it out to you. Aerospace and defence sector opportunities in the region highlighted at the event. Businesses in the Highlands and Islands are invited to a free workshop to find out how the region can benefit from opportunities in the aerospace, defence, security and space industries that were held in Inverness. It goes on to say that the event is organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in ADS Scotland. For members who do not know who ADS Scotland is, and this is from their actual website, ADS is the founding partners of the Defence Growth Partnership, which aims to secure a thriving UK defence sector, delivering long-term security, growth and prosperity for our nation. As a partnership between industry and government, the DGP is an important part of generating high-tech export-led growth. Do you have any examples about the south of Scotland in this instance, or are you using the Highlands and Islands as an example that could tell the chamber why you are using this as an example, please? John Finnie? Well, I am grateful that the members are listening intently. If you continue to listen intently, I hope that it will become clear. Of course, they are comparator bodies, and that is what I started off by saying. The DGP is working to, and I quote here, grow the UK's global market share through increased exports, foster greater collaboration and innovation across the sector, bringing products and services to market to meet the customer, and improve competitiveness through the whole value chain. I brought an amendment at stage 2, which covered a range of aspects, including lots that could be made available to the military, and I was assured by a number of members that it was far too expansive. So what I have come back with at stage 3 is an amendment, which, as members will note, mentions the word munitions. You may ask where that word comes from. It is frequently cited by the Scottish Government. Indeed, my colleague Ross Greer asked a question of the Scottish Government in last year about any companies that it provides financial support to have supplied weapons or equipment that might have been used in the alleged war crimes in Yemen by the Saudi Air Force. The reply from Minister Paul Healsouth was, and I quote here, that the Scottish Government has not used public monies to support the manufacture or export of munitions from Scotland. The member will know that there is cross-party or great support in his chamber for funding of the spaceport in Sutherland. That high has great funding in that. Does the member object to high funding of the spaceport? The member will know, as I do, that there are a number of competitions for space monies in the Highlands, and the high is actively involved in that. I am actually talking about the defence sector here. The reality is that, again, when asked what the definition of munitions was, Minister Mr McKee said that the definition for munitions is, quote, a weapon or ammunition, particularly for military use. Scotland's enterprise agencies do not support the manufacture or export of munitions, certainly. I understand that the member may have very different views from me on some of those issues, but does he not recognise that it is a bit odd to rule out making munitions for UK armed forces anywhere in the south of Scotland? John Finnie? No, I do not personally think that it is remotely odd at all. I then move to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee at stage 2, when the issue was discussed, and as I said, a more expansive amendment. Fergus Ewing, the cabinet secretary said, and I quote here, as the First Minister has made clear that the Scottish Government and its enterprise and skills agencies do not provide funding for the manufacture of munitions, our enterprise agencies do not support the manufacture of munitions. If that is the case, I cannot see why there would be any issue whatsoever in the Scottish Government supporting this amendment. I understand that they do not plan to. Turning to the south of Scotland, Penman Engineering in Dumfries, received funding from Scottish Enterprise. Penman products include armoured vehicles for military purposes. Armoured vehicles for military purposes, one of their products is, I am told here, a Metra MRV, which looks similar to Humvee. I am hearing the minister tell me that its ambulance is well. The promotional vehicle shows it with a machine gun mounted on the top. That is not my idea—not my idea—of an ambulance with a machine gun. The member will take an intervention. Obviously, the risk of speaking of a sedentary position that may have misheard, I was saying that they also make ambulances, which is the point that is to clarify the point that I made. I am a big fan of ambulances, I have to say, and if they can be manufactured in the south of Scotland, that is really good. In 2012, they applied for an export licence for military vehicles to Saudi Arabia. Previously, they applied for an export licence for military vehicles in Libya. We are repeatedly told that diversification is what it is all about, and I think that that is commendable, but I cannot see— Oliver Mundell. I thank the member for giving way again. Can he confirm, for my constituents, whether or not he intends this amendment to rule out future funding for Penman engineering, or whether he recognises that they do not, in fact, make munitions? John Finnie. I did not quite catch the end, but if the member reads the amendment, he will see that I would rule out any funding for munitions, yes. Oliver Mundell. For the point of clarification, I am saying that Penman's engineering in Dumfries do not make munitions. Does the member agree with that point? John Finnie. I have read out to the information that I have about that. If they do not make munitions, that is good. That is really good. I hope that, given the undoubted support that there is from the Scottish Government for no funding made available for munitions, that there will be no difficulty supporting the amendment. Thank you very much, Mr Finnie. I call Mike Rumbles. Well, after that, this amendment purports to be about the arms trade. This amendment is not about the arms trade. If you look at the Green's own amendment, it actually says that they actually, in their amendment, defined the arms trade as the quote, the sale of munitions for domestic procurement. This is not about the arms trade, and it is a bit false to pretend that this is a debate about the arms trade. You have had your say. You can come back later on.  This is not about the arms trade, despite what we have heard from John Finnie just now. What about domestic munitions for shotguns for farmers and all that sort of thing if a company wanted to set up in the south of Scotland? This would ring through that. I spent 15 years in the army. As long as we have an army, they will need to have munitions. I hope that we all agree with that. Or do the Greens not want us to have an army with munitions? Or do they not want us to have an army at all? Let's be honest in this sort of debate. This is a remarkably daft amendment. If I am allowed to say that, Presiding Officer, it is a daft amendment. It wasn't supported by anybody else at stage 2. It shouldn't be supported by anybody else other than the Greens in stage 3. I hope that we will resoundly send a message. If we have an army, they will need to have munitions for goodness sake. Finlay Carson, to be filled by Sir Stevenson. The Conservatives and the Benches will certainly not be supporting John Finnie's amendment, particularly in light of the suggestion that it might involve companies such as Penmans in Dumfries or the Helmet Factory in Stranraer that produces cutting-edge technology for helmets that go to the American Air Force and the John Dams in France. Moving funding from them would be a disaster for the south of Scotland, not only Stranraer on its own, so it will not be supporting this amendment, because I do not think that it actually sets out to achieve what John Finnie would intend it to do. Thank you Presiding Officer. Let me just add slightly to what has just been said. The purpose of the product of helmet integration systems is safety helmets. In other words, they are for protecting people from the incidents that happen in the field of war. So the 100 people who are employed at helmet integrated systems will be listening very carefully to this debate, and the idea that the south of Scotland enterprise board should be denied the opportunity to support that company and other innovative companies that are genuinely saving lives in the most hazardous of conditions is unsupportable. We cannot support this amendment, although we acknowledge Mr Finnie's right to bring it back to the Parliament. Put simply, his amendment could still prevent the new agency from providing support to companies in the defence sector in the south of Scotland, even for activities for business development and diversification into other areas. As the First Minister has made clear, the Scottish Government and its enterprise and skills agencies do not provide funding for the manufacture of munitions. Our agency's support helps firms to diversify and develop non-military applications for their technology. We recognise the importance of the aerospace defence and marine sectors in Scotland. They employ many young graduates in STEM subjects. The agencies work proactively with those sectors to help them to diversify their activities to grow and sustain employment. That position would apply to the new agency as well. It is important to ensure that we do not restrict the flexibility of the new agency to be able to do so, and the revised amendment would do that. The defence aerospace and marine sector in Scotland matters to our economy and we do not wish to damage the contribution that companies in this sector make, or to be able to respond at some future date, should exceptional circumstances relating to the defence of the state mean that we wish to provide support to our business to enable it to provide goods and services to the military. I, too, want to mention the company Helmets Integrated Systems, GenTex Europe in Stranraer. That employs more than 100 people with a mixed range of skills and is a living wage employer. It has been based in the south west Scotland since the 1980s. It currently manufactures safety helmets for police, fire and rescue crews, as well as products for various industrial applications and specialist helmets for civil and military aircrew. In short, it provides equipment that keeps those who put themselves in the face of danger often on a daily basis safe. It uses its expertise, skills and knowledge to provide high-quality equipment that those who undertake dangerous and risky work rely upon to keep them safe. Far from being the sort of employer that this Government and its enterprise agencies should stop supporting, it is exactly the sort of business that we wish to continue to help should the need arise in the future. I urge members to oppose this amendment.  