02/05/2013 Politics Scotland

A very warm welcome to the Scottish Parliament here at Holyrood. The

MSPs have been the subject to a demonstration outside on the issue

of blacklisting union members. That will be discussed later. The main

subject of this programme is questions to the First Minister.

The First Minister pays tribute to the soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

They deserve our deepest gratitude for the jobs they do. Rightly in

this chamber, there are different views on the wisdom of a military

interventions but there is not and never has been any division

whatsoever in any party of this chamber about the respect in which

we hold our armed forces for the sacrifices they make. No words, of

course, can bring comfort to the families of soldiers at times like

this but the thoughts and sympathies of everyone in Scotland

are with them. Can I find the First Minister for what he said. He

speaks for all of us in our sympathies and condolences to

families and good wishes to does. After the last 10 days, isn't it

the case that the First Minister's plans for the currency and Scottish

pensions who are exactly the same as his receipts for his half-a-

million pound trip to the Ryder Cup, completely and utterly shredded.

The Scottish Government have put forward the policy we believe in

the best interests of Scotland and indeed the rest of the UK. I have

to say that for the Labour Party to argue that it has any consistency

or credibility in its current policy doesn't bear a single

examination. I suppose on the question of currency, with so many

supporters advising that the policy... Order!The decade by the

Scottish Government is correct, I would say, on balance, I agree with

Alistair Darling, who on 10th January for Newsnight Scotland said

of course it would be desirable to have a currency union and of course

it is logical. Therefore, I can say to this chamber, for the only time

in this and other sections of first minister's questions, I agree on

this subject with Alistair Darling. I'm not sure it was worth the First

Minister hunting through his order to find that line! Talking about so

-- talking about consistency in one sentence is entirely bizarre for

the rest of us. However, the First Minister said this week that he

will get his career and his House on a yes vote in the referendum.

Isn't that wonderful? But who else shares his confidence? Hands up who

else on the front bench will event -- will bet there Korea and their

House? -- bet there career? And who behind the front bench? Obviously,

no takers there. Let's try the backbenchers? Who are behind the

front bench but -- with no career but a House would bet on it? Do you

want to put your hands up? What about, then, hands up for those who

would support a separate Scottish currency? Or maybe you only do that

in private when the First Minister isn't watching. But, of course, the

First Minister's macho acclamation of his willingness to risk all, to

show how much he believes in himself is not the point. Is under

the case that the First Minister's career and the First Minister's

House don't matter? But what does matter is that he is taking a

gamble with everyone's home and job with a currency plan he self-

evidently hasn't sought through? Well, that worked as well for Duran

and lament as it well worked for Ed Miliband. -- for Johann Lamont....

Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder for the Conservative Party. So,

