0:00:13 > 0:00:21The -- good afternoon. Welcome to the Scottish Parliament. Lots going
0:00:21 > 0:00:27on as ever. The economy and controversy over the anti-
0:00:27 > 0:00:31sectarianism bill. Still that controversy over the potential
0:00:31 > 0:00:39impact of independence on energy policy. Let's see how many of those
0:00:39 > 0:00:43topics come up in First Minister's Questions.
0:00:43 > 0:00:50Today will be the Deputy First Minister answering the questions as
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Alex Salmond is currently abroad. Let's listen in. To ask the Deputy
0:00:54 > 0:00:59First Minister what engagements she has planned for the rest are the
0:00:59 > 0:01:06day. Can I begin today by paying tribute to Campbell Christie, a
0:01:06 > 0:01:11true giant of Scottish public life? His pot -- his contribution to
0:01:11 > 0:01:18Scotland speaks for itself. A key campaigner of this Parliament and
0:01:18 > 0:01:22chairman of Falkirk Football Club. Latterly, he was to chair of the
0:01:22 > 0:01:30Christie commission into public sector reform. His legacy is
0:01:30 > 0:01:34immense and it will undoubtedly stand the test of time. I am sure
0:01:34 > 0:01:44that the chamber will want to send our condolences to his family at
0:01:44 > 0:01:49this sad time. Later today, will have meetings to take forward the
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Government's programme for Scotland. Those were welcome words from a
0:01:53 > 0:01:59Deputy First Minister regarding Campbell. I look forward to
0:01:59 > 0:02:02celebrating his life at Falkirk Football Stadium tomorrow. Analysts
0:02:02 > 0:02:07from Citigroup this week are telling global clients not to
0:02:07 > 0:02:13invest in Scotland because of the Government's separatist agenda. Is
0:02:13 > 0:02:21it not now clear that the uncertainty created by a separation
0:02:21 > 0:02:26referendum is going to damage this country's economy? You know, I
0:02:26 > 0:02:33looked very closely at Iain Gray as he asked that question, just to see
0:02:33 > 0:02:36if he was at all shamefaced? Won the very morning when we learn that
0:02:36 > 0:02:42there is �400 billion of revenue still to be extracted from the
0:02:42 > 0:02:51North Sea, only Iain Gray could stand up and questioned Scotland's
0:02:51 > 0:02:57ability to be independent. On the question of the city gripped report,
0:02:57 > 0:03:03we disagree with it and think it is wrong. It is based on two
0:03:03 > 0:03:09fundamental flops. Firstly, the report ignores the reality. The
0:03:09 > 0:03:15reality is that investment is happening now. In the context of
0:03:15 > 0:03:23alive independence debate, �750 million in the last 12 months.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27Mitsubishi and others. That is the reality. The second false
0:03:27 > 0:03:32assumption, the erroneous assumption, that somehow post-
0:03:32 > 0:03:37independence the rest of the UK will no longer buys Scottish energy.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42It is patent nonsense. I know Iain Gray is not normally one to miss
0:03:42 > 0:03:49the opportunity to clutch at any passing straw, but today he really
0:03:49 > 0:03:54have excelled himself. I looked very closely at the news about the
0:03:54 > 0:04:01potential of Aberdeen and I believe that it has that potential. What
0:04:01 > 0:04:07that report says is that that potential will only be realised if
0:04:07 > 0:04:12we have a transparent and stable fiscal regime. The very thing the
0:04:13 > 0:04:16City group is saying that they are jeopardising. But, you know, if
0:04:16 > 0:04:21they Deputy First Minister want listen to investors on energy, what
0:04:21 > 0:04:26about the engineers? In 25 minutes, the Institution of Mechanical
0:04:26 > 0:04:33Engineers will brief the report about Scottish energy in this
0:04:33 > 0:04:38building. It will say of the SNP's 100% renewables plan, this cannot
0:04:38 > 0:04:42be justified from an engineering perspective. It will say there are
0:04:42 > 0:04:46currently no credible strategies from the technical point of view
0:04:46 > 0:04:52published by the Government. It will say, without far reaching