Thank you very much. Some interesting contributions and it would be excellent if the individuals who had contributed and actually look at the amendment rather than what they presumed the amendment to be. Mr Rumbles, for instance, in the previous iteration of the amendment, somehow thought that this was trying to interfere with the military involvement in emergencies like flooding. A previous member thought that I was trying to attack the knitwear industry in the border. And I have to say, unless helmets are being used as weapons, and I don't think anyone suggests them, then I wish all of these companies every success. Diversification, of course, is bandied about a lot, and we've been told, indeed, in an official response to this group. We were told that Lockheed Martin, the largest arms manufacturer in the world, was an IT company based in Aberdeen, was the official answer that we got. Now, the mantra of the Green Party's People, Plan and Peace, if you follow this amendment and support it, you have an opportunity to do something positive. I hope that you take that opportunity. Thank you very much, Mr Rumbles. Thank you very much, Mr Finnie, and the question is that amendment 1 be agreed to, are we agreed? We're not agreed. We'll move to a vote, and this will be a one-minute vote on amendment 1. The result of the vote on amendment 1, in the name of John Finnie, is yes, six, no, 107. There were no abstentions. The amendment is therefore not agreed. A call on amendment 19, in the name of Colin Smyth, already debated with amendment 13, and Colin Smyth to move? That is moved. The question is that amendment 19 be agreed to. Are we agreed? We're not agreed. We'll move to a vote, and this will be a 30-second vote. Amendment 19. The result of the vote on amendment 19, in the name of Colin Smyth, is yes, 51, no, 62. There were no abstentions. The amendment is therefore not agreed. Now, before we turn to group 5, members may have noticed that we passed the agreed time limit for the debate on the previous group to finish. I exercised my power under rule 9.8.4a to allow this group to debate on this group to continue to avoid debate being unreasonably curtailed. However, we now turn to group 5. We're about, just for members' information, we're about 10 minutes behind. On group 5, Worker's Interest Committee, I call amendment 4 in the name of the cabinet secretary in a group of its own. Cabinet secretary, to move and speak to amendment 4. Presiding Officer, this Government wants Scotland to be a world-leading fair work nation by 2025. We believe that fair work is key to underpinning our economic success and the wellbeing and prosperity of individuals, businesses, organisations and society. More and better jobs, and more and better working conditions. We know that the south of Scotland is a low-pay region. We know that there's a need to enhance productivity. We know that workers and employees' conditions in relationship with their work is key to that. And whilst we have seen welcome progress in closing the pay gap between men and women in the region and elsewhere in the rural economy, it persists. There are issues that contribute to inequality and in work poverty which constrain economic growth, incomes and the wealth of the region. Those are issues that we're determined that this agency will help to address and the establishment of a Workers' Interest Committee will help to achieve that. Amendment 4 will ensure that worker engagement is a core function of the agency and that workers' voices are heard and listened to. I envisage that this committee will encompass the widest range of workers' interests, including those who are employees, but also those who are self-employed. It's deliberately wide so that the new agency is informed by issues impacting on a broad range of working people. It is important the perspective of all those working in the south of Scotland are heard. At just over 20 per cent, the south of Scotland has a much higher proportion of people who are self-employed than in Scotland as a whole at 12 per cent. Indeed, among Scotland's 32 local authority areas, Dumfries and Galloway has the highest self-employment rate and the Scottish borders the third highest self-employment rate, at 22 per cent and 19 per cent respectively. It is a specific, deliberate and concerted effort to ensure that the new agency considers what can be done to advance workers' interests, which will not only deliver effective voice, but result in effective, incredible policies and actions. Mike Rumbles I wonder if you could just confirm that. When we are talking about workers, it is not just the employees, but it is wider than just that. Yes, I am happy to confirm that the term workers incorporates employees, but also those who are in self-employment who are not schedule E employees but are self-employed, for the reasons that I have just stated. It is being particularly important in the south of Scotland. I think that it is important also to add, Presiding Officer, that I would expect this committee to include representation from business, which could be provided from organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses, Chambers of Commerce and Institute of Directors to name but a few. That will ensure that the new agency hears advice from different perspectives so that its actions are properly informed. The amendment complements amendment 5, which we will come to shortly, requiring the Government to issue a fair work direction to the agency, and also amendment 7 and 8 in group 8, which will ensure that the membership of the agency as a whole has experience or knowledge of the issues facing those who work in the south of Scotland. Finally, Presiding Officer, I want to thank the STUC for the constructive dialogue that I have had with them, which has helped to put our social partnership into action. Those discussions have been productive, and I know that the STUC welcomes the considerable progress that has been made on the matter of fair work. I want to build in those discussions as we implement the requirements in the bill to ensure that fair work is embedded in the new agency and the voice of workers is heard. I am committed to doing so. I move amendment 4. I support amendment 4 in the name of the cabinet secretary, which creates a workers interest committee. At stage 2, I have submitted an amendment calling for the agency's board to include trade union representation in order to ensure that the board is responsive to the needs and concerns of workers in the region. I have to say that that remains my preferred position and the preferred position of the STUC. One of the biggest challenges that the agency faces is around the need to tackle low pay and support the creation of high-quality, well-paid jobs in the south of Scotland. Trade unions have an essential role to play in that, and a consistent trade union voice on the board would have been a big asset to the new agency. I am disappointed that the Government has not brought forward an amendment that guarantees trade union representation on the board. I hope that the committee will be given sufficient authority and power to ensure that the voice of workers is heard loud and clear in the work of the new agency. Welcome to the amendment that was brought forward by the cabinet secretary. We had concerns regarding the appointment of a trade union member on the board itself. I think that that is a good compromise that recognises the above-average level of self-employed workers in the south of Scotland, so we will be supporting the cabinet secretary's amendment. Does the cabinet secretary wish to add any comments? In that case, we move to the question. Does the chamber agree that amendment 4 would be agreed to? Are we agreed? We are agreed. We turn to group 6, annual report, a call amendment 18, in the name of Colin Smyth, in a group of its own. Colin Smyth, to move and speak to amendment 18. Thank you, Presiding Officer. Amendment 18 in my name requires the agency's annual report to include an assessment of progress against both its aims as set out in this bill and its action plan. As it stands the bill, it does not require the annual report to include any kind of performance monitoring that only requires it to report on its activities, not their impact or outcomes. I think that updating stakeholders and communities on delivery is essential. Amendment 18 guarantees that this will happen on an annual basis and adds an important additional element of accountability. I therefore move amendment 18 in my name. Cabinet secretary? Yes, I do agree that annual reports are an important means of providing accountability and transparency. That should help to assure people, not least in the south of Scotland, that the agency is working to deliver on its functions, aims and on the priorities identified through consultation in its action plan. Annual reports should demonstrate impact and outcomes from the agency's activities. That is precisely why the existing section 14 of the bill, signing off, already makes clear that the agency, and I quote, must, after each financial year, prepare and publish a report of its activities during the year. There is also another way to ensure that that happens. As part of our governance arrangements with each public body, we agree a