0:00:19 > 0:00:23A very warm welcome to the Garden Lobby at the Scottish Parliament
0:00:23 > 0:00:27during what is quite a remarkable period of political turmoil. The
0:00:27 > 0:00:32resignation last night of Priti Patel from the UK Cabinet, still
0:00:32 > 0:00:36concerns at Westminster and here at Holyrood about sexual harassment.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41The announcement about a standards committee for code of conduct for
0:00:41 > 0:00:46MSPs about whether it is robust enough. There could be questions
0:00:46 > 0:00:52about the economy and public sector spending as well. We can cross for
0:00:52 > 0:00:58coverage for questions for the First Minister.Conservative Aleksandar
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Burnett asking questions in general questions over the issue of mental
0:01:02 > 0:01:06health. Still some questions on the general questions list. Not sure how
0:01:06 > 0:01:11many the presiding officer will take before we move on to First
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Minister's Questions. More happening here this afternoon. We have the
0:01:15 > 0:01:17questions to the Scottish Parliamentary corporate body, and
0:01:17 > 0:01:22that's the group of officials and MSPs that looks after the workings
0:01:22 > 0:01:26and running of the organisation of this Parliament. Usually the
0:01:26 > 0:01:30corporate body does not draw much attention but it could change today.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Presiding Officer, we recognise the work done by hard-pressed staff who
0:01:38 > 0:01:42answer 999 calls. This week we heard more evidence of things going
0:01:42 > 0:01:47tragically wrong. Elizabeth Bowen called my 99 to record a domestic
0:01:47 > 0:01:53abuse situation. 84 minutes later she had been murdered in cold blood
0:01:53 > 0:01:56by her brother. But the control room told her they refuse to send
0:01:56 > 0:02:00officers to her house. We know this is not an isolated incident. The
0:02:00 > 0:02:04question people ask is this, how many more times will call for help
0:02:04 > 0:02:07go unheeded before the situation in emergency control rooms is sorted
0:02:07 > 0:02:13out.This is an extremely serious issue and involves an extremely
0:02:13 > 0:02:17serious case. The first thing I would want to do here today,
0:02:17 > 0:02:22presiding officer, is to convey my thoughts and sympathies, my
0:02:22 > 0:02:27heartfelt thoughts and sympathies, to the family of Elizabeth Bowe.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31This is a tragic incident and police Scotland has rightly offered an
0:02:31 > 0:02:34apology to the family for its handling of the initial call that
0:02:34 > 0:02:39was made. It's beyond doubt that there were significant failings here
0:02:39 > 0:02:42and police Scotland went out with their own procedures in dealing with
0:02:42 > 0:02:46these types of calls. In other words, police Scotland did not
0:02:46 > 0:02:51provide the response expected of them. That's not acceptable and it
0:02:51 > 0:02:57is crucial between service learns lessons from that. In terms of Ruth
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Davidson's wider questions, there are significant improvements that
0:03:00 > 0:03:04have been made to police call handling. That's not just my view.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09We know from the update report published by Her
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Majesty'sInspectorate earlier this year that that is the view of the
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Inspectorate as well. Clearly following another tragic case, there
0:03:14 > 0:03:21was a review of call handling carried out published in November
0:03:21 > 0:03:252015 so there have been improvements made and it is vital the police
0:03:25 > 0:03:29continue to make these improvements. Since the incident Ruth Davidson has
0:03:29 > 0:03:32raised today, further action has been taken. For example, the police
0:03:32 > 0:03:37have ruled out risk and vulnerability training to more
0:03:37 > 0:03:43staff. -- police have rolled out. New training on the grading and
0:03:43 > 0:03:50coding of incidents. This was a tragic and unacceptable case and
0:03:50 > 0:03:54nothing I say today is intended to detract from the seriousness of
0:03:54 > 0:03:57that, but it's simply not the case to say significant improvements are
0:03:57 > 0:04:00not being made, and have not been made to call handling, and it's
0:04:00 > 0:04:06important lessons from cases like this continue to be learned.I thank
0:04:06 > 0:04:10the First Minister for the answer and she points to the assurance
0:04:10 > 0:04:12review from Her Majesty'sInspectorate made in
0:04:12 > 0:04:16January of this year to her government's defence. Let me run
0:04:16 > 0:04:20through some of the 200 incidents from the last year that we have
0:04:20 > 0:04:24uncovered, mostly since the report was made. In one case, a suicidal