0:04:52 > 0:04:57changes in government policy, the target will not be met. I think
0:04:57 > 0:05:03Scottish engineers are the best in the world. Does the Deputy First
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Minister think she knows better than them? To go back to the news
0:05:07 > 0:05:11from Aberdeen, Iain Gray talks about fiscal arrangements. Has it
0:05:11 > 0:05:15escaped his notice that the fiscal arrangements that have the
0:05:15 > 0:05:24potential to damage our North Sea potential are those from the UK
0:05:24 > 0:05:29Government? That is a point that he has ignored. And let me say this.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34Iain Gray asks who knows best? Will, I ask him if he thinks he knows
0:05:34 > 0:05:41better than Roy MacGregor, the chairman of Global Energy Group.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43This is what he has to say. The investment is happening in full
0:05:43 > 0:05:48knowledge of the Scottish Government's plan for a referendum.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Renewables are being deployed in part thanks to that First Minister
0:05:52 > 0:05:56who has demonstrated a vision that investors want to see. Scotland's
0:05:56 > 0:06:01ability to produce power is a massive asset and one that is
0:06:01 > 0:06:10prospering. You know, just for once, Iain Gray could maybe give up the
0:06:10 > 0:06:15opportunity to come to this chamber and talks got wind down. -- and it
0:06:15 > 0:06:25talks Scotland down. I did see the letter in the press. I just thought
0:06:25 > 0:06:31that Roy MacGregor saw it first. That is a very welcome investment
0:06:31 > 0:06:38by a Scottish company, but the Deputy First Minister is still
0:06:38 > 0:06:45answering question one. Question to was about to what Scottish
0:06:45 > 0:06:49engineers are saying about the SNP's energy policy. They are
0:06:49 > 0:06:55saying that energy policy has to be based on an understanding of energy
0:06:55 > 0:07:02supply technologies, not political expediency. They are trying to be
0:07:02 > 0:07:11polite, but we're talking about Alex Salmond. Is the Deputy First
0:07:11 > 0:07:20Minister going to listen, or is she going to send Kevin Pringle of to
0:07:20 > 0:07:24forge a new engineering report in the Professor's names? Iain Gray is
0:07:24 > 0:07:31so predictable at first minister's questions that I actually answered
0:07:32 > 0:07:37question to in answer one. I pointed to the massive renewables
0:07:37 > 0:07:41investment currently underway in Scotland. �750 million of new
0:07:41 > 0:07:47renewable energy and -- L it is today project began generating in
0:07:47 > 0:07:55Scotland in the last 12 months. There is a pipeline of 17 gigawatts
0:07:55 > 0:08:00worth of projects. At total capital investment of �46 billion, ready to
0:08:00 > 0:08:04create thousands of new jobs for Scotland. I don't think the
0:08:04 > 0:08:09contrast -- the stark contrast between Iain Gray and the First
0:08:09 > 0:08:14Minister will be lost on anybody today. The First Minister overseas
0:08:14 > 0:08:24fighting Scotland's corner, winning investment for Scotland. Iain Gray,
0:08:24 > 0:08:25
0:08:25 > 0:08:30at home, talking Scotland down. As usual. Can we have a brief final
0:08:30 > 0:08:38question and answer? There are none so death as those who will not here.
0:08:38 > 0:08:45This report says... This report says there is no credible plan,
0:08:45 > 0:08:50there is no credible pipeline, there is no route map to achieving
0:08:50 > 0:08:55the SNP's renewable energy targets. The SNP say this is their key
0:08:55 > 0:09:03policy for Scotland's future. But they have not got a clue about it.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08Investors say they referendum makes it unsupportable and separation
0:09:08 > 0:09:12makes it an affordable. But the people who actually build the
0:09:12 > 0:09:17technology on the ground say it is technically undeliverable. Last
0:09:17 > 0:09:23week, the First Minister had to apologise for misleading Parliament.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Isn't he misleading Scotland on energy every day of every week?