therefore, we ask ourselves, in this better to get the campaign,

has Labour policy been totally subservient within the Conservative

Party? I think that means yes! Because I have been living at the

policy positions of the better to give the parties in the last

general election. The only party which said never to the euro was

the Conservative Party. The Labour Party in the 2010 manifesto said

there would be no membership without a referendum. And the

Liberal Democrats said, we believe it is in Britain's long-term

interests to be part of the euro. So, I think it is fairly reasonable

for Johann Lamont to head the Scottish Government policy in

favour of a Stirling area and the substantial support that has. What

I think is interesting is the suggestion that the better together

campaign has a single policy. There are three Policies for every part

and party of it and the Labour Party's danger in campaigner hand

in hand with a Conservative Party, they are gambling their future with

the Scottish people. Meanwhile, back in the real world... I think

all of those people who perhaps thought he had a case will now

realise he has no case whatsoever. Because, of course, the First

Minister says we will keep the pound. The chair of the yes

campaign says we should do a separate Scottish so currency and

prepare to join the euro. To put it at its kindest, this is a complete

shambles. The First Minister said that the last chancellor was

responsible for the Royal Bank of Scotland mealy going under, the

Bank the First Minister used to work for, but now claims the

current transfer... I thought you knew he used to work for the RBS,

but never mind. So, he says, the last chancellor was responsible for

what happened to RBS but this Chancellor has no control over the

Bank of England. You simply could not make it up. The people of

Scotland deserve honesty, the people of Scotland to stir for

honesty and clarity. This isn't about the First Minister's bravado

and gambling. This isn't about a smart soundbite for him. This is

about people's jobs, their homes, their mortgages, their pensions and

their savings. So, for the sake, well, it's maybe same old same old

to the back benches, but it is about jobs, people's homes,

people's mortgages, people's pensions and savings. That is not

same old. It is about the real world. So, for the sake of clarity,

will be First Minister simply now rule out a separate Scottish

currency? I've Got News For Johann Lamont. What brought the Royal Bank

of Scotland and many other financial institutions into trouble

was not the Bank of England's control of interest rates, but

partly the Financial Services Authority' frack -- lack of

regulation of the banking system. Order! And which mastermind

Chancellor of Exchequer was contract -- in control of the FSA?

The same person now in control of the no campaign in Scotland,

Alistair Darling. Or perhaps we should have a glance at the reports

into the collapse of the banking system, the near collapse and see

the role of Gordon Brown, of Ed Balls, of Tony Blair, and the

responsibility they were allocated in terms of their attitude and lack

of control and vigilance over the financial system. We have put

forward the Government's viewpoints, supported by more Nobel Laureate's

than you can shake a stick at, supported by mirthful -- former

members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England in

the interests of Scotland and in the interests of the UK to share

stolen. Can I reports another expert who has also said that for

England and the rest of the UK, they have been major advantages in

having Scott and remain as part of a continuing monetary union and a

monetary stability pact. That is serious analysis. That is putting

forward a few point in the interest of Scotland and the interests of

the rest of the United Kingdom would stop may be that is why when

the current Chancellor of Exchequer and the chief secretary to the

Treasury came up to Scotland last week, at no point in all of the

interviews, despite the bluff and bluster did they say no. Because

they know that the policy being put forward is in the interests of

Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom. I think there were more

squirrels then you could shake a stick at! You would think the First

Minister had never argued for lighter touch regulation in the

banking system and she had never written that letter to Fred could

win saying, go on, yourself! That is brilliant! Just before the Royal

Bank of Scotland departed. But however, one thing we did notice

from that response, he didn't answer the question. The fact of

the matter is, the First Minister is trying to break up Britain but

the only thing breaking up by his arguments and his campaign. The

currency union between the Czech Republic and Slovakia lasted just

six weeks. If only the First Minister could hold on to a policy

position for that long. And of course, seriously, Scotland is on a

pause while he puts his fantasy of Ms Ford. There is only one thing

consistent here. You cannot trust the first Minster on anything. On

apprenticeships, he took 10,000 people already in jobs and called

them apprentices. We all know it! Order! We all know it. On

apprenticeships, he took 10,000 people on jobs and called them

apprenticeships. He said he abolished waiting-lists when he had

failed them. And then, he told us he was increasing college spending

when he is slashing it. Isn't it the most accurate answer ever given

to any parliament anywhere that we cannot trust a word the First

Minister says? Well, I was fascinated by the argument that the

SNP doesn't have been us consistency on possible stop if I

remember correctly, Johann Lamont's latest policy on devolution for

Scotland didn't last six hours at the Labour Party conference. Not

for the first time, can I just point out the interest -- the

increase in apprenticeships by over 60% and the decline in unemployment

is something we should claim as a substantial success. Her argument

that this took people who were already in work is nullified by the

fact that there is a lower percentage of newer apprenticeships

in work than there was when the Labour Party were in power with

that reduced number of apprenticeships. And given this is

the third time I am explaining this, perhaps Johann Lamont won't

introduce that question again. Because it clearly is without any

foundation whatsoever. The success for having apprenticeships is a

good thing for Scothern. The success we are having with getting

young people into work is a good thing for Scotland. Johann Lamont

is doing no different from her three predecessors who did exactly

the same thing, it is no different from Labour's negativity in the

last election and I see Ian Gray sitting there on the back benches

when they rubbished and diminished anything about Scotland's potential.

It is exactly the attitude they have to the question of currency.