0:04:24 > 0:04:30man was told to hang up. In another, to make separate call handles failed
0:04:30 > 0:04:36to record a report of a dead body in a house. In another, a couple rang
0:04:36 > 0:04:41999 to report their front door was being kicked in, but did not get
0:04:41 > 0:04:45help because the wrong address was written down, and police officers
0:04:45 > 0:04:48were not even dispatched. That's the reality of what's happening right
0:04:48 > 0:04:53now. Does this sound to the First Minister like a system that is
0:04:53 > 0:04:58functioning well yet?Every single one of the incidents that has been
0:04:58 > 0:05:03cited today by Ruth Davidson is serious and unacceptable. As I said
0:05:03 > 0:05:09in my initial answer, I don't want anybody to hear anything I say today
0:05:09 > 0:05:11as detracting from the seriousness and unacceptability of these
0:05:11 > 0:05:17incidents. I do think it's important also to put the situation into
0:05:17 > 0:05:22context. Ruth Davidson cites 200 incidents, as I say, completely
0:05:22 > 0:05:25unacceptable. But Police Scotland handled 2.6 million calls every
0:05:25 > 0:05:32year. Let me quote what Derek Penman, the chief inspector of
0:05:32 > 0:05:38Constabulary said on this issue when he appeared before the subcommittee
0:05:38 > 0:05:42on policing. He said that we must realise that there will always be
0:05:42 > 0:05:46risks and things will happen. Some people fail to accept that, but we
0:05:46 > 0:05:49need to recognise that improvements have been made and there is no
0:05:49 > 0:05:54crisis in police call handling. I am very clear that one incident of the
0:05:54 > 0:05:59type of Ruth Davidson cited here today is one too many. And lessons
0:05:59 > 0:06:02must be learned from all of these incidents. As lessons will be
0:06:02 > 0:06:08learned from the one that was reported on this week. I also think
0:06:08 > 0:06:14we need to recognise the number of calls that are handled. And use that
0:06:14 > 0:06:20as context. But also to recognise, as was recognised by Her
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Majesty'sInspectorate, the significant improvements that have
0:06:22 > 0:06:28been made. Ultimate accountability of this government is to continue to
0:06:28 > 0:06:31make sure these improvements are made and all lessons when they need
0:06:31 > 0:06:36to be learned our learned.We keep hearing that things are getting
0:06:36 > 0:06:40better, but time and time again, members of this chamber have raised
0:06:40 > 0:06:44concerns about the way the centralisation of our police force
0:06:44 > 0:06:47has been administered, and time and time again the Justice Secretary
0:06:47 > 0:06:51brushes those concerns aside and insist the rushed closure of control
0:06:51 > 0:06:55rooms under his watch is safe. As I have just read out, incidents are
0:06:55 > 0:07:00continuing. The problem in part of this government's making, are still
0:07:00 > 0:07:06live. The public has a right to expect better. The Justice Secretary
0:07:06 > 0:07:09claims he is on top of this. Does the First Minister share his
0:07:09 > 0:07:14confidence?Ruth Davidson, to her credit, is raising a significantly
0:07:14 > 0:07:17important issue, and one that is to the concern of the public across
0:07:17 > 0:07:22Scotland. I think she risks doing herself a bit of a disservice in how
0:07:22 > 0:07:26she characterises the approach, both of the police and of the government.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31It is simply not true, and it is not fair, presiding officer, to say this
0:07:31 > 0:07:34government or the Justice Secretary has ever brushed aside concerns of
0:07:34 > 0:07:39this nature that have been raised. Indeed, it was the Justice Secretary
0:07:39 > 0:07:44who commissioned the report into call handling that Her
0:07:44 > 0:07:48Majesty'sInspector carried out and published in November 2015 with the
0:07:48 > 0:07:53update report we referred to in January of this year. It's also not
0:07:53 > 0:07:57just me, or indeed the Justice Secretary, who are saying
0:07:57 > 0:08:02significant improvements have been made. That is the view of Her
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Majesty'sInspectorate of Constabulary. The vast majority of
0:08:05 > 0:08:10recommendations made in that original report have already been in
0:08:10 > 0:08:13fermented. Significant action, some of which I have already narrated
0:08:13 > 0:08:17today, has been taken to strengthen the call handling processes and to
0:08:17 > 0:08:21make sure the whole process is of the quality people deserve. But I
0:08:21 > 0:08:27will never stand here and say anything other than the type of
0:08:27 > 0:08:31cases we have heard reported this week, or the ones Ruth Davidson has
0:08:31 > 0:08:35quoted in this chamber are anything other than completely unacceptable.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39But in accepting that, it would equally be wrong for me to somehow