framework document. That is a requirement of the Scottish Public Finance Manual. In that document, we set out requirements for annual reports and accounts in relation to outlining bodies' main activities and performance against agreed objectives and targets. It will therefore make abundantly clear what an annual report on activities should say. Although I understand and support the intention behind Mr Smith's amendment, I do not believe that it really adds anything necessary to the legislation. It is, I would respectfully submit, self-evident that an annual report should cover delivery on its aims and priorities. I hope that Mr Smith agrees and will withdraw his amendment. Colin Smyth, to wind up press or withdraw amendment 18. Presiding Officer, I have to say, if something is going to happen, which the cabinet secretary says will happen then, I do not see the problem with including that in the bill unless, actually, maybe it is not going to happen. It is a very small amendment that makes clear that the annual report should include performance monitoring. That is not specified in the bill as things currently stand. Therefore, this small amendment I think is something that I find difficult to understand why anybody would oppose. So I am happy to press the amendment in my name. Thank you. Is the amendment 18 agreed to? Are we agreed? We are not agreed. We will move to vote and this will be a one-minute division on amendment 18. The result of the vote on amendment number 18 in the name of Colin Smyth is yes, 53, no, 61. There were no abstentions. The amendment is therefore not agreed. We turn to group 7, Fair Work Direction and I call amendment 5 in the name of the cabinet secretary in a group of its own. Cabinet secretary to move and speak to amendment. I took at stage 2 to consider what, if anything, we might be able to put in the face of this bill to further our ambitions on fair work. That required careful deliberation because those are linked to reserved matters and we need to be certain that anything that we put in the bill is within legislative competence and would not create difficulties for the new agency. Amendment 5 works within the constraints on legislative competence to ensure that fair work is embedded in the approach that we expect south of Scotland enterprise to take. It requires Scottish ministers to issue a direction to the new agency to make clear we expect it to promote fair work in all it does. In that direction, we will set out our expectations of what the new agency should take forward. I anticipate significant alignment to the fair work action plan that this Government published last year. The amendment also requires that those who represent the interests of workers and employers in the region are consulted about the fair work direction before it is made. That gives effect to our commitment that the new enterprise agency will act as an exemplar in this area to establish the dimensions of fair work, namely effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment and respect, both in its role as an employer and also in its activities with business. As members will recognise, we do not use direction making powers likely. The fact that we have taken a specific power affirms our determination to make fair work more than just an aspiration. Given that the committee recommended in stage 1 reports that we include furthering fair work in the bill's aims, I hope that members will accept that I have sought to give effect to that call and will support this amendment. I move amendment 5. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. I very much welcome amendment 5 by the cabinet secretary that calls for a fair work direction to be issued to the agency setting out its responsibilities in this regard. I think that the agency has a vital role to play in promoting fair work in the region and at stage 2, I press for the bill to be amended to reflect this. The promotion of fair work will help to tackle many of the challenges facing the region, particularly around pay and working conditions, and indeed it will help the agency to achieve a number of its other aims. I think that it is important that the agency's responsibilities with regard to fair work are clearly set out in the bill so that they are not considered either optional or secondary to the aims included in the bill. I am content that this approach provides a way of delivering on this while avoiding the legal challenge of legislating on what is a reserved matter, namely employment law. I am therefore happy to support the amendment. Thank you, Presiding Officer. The cabinet secretary wishes to add anything. We go straight to the question. The question is that amendment 5 be agreed to. Are we agreed? We are agreed. I turn now to group 8, South of Scotland Enterprise membership. I call amendment 6 in the name of the cabinet secretary. Grouped with amendments 7, 7a and 8, the cabinet secretary to move amendment 6 and speak to all the amendments. 6, 7, 8 focus on the skills and expertise required of members of South of Scotland Enterprise. Creating a new agency is an opportunity to bring a fresh approach to economic development in the South of Scotland. Members of the agency will be key to shaping its culture and approach in delivering for the interests and the needs of the area so that it is vital for agency members to have the right mix of skills and expertise. As demonstrated by the Gender Representation and Public Boards Act 2018, this Government is committed to improving the diversity of our boardrooms, ensuring that they are properly representative of modern Scotland and, importantly, to ensure that public boards benefit from a wider range of skills, knowledge and expertise. Although South of Scotland Enterprise will be subject to the provisions of the 2018 act, amendment 6 seeks to go further in terms of encouraging diversity in its membership. Subparagraph 2A of paragraph 1 in schedule 1 was added at stage 2. I listened carefully to the views expressed by a number of committee members during the debate on that amendment and in particular the need to ensure that the issues facing workers in the region are represented on the board. One of the key issues for the region is the need to increase the working age population and to encourage more young people to stay in the area and to move to the area to live and work. That is now rightly recognised in subsection 2, B.A. of section 5. However, it is also right that the agency's membership reflects that aspiration. There is a risk that, by emphasising the importance of members having both knowledge and experience, paragraph 1 to A in its current form could inhibit people who lack experience, particularly young people from becoming agency members. That is why, to address those concerns, which a number of members expressed at stage 2, amendment 6 would change the emphasis of paragraph 1 to A so that it refers to having either knowledge or experience. Ensuring that the membership criteria does not inhibit young people applying to members will open up opportunities to hear the voice of young people and shows our commitment to seek opportunities to deliver a legacy from our year of young people in 2018. Amendment 7 and 8 addressed workers representation, a key dimension of fair work and providing effective work. Taken with amendment 5, requiring a fair work direction and amendment 4, establishing a workers interest committee that we have already debated, Presiding Officer, those amendments will sustain a culture of fair work and fair work practices in the long term, making the consideration of workers interests the norm within the agency. For those reasons, I ask members to support those three amendments in my name. I hope that my explanation of why we are proposing changing and to or in amendment 6 will persuade Colin Smyth of the best intentions of this change. I am seeking to be as inclusive as possible here. Accordingly, I hope that he will now not press his amendment 7A, but if he does, I would ask members not to support it. I call Colin Smyth to speak to amendment 7A. Colin Smyth, can I first touch on the amendment 6, which I think would be a step backwards from what is currently within the bill as it stands? The bill describes the need for the membership to be taken as a whole to have experience and knowledge. It does not refer to members individually, so at no point does it say that members individually have to have knowledge and experience. It simply says that the whole board should have knowledge and experience. The amendment would change that so that the board as a whole need to have experience and knowledge. I believe that its membership overall should have members with both experience and knowledge as a whole. Given that the bill is very clear that the current provision relates to the board as a whole, the consequence of this amendment means that the entire board could have experience but no knowledge of the region or vice versa. The justification for this amendment appears to be to ensure that young people are able to sit on the board. However, I think that it is somewhat patronising to suggest that young people living in the region do not have any experience of the region. The experience of a young person living in the region is exactly what we need on this board. Regardless of the wording as it stands, we would not prevent any individual, including young people, with only experience or knowledge from sitting on the board. As I reiterate again, it refers to the board as a whole. Therefore, this is a completely unnecessary change and one that risks allowing for this quite absurd situation where the entire board may have no experience or knowledge of the region. That is what we call unintended consequences. Amendment 7 by Fergus Ewing, likewise Oxford or rather than and. Amendment 7A in my name seeks to change this. Again, every subsection here refers to the board's membership taken as a whole. It does not apply to every individual member. In my view, amendment 7 is already a disappointing addition to the bill which falls short of the dedicated trade union representation that I wanted to see. I see absolutely