Chamber and committees

The question is, that amendment 29 be agreed to. Are we agreed?

Members: No.

The result of the division is: For 4, Against 4, Abstentions 0.

The vote is tied. In such circumstances, as convener, I have discretion to use my casting vote, and I intend to use it in the same way as I used my personal vote. I vote against the amendment, so amendment 1 falls.

Amendment 1 disagreed to.

Amendment 27 moved—[Shirley-Anne Somerville]—and agreed to.

Amendment 2 not moved.

The next group is on care experience assistance. Amendment 1, in the name of Jeremy Balfour, is grouped with amendments 27 and 2.

We move to a new group, on winter heating assistance. At the end of this group, we will stop for a short comfort break—I am just giving members that information in advance. Amendment 5, in the name of Jeremy Balfour, is the only amendment in the group.

There will be a division.

For

Balfour, Jeremy (Lothian) (Con)
McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

Against

Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)
McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)

Abstentions

Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab)
O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab)

Just one moment, Mr Balfour, if you will bear with me.

There are no point of order procedures in committee, Mr Balfour—I was just getting clarity because, as deputy convener, I do not normally convene the committee. We are about to suspend for a comfort break. If you want to discuss something informally with me, we can work out how we handle what your point of order might have been when we go back into open session. We suspend until about 10.35.

The next group is on relaxation of application deadlines. Amendment 24, in the name of the cabinet secretary, is grouped with amendments 105 and 28.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the 24th meeting in 2024 of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee. We have received apologies from Collette Stevenson, and I welcome David Torrance, who is attending as a substitute.

Under agenda item 1, I invite David Torrance to declare any relevant interests.

I gave you a bit of latitude, Mr Stewart, because this is quite an emotive issue, but that was more of a speech than an intervention. However, your points are now on the record.

Mr Balfour, please bring your remarks to a close.

I call Mr Balfour to wind up and to press or seek to withdraw amendment 106.