06/06/2013 Politics Scotland

Parliament here at Holyrood. Earlier today SNPs blocked the idea of the

suggestion that prisoners should have a vote on the referendum on

independence. The other issue - the big one today, would appear to be

welfare benefits A report is saying the bedroom tax, or the removal of

the subsidy is costing people around �11 per week in some cases. Across

the UK, we have, in London the speech by Ed Miliband, on targeting

the welfare in the longer term - a cap on benefits. Let's see if any of

those questions came up in questions Questions about independence. Let's

hear what the First Minister has to say. The Labour Party, which fought

a by-election in Glasgow north-east, under the campaign issue that the

SMP were neglecting Glasgow and giving money to Aberdeen is fighting

to defend their track record by suggesting that the SNP is giving

money to Glasgow and not Aberdeen. This Labour campaign might have been

successful! He is not talking about independence in Aberdeen, although

he spend all his life talking about it everywhere else. Isn't it the

case... Order!He is not mentioning independence in Aberdeen, because

his case is falling apart. His adviser advisers, with or without

Nobel Prizes say it is rubbish. Joe Stiglet say it will not work. And

others say it is not independence at all. John Sweeney is exiled for

saying in private... Order! Well, you live in hope!

Order! We live in hope. We live in hope

that he will say in public what he said to his Cabinet colleagues in

private. If we remember he said that an independent Scotland might not be

able to afford the state pension and in public... He did say it. He

didn't say it to you, but he did say it. He said, in public, the SNP

cannot say what currency it would be paid in if we had one. Isn't it the

case that independence is the First Minister's passion, but every time

there's an election it becomes a love which dare not speak its name?

Can I introduce you to John Sweeney. John, Joan... Unlike the candidate

of donside, who suggested he wanted to increase the council tax in

Aberdeen, the highest in Scotland, was exiled from television

interviews incase he repeated the gaffe. Can I say to Joan that the

case for independence is articulated in the terms of social justice that

it will bring to the people of Scotland? Unfortunately the Labour

Party, this week of all weeks, is no position to talk about social

justice. Tearing up the opposition to the welfare reforms, presumably

Alistair Darling will feel more comrtable at the -- comfortable at

the Tory conference this weekend. No more something for nothing rhetoric.

That went down well! That is astonishing to a minister who is to

the right of Mr Osborne. Order! There is far touch noise in the

chamber. He was saying he would cut corporation tax, three points more

than George Osborne. He's the only person, unique in the United

Kingdom, who on one hand is offering tax cuts and is saying he will

continue to spend the same way in public expenditure. It is simply not

credible. It is not credible and everyone knows it. But of course,

the First Minister's campaign started with a day at the cinema. A

year on, he's going to the zoo. In our hearts all of us know his

campaign is going nowhere. You know, Scotland has a lot of sympathy for

the panda Sweetie. We know what it is to regret the unwanted advances

of a big beast with only one thing on its mind. We also know this

Government has its priorities all wrong. That's why Mark McDonald

asked questions about Japanese knotweeds than A&E services in

Aberdeen. Is it that why the SNP will not mention independence in

Aberdeen, because a "yes" campaign is not helping Alex Salmond getting

his yes man back into Holyrood. It is better do the punch line at

the end of the question rather than the middle of the question. The

worry is, this is the top of a slippery slope towards US-type

system of services for the poor only. The attack on pensioners'

services leave a question over the future of the welfare state. Is it

for everyone or just the poor. This was Peter Hain this week, talking

about the Labour Party's change of policy N a week where even former

Cabinet ministers are openly doubting Labour's commitment to the

welfare state, in a day when, as we are told in the Dell Dell -- Times.

She is leading the UK to the right. A something for nothing society. The

whole onus of the programme is a something for something society - to

hold society together and look after benefits. The benefits from the

income tax freeze, from free prescriptions, the benefit of

students not having to pay tuition fees. The benefit on personal care,

on free transport. These issue policies will win in Aberdeen and

across Scotland. That would be more credible if he

was not the last man standing arguing for reg monices in this

country. The fact of the matter is, when the First Minister talks about

his fantastic spending programme, tell that to the college student

that can't get a place. Tell that to the care worker, who has got a

15-minute visit. Tell that the pensioner who cannot use the bus

pass because there is no bus there at all. The fact of the matter is,

bizarrely, in Aberdeen, on the doorstep, he doesn't talk about the

obsession that brought him into politics. When he's here, his

minister ministers themselves tell us what they cannot do until they

have independence. When they face real people, like the people of

Aberdeen, they will speak about anything other than independence.

