16/11/2011 Reporting Scotland

Tonight on the national news: a damning report into the death of a

woman who lay at the bottom of a disused mineshaft. We never thought

for a minute that she would not come out alive.

We hear from fire and rescue services and ask whether safety

rules were prevented -- preventing City workers from saving lies.

This is before gastric band treatment for obesity. Should we

worry about the long-term effects of surgery on patients?

Not for turning - Perth City Hall, then used for concerts for his

entry will be demolished, despite pleas for a change of heart.

And, we will be live at a time castle where Hearts players are

still waiting for their wages. A woman he lay injured at the bottom

of a mineshaft might have lived, had it not been for the actions of

Fire and Rescue. The parents of Alison Hume has been scathing of

senior officers who refused to allow their men to rescue her,

believing that safety rules prevented them from using their

safety equipment. At the top of a disused mineshaft,

firefighters are prevented by senior officers from rescuing

Alison Hume, who was lying injured about 50 ft down in a pool of water.

Of though it was late July, it was a dark night and very misty.

Visibility was down to a couple of yards in places. Alison had been to

a family party in the houses behind me, and was making her way down the

hill to her own house when she fell down the mineshaft. Her daughter

went out to look for her and heard her mother's cries from the bottom

of the mineshaft. After more than 60 hours, when she was finally

brought up, she suffered a fatal heart attack. Her family believe it

could have ended differently. we never thought for a minute that

she would never come out alive. We have great respect - I tell you

something, those men did their level best. 18 firemen at the scene

were trained to use the rescue equipment. One had already gone

down to help Alison. But senior commander, Paul Stewart they did

here, and William Thomson, refused to allow firefighters to lift

Alison out. The sheriff says they put regulations before rescue.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue expressed deep regret for Alison's

death, but declined to apologise to her family. Every person and that

incident, their overall goal was to rescue Alison Hume. We could see

all the options available to us and selected what we thought was the

best option at the time to rescue her celeb -- effectively.

Unfortunate, that did not happen and that will be heavy on the heart

of the firefighters who attended. The man who drew up the regulations

for using the rescue equipment says it could have been used to bring

Alison Hume up. It was perfectly safe to use on a member of the

public, as it was to use some members of the fire service. It

wouldn't be used on members of the fire service if it was not safe. It

complied with regulations and it was in use. It was a technicality

that stopped them using it and a member of the public. Alison's

family said they are pleased the sheriff has accepted their

criticisms of the way the rescue was carried out. Alison should not

have died in these circumstances. Something should have been done

quicker. They seem to have been a huge lack of compassion for people

concerned - they were more concerned with rules and

regulations, rather than the victim. They say they hope the Sherriff's

criticisms of the fire service operation will prevent a similar

tragedy. So, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue had

the men and the equipment, but in the words of the Sherriff, senior

officers at the scene that night rigidly stood by their operational

guidelines. David Henderson has been looking at whether a culture

of avoiding risk at all costs is preventing the emergency services

from doing what we expect them to They are dangerous jobs, but they

serve a vital need. Every day, emergency workers tried to save the

lives of others and try not to die in the process. Is everybody ready?

This team of volunteers trained hard for Cave rescues. They strive

to reduce the risks to a level they can cope with. Come towards me.

Today, the sheriff said they could have helped rescue Alison Hume, but

that call was never made. In a situation where there is human life

involved, I think some large injection of common sense is called

for, and I would employ the Latin expression seize the moment and

deal with the matter, and then sort out the breaking of rules and

regulations later. So, why were fire chiefs so reluctant to order a

rescue that night? Four years ago, a massive blaze ripped through this

warehouse in Warwickshire. For firefighters went in, and the roof

collapsed. All four died. Fire service managers have since been

charged with causing their deaths. And that casts a long shadow.

introduction of legislation like the corporate homicide Act, in its

application to senior officers, middle-ranking and junior officers,

creates an environment where our ability to improvise is compromised.

There is a real fear, a culture of fear, about potential prosecution.

18 months ago, a woman fell into this stretch of the River Clyde,

and the response to that emergency shows it is not just the fire

service who sometimes struggled to cope. Witnesses say it was clearly

an emergency, that she appeared to be drowning, and that there were

police officers waiting up on that bridge. You with a waiting for? Or

perhaps a fire crew, because they would normally take the lead in a

river rescue. In the event, three young students jump in and saved

her life. So, does health and safety get in the way of rescue

efforts? Or is it just the way some people interpret the rules? Some

individual managers tried to interpret the law, and sometimes

put rules and regulations in place that would be too restrictive. It

has a knock-on effect when the workers are trying to get a job

done. That often gives health and safety a bad name. Often in need a

commonsense approach. It is clear that firefighters face dangers, and

today their managers have been told that unavoidable when lives need to

be saved. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come before 7pm: Is this vandalising an

historic Scottish icon, or a great way to celebrate next year's

Olympics? In sport, heart stump up for the

taxman, but can't afford to pay their players again. And, the

Premier League's top man says recent controversies on and off the

field could help the SPL find their new sponsor. More on those stories

later. The number of people seeking work

in Scotland is up again, this time by 5,000, while the number of

people in work has fallen quite sharply. This is as employers

become more cautious about recruiting, and as shoppers feel

the squeeze. Our business and economy editor Douglas Fraser has

been looking at the numbers. The figures don't look good, but

the way things look elsewhere, they could be worse. They show the

number of Scots on Jobseeker's Allowance last month was down 900,

to just below 144,000. But, moving in the wrong direction - the number

seeking work, not all on benefits, between July and September was up

5000, to reach 215,000. The rise for the UK was well above that.

