That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish hockey men’s team on its 2-1 victory over Wales to secure the gold medal for Scotland at the EuroHockey Men’s Championship II in Glasgow; understands that the Scotland hockey team will be going on to compete in the European A division for the first time since 2005 as a result of reaching the final; notes that, not only did the team win the title, it was also undefeated in every one of its matches over the week; further notes that Pakistan will play its home matches in the Hockey Pro-League from January 2019 in Glasgow, and considers that hockey has the potential to grow further as a sport in Scotland as it is suitable for players of all ages and backgrounds.

That the Parliament notes what it considers the important traditional separation of church, and religion, and state in Scotland; believes that this important principle is one of the main building blocks of society, in practice meaning that churches should not interfere in the running of the state and that the state should limit its intervention in religion only to what is absolutely necessary; notes the reported suggestions that the law should be changed to force Catholic and Muslim leaders to allow female priests and mullahs; considers that this would represent unreasonable interference in the operation of religious life in Scotland, and hopes that the separation of state and religion will continue to be respected.

That the Parliament notes the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele, 31 July to 10 November 1917; acknowledges that the 9th, 15th and 51st Scottish divisions took part and the objective was to force a breakthrough in the German lines and to capture their ports on the Belgian coast; notes that, instead, the offensive become stuck in the village of Passchendaele and that about 615,000 men died, 325,000 on the Allied side and 260,000 on the German side; understands that many of those casualties were as a result of drowning in the sea of mud that it created; believes that the battle, like the war itself, showcased the horrors and futility of such conflict, and hopes that the experience of those who were killed or injured 100 years ago will lead to a more peaceful world.

That the Parliament notes the findings of the report published by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, Mortality among a cohort of heavy drinkers in Edinburgh & Glasgow; understands that the study followed over 600 heavy drinkers over two-and-a-half years who used services of the NHS in Glasgow and Edinburgh; notes that over 100 of these people died at an average age of 51, which is 25 years below the standard Scottish life expectancy, and understands that these people who died younger bought significantly lower-cost alcohol compared with those who survived, in particular cheap white cider and vodka.