Oh, yes! I think you will find so, including your own candidate. Isn't

that because he knows what the people of Scotland really think

about his independence obsession? Perhaps that is the real reason he

went to see the pandas at Edinburgh Zoo this week, to find out

first-hand from Sunshine how to deal with rejection.

Only the question of the Labour Party's commitment to Aberdeen, let

me quote Gordon Matheson. The 13th December - that is the SNP, in

Glasgow, decided to concentrate the nation's resources on Aberdeen for

the SNP. That is the Labour leader of Glasgow council. I know it is an

embarrassment for the people in the north-east of Scotland to be aware

of the campaign the fronted to stop additional cash for the city of

Aberdeen. That is a big embarrassment. Of course it is to

have a Labour candidate who wants to increase people's council tax. From

the Labour Party's perspective, the new dental hospital, the green

energy centre, the oil and gas academy n the city - these are

embarrassments but benefits that were brought to the city of

Aberdeen. In terms of the embarrassment for the Labour Party

across Scotland, moving on to the Tory ground and welfare policy,

after three years of continually attacking at Westminster, although

following the example of the something for nothing rhetoric in

this country in this Parliament is a huge embarrassment for the Labour

Party, as Peter Hain identified. As far as students are concerned, we

have a record number of students in higher education in Scotland. There

is a collapse in student numbers in England. Why is there a collapse?

Because of the policy of twegs south of the border, which -- tuition fees

sort of the border, which she says are the obvious thing to introduce

in Scotland. When weighed in the balance, the excellent policies from

Scotland, things being imposed from Westminster, that is why people in

Aberdeen and across Scotland will vote to mobilise this nation's

resources and the social justice which will come from an independent

Thank you. To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime

Minister. No plans near future.Last week I asked if he would establish

an inquiry into the baby ashes scandal. In response he replied if I

wanted to make the case for why a national public inquiry would

benefit the bereaved pub parents, he would of course look at that. I

wrote to him this week laying out that case. Presiding Officer,

parents are calling for this and they are upset they are not involved

in the review. It has further emerged that crematorium workers

will not be called to give evidence. The review will not give those who

have suffered loss the answers that they need and deserve. Does the

First Minister agree that in these circumstances the case for a public

inquiry is now stronger than ever? Can I say first, she wrote to me

last night. I got her letter that stated the 5th June and I will give

it due consideration, as she would expect. Looking at her letter tworks

things, I know it -- letter, two things. I know it says that parents

were not represented in the commission. In fact both charities

are represented on the commission. She will remember, of course, it was

a representative who first brought this whole issue to light, so I

don't think you can just dismess these two important charities, who

are represented along with the other interest in the commission. Now the

commission has been established in order to take evidence with that

broad-based panel, in order that we can get the situation across

Scotland into order as quickly as possible. He's reporting by the ends

of this year. It is about the future, it is about the best

practise, the things which should be done, so we have them, if necessary,

into legislation, to assure people that this sort of activity and this

sort of grief for parents will not happen again. That is an important

thing. In terms of giving parents the answers to their concerns, then

of course that is what is being done in the independent insquirry in

Edinburgh. There are audits -- inquiry in Edinburgh. There are

audits across Scotland. I have the most enormous confidence. Formally

the top law officer of Scotland. There is no evidence that her

inquiry has been hindered any way. When her inquiriment co-s forward

and when we have the propose -- inquiry comes forward and when we

have the proposals then we will look to make sure everything is has been

done correctly and people's questions have been answered. I hope

she has had that information and will concede that the commission is

a broad-based commission. Secondly, the efforts which have been made are

substantial in terms of giving parents answers, particularly in

Edinburgh and the commission has been charged with the responsibility

of sorting this position out for the whole of Scotland.

What he does not appreciate is that neither the commission, nor the

investigation is looking at individual cases and is looking at

this from a historical perspective and the people involved in this and

are looking for answers are looking to find out about what happened to

the remains of their own children. They understand the time frame

involved in a public inquiry. They understand that and they are asking

for one any way. They want answers as to what happened to them T this

is not a party political issue. It is not the Scottish -- that Scottish

Conservatives want to call for public inquiries and I know the

First Minister has listened before. Under him four public inquiries, two

of which are on-going, one into hospital-acquired infections and

another into contaminated blood products. There are issues not

covered either by this investigation or by the other, which is looking at

ed burden of proofing. On reflection, the First Minister must

-- which is looking at Edinburgh. On reflection, the First Minister must

realise this has caused distress, they should have the same kind of

investigation on a similar scale as to the public inquiry he has set up

in the past. Well, I believe we can have confidence in the investigation

as far as Edinburgh is concerned. It will indeed try and get parents the

answers that they desire. I do think, because it is underway and

taking place, that there's no evidence, because I have checked,

which has been blocked by any lack of information. We should have

confidence that she will conduct that inenquiry. -- inquiry.

