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| MSPs agree new burial rules after baby ashes scandal | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| New regulations on burials and cremations prompted by the baby ashes scandal have been agreed by MSPs. | |
| The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Bill requires councils to retain details of services, as well as creating a legal definition of ashes. | |
| MSPs unanimously backed the bill, saying it was vital the scandals should never be repeated. | |
| The legislation was prompted by Lord Bonomy's probe into the disposal of baby ashes at Scottish crematoriums. | The legislation was prompted by Lord Bonomy's probe into the disposal of baby ashes at Scottish crematoriums. |
| The review was sparked after it emerged that staff at Mortonhall crematorium in Edinburgh had secretly buried the ashes of babies without their parents knowledge for decades. | The review was sparked after it emerged that staff at Mortonhall crematorium in Edinburgh had secretly buried the ashes of babies without their parents knowledge for decades. |
| More than 250 families were told that no ashes were left when young babies were created, and further cases were reported in Aberdeen, Fife and Glasgow. | More than 250 families were told that no ashes were left when young babies were created, and further cases were reported in Aberdeen, Fife and Glasgow. |
| Support voiced | Support voiced |
| There had been fears the legislation lacked "detail and ambition", and calls for a licensing scheme for undertakers, but MSPs from across the chamber voiced support for the amended bill. | There had been fears the legislation lacked "detail and ambition", and calls for a licensing scheme for undertakers, but MSPs from across the chamber voiced support for the amended bill. |
| There was also debate over a measure which would have barred houses and crematoriums from being built within 200m (656ft) of each other. | There was also debate over a measure which would have barred houses and crematoriums from being built within 200m (656ft) of each other. |
| This was removed from the bill after it was agreed local authorities should be trusted to make these decisions on a local level. | This was removed from the bill after it was agreed local authorities should be trusted to make these decisions on a local level. |
| Moving the bill, Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said it would bring about important improvements to the system and prevent further scandals. | Moving the bill, Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said it would bring about important improvements to the system and prevent further scandals. |
| She said: "It is really important to prevent a repeat of previous mistakes, and I believe the bill will achieve that." | She said: "It is really important to prevent a repeat of previous mistakes, and I believe the bill will achieve that." |
| Labour's Jenny Marra welcomed the bill, saying it would increase the "dignity" surrounding burial and cremation. | Labour's Jenny Marra welcomed the bill, saying it would increase the "dignity" surrounding burial and cremation. |
| 'Just a start' | 'Just a start' |
| She particularly welcomed the amendments, and said it was "just a start" on efforts to tackle funeral poverty. | She particularly welcomed the amendments, and said it was "just a start" on efforts to tackle funeral poverty. |
| She said: "It is a hallmark of our civilised society that can afford everyone a dignified funeral, burial or cremation." | She said: "It is a hallmark of our civilised society that can afford everyone a dignified funeral, burial or cremation." |
| Fellow Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm said parliament was united in thinking mothers should be at the centre of the decision-making process when they lose a child during pregnancy. | Fellow Labour MSP Malcolm Chisholm said parliament was united in thinking mothers should be at the centre of the decision-making process when they lose a child during pregnancy. |
| Conservative Nanette Milne, making her valedictory speech in the chamber, said: "This is a very welcome piece of legislation, and much needed." | Conservative Nanette Milne, making her valedictory speech in the chamber, said: "This is a very welcome piece of legislation, and much needed." |
| She added that the bill should "prevent in the future the traumas of the many parents" who still have no idea what happened to their babies' ashes. | She added that the bill should "prevent in the future the traumas of the many parents" who still have no idea what happened to their babies' ashes. |