Scotland's unemployment rate is lower. The other side of the coin -

with Scots leaving the workforce and not available for work, there

was a big fall of 28,000 in the number of people in employment.

These numbers represent individuals and families often facing very

tough times, but those causing most worry are the young.

The economy's wheels keep turning, and there is some optimism from the

young being shown round this tyre factory to see what work could be

like when the time comes. But even for those who have already entered

the world of work, that optimism can be planted. Amy has a modern

apprenticeship in office admin but she can't afford much more than

window shopping. She reckons she would have twice as much spending

money if she were on benefits. After you have paid her rent,

electricity, council tax and so on, it all mounts up until I am left

with about �100 a month for food and everyday expenses which, you

know, you can't do it. It is really hard to get by on that. Especially

when I know that if I wasn't working and pretty much doing

nothing, I would be getting double. I don't see the sense in that at

all. That's a part on the question of whether there is a job to follow

her apprenticeship. You than a payment has reached its highest

point in 20 years, bringing financial words. For young people

are coming into Citizen Advice Bureaux across Scotland, saying

they are unemployed, wanting debt advice, benefits advice,

homelessness advice, even bankruptcy advice at such a young

age. We are seeing a bleak future for people aged between 16 and 24.

Today, the Bank of England's Governor warned of slow progress

this year and next. The journey to a more balanced world economy will

be long and arduous. But the future for jobs close to home is clouded

by the continuing crisis facing our Eurozone neighbours.

That's along with inflation eroding spending power, as pay increases

were further squeezed last month, helping to explain why total spend

in Scottish shops dropped last year by 0.1%. Not much, but with

inflation, that means people are spending a bit less, but taking

much less home. Retailers need to see that improve in the weeks

leading up to Christmas. A row has broken out at Holyrood

over plans for the Scottish Parliament to sit on St Andrew's

Day, when a wide scale public sector strike is being held. Labour

and the Greens called for solidarity with the workforce and

objected to the SNP's proposal for MSPs to come to the chamber to

debate the UK Government's handling of the pension negotiations. The

Presiding Officer said that public access to the Scottish Parliament

would be unaffected by the industrial action.

We've heard the warnings of epidemic levels of obesity and we

know it could cost the NHS billions of pounds to treat. We also know

some of the solutions, for example, bariatric surgery such as gastric

bands could, in the long-term, save the health service money. But, what

about the long-term effects on the patient? This report contains some

flash photography. Sharon Osbourne, Maradona, Fern

Britton - they have all had weight- loss surgery, and can make it look

easy. Michael Wade 27 stone when he had surgery to reduce the size of

his stomach. Two years later, and 13 stone lighter, he is overjoyed

with the results. Squeeze it, come on. But, as well as losing weight,

he lost a few friends who said he had changed when he no longer

wanted to socialise around food. Was it an easy option? A not as

easy as I thought it was going to be, or as people would imagine. My

friend went through the private sector. I was lucky enough to go

through the NHS. The support that I have had has been completely

invaluable. My friend who went down the private route has had no

support at all. That has been really difficult for her. They have

been studies into weight-loss surgery, but they have mainly

looked at how cost-effective it is for the NHS. What they have not

looked at other side-effects for patients. Now, researchers at the

University of Glasgow has been awarded a grant to find out more

about the long-term effects of weight-loss surgery. We don't

really have data on long-term complications of these,

particularly doing them on younger people, knowing how that affects

their bone strength, for example, as they get older, or how it

affects people if they don't and have babies after having had these

operations. We don't any of these type of things. It will be several

years before this study can draw any conclusions, but those who have

had surgery will tell you already Barry Bannon has been charged

following a crash on the M1 in Nottinghamshire last month. 21-

year-old Aston Villa player was charged with four offences

including drinking and driving and failing to start up after an

accident. Environment AGC Palmer says further

pollution from a leaking waste water pipe has been stopped from

reaching the Firth of Forth. But measures have been taken by BP to

contain the leak. Monitoring of air pollution have shown an odorous gas

is falling. A team of marine rescue survivors

have freed a humpback whale of the coast of East Lothian. A lifeboat

took the divers out to sea. Scotland's biggest prison has

facilities for or just over 1000 men. Barlinnie is due to almost

1,500 prisoners. This is said to be unsafe.

This is the first full report on Barlinnie since 2006. The inspector

made his thoughts clear about the jail. It is overcrowded by well

over 500 prisoners -- prisoners. This is a situation that is far

from ideal or even says. The number of prisoners held before their

trial has gone up by 20 %. inspectors says the reasons for

that need examined. If it is for safety and security then that is

fine. If it is for administrative reasons, there should be a question

raised. A question the present Governor might like cancer to two.