There is a concern in the let erased last night about whether parents in

Aberdeen would have the opportunity to make submissions to the report. I

can confirm they will. The date she believed was the date for finalising

the date is the date for the council debate. It will be finalised by the

end of this month. The commission will have the time and opportunity

to take any submissions from parents in Aberdeen which come out of that

audit. I hope that gives her some reassurance. When she has reported

and the best practise for this economy to be introduced to ensure

us this sort of thing will not happen again, then of course we will

weigh carefully if there are outstanding matters which require to

be further investigated. I think the balance of interest for parents, for

society is to allow the work to go on, while allowing the commission to

establish best practise and then weigh carefully and sensitively

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 79 seconds

about what is best to be done given University funding is not the

Conservative Party's strong suit. In the Telegraph yesterday, only

yesterday, and I know it is read by you every day, there was an

extraordinary piece... As a result of the collapse in student numbers

caused by the Conservative Party's policy on tuition fees. In contrast,

Scottish universities are in a strong financial position and

Scotland has maintained a world position in research quality and we

are committed to maintaining that research funding and excellence in

a independent Scotland would stop and unlike his colleagues south of

the border, we have demonstrated our pride and to university

research. We announced an additional �13.7 million for key

world leading research. Within the UK, we have 8.5% of its operation

with 15% of UK and public chargeable funding. A whole host of

figures and bodies have expressed concern about this being at risk by

independence. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Society of

chemistry, and the principal of St Andrews University has said that if

we are cut off from national research funding, it will be

catastrophic for this institution. Without guarantees from the First

Minister about the future funding of research in our universities,

surely our academies would be better to conclude that we are

better together. That is why and have just pointed out that this

Government is committed to university funding and research

funding unlike the Conservative Party's out of the border.

Incidentally, I'm very interested. I have dozens of quotes from

university principals south of the border saying what they think of

this was Mr Government and the treatment of the universities. We

contribute to the research funding and there is more research funding

for universities that comes from the Scottish funding council and

they contribute to the research funding from the various councils

but can I just say that Murdo Fraser sees be giving a one-sided

view of these matters. Early on 30th April, well, one-sided view

with the Conservatives and the Labour Party, I should save they

are a two-sided you in their better together campaign to stop Professor

Tim O'Shea, one of the most successful professors said there

was no reason why any form of constitutional change should

preclude participation in higher order of research councils which of

course grants are made on the basis of merits. And they will continue

to be so and backed by the Scottish Government. I would think it would

be virtually impossible for the Conservative Party to find a single

university principal in the whole of England who would tell them that

universities are being properly funded under the tutelage of the

Conservative Party. University finances, according to that crime

soars, they are collapsing and student numbers have been in

freefall as a result of the student fee policy of the stop I merely

mention these to warn the Labour Party that their association with

this lot will cost them dear. the First Minister agreed that not

only with Scotland's universities continue to be world class in an

independent Scotland but that there would no longer face the effect --

threat posed by Westminster's damaging these are policies which

have been described by the Scottish Council for Development and

Industry as a huge challenge to universities, socially and

financially, and two Scottish -- to Scotland are commented. -- economic

cliff. I do agree with the university principals he said that

universities across Europe would kill for the funding set by this

Government to Scottish universities the stop but the point of evidence

was given and drew attention to another tawdry Labour Liberal

threat to an inner-city system and that of course is the student visa

policy. They said that the biggest source of concern for research in

Scotland was Westminster's tightening of student visas. They

said that students' reasons are a huge challenge to universities

socially and financially and to Scotland economic cliff. I agree

with ever stop it is high time the no campaign got someone who is

prepared to speak up for the real interests of Scottish universities.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of chemistry have

questioned whether universities will be able to access funding in

an independent Scotland. Of these bodies guilty of scaremongering?