no benefit to weakening this further by requiring the board to have either knowledge or experience of the issues facing workers in the region rather than the board as a whole, including members with a combination of both. I move amendment 7A in my name. Thank you. Mike Rumbles to be followed by Finlay Carson. Thank you, Presiding Officer. I would like to commend the cabinet secretary for those amendments. I particularly wanted to see this in the bill. It is not... There are unintended consequences with this. It is a deliberate measure that the cabinet minister has listened to the evidence that we have presented and the points that we have made. I was particularly concerned that when we advertise out-of-the-wood usual channels for membership of the board in the south of Scotland, we did not want to put off young people in particular in any form for applying to be considered as members of the board. And when we put in legislation that members of the board have to have experience and knowledge of the issues facing those who work in the south of Scotland, that could be of putting to some young people. Of course. Michelle Hamilton. Benchyn. Colin Smyth makes the point that this is regarding the membership as a whole, taken as a whole, not individually. So I agree entirely with the sentiment that experience or knowledge is important. However, when you look at it as a whole, experience and knowledge is important. Mike Rumbles. I couldn't agree more. But the point I'm making and the point that is being missed is that if we are thinking outside the box and we are thinking about outwith the usual channels to get young people on the board of the south of Scotland, let me address the point before you try and intervene. If we are going to think outside the box and the minister is going to and be in charge of this process, if people see that on the face of the bill or any advert that may go out, that members have to have experience and knowledge, it could certainly put off people from applying. This is the evidence that has been put to me. And I put that to the cabinet secretary and he listened. And I think this would be a backward step if we went back to the original form. So I understand the intentions and I understand the issue that the board as a whole can have knowledge and experience. But it can put people off. And if we're in the business of change and we're in the business of doing things differently, I think we've got to make every effort to encourage young people to take part. Thank you. Finlay Carson. It's clarification. It's very confusing, perhaps the cabinet secretary as a lawyer can clarify this. In the the bill as amended at stage 2, it suggests that to ensure that the membership and as Colin Smyth has already said, taken as a whole has experience and knowledge of the whole of the south of Scotland. Surely adding or could imply that the board could simply have all experience or simply have all knowledge. As a lawyer, maybe the cabinet secretary could explain why we needed a change from the the bill as amended at stage 2. Stuart Stevenson. Presiding Officer, one of the great problems youngsters leaving the education system is getting the first job when I was a graduate. I had three job offers with a humble degree. Ain't the case now. I have family members who spent three years better qualified than me before they got a proper job. We need to make sure that we don't create barriers in the minds of applicants and we don't create barriers in the process of application to people who are probably better qualified than many with experience and would bring that knowledge to bear to the problems that face the south of Scotland where it is particularly difficult to retain young people. I certainly will not be supporting 7A. And cabinet secretary to wind up. Well I've listened and enjoyed the debate and it's our designed intention that we should not deter young people from seeking to apply and if they do apply if appropriate to become members of this new enterprise board. It's absolutely right that we avoid doing anything which stops that or discourages that as the point that Mr Steve... Well hang on a second I'll maybe give away later but Mr Stevenson made that point and he is absolutely right. Views were imputed to me about this which... Well no I won't. Views have been imputed to me by Mr Smith which not only do I not hold but I've never dream of holding far less expressing and that's unfortunate but I can confirm that I'm not suggesting that all young people have had no experience that would be an absurdity what I'm saying is that many young people for various reasons have not had the opportunity the opportunity to amass to gather experience of life and work beyond for example further and higher education so I think it's abundantly clear that the incisive arguments put forward by Mr Rumbles yes I see there's lots of support for that sentiment Presiding Officer that the incisive arguments put forward by Mr Rumbles should be preferred and we at least are determined that young people should not be left behind but should play an active and positive and growing part in the business of south of Scotland enterprise as it does its job for the south of Scotland thank you the question is that amendment 6 be agreed to are we all agreed amendment 6 we're not agreed we'll move to vote this is the first vote in the group so it's a one minute division amendment 6 the result of the vote on amendment number 6 in the name of Fergus Ewing is yes 68 no 45 there were no abstentions the amendment is therefore agreed a call amendment 7 in the name of the cabinet secretary cabinet secretary to move that is moved a call amendment 7a in the name of Colin Smyth Colin Smyth to move that is moved so the question is that amendment 7a be agreed to are we all agreed we're not agreed we'll move to a division a 32nd division members may cast the votes now on amendment 7a the result of the vote on amendment number 7a in the name of Colin Smyth is yes 52 no 62 there were no abstentions the amendment is therefore not agreed the question is that amendment 7 be agreed to are we agreed no we're not agreed we'll move to a division and it's a 32nd vote members may cast the votes now amendment 7 the result of the vote on amendment number 7 in the name of Fergus Ewing is yes 87 no 27 there were no abstentions the amendment is therefore agreed a call amendment 8 in the name of the cabinet secretary cabinet secretary to move thank you the question is that amendment 8 be agreed to are we all agreed we are agreed and that ends consideration of amendments now at this stage as members may be aware I am required understanding orders to decide whether or not in my view any provision of this bill relates to a protected subject matter that is whether it modifies the electoral system and franchise for Scottish parliamentary elections in my view it does no such thing therefore it does not require a supermajority at stage 3 so we're going to move on to the next item which is a debate on stage 3 on motion 17517 in the name of Fergus Ewing on the south of Scotland enterprise bill and could I invite all members who wish to contribute to press their request to sweet buttons and I call on the cabinet secretary Fergus Ewing to open our debate open stage 3 debate on the south of Scotland enterprise bill this is a momentous day for the south of Scotland cabinet secretary one second can you just ask members please to keep the conversations down there's a debate going on cabinet secretary sorry officer this is a momentous day for the south of Scotland which will usher in a new era for Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders an era where the area has its own enterprise agency that's able to respond to different and distinct rural economy able to drive inclusive and sustainable growth to benefit communities and able to meet the needs and interests of all who live there we all recognise the untapped potential of the south of Scotland it has real strengths in traditional sectors like farming forestry fishing and textiles it has developed sectors like food and drink tourism and creative industries and it has opportunity to contribute to the industries of the future not least in the low carbon economy it has a wealth of natural resources ready to contribute to the area's sustainable economic growth it also has a wealth of people resources ambitious for their area entrepreneurial with a sense of belonging a lively culture and enjoying a great quality of life it's no accident that John Buchan's hero David Haney sought sanctuary in the south of Scotland in this blessed honest smelling hill country where every mile put me in better humour with myself but we also recognise the region has challenges to overcome low pay and productivity gaps in connectivity and infrastructure a declining and aging population where young people sadly do not always see or find reasons to stay with this legislation we have sought to establish an agency to lead on addressing those challenges this bill sets out the legislative basis for a new agency with the right powers to take forward the right activities it provides us with an agency that will further the sustainable economic and social development of the south of Scotland and which will seek to improve the amenity and environment of the area it is clearly accountable to government to this parliament and important locally and of course the bill will now be an exemplar in delivering real progress on fair work practices we set out to deliver a fresh and different approach and we have Presiding officer throughout this process I have welcomed cross-party support for the bill's proposals since the bill's introduction in October members have worked together to create legislation that provides a strong statutory framework for the new agency the positive stage 1 debate confirmed MSP's support and we have worked since then to build consensus where it matters I'm grateful for the work of the rural economy and connectivity committee and its careful scrutiny of the bill at stages 1 and 2 their thoughtful stage 1 report reflected their evidence gathering and helped to inform