0:08:39 > 0:08:42say that no improvements have been made. And it is wrong for Ruth
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Davidson to say that, because that is not the case. Significant
0:08:46 > 0:08:50improvements have been made and will continue to be made. All sins that
0:08:50 > 0:08:56are required to be learnt absolutely will be learned.The issues I am
0:08:56 > 0:09:00citing happened since the report was published. This is not an issue that
0:09:00 > 0:09:05has been resolved. It is still ongoing. We were promised, all of us
0:09:05 > 0:09:09in this chamber, that taking control rooms out of local areas would not
0:09:09 > 0:09:13result in a loss of local knowledge. Let me read some more cases from
0:09:13 > 0:09:18this year. A woman threatened by her former partner, who did not get a
0:09:18 > 0:09:21response from police because they were sent to the wrong address. A
0:09:21 > 0:09:25man threatened with a knife, police were sent to the right flat, in the
0:09:25 > 0:09:31right street, but in the wrong town. A caller who rang as their mother
0:09:31 > 0:09:35and niece were being assaulted, and again police sent to the wrong
0:09:35 > 0:09:40location. The Justice Secretary promised that if performance dropped
0:09:40 > 0:09:45at any of Police Scotland's call handling centres, there would be
0:09:45 > 0:09:50rapid intervention. He made that promise two years ago. We are still
0:09:50 > 0:09:55seeing hundreds of serious incidents. Can the First Minister
0:09:55 > 0:09:58look those families in the eye and say her government has lived up to
0:09:58 > 0:10:05its promise?I would say to any family who has experienced the kind
0:10:05 > 0:10:08of experiences Ruth Davidson has cited today, that is completely
0:10:08 > 0:10:12unacceptable and there is no dispute between Ruth Davidson and I on that
0:10:12 > 0:10:18fact. I would like nothing better, presiding officer, as First
0:10:18 > 0:10:23Minister, than to stand here and say and be able to give an absolute
0:10:23 > 0:10:27categoric guarantee that in a police system that handles 2.6 million
0:10:27 > 0:10:31calls every year, that nothing will ever go wrong. But there is no
0:10:31 > 0:10:35country on the face of this planet that has a government that can stand
0:10:35 > 0:10:39up and give that categoric guarantee. However, we will continue
0:10:39 > 0:10:42to take all appropriate and necessary steps to make sure the
0:10:42 > 0:10:48system that is in place is as robust as possible. The point I am making
0:10:48 > 0:10:51is that significant steps have been taken, leading to significant
0:10:51 > 0:10:57improvements since the report in 2015. Again, I would say, if it was
0:10:57 > 0:11:01only me standing here saying that, then I guess the scepticism Ruth
0:11:01 > 0:11:07Davidson is articulating today might have more justification, but Her
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Majesty'sInspectorate is saying significant improvements have been
0:11:09 > 0:11:14made and has also made the point that given the volume of calls, and
0:11:14 > 0:11:20unfortunately it is deep regret to everybody, there will be cases where
0:11:20 > 0:11:23go wrong. Our duty is to make sure that risk is minimised as much as
0:11:23 > 0:11:26possible, and that is what we will do. These lessons will continue to
0:11:26 > 0:11:29be learned, and we will continue to give the police service the support
0:11:29 > 0:11:33it needs to make sure the public have assurances, and the call
0:11:33 > 0:11:38handling arrangements in place are robust. I have already quoted Her
0:11:38 > 0:11:46Majesty'sInspectorate. Let me also quote from this year, very recently,
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Nevin Rennie, who used to be the president of the Scottish
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Association police superintendents, I know the police receive millions
0:11:53 > 0:11:57of calls every year, and the vast majority of them answered extremely
0:11:57 > 0:12:00well, very professionally. Although recognises that sometimes things
0:12:00 > 0:12:05will go wrong. Our duty is to make sure we act in any case where that
0:12:05 > 0:12:07happens so all appropriate lessons are learned and we will continue to
0:12:07 > 0:12:16do that.Jackie Baillie.Will the First Minister join with me in
0:12:16 > 0:12:19commending the bravery and courage of all those who have come to speak
0:12:19 > 0:12:24out about sexual harassment.I absolutely join the Jackie Baillie
0:12:24 > 0:12:29in doing that. Many organisations, all political parties, and indeed
0:12:29 > 0:12:32this Parliament and other parliaments have had to confront
0:12:32 > 0:12:35some very difficult situations in recent days, but it's right and
0:12:35 > 0:12:41proper that we have been prepared to do so. I think the priority for all
0:12:41 > 0:12:45of us, and these are not easy situations, is to encourage women to
0:12:45 > 0:12:50come forward, and to make sure that when women do, the environment that