but I certainly think that the mention of the EU research funding,

has it not occurred to you bet the European adviser is the foremost --

former Scottish adviser, giving the indication that we are well

integrated into scientific research across the European Union but even

for you, the threat to scutters position in Europe doesn't come

from these benches, it comes from the colleagues in the benches in

Westminster. The way to preserve Scotland's position in Europe is

for an independent Scotland, not to be taken into an in out referendum

dragged by his coalition partners in London. To ask the First

Minister what impact the UK Government proposed spending

reductions for 2015-16 will have on Scotland's budget. We won't know

the full impact of the budget cuts until the 26th that June but we do

know that he set a target of a further austerity of 11.5 billion

from the resource budget in 2015- 2016. The Scottish and it will

continue to press the UK Government to take a different approach and

out like a clear package of proposals. I hope that even the

conservative Liberal and Labour members in this chamber can see the

commonsense in and switch of policy as opposed to the continuation of

the austerity squeeze from Westminster. I find the First

Minister for his reply the stock yesterday, there was a survey which

showed that Scotland is a sparkling investment performance and their

business sign of investments are being deterred in Scotland. If

anything, the reverse appears to be true. But it is said that by 2018,

the standard of living will be lower than in 2001 if we stay in

the UK. Do you agree that the gains made by Scotland would lead to even

deeper cuts should Labour return to power with Ed Miliband confirming

today he would end universal benefits? The only way is with

independence to a resounding Yes vote next year. I thought it would

be if their calculations today that the words inward Investment not be

mentioned today. Given both Johann Lamont and Ruth Davidson have

previously said that investors are being scared away from Scotland

because of the referendum but of course the person has a business

often is the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. He said

he knew of investors who are being scared away from Scotland. Now we

have the best performers in 15 years, a sparkling performance.

Perhaps we could get a collective apology from Better Together about

their scaremongering to the Scottish people. To was the First

Minister what the Scottish government's position is one

recruitment and retention payments are paid to senior management at

the State Hospital. The recruitment retention premium under the agenda

for terms and can dosage were put in place and 24th June 2005. The

group operated under the delicate group from the Scottish Executive

of Ministers. That premium applies to staff. It recognises the unique

and challenging environment about hospital. Unless specified other

words, managers are also covered by other changed terms which we would

definitely include. I thank the First Minister for his response and

encourage him to read all of the letter from the Scottish a

reference and implementation group from 24th June which he quoted from

because that makes clear that senior staff in the state hospital

are not part of the agenda for change pay scales. Senior staff do

not qualify for the special payment that applies only two frontline

staff yet all of the senior staff at the State Hospital got an extra

�7,000 backdated 2005. And this at a time when pay was frozen for

everybody else. Does the share my anger that senior staff have taken

it upon themselves to pay themselves more money without

knowledge of signed off by the Cabinet Secretary which they are

required to do? And when he therefore ensure that the matter is

investigated independently of the state hospital? Well, I wish I

could have listened to the answer because if she had done so, she

would have heard it is not just 24th June 2005 agenda for change

terms and conditions, it is the terms and conditions for senior

managers published in 18th October 2006. These are the ones that make

it clear that unless specified otherwise, the managers are also

covered by the gender changed terms which include the premium. That is

the suggestion and that is the position that the Civil Service

have looked at and come up with in terms of the position. Now, if that

is correct, the, then Jackie Baillie will have noticed that this

is following the contract will obligations. If that is the case,

then she has not seen this and his... Particularly those that when

it goes it did in the last Labour Liberal Government. Therefore, I

think Jackie Baillie should consider whether or not it is wise

to impugn the integrity of people at the State Hospital given the

indications which have been provided by the Civil Service in

terms that they were following the rules as laid down by the last

Labour Liberal men -- administration. To was the First

Minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking to improve

treatment for people with dementia. On Monday this week, at a

conference, we lost the second national dimension strategy. This

will further improve diagnose if rates, and take four-day national

action plan on improving hospital care for people with dementia.

he agree that although Scotland has the best early diagnosis figures,

in the United Kingdom, they must continue to be a focus on

continuing poster idlers its treatment, particularly in acute

hospitals so that those people living with dementia and their

families can have the support they are quite rightly entitled to

receive in what can often be a difficult time? Diagnosis is the

key debt armlocks support for people with dementia and their

families. Scotland has a good record with 64% of people with

dementia being diagnosed compared to much lesser percentage is

elsewhere. That demand a commitment which has been described as the

world's first includes the guarantee that everyone diagnosed

is entitled to and enabled support worker for a minimum of one year to

help families and plan for future care. The new three-year national

action plan was announced last month. Supporting that, Alzheimer's

Scotland have been appointed towards Scotland and over 300

dementia champions are now in place. Given the nature of this subject, I

suspect every single person on this chamber has personal awareness of

people suffering from dementia and I think that much needed progress

should be widely welcomed. freedom of information repressed

has revealed that in 2011, a patient with dementia was subject

to 13 bed or walk moves during a single state in a hospital. Will

the First Minister agree with me that this is unacceptable and will

they give an assurance that under his improvement, this lot happen

again. I think that is unacceptable and Isles of Scilly have the Health

Secretary look into the case. Can I say that I would like to be able to

give this... He was its leader that the stop what she describes is

unacceptable. Had fully, the changes that will be made will make

the chances of this happening again much less. As the chair suggesting

there, that is the end of questions to the First Minister and the end

of this programme. The questions they concluding a very serious and

sombre note on the extremely grave subject, the treatment of subjects