0:09:27 > 0:09:35There is a renewables route map published by this government. I
0:09:35 > 0:09:37suggest Iain Gray reads it. The companies are investing. Mitsubishi,
0:09:37 > 0:09:47design and a messiah. Iain Gray talks about people not wanting to
0:09:47 > 0:09:48
0:09:48 > 0:09:52hear. -- Mitsubishi and two other companies. There was a quote that
0:09:52 > 0:09:56it was time for Labour to realise that it is not that people don't
0:09:56 > 0:10:01hear the message, it is people don't like what they are hearing
0:10:01 > 0:10:07from Scottish Labour. I think it is time that Iain Gray paid attention
0:10:08 > 0:10:13to that very message. To ask the Deputy First Minister when she will
0:10:13 > 0:10:15next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland. Sadly, I have no
0:10:15 > 0:10:23plans to meet the Secretary of State for Scotland in the near
0:10:23 > 0:10:28future. This week's Citigroup report was not actually talking
0:10:28 > 0:10:35about oil and gas. It was talking about SNP energy policy,
0:10:35 > 0:10:40particularly renewable power. What it specifically warned that -- was
0:10:40 > 0:10:48that an independent Scotland would require an annual subsidy of �4
0:10:48 > 0:10:52billion. That is an estimated height of �900 per household. Their
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Deputy First Minister described the report as wrong and flawed. Can she
0:10:58 > 0:11:04tell me which bit of these estimates is wrong and flogged? If
0:11:04 > 0:11:09she can't, how can she possibly justifies such an intolerable
0:11:09 > 0:11:13burden on Scotland? Can I say to Annabel Goldie, and I am sure she
0:11:13 > 0:11:18will be relieved to hear this, I don't intend to replicate the love-
0:11:18 > 0:11:22in between her and Alex Salmond of last week. But Savill recognise
0:11:22 > 0:11:27that it is her last appearance here and I thank her for her
0:11:27 > 0:11:31contribution. I wish her well in the future on behalf of the whole
0:11:31 > 0:11:37chamber. I disagree with of the conclusions in the City Group
0:11:37 > 0:11:43report. It is interesting to note that the Tories have learned
0:11:43 > 0:11:47nothing in 15 years. John Major said in 1997, it will frighten off
0:11:47 > 0:11:52inward investment. What he was talking about them was devolution.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57Labour said then that he was wrong. They have now adopted the Tory
0:11:58 > 0:12:04responses. The fact of the matter is that renewables is as success
0:12:04 > 0:12:08story. -- a success story in Scotland. It is something we're
0:12:09 > 0:12:12doing incredibly well and have the potential to do even better in.
0:12:12 > 0:12:20Surely even the opposition parties in this Parliament can find it
0:12:20 > 0:12:24within themselves to get behind this Government's ambition? I refer
0:12:24 > 0:12:30to her specific point in my previous answer. Peter Jones makes
0:12:30 > 0:12:33this point in the Times newspaper today. This report is based on the
0:12:34 > 0:12:39air warriors get assumption that after independence the rest of the
0:12:39 > 0:12:43UK would not by renewable energy from Scotland. In order to get
0:12:43 > 0:12:52anywhere near their obligations, Dean Eades Scottish Renewables.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56That is the reality. The Deputy First Minister may rest assured I
0:12:56 > 0:13:03shall not conduct a love-in. But I shall thank her for her kind
0:13:03 > 0:13:13remarks. I have immensely enjoyed my position as leader of my party
0:13:13 > 0:13:18
0:13:18 > 0:13:24in Scotland. Do not give up hope, dear. I am accustomed -- there was
0:13:24 > 0:13:29no surprise that the comment from the First Minister to the report
0:13:29 > 0:13:35was, so what? But the reality is that in an independent Scotland
0:13:35 > 0:13:40when we are generating nearly all of our own energy from renewables,
0:13:40 > 0:13:50somebody has to foot the bill. Either households and businesses...
0:13:50 > 0:13:51
0:13:51 > 0:13:53It is interesting how uncomfortable the SNP is. Either, households and
0:13:53 > 0:13:59businesses fork out much more money than they are doing at the moment
0:13:59 > 0:14:04to pay their bills, or tax is increased to let government pay the
0:14:04 > 0:14:10subsidy. Why doesn't she first met, the best way to maintaining and
0:14:10 > 0:14:15energy supply at affordable levels in Scotland is for Scotland to stay
0:14:15 > 0:14:19within the United Kingdom? response to Annabel Goldie's
0:14:19 > 0:14:23earlier remarks, I think I can say without fear of contradiction that
0:14:23 > 0:14:32I am probably the only Deputy Leader in this Parliament that can
0:14:32 > 0:14:37say I am perfectly happy with my current leader, thank you. At the
0:14:37 > 0:14:41end of for a question, I was not sure if she was going to extol the
0:14:41 > 0:14:46virtues of the Union up or nuclear power. On both, I think the Tories
0:14:46 > 0:14:51are increasingly out of touch. Let me make this simple for her. In
0:14:51 > 0:14:55order to get anywhere near the renewable energy obligations that
0:14:55 > 0:15:00the UK Government has to meet, it is going to need Scottish
0:15:00 > 0:15:05Renewables. The price they pay for that Scottish energy will reflect
0:15:05 > 0:15:09that. This is a success story for Scotland. This is a near the Opera
0:15:09 > 0:15:14Scotland has the potential for enormous growth and great job
0:15:14 > 0:15:17creation. I think it is time all members of this Parliament got
0:15:17 > 0:15:27behind the renewables revolution in Scotland and stopped talking it
0:15:27 > 0:15:31
0:15:31 > 0:15:36As the Deputy First Minister is aware, the decision to consult the
0:15:36 > 0:15:40future of the factory in my constituency. Dodgy share my
0:15:40 > 0:15:47concern that this consultation should be genuine, Oban and
0:15:47 > 0:15:52hopeful? If worst comes to worst, can she did meet assurances that a
0:15:52 > 0:15:57Scottish Government will be able to step in and help the employees?