amendments I and others made at stage 2 I also welcome the consideration and input from the Finance Committee and the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee of course passing the bill today is not the end of the story the next chapter will focus on implementation work is already under way to translate law into an operational agency ready to start work on 1 April next year south of Scotland enterprise will be up and running in eight months time signalling this government's intent to not just create an agency but to deliver one we want an agency with staff working across the region delivering the activities that people want to see and that are set out in this bill our next step is to appoint the agency's chair and that process is now under way we will then move on to appoint the agency's members we're determined to ensure south of Scotland enterprise benefits from the right mix of skills and experiences the amendments made today will we believe help deliver that diversity and I hope that south of Scotland's MSPs will encourage people to apply Presiding officer in conclusion with this legislation we have the opportunity to be bold and to be ambitious and we took it it's a once in a generation opportunity to create a new enterprise agency to provide for an agency which can transform the area's economy by building on its strengths and its traditions an agency that creates opportunities for everyone an agency that supports communities to thrive and an agency that can make a real difference for individuals and businesses I therefore move that the south of Scotland enterprise bill be passed I now call Finlay Carson for up to six minutes please thank you Deputy Presiding Officer The creation of the south of Scotland enterprise agency was a manifesto commitment from us on these benches ahead of the 2016 election and I believe that today represents a hugely welcome and exciting step forward in addressing the barriers to the economic sustainability and economic growth in the communities I represent in Galloway in Western Friess and the wider south of Scotland region Living and running a business in Galloway for over 35 years I've always been aware of the unique nature of the economy in the south of Scotland and I've always recognised the significant challenges my rural constituency faces but more importantly I've always known of the significant opportunities that we have The 2016 Scottish Conservative manifesto commitment recognised that the rural communities and businesses of the south of Scotland had unique economic needs similar to those faced to the Highland and Island communities and I welcome the fact that this Government, the lead committee and ultimately this bill before us now recognises and accepts those challenges and opportunities that exist in the south of Scotland Today in many ways we're moving back to something similar to the old Dumfries and Galloway Enterprise company model but this time much improved with stronger local accountability and focus and like Highlands and Islands Enterprise with a socio-economic as well as simply an economic development emphasis Dumfries and Galloway Enterprise despite its weaknesses was a body that helped support and create businesses that are still striving today The south of Scotland Enterprise can once again be the catalyst for economic growth and business creation in a region that so badly needs it The bill as it stands today at stage 3 is one that the Scottish Conservatives will support at decision time It has progressed through the committee and there's been welcome measures to strengthen the bill and its aims for the better Whilst there may be many situations where Colin Smyth and I disagree but on this occasion I welcomed his amendment that put in place the duty for the new body to facilitate co-operation with other relevant bodies and I'm pleased to see an amendment that has gone through on that basis This will in practice ensure that the south of Scotland enterprise acts as a catalyst for future projects across the region facilitating co-operation and joint working with other bodies which will be key to the overall success Those bodies might be transport Scotland Visit Scotland Skill Development Scotland or the yet to be announced R100 delivery organisation to give a few examples Throughout the bill consultation there has been a recognition that those sort of areas should be the focus of projects that will boost local infrastructure and I know from the A75 roads upgrade petition that I've been running that infrastructure is a really important topic and transport investment is really important to my constituents whilst it's not appropriate for the new body to fund any infrastructure projects of the road building type it'd be absolutely appropriate for them to be the overarching agency being the driving force behind necessary improvements backed up by a close working relationship with the relevant body in this case transport Scotland This type of facilitation can clearly move us towards a more cost effective and accountable system where local residents and businesses know that there's an evidence based plan of action to remove the barriers to economic sustainability That action plan must recognise that the south of Scotland is ideally situated midway between the Scotland central belt and the northern powerhouse across the border and it continues to be a great source of anger to me and my constituents but I've got to do this and I will take the opportunity to once again remind the Government that Stranraer and its ports at Cairnryan are one of the most important gateways into Scotland and the lack of appropriate investment in the A75 and A77 should be a source of extreme embarrassment to this Government but I hope that the new agency can assist the Government in making the right road infrastructure decisions in the very near future During the consultation period for the agency I received many comments that the engagement process must be straightforward and transparent particularly for those pitching new projects In the south of Scotland enterprise should act as a one-stop shop and avoid what many individuals and businesses have had to go through in the past pushing being pushed from pillar to post and having to jump through many different hoops when it comes to funding applications Morian Watts amendment at stage 2 of the committee was welcomed in order to ensure that new agency will be transparent and accountable to local people and I welcome that amendment will now see the agency launch a consultation on its action plan We also supported Colin Smith's amendment to regard to the consultation plan undertaken by the new agency and it's right that it should seek the views of local bodies including the local authorities but I do stress that the council should not be in a position to veto in any way or disproportionately influence or indeed delay the agency from carrying out its function By making the agency plan publicly available after consultation the enterprise will be fulfilling a duty to the people of the south of Scotland to have made it clear that it have to play a part in the decision making process In addition, the requirement for a view after five years give confidence that there will be regular checks on how the agency plan to deliver on the aspirations we have today During the 2016 election as well as standing on this manifesto commit now also stood on the platform we're posing further centralisation that's why I welcome the bill has been strengthened and Scottish ministers will need to consult the enterprise agency given reasons before changing or offering new directives The south of Scotland for far too long has suffered from a lack of focus and investment resulting in many young people in particular moving away and also the potential investors being put off by the lack of adequate infrastructure I hope this afternoon Wednesday 5 June heralds the dawn of a new era for the south of Scotland when the local people of Dumfries and Galloway and the south of Scotland will have the start to have equity of access to tools and the funding so lacking in the past and to realise the true contribution that the people of south of Scotland have to offer the rest of the UK and beyond Presiding Officer as the MSP for Galloway and Weiss and Fries I'm confident this is the first step and unlocking the massive untaught potential the natural resources people and their skills have to offer and I look forward to seeing that on the ground This region will not only be the most beautiful place to do business but the best Colin Smyth for up to five minutes please Thank you Presiding Officer having campaigned for better support for the south of Scotland economy for 10 years I welcome the fact we'll soon move from the establishment of a south of Scotland enterprise agency being an issue for debate in this parliament to one of reality for communities across the south of Scotland and it's important not to lose sight of why such an agency is needed The reason I stood to be a member of this parliament in 2016 is because I saw every day as a local councillor chair in the economy committee and the south of Scotland alliance that too many of the big economic challenges facing the area was simply not being addressed The scandal of low pay where average earnings in Dumfries and Galloway were £11.52 per hour compared with a national average of £14.30 which makes the region the lowest paid in Scotland The skills shortage were over a quarter of the population of the south of Scotland are graduates but the national figure is more than a third The low levels of productivity and growth where gross value added per person in Dumfries and Galloway is 21 per cent lower than the national average and 26 per cent lower in the borders but it's not just those challenges that weren't being properly tackled the opportunities, the strengths the huge potential of the area was not being fulfilled The south of Scotland is an area of outstanding natural beauty with a historical and cultural heritage second to none but our tourism potential is still in many ways untapped There are sectors in the region that have a reputation