Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch sought confirmation today (02/09/15) from the Scottish Government that they are supportive of his efforts to bring a Cross Party Group (CPG) on Faith into being in the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Thompson used a Supplementary Question as part of the Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights Portfolio in the Chamber, to ask the Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment, Marco Biagi, if he was supportive of his proposal to set up a CPG on Faith in the Parliament.
The Minister responded to say that there is no place in Scotland for any form of religious intolerance. He also confirmed that he is supportive of the positive role those of faith bring to public life and that Government Ministers are always keen to work closely with Cross Party Groups.
Mr Thompson said, “I am glad the Scottish Government see merit in my proposal for a cross party group on faith and I hope the group will focus on, among other things, religious freedom and tolerance.
“It is also heartening to hear that there will be an inter-faith summit later in the month and I look forward to hearing the details of that in due course”.
Notes:
The wording from the Official Report is below:
2. Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP):
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that enough is being done to tackle prejudice towards people with faith. (S4O-04529)
The Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment (Marco Biagi):
The Scottish Government is clear that there is no place in Scotland for any form of religious prejudice. Statistics that were published in June 2015 showed that the number of religiously aggravated crimes is at its lowest level since 2004-05, but we are not complacent. Even one incident is too many.
The First Minister is hosting an interfaith summit this month, which will raise the profile of interfaith activity and recognise the importance of dialogue and building relationships between communities. The Scottish Government has provided funding of more than £3.1 million to organisations working towards race and religious equality for 2015-16. That includes £145,000 to Interfaith Scotland, which works across Scotland to develop and support interfaith relations and assist faith communities in engaging with civic Scotland.
Dave Thompson:
I am very pleased to hear that the interfaith summit is going to take place this month. That is a very positive development. Can the minister tell me whether the summit will deal with religious freedom in its broadest sense and whether he is supportive of my proposal for a cross-party group in the Parliament on religious freedom or faith?
Marco Biagi:
The agenda for the interfaith summit has been set in partnership with the participants. Religious freedom is not on the agenda per se, but it is certainly implicit in the subject matter that the summit will be dealing with.
The Presiding Officer will want me to be clear that cross-party groups are creatures of Parliament, not Government. However, ministers are always keen to work constructively with CPGs and we are always supportive of any efforts to highlight the important positive role that faith and belief can play in public life.
The Official Report can be viewed here at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10057
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