He is locking up 1567 prisoners tonight. The jail was designed for

1018. He says they cannot refuse to take prisoners but have to cope.

you write in the morning, here you are in your cell in the evening. We

try to make it fair for the people here. Because we try hard, the

prisoners except it. The inspector says Barlinnie is in desperate need

for redevelopment but with budgets last by 60 %, the funds are limited.

It has been the scene of historic moments of national importance but

impassioned appeals to save Perth City Hall were rejected. The

century-old building phase has been torn down and replaced with a new

civic square. It is a grant some would say to a

grand edifice. The city hall with classical columns and cherubs is a

symbol of the Edwardian confidence. Opened in 1911, it has welcomed

politicians and pop stars. The great and good gathered here to see

Churchill received the freedom of Perth in 1948. A future

Conservative Prime Minister would all critics of the stage to delight

the Tory faithful. The his affection for this building but the

arrival of the new concert hall meant there was no use for it.

Councillors gathered in an attempt to answer the question of what to

do with it. They bought him to pull down the hall and replace it with a

There will be fairs and parades which can happen now that we have a

flexible open space in the centre of Perth.

Her all that got down on the street? The building is

proportionally incorrect. They should make something out of what

is there and not bring it down. growth is arguing passionately

against demolition. It wants the front of the building kept. It is

an iconic building and it cannot be demolished. We do not believe that

Historic Scotland will allow it to be demolished. These walls may not

be tumbling down soon. The final decision lies with Scottish

ministers. Now the sport,.

Controversies including financial difficulties could help attract new

sponsors. He was speaking to a senior sports reporter Chris

McLoughlin on the day it was announced the current sponsor will

not be extending its deal. Celebrating, Rangers. The bank is

withdrawing force in the league to look elsewhere. Every deal that

should do has a shelf-life and then you move on and work with new

partners. The SPL seemed relaxed. With clubs in financial crisis,

illicit chanting being investigated and players not being paid, how

difficult will it be to sell Scottish football. A number of

those issues and that corresponds with numb -- interest in their SPL.

There is clearly a high level of exposure that the leak gets from

those issues. That creates an opportunity for any company coming

in. Any exposure is good exposure according to the man who runs the

league. Does that mean we should welcome scenes like this? From the

media value side, it is a positive. All different countries have

different issues. We can overcome those issues. I am positive we can

sell this. The name of this profit is up for sale.

There are more money problems for Hearts tonight. They have not been

able to pay players for the second month in a roar. This time that it

is because a �1 million in tax bill. Any idea if and when they will be

paid? Senior sources at the club have told me that players will be

paid but they cannot tell me when that will be. Hearts players

arrived at a Tynecastle or training, many of them had checked their bank

accounts and established no money had gone in. This is not the first

time this has happened. The club has issued a statement. They say

they do have an income short ball. This is down to the lack of

transfer monies coming in. This relates to the sake -- sale of

Crayke Gordon into 1007. He has not played the required number of games

that would trigger a payment. Michael O'Neill who has been linked

with the vacant since managerial position at Hibernian is in talks

with Shamrock Rovers. The former Hibernian player has only to Mac

games left. Another name in the frame is Pat Fenlon.

Still on a sporting scheme, as it vandalising a historic icon or a

way to celebrate next year's Olympics.

Edinburgh Castle, a symbol of Scotland. It a spot of foreign

enemies but well-lit embrace the Olympics symbol. A planning

application has been lodged Tippett Olympic rings on the castle. This

will be seen for miles around. Is this a good way to highlight the

Olympics? This is how the castle could be transformed. I think it is

vandalising the castle. It is a great idea. It is egg and a's way

of showing that they are proud. Organisations, and athletes are

divided. It is an ancient or monument and is important to us.

have something special coming to the UK. The rings are already up in

London. It will be up to counsellors year to decide on

planning permission next month. We saw more of brightness today.

That cloud will bring rain into the country overnight. It will turn wet

for many. Here is a band of rain pushing into the West and will

ensure north and eastwards over night. Ahead of that, there will be

clear skies. Mess that -- missed patches forming. Tomorrow, that

rain will clear away northwards. Most places will become dry with

some bright or sunny spells developing. And the West, it is

still looking cloudy. There will be some outbreaks of rain. In brighter

spells, and coming down the east coast where they will be seen

across Aberdeenshire. We may see temperatures picking up to 12 or 13

degrees Celsius. Into the second part of tomorrow, we will seek

winds increasing. Looking at the pressure chart, it will bring rain

across the country. On Friday, that front will linger. In the east, it

will be drier and brighter. A West East split over the weekend. A

summary of top stories, a woman trapped at the bottom of all

mineshaft would have survived if it not been fit by feelings. The team

sent to rescue are believed to their own rules stop them from

using safety equipment. Unemployment in Scotland rose by

5,000 in the three months to the end of September. The jobless rate

is now at 8%, slightly lower than the UK average.

Doctors are calling for up smoking to be banned in cars even if it is