for excellence forestry, energy, arts and culture and many more but there needs to be more focus from our economic activity economic agencies to deliver the inclusive sustainable growth from those sectors our region needs We have a strong small and medium-sized business space providing so many opportunities to grow and create jobs with the right level of support support that the current economic agency model has simply not delivered for the region We have a vibrant, ambitious social enterprise base already making a difference to communities but desperate to do more desperate to access the same support offered to other businesses to help them achieve that We also have the excellent local colleges in our university campus with the potential to expand so they can deliver more of the skills our communities need A location means that parts of the south of Scotland are just two hours travel from 14 million people that's 14 million potential customers in the central belt and the north of England and crucially the people of the south of Scotland have a real community spirit a desire, a determination to make the south of Scotland better That determination is why there is such strong support for the establishment of this new agency and why they now want to get on with making the agency a reality I therefore want to place on record my thanks on behalf of my constituents to everyone who's delivered this legislation paving the way for the agency including I have to say the cabinet secretary for taking this bill through Parliament and for the strong interests he's taken in the south of Scotland economy while he picks himself up the floor I'll caveat that by saying a particular thanks to the south of Scotland economic development team led by Karen Jackson who's supported the work of the cabinet secretary Of course I would have liked to have seen that the bill goes further in terms of co-operation between agencies more local accountability tackling poverty improving housing trade union representation and obviously using the word and instead of the word or but I'm pleased to have made some changes to the bill strengthening the aims of the agency to include for example supporting social enterprises helping to take forward the fair work agenda and crucially putting in place local consultation on the agency's action plan to make sure this is an agency rooted in the south of Scotland and I appreciate on occasions this has often meant the government moving its position to ensure that these changes happen but the people who deserve the most praise are those who have campaigned long and hard for this agency who will now take this new agency forward and that's the people of the south of Scotland I've got the privilege of living in the south of Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway I'm a proud Dunhamer but it does break my heart to see so many young people leave the region not through choice but because of the lack of high-skilled well-paid jobs or the range of further and higher education opportunities to deliver the skills they want and our economy needs if we look back in 10 years time and we still have so many young people being forced to turn their back on the south of Scotland and I think we'll have failed so it's now up to all of us to get behind this new bill to support this legislation today and to make this new agency a success delivering the strong vibrant local economy I know the south of Scotland can be Colin John Finnie Four minutes please Thank you very much indeed Poseidon Officer, it's been a real pleasure to be involved in this legislation and there's a number of people who need to be thanked for that as ever the clerks, the witnesses the people of the south of Scotland the representatives of the south of Scotland because of course our committee was visited in a number of occasions by elected representatives from the south and there's no doubting the enthusiasm and energy that they brought and the additional contribution they gave Like others I would also thank the cabinet secretary for the role he's played in bringing people together I imagine if you were sitting in the public benches half an hour ago you might have thought that this wasn't a particularly conciliar today process but it is the basis of making legislation that we debate issues sometimes very heatedly but I think we've come up with a good piece of legislation of course the proof of the pudding will be as I think my colleague Colin Smyth said perhaps in years to come and it has been the consensual approach there and many have talked about manifesto commitments my own party the Scottish Green Party had also had this as a manifesto commitment and as it's been said in a number of occasions the comparator with the Highlands and Islands I don't think always is a direct one I think there's much to be learned and that's good and bad from the experience there that the Highlands was shaped and transformed post second world war by the hydro schemes to the Secretary of State for Scotland Tom Johnson introducing them subsequently Highlands and Islands Development Board and you know as humans we can be very cynical we tend to reflect on some of the negatives rather than the positives but an awful lot of positives came from that and the new iteration of that Highlands and Islands Enterprise albeit with a slightly changed focus it's always about partnership and we've discussed throughout this the role that the agency can play in galvanising support bringing people together to the common objective and that objective is to make things the life for people in the south of Scotland better and I have to say you know as someone who is very enthusiastic at the role that state can play I hope people will maybe reflect at the benefit that the enthusiasm for this has and not be so scared of state involvement and things I think partnership with communities is very important and the situation that about funding was mentioned and I think it wasn't ever going to be like with the Highlands I didn't want to and I was keen as a Highlands and Islands member to stress this shouldn't be a competition about north versus south this should be about making things better for the south and one of the gauges of that will be as others have touched on will not just be the retention of the existing population and there's no doubt that education facilities and skills and the availability of skills leading to a better and an increase in wages will help that but also growing the population and one of the factors that I was pleased to have played a part in having mentioned the face of bill it wasn't that it had been forgotten about but again the world have expressly expressed the views that we heard from Dr Callum McLeod of community land Scotland and part of the remit of the new agency should be to establish a community assets team that's something else that in the years to come people will appreciate that has brought people together so the engagement started long before we were involved in this bill there has been said this is at a long genesis I think it's important to congratulate Professor Griggs in the south of Scotland economic partnership I think co-location is going to be crucial as the agency moves forward because there's no doubt if you can see the white surprise of people it improves the relationship and an important point that my colleague Colin Smyth made that is something that we can learn from the Highlands very easy to have a three-figure number of jobs created in an urban area in Lodd that actually having a small number of jobs in a rural area that means that the rural school can be retained and everything that goes with it is something that's important so I look forward to the success of the agency thank you Mike Rumbles four minutes please now the Liberal Democrats fully support the south of Scotland enterprise bill now this is the kind of legislation which can really benefit the people of the south of Scotland it's about supporting the environment and it's at the same time supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth it's about increasing the number of residents who are of working age enhancing skills and capacities relevant to employment encouraging business startups and entrepreneurship promoting improved transport services for instance but most importantly it's about supporting communities to help them meet their needs the needs that they identify and that's the most important part of this bill I think I'm particularly pleased at the way in which not only did the members of the committee work well together although exchanging some of the debates on some of the amendments today might not think so but we did we work well together to improve this bill and as a result with engaging people themselves in the south of Scotland but I particularly thought the visits the committee made with a formal committee meeting in Dumfries and our meeting in Gala Shields was excellent but I want to put on record that Fergus Ewing the cabinet secretary has clearly and demonstrably worked extremely hard to ensure that we got this bill right he was willing to listen to the evidence he responded extremely well to the committee stage 1 report I have to say that's not always been my experience of ministers responses to stage 1 reports and came forward with very constructive amendments at stage 2 and again here today he did the same for the stage 3 debate and if I may say so his work with MSPs of all parties I don't think I'm betraying any confidence as between each stage of this process was to be welcomed I reiterate Presiding Officer that this bill should enable us to achieve real change in the south of Scotland but it is only a start and having worked so long on this in committee I have mixed feelings about it I think that with this bill we've got it right so why do I have mixed feelings about this bill it's because I'm an MSP from the north-east and I'd really like to see a similar bill for my constituents and his deputy sitting beside him was an MSP from the north-east and I hope that having this conversation right now and I hope they turn their heads towards the north-east in the future