0:15:57 > 0:16:04am aware of this situation, and I can understand his concern and the
0:16:04 > 0:16:08deep concern of his constituents. The news of plans to end production
0:16:08 > 0:16:13is obviously extremely disappointing. I want to reassure
0:16:13 > 0:16:17him that the Scottish Government's team have already made contact with
0:16:17 > 0:16:22the company to see what assistance can be offered to those employees
0:16:22 > 0:16:29affected by this announcement. We stand ready to help in any way we
0:16:29 > 0:16:33can. What issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet?
0:16:33 > 0:16:38At the next meeting of the Cabinet, we will discuss issues of
0:16:38 > 0:16:42importance to the people of Scotland. Over 1000 deaths and
0:16:42 > 0:16:48countless acts of anti-social behaviour in Scotland. As a result
0:16:48 > 0:16:54of the abuse of cheap alcohol. How concerned is the Deputy First
0:16:54 > 0:17:00Minister that the details are Oakley -- openly promoted, to get
0:17:00 > 0:17:05around the law agreed by this Parliament last year? Will she join
0:17:05 > 0:17:10me in condemning misbehaviour? thank Willie Rennie for an
0:17:10 > 0:17:15important question. The quantity discount than in my view is
0:17:15 > 0:17:19extremely important. If it stops someone going into a supermarket
0:17:19 > 0:17:24intending to buy only one bottle of wine and then buying three, that is
0:17:24 > 0:17:27a step in the right direction. But make no mistake, the quantity
0:17:27 > 0:17:31discount ban was intended to operate in conjunction with minimum
0:17:31 > 0:17:36pricing, and it will be much stronger when it does operate in
0:17:36 > 0:17:42conjunction with minimum pricing. And I welcome Willie Rennie's
0:17:42 > 0:17:45comments, and can I welcome him in his party's support for minimum
0:17:45 > 0:17:52pricing. And look forward to persuading others that it is the
0:17:52 > 0:17:57right thing to do. Big business has already tried to undermine the
0:17:57 > 0:18:03democratic will of this Parliament on the 2010 legislation. As she
0:18:03 > 0:18:08points out, we support alcohol minimum pricing, as do others in
0:18:08 > 0:18:11the parliament. Some businesses get it as well, and support the plans.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16But others do not understand that they have a social responsibility
0:18:16 > 0:18:19to the communities in which they operate. Big businesses lost the
0:18:20 > 0:18:24argument on the need for strong action on alcohol. Now they resort
0:18:24 > 0:18:29to threats of legal tactics using their wealth and might. What
0:18:29 > 0:18:32message does the Deputy First Minister have for big business
0:18:32 > 0:18:41acting in this destructive way? How is this government going to get the
0:18:41 > 0:18:44message out to them that they need to back off? He is spot on to
0:18:44 > 0:18:48mention and highlight the fact that significant and key players in the
0:18:48 > 0:18:53alcohol industry do now support minimum pricing. I welcome that.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58And again, I look forward to persuading other members and other
0:18:58 > 0:19:03parts of the industry as well. Companies will take their own
0:19:03 > 0:19:09decisions, and it is their right to do so. But if this Bill does pass,
0:19:09 > 0:19:13I really hope that companies and indeed others across Scotland will
0:19:13 > 0:19:17recognise the clear will of this Parliament, and I hope they will
0:19:17 > 0:19:22act in a socially responsible manner. There is no doubt in my
0:19:22 > 0:19:26mind that minimum pricing, while it is not a magic solution, in and of
0:19:26 > 0:19:31itself it will not solve our problem, it is an essential part of
0:19:31 > 0:19:35a comprehensive approach. It is the missing bit of the jigsaw, and I
0:19:35 > 0:19:40look forward today when this Parliament put that right. -- to
0:19:40 > 0:19:43the day. To ask the Deputy First Minister how the Scottish
0:19:44 > 0:19:49Government can alleviate the financial pressures of charities
0:19:49 > 0:19:53and voluntary organisations? third sector has a major role in
0:19:53 > 0:19:59Scotland's future, especially during a period of austerity. Over
0:19:59 > 0:20:05the next three years, we will provide �73.5 million to the sector.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09This compares to funding of �62.1 million so that this year's of the
0:20:09 > 0:20:17last administration. Despite the difficult financial pressures, this
0:20:17 > 0:20:21represents an increase of funding of �18.3 million. I thank the
0:20:21 > 0:20:27Deputy First Minister for her assurances. As has been noted,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Campbell Christie is sorely missed. In his report last June, he
0:20:30 > 0:20:34highlighted that we must prioritise expenditure on public services
0:20:34 > 0:20:40which prevent negative outcomes from arising. Will she ensure that
0:20:40 > 0:20:42women and children with experience of domestic abuse in Caithness,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Sutherland and Ross Show and across Scotland get the level of funding
0:20:46 > 0:20:50for the services they need from the Scottish Government as a lead
0:20:50 > 0:20:55partner in their support, and urge local authorities to maintain and
0:20:55 > 0:21:00improve their own contributions, and not that these vital funds?