This is the country with a stronger budgetary position. This is the

country with a surplus in the balance but trade. The idea that we

are going to be holding to a country with a first -- worst

fiscal position and a deficit in the balance of trade is simply

quite incredible. Her body negativity and the running Scotland

down is exactly the reason why exactly two years ago, the people

of Scotland passed a verdict on the Labour Party which was why they are

sitting there in such diminished would like to recognise the service

of Corporal William Savage and private Samuel Flint. And to private

Robert Hetherington of the 51st Highland Fusiliers. He was a

territorial Army member. I would like to associate my party and

myself with the expressions of gratitude and condolence sent to the

families and those injured in that attack. I would like to ask the

first Minister when he will next meet their Secretary of State for

Scotland. There are no plans in the near

future. Thank you for your kind words.

We have heard the first Minister Seat that he is correct in that

three former bank of England expects and his own former expel advisor

will all wrong. Let us ask the first Minister is the Institute for

chartered accountants also wrong because it published a report in the

last week saying that it would be a legal under EU law for pension

schemes being a separate Scotland and the rest of the UK not to be

fully funded. The first Minister 's response is to say we will not

change the law, we will wrap it up. Can I ask him, how many of the 27

individual member states that he needs to be as his government had

discussions with on this issue to protect the pensions of the people

of Scotland? We are not seeking an opt out from

the EU regulations which are designed to facilitate cross-border

pension schemes. If Ruth Davidson had read the report correctly she

would see that they have not only raised the issue but they have put

forward solutions to the issue, none which involve opting out of the EU

pension scheme. In terms of discussions with the UK government,

we are willing to have them. Not only on this spot on a range of

other issues. If Ruth Davidson would use that extra money influence that

he has that part colleagues in London to make them agree with the

Foreign Affairs Select Committee then engage with constructive

conversation with the Scottish government that would be a good

idea. Come on, strike out for Conservatives Scottish independence!

The report does raise a number of questions, none of which have been

answered by your finance Paul Osman that smacks Altman on Sunday. The

one I liked the most was with their be a Scottish protection fund

because the UK Pension Protection Fund pays and manages no less and

16,000 Scots whose schemes have gone under. Here is another question for

the first Minister. This is from Ronald Berry, a past president of

the Institute of faculty actually is. He knows a thing or two about

pensions. He said it can take 15 years to prove the pension system

works and by then it is too late to do anything if it does not. The odds

favour to stay within a UK system, why should we gamble against it? The

first Minister admitted that he is a betting man. On currency and

pensions, is he not gambling with the financial future of every man,

woman and child of Scotland? I was suggesting that the Tory and

Labour parties might have different policies. They are now using exactly

the same lines and questions. It was unfortunate for Ruth Davidson that

Johann Lamont has the first question but it does not get any better the

second time around that it was suggested the first time! The

position of an independent Scotland with regard to pensions will be

stronger than that of the UK one that is because it takes up 14.4% of

Scotland's wealth compared to 15.9% of the UK. In terms of social

protection including pensions and tax receipts it takes up 30% of tax

receipts, the figure for the UK is 42%. As regards the balance of

trade, the balance of payments, oil and gas is an asset, not a

liability. The great industries of Scotland are purchasing Sterling.

The fact that we have less of liability in terms of social

protection makes it more affordable, not less affordable and given what

the Institute of Fiscal Studies has said about the Tory Party 's pension

plans and publishing the vast majority of pensioners, making them

worse off, I think the Conservative Party are the last people on F to

show any concern for pensioners across the country. Question number

three, Willie Rennie. Can I do recognise those who have

lost their lives recognising -- serving their country in

Afghanistan. I would like to ask the first Minister what issues will be

discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet.

Thank you, for your kind words. The Cabinet will discuss issues of

importance to the people of Scotland.

Several MPs are rejecting your plans to join a British currency union.

Margaret Thatcher once said, "you turn if you want to, the lady is not

for turning." Now that you have got in on your British currency plan,

are you trying to transform into the Margaret Thatcher of British

politics? No, we will continue to put forward the best interest of the

Scottish people which has worked successfully for the SNP over the

last few years and because it is recognised that that is what we do,

we will continue to work hard for the people of Scotland.

interesting lack of answer. A founding member of the Bank of

England Monetary Policy Committee gave you a warning this morning.