that would be a really first-class idea of course Maureen Watt Does the member not realise and he would if he came to some of the events in the north-east that the north-east NHS and the north grampian enterprise are very fortunate to have one opportunity north-east also working on enterprise in the north-east and almost doubling the funding Mike Rumbles Yes, in the same ways that we already had organisations in the south of Scotland for this purpose and I thought the member who was a member of the committee would realise that and I'm talking about what we've done for the south of Scotland we could do for the north-east so after that very positive intervention I'm pleased to resume by saying that it is a good bill and I just want to finish by saying I know time is short that the cabinet secretary deserves recognition for the work he has done to deliver it thank you I thank all those for brevity in their speeches that's allowed us to make up time and we now move to the open debate in which there is one speaker and that's Emma Harper Thank you, Presiding Officer I am extremely pleased to speak in favour of the south Scotland enterprise agency bill this bill which will have I've engaged at stage one and throughout it will undoubtedly benefit the south of Scotland it will allow communities businesses including our small and micro businesses and people across the south to be supported and to develop and support and continue empowerment to deliver transformational economic and cultural change which will be key to the region's success I've had the privilege of working with those involved in the interim south Scotland economic partnership SOSEP and have been able to work closely and collaboratively with many including Professor Russell Griggs Rob Dixon Dame Barbara Kelly Amanda Burgower Lornau Young and Eilat Roan and others all of whom I engage with regularly to discuss the issues across south Scotland Indeed from the outset I want to thank all involved for their work which has allowed for a fresh approach to promote sustainable economic growth in the south west and across the rest of south of Scotland I also thank all who have provided briefings for the debate today and the clerks who have as always worked extremely competently to get us to this stage Presiding Officer on the 14th of January I attended the rural economy and connectivity committees informal workshop and formal committee meeting at East of Brookholland and Fries and the meeting which was attended by over 120 people from a range of community groups local authorities and businesses from across the south west of Scotland provided an opportunity for local voices to feed into the committee's work and ultimately the report and to say what they felt had to be done to benefit the unique nature of the challenges seen across the south west of Scotland as well as to inform the committee members the stakeholder engagement meetings have been key in informing the approach and content of the bill and I thank the Scottish Government and WREC committee for their level of engagement they have had with the people that the bill will directly impact Presiding Officer it is vitally important for the new South Scotland Enterprise Agency to take a fresh tailored approach to supporting the economy of the south of Scotland South Scotland particular in the south west including the Fries and Galloway has a different and distinct rural economy with wide-ranging and significant opportunities as well as its fair share of challenges such as an agent population need for private sector investment and also we require a good standard of transport infrastructure and our roads have been mentioned already and I agree with Mr Carson we need to focus on our infrastructure our roads in rail the E75, 76 and 77 the boarders has a train line which connects its communities to Edinburgh and the central belt whereas people in Galloway in areas between Fries and Stranraer do not have the ease of connectivity to the central belt and the wider regions I'm therefore pleased that this bill is intentionally at high level and enabling it aims to provide the South Scotland Enterprise SOCI Agency with the powers necessary for it to achieve its strategic aims flexibility and be responsive I would however make a plea to those involved in the new chair once announced to ensure that the agency is not border centric and ensures that they're Fries and Galloway and the south west is equally considered the aim will also be aided by the location of the agency which will have an HQ hub but not operate just in one area but have areas throughout the south which is crucial due to the region's rural geography and John Finnie has already mentioned co-location being important I will be making representations for any hub to be located centrally perhaps in Dumfries itself I'm pleased that the bill also makes clear the Scottish Government's commitment to ensuring the new agency receives a fair budget The Government has committed to ensuring that the agency is funded on a pre-capita equivalent basis to the Highlands and Islands Enterprise In conclusion, I'd like again to put on record my support for the creation of this much needed agency in the south of Scotland It's been a long time coming and I look forward to continuing to work with all to ensure that it delivers for my constituents particularly across the south west and the rest of south Scotland to ensure that they are collaborative collaborated with and not forgotten So I encourage all members to support this bill this evening Thank you We now move to the closing speeches and I call Claudia Beamish for four minutes please Thank you, Presiding Officer I welcome the introduction of this bill as many members have said and I recognise the cabinet secretary's work on this and I would particularly like to thank my fellow South Scotland colleague and friend Colin Smith and other South Scotland MSPs in addition to the committee for the input and scrutiny that they provided into the bill As Scottish Labour spokesperson on land reform I particularly welcome the amendments from Gail Ross and John Finnie at stage 2 which will empower communities to give the new and give the new enterprise agency a similar social remit and land ownership remit to Highlands and Islands Enterprise which has been so successful in supporting and enabling communities for a sustainable economic future in their own hands Those amendments to the bill are so important to empower communities to take ownership of local and building assets As was discussed at stage 2 of the bill this has been a success of high and I am encouraged that the new South Scotland South of Scotland agency will have a similar social remit I strongly support the bill and am excited to see the positive effects the new agency will bring to the communities of South Scotland and particularly in retaining young people in the region However, I must strongly make the following point of continuing concern where the bill will deliver for people within the new agency boundaries it highlights very starkly the lack of support in my view for those communities it will not reach Recent assurances from Scottish Enterprise have not gone far enough Some of my constituents in areas like Clydesdale and South Ayrshire are concerned and disappointed by what they believe to be a failure of the Scottish Government to provide them with a similar opportunity Therefore, I ask the cabinet secretary what reassurance he can give to my constituents on the specific points he will take actions to support Clydesdale This is part of the South Scotland region that I represent and looks far more to the south than to Glasgow I really worry about the supposed reassurance given by Scottish Enterprise in a letter to me recently in which they state a series of regional economic partnerships have been formed across much of Scotland and Clydesdale is covered by the Glasgow city region I have seen no evidence of a focus on the sustainable development of Clydesdale within the city region deal What can the cabinet secretary do to help to address those concerns quickly? They are surely well beyond the operational In relation to the new agency though to be positive Transport Scotland has written to me highlighting that the second strategic transport projects review will I quote take account of the priorities emerging from the new national transport strategy and support the government policies including those on climate change and tackling inequality I hope that this will also include rurality I'm delighted that the bill was amended at stage 2 to include environmental policies recognising the need to shift and give support to the shift to the net zero economy as amended by Colin Smyth It was necessary that the bill reflected that in the context of the current climate emergency I'm disappointed though that the cabinet secretary did not recognise the significance of my amendment to support for co-operation for environmental reasons on the face of the bill in this environment and climate emergency However, I hope that he will ensure that these issues are taken forward in regulation I welcome the South Scotland Enterprise bill and I look forward to its passing and to working with all those involved for sustainable development across the region Thank you and I call Rachel Hamilton for four minutes please Thank you Presiding Officer I refer members to my register of interests Today we will be voting on these benches to allow the bill to pass the final stage and let the agency become reality The South of Scotland Enterprise Agency holds the key to unlocking significant potential right across our region and I look forward to the renewed economic drive that it will hopefully deliver The agency should be an enabler and not a disabler It must be dynamic and suit the needs of the South of Scotland We've heard many here today say that it might be based on the model of Highlands and Islands Enterprise but we do recognise that our area is distinctive and different to the Highlands and that bespoke approach must shine through shaped by those who have a passion for the South of Scotland It is slightly unfortunate on these