0:21:00 > 0:21:05agree absolutely with both the detail and the thrust of his
0:21:05 > 0:21:09question. It touches on the importance of preventative spending,
0:21:09 > 0:21:14something that John Swinney in his recent Budget prioritise. It also
0:21:14 > 0:21:20highlights the importance of the work of many organisations working
0:21:20 > 0:21:24to combat violence against women. I met with some of them this week.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27What gives them will be aware that the quality budget in the draft
0:21:27 > 0:21:31budget has been maintained, not withstanding the circumstances we
0:21:31 > 0:21:34face. And I would very much hope that subject to due process, that
0:21:34 > 0:21:38will allow us to continue the good financial support we give to
0:21:38 > 0:21:45organisations like women's aid to enable them to do the vital work
0:21:45 > 0:21:50they do. Will the Deputy First Minister agree that a cut of five %
0:21:50 > 0:21:54to the funding of Coatbridge will have a huge impact on their ability
0:21:54 > 0:21:58to sustain services, and what action can she take to ensure that
0:21:58 > 0:22:08my constituents do not suffer a withdrawal curtailment of these
0:22:08 > 0:22:13services? Absolutely, I appreciate and recognised the vital work that
0:22:13 > 0:22:18cab does. I used to in a previous life work in this sector myself,
0:22:18 > 0:22:22not for them but I know the importance of that work. The legal
0:22:22 > 0:22:27aid budget for advice services is being protected clearly. The
0:22:27 > 0:22:30financial circumstances we live in, which are outside the control of
0:22:30 > 0:22:34this parliament, are having an impact in many areas. But we will
0:22:34 > 0:22:41continue to do what we can to protect frontline services and
0:22:41 > 0:22:47prioritise spending on preventative measures. And organisations like
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Cab have our utmost support and respect. As to ask the First
0:22:50 > 0:22:55Minister what the Scottish Government is doing to ensure that
0:22:55 > 0:22:58respite provision for carers is available across Scotland? Can I
0:22:58 > 0:23:04begin by thanking carers across Scotland for the commitment and
0:23:04 > 0:23:06support they provide. I would also want to begin by at very open
0:23:06 > 0:23:10recognition that there is still much we need to do to ensure that
0:23:10 > 0:23:14respite provision for carers is adequate in all parts of Scotland.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18But it is the case that we have increased the number of respite
0:23:18 > 0:23:21weeks by more than 10,000. That will benefit carers, and I would
0:23:21 > 0:23:28hope that Jackie Baillie and other members would welcome that
0:23:28 > 0:23:32achievement. So I thank her for her response, and joined with her in
0:23:32 > 0:23:36acknowledged in the valuable work that carers do. But will she share
0:23:36 > 0:23:40my disappointment that over one third of Scottish councils are
0:23:40 > 0:23:46cutting respite provision, and does she really believe it is right that
0:23:46 > 0:23:49there is double-counting of respite care? A seven-night stay in a
0:23:49 > 0:23:53residential home kinds somehow as two-and-a-half weeks of respite
0:23:53 > 0:23:56care. And does she agree with the statistical service which has
0:23:57 > 0:24:04acknowledged the double counting, effectively confirming that
0:24:04 > 0:24:09Scotland's careers have been misled and let down? I regret the tone of
0:24:09 > 0:24:13Jackie Baillie's question. Because I did try to be constructive in my
0:24:13 > 0:24:18previous answer. I do think this is an area of real importance, and we
0:24:18 > 0:24:21have more to do. And I readily acknowledge that. Jackie Baillie is
0:24:21 > 0:24:25not strictly accurate on her point about the difficulties of data
0:24:25 > 0:24:28collection, which we did acknowledge. The point she raises
0:24:28 > 0:24:33means the figures are not comparable between councils, but it
0:24:33 > 0:24:36does not affect the changes and the increase in respite weeks over time.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40I do recognise we have more to do here, all of us owe an enormous