That is the committee he is relying on this morning for a British

currency union. Last week, Professor John Kay rejected his plans as well.

He is one of the first Minister 's favourite advisors, and he cannot

dismiss all of his friends in the Yes camp who are telling him now.

JoAnn said if the first Minister wanted an option of the Scottish

currency he did need to wobble now. He is under pressure from friend and

foe to wobble, as he wobbling? I have lost track of other Willie

Rennie wants me to U-turn or what? Any wobbling or U-turning or cart

wheels would be as do nothing as to what the Lib Dems have achieved in

terms of performance of politics will stop in 2010 Willie Rennie

stood on a manifesto commitment. I note he lost his election but he

still stood on the manifesto saying that it is in Britain 's long-term

interest to be part of the euro. It was on page 67 of his manifesto. Has

he been wobbling or U-turning or performing cartwheels over these

last three years, or is the biggest wobble that concerns people in

Scotland about Willie Rennie is his role and his party's role in putting

the Conservative Party into power in Westminster? Question number four,

Sandra late. I would like to ask the first

Minister what they can tell us about the proceeds of crime.

That act made a great impact. Since the legislation was introduced ten

years ago, over �80 million of assets has been seized. Thanks to

this government, our communities are benefiting from the seizure of these

assets. A programme is investing funds for young people and their

communities the length and breadth of the country.

I thank the first Minister for his reply. Can he confirmed that with

the investment of �80 million and future recovery is, can they make

sure that more investment will be made across Scotland to build on the

impact of the �50 million invested in 2007? Yes, I can. Sandra is

correct to point to the �50 million. That benefits over 6000 young

people. It has generated 11,000 volunteers that are putting back

into their communities. It deserves widespread support and touches and

helps constituencies and areas of every single member in this chamber.

I should point out to the chamber, in 2011, the amendments two schedule

for which added criminal lifestyle offences to the legislation, the

burden of proof and that change which is now for the accused to

prove that the assets were genuinely obtained, were now illegally

was not very clear... As regards the cashback for communities campaign,

we were aware of that important letter of change which shifted the

balance of proof and added to the success of the proceeds.

The first Minister might remember it was ten years ago since I praised

him and other MPs at Westminster on the need for this legislation. The

first Minister will also know that the annual assessments of the

business of serious and organised crime in his own Scottish strategic

assessment identified a turnover of more than �1 billion per year for

organised crime. In that light, as he satisfied that �8 million per

year average asset recovery is sufficient or will he commit to a

further review of the operation of the act to deliver improvements in

the results for future years and greatly increase the asset recovery

results? I should point out to Graeme Pearson

when the measure was introduced ten years ago, and I pointed out that

the cashback for communities, which I think is a really important aspect

of this in terms of mobilising popular support that was injured in

2007... In terms of the growth of proceeds of crime, and that first

year it was �2 million. This last year, it was �12 million. It has

reached a peak of �25 million, so there has been a constant growth

over that period in terms of the proceeds of crime act. In terms of

two things, one is the constant view of this legislation to make it more

effective. I made a point a few seconds ago about the changes made

in 2007 as being absolutely crucial in changing that burden of proof to

allow more criminal assets to be properly seized under the law. I

also believe that the changes that have been made and we are making to

the police service in Scotland, operating with the crown of this

have a particular focus on the proceeds of crime, that will assist

in making this a highly successful act and scheme even more successful

in the future. I would like to ask the first

Minister what discussions the Scottish government has had the

European mission in terms of an opt out for pension regulations should

Scotland become independent. The Scottish government would not be

seeking an opt out. One is not required or necessary.

Thank you. Can I ask the first Minister in that event, what are the

Scottish Government splines to meet the much more stringent EU solvency

requirements that would apply to the thousands of Scots in pension

schemes that operate across the UK. Specifically, can I ask him if he

agrees with the comments of his financial Secretary on Sunday that

Scotland would receive longer timescales?

We are just coming to the close of questions to the first Minister.

They were talking about currency, pensions and a little bit about the