benches that Colin Smith's amendment 2 which included support for rural businesses was not supported because that is crucial to our large rural region Removing barriers is key to achieving accessible funding and I want to see an agency which makes obtaining support a lot simpler with a focus on that rurality As shadow cabinet secretary for culture I was pleased to see and support Joan McAlpine's amendment which includes cultural assets We need to attract more tourists to the South of Scotland because we have such unique culture, history and heritage Initiatives like the Seath South Scotland campaign must be built upon and expanded On these benches we were also disappointed that the affordable housing was not part of the on the face of the bill because it is a crucial part of the economy in the South of Scotland and a lack of affordable housing could be considered a barrier to retaining young people and in turn economic growth and a key aim of SOSIA is to deliver construction skills therefore a focus on affordable housing could have played a key role and whilst I recognise the South of Scotland agency will not solve all of the issues it will go some way to improve support for start-ups and will encourage a supportive business atmosphere For years we've seen the low wage, low hours jobs gender pay gap and a skills shortage and those four issues are not unique to the borders but are definitely exacerbated because of the rurality and indeed the poor connectivity both physically and digitally As I have alluded to skills development is essential for retaining young people and upskilling working age people and indeed within the age demographic that we see in the South of Scotland we must have an agency that where college is working partnership whilst encouraging a knowledge exchange and that is why we supported Maureen Watt's amendment bringing in organisations as well as just persons As well as businesses we also need to see a greater range of society participating in the overall aims of the new agency and participating in economic growth Further education institutions must be supported through the new agency to encourage rural skills The board is as rural as Dumfries and Galloway working in partnerships is absolutely key but in doing this we must make it easy for people to access education by reducing those transportation difficulties and making learning an out of class experience relies on good digital infrastructure and so far we are lagging behind with that The impact of these actions could be significant it would drive greater innovation in the economy improve competitiveness in the workforce and productivity in business and this ultimately will lead to better sustainability when it comes to local businesses too Lastly, Presiding Officer the gender pay gap is a massive issue which I believe deserves the greatest attention If we are to retain young people especially young women in the borders and Dumfries and Galloway we need to ensure that that gap closes and it would be fantastic if the new agency could support more women into the workforce and provide support to start-up in new businesses We will support the bill tonight and I look forward to it being delivered I call on Fergus Ewing to wind up the debate five minutes, cabinet secretary to take us to just before disinterdain Presiding Officer this bill allows for an enterprise agency to be made of the south of Scotland by the south of Scotland for the south of Scotland and I want to thank all of those people in the south of Scotland especially those who contributed to the proceedings the consultation for their positive engagement with the bill process their perspectives have helped to shape the legislation and will continue to shape the priorities of what will be their enterprise agency and I would like to add my praise to the members of the south of Scotland economic partnership over the past 80 months their work has really been unstinting in the local engagement the meetings they've attended throughout the whole area I actually haven't seen anything like it and I've been around for quite a long time and I think Emma Harper mentioned some of the members of the partnership and I really would pay tribute to them and in particular to their chair Russell Greggs Professor Russell Greggs for energy and commitment which I think has really helped to given an element of excitement about the new opportunities that lie ahead the foundation work has paved the way for the new enterprise agency to flourish I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the committee clerks for their work as has been alluded to I think by Finlay the committee met around the region it didn't just stay in Edinburgh and take evidence in Edinburgh it got out of here and into the south of Scotland to meet and hear and listen to people there and that the committee is to be commended for that it involves an awful lot of effort and hard work I would also like to express my profound personal thanks to the Scottish Government bill team and I'm very pleased to hear other members including Colin Smyth do so because we have worked together and I think members across the chamber have learned to see just how significant and helpful the contribution of government officials in the bill team has been for their sterling work in drafting and shaping the bill and their willingness to find solutions but also as Mr Rumbles pointed out to respond positively to the views of members on the Wreck Committee from the south of Scotland this has been a collegiate effort and I'm pleased that Parliament has performed that role Presiding Officer this bill fulfills a programme for government commitment to create a new enterprise agency for the south of Scotland and it was a key recommendation arising from the enterprise and skills review and I'd pay tribute to Keith Brown for his work there and then and for shaping the bill content and establishing the partnership our collective efforts including those of MSPs across the chamber will ensure that south of Scotland enterprise takes a different and fresh approach people asked for Rachel Hamilton quite rightly mentioned the important work they do in respect of women she is absolutely right and I expect the women and agriculture development for example to be an early opportunity to build on that work um this will be a keystone organisation looking to to to bring economic and social and our event environmental development to create jobs and prosperity for everyone who works there although we've had differences this afternoon I want to give my absolute assurance that the differences we've discussed have been about process not about substance and in response I think to questions raised by Finlay Carson and Claudia Beamish and Colin Smyth yes of course this agency will take a very close interest to further all the matters that have been referred to yes of course it will seek to advance the areas of the rural business yes of course it will take a deep close and profound interest in pursuing the best environmental practice and I specifically wanted to provide direct and positive responses to all members you know that I am in fact Mr positive and could I say that that it's been quite remarkable that consensus is broken out in this chamber and I'm really quite touched by all the nice things that people have said particularly Mr Rumbles I never said this before I never said this before and as has been pointed out my Mr Day I may never say it again but all I can say is all shucks presiding officer but in bringing my remarks to a close could I say that we are creating a foundation today for a new chapter in the life of Scotland and in the south of Scotland in particular and just as Willie Rostead when he strove to establish a development board for the Highlands and Islands when he said the Highlander is the man in Scotland's conscience for too long the people of the south of Scotland have perceived themselves to be forgotten and neglected we now have a chance to bring that to an end and in the words of the region's greatest one of the region's greatest living sons Calvin Harris I say to the people of yes I know him well I know of him I say to the people of Dumfries and Galloway it's not about what you've done it's all about where you're going right now is where you shine thank you very much cabinet secretary the next item of business is consideration of business motion one seven five three three in the name of graham day on behalf of the parliamentary bureau setting out a business programme could I call on graham day to move this motion yeah if I can keep a straight face move Presiding Officer thank you very much minister and no one wishes to speak on the motion the question therefore is that motion one seven five three three be agreed are well agreed we are agreed the next item is consideration of six parliamentary bureau motions could I ask graham day to move one seven five three four one seven five three six one seven five three seven and one seven five three eight on approval of an SSI one seven five three five on a draft notice and one seven five three nine on the designation of a lead committee move Presiding Officer thank you very much and we turn now to decision time first question is that motion one seven five one seven in the name of Fergus Ewing on the south of Scotland enterprise bill be agreed and because this is the bill members should cast their votes now the result of the vote on motion one seven five one seven in the name of Fergus Ewing is yes 113 there were no votes against there were no abstentions the motion is agreed and the south of Scotland enterprise bill is passed now if no one objects I propose to put a single question on the six parliamentary bureau motions is that okay that's good the question is that motions one seven five three four to one seven five three nine in the name of graham day on behalf of the parliamentary bureau are agreed are well agreed we are agreed and that concludes decision time we're going to move shortly to members business in the name of Claire Adamson on child safety week 2019 but we'll just take a few moments for the member and ministers to change seats