0:24:40 > 0:24:45debt of gratitude to carers, and that debt has to be expressed in
0:24:45 > 0:24:49tangible and meaningful ways. That is why we are investing �3 million
0:24:49 > 0:24:56this year for short breaks. It is why we have said very clearly that
0:24:56 > 0:24:59the changes Fund, 20 % of that has to go on support for carers. I
0:24:59 > 0:25:02recognised the real progress that has been made here, but I also
0:25:02 > 0:25:06recognise the fact that we still have work to do in improving
0:25:06 > 0:25:10provision generally, and making sure that improvement is consistent
0:25:10 > 0:25:13across the country. I would hope this of all issues is one we could
0:25:13 > 0:25:20UNITE on and get behind the efforts of the government to see
0:25:20 > 0:25:23improvements. Given that the charitable, voluntary and
0:25:23 > 0:25:27independent sectors can provide high quality respite care at
0:25:27 > 0:25:32competitive rates, how will the Deputy First Minister ensure they
0:25:32 > 0:25:38are given equal access and consideration in the tender process
0:25:38 > 0:25:43for respite care? I mentioned in my previous answer investment of �3
0:25:43 > 0:25:47million. Last year, we invested �1 million, that is increasing to �3
0:25:47 > 0:25:52million this year for short breaks, provision by the voluntary sector.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56The role of the voluntary sector cannot be overstated. It is vital.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01I also mention that change Fund and the 20 % set aside in that for
0:26:01 > 0:26:05carers, support for carers. The involvement of the voluntary sector
0:26:05 > 0:26:11in that is also vital. These are all legitimate. Backs, and I
0:26:11 > 0:26:19recognise and take them on board. We are going in the right direction,
0:26:19 > 0:26:24but there is still a lot for us to do. Can ask what actions the
0:26:24 > 0:26:29Scottish Government is taking to tackle knife crime? Every single
0:26:29 > 0:26:32knife incident is one too many. Latest official statistics show a
0:26:32 > 0:26:38downward trajectory in the fight Against bats, but there will be no
0:26:38 > 0:26:42let up in our efforts. That is why only this week following a doubling
0:26:42 > 0:26:49of funding, the Justice Secretary has announced the roll-out of the
0:26:49 > 0:26:52No Knives, Better Lives campaign to six new areas of Scotland. I thank
0:26:52 > 0:27:00the Deputy First Minister for her reply. Bill the Government welcome
0:27:00 > 0:27:06the publication this week of the Scottish crime and just a survey,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10which shows these benefit of police in our communities. I do indeed
0:27:10 > 0:27:16welcome that survey, published this week, showing that overall crime is
0:27:16 > 0:27:20down significantly. Recorded crime is at a 35 year low. I think that
0:27:20 > 0:27:24is directly related to give 1000 extra police officers put on the
0:27:24 > 0:27:27streets of Scotland by this Justice Secretary and this government. And
0:27:27 > 0:27:32our commitment to keeping them there will help drive crime down
0:27:32 > 0:27:37even further. I was disturbed to read in that survey the link
0:27:37 > 0:27:41between crime and particularly violent crime and alcohol, of which
0:27:41 > 0:27:46simply strengthens my resolve to take tough action so insulting and
0:27:46 > 0:27:51addressing our problem with alcohol issues.
0:27:51 > 0:28:01Coming to the close of our coverage of First Minister's Questions.
0:28:01 > 0:28:02
0:28:02 > 0:28:08Certainly no nothing, despite Annabel Goldie's last day. Iain
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Gray and Annabel Goldie focused on the city Group report on the impact
0:28:12 > 0:28:16on energy in Scotland, it provided them with meat and substance. But
0:28:16 > 0:28:20there was time for Annabel Goldie to suggest to Nicola Sturgeon that
0:28:20 > 0:28:23her time might come in its own time to be leader of the SNP. Nicola
0:28:23 > 0:28:29Sturgeon declaring she was privately content with her current