0:12:50 > 0:12:54is being provided for them is as supportive as possible, that they
0:12:54 > 0:12:59have confidence that they will be listened to, and believed. And that
0:12:59 > 0:13:01any concerns or complaints they bring forward will be robustly
0:13:01 > 0:13:08investigated. That has led to all of us looking afresh at our procedures
0:13:08 > 0:13:10and tightening those procedures. I know my own party has done that and
0:13:10 > 0:13:14the Scottish parliament is doing likewise. We should pay tribute to
0:13:14 > 0:13:17women coming forward and should encourage others to do so if they
0:13:17 > 0:13:21feel that is what they want to do.I agree with the First Minister on
0:13:21 > 0:13:25that point, it takes incredible bravery to speak out about
0:13:25 > 0:13:28harassment, especially when often it is the woman having to report the
0:13:28 > 0:13:33behaviour of a man in a position of power. A helpline is a welcome first
0:13:33 > 0:13:37step, but it's pointless if it does not ring, and it will not ring if
0:13:37 > 0:13:40victims do not see that allegations made are then investigated
0:13:40 > 0:13:45transparently. Because an absence of complaints does not mean an absence
0:13:45 > 0:13:50of harassment. Our response needs to go further, because we no apologies
0:13:50 > 0:13:53are not always enough. Can the First Minister tell us what changes she
0:13:53 > 0:13:57wants to see in the parliament to create that safe space for people to
0:13:57 > 0:14:04speak out?That's not just a matter for me, it's a matter for Parliament
0:14:04 > 0:14:07collectively. I met with the presiding officer, representatives
0:14:07 > 0:14:11of other parties last week, where we talked about the changes in
0:14:11 > 0:14:14procedures that Parliament should make. I made the point at that
0:14:14 > 0:14:17meeting and have made the point publicly that changes in procedures
0:14:17 > 0:14:21are necessary and important, but it's the underlying culture that
0:14:21 > 0:14:27allows some men, and I stress, some men, but predominantly men, to
0:14:27 > 0:14:33behave in a way that leads to women feeling the way that many women have
0:14:33 > 0:14:36done. And we have got to change that underlying culture. John Swinney in
0:14:36 > 0:14:39this chamber last week said it was for all meant to reflect on their
0:14:39 > 0:14:47behaviour. I would reiterate that point. -- for all men to reflect.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51The presiding officer points it out to me, it's not a matter for me as
0:14:51 > 0:14:55First Minister, it's a matter for Parliament. The Parliament's
0:14:55 > 0:14:58corporate body with no women represented on it is unacceptable,
0:14:58 > 0:15:04and that has to be addressed and resolved by this Parliament. As
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Parliament we are about to consider legislation about gender balance and
0:15:08 > 0:15:11public bodies and this Parliament has a duty to lead by example.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15That's a matter for all Parliament to address, but I make it clear this
0:15:15 > 0:15:22afternoon what might opinions are. Again there is much to agree with,
0:15:22 > 0:15:26but I think we all know a woman will not speak out if she thinks she will
0:15:26 > 0:15:32be ignored or if the man's behaviour is unchallenged or excused as a
0:15:32 > 0:15:37joke. It should be a watershed moment. This is our opportunity to
0:15:37 > 0:15:40tackle sexual harassment in our Parliament, our country and society.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45The Scottish parliament must lead the way. No matter if you are a
0:15:45 > 0:15:49backbencher or minister. No matter if it is at Holyrood or Westminster,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53sexual harassment needs to be challenged, and challenged
0:15:53 > 0:15:57transparently. First Minister, if the standard of behaviour is not
0:15:57 > 0:16:00good enough for somebody to remain as a minister, then how can it be
0:16:00 > 0:16:03good enough for an MSP?
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Will Obviously, Jackie Baillie is referring to the situation of Mark
0:16:09 > 0:16:12MacDonald. Mark MacDonald did what John Swinney asked all men to do
0:16:12 > 0:16:17last week and reflect on his behaviour. He came to the conclusion
0:16:17 > 0:16:21that that behaviour, whatever he might have thought of it at the
0:16:21 > 0:16:25time, was behaviour that was not appropriate and he did, in my view,
0:16:25 > 0:16:32the right thing by resigning. Let me be clear that that behaviour was
0:16:32 > 0:16:37about language not physical conduct and while I think it justified the
0:16:37 > 0:16:40step Mark MacDonald took, let me also make it clear that it was not
0:16:40 > 0:16:44language that would come in anyway close to being something that would
0:16:44 > 0:16:47require to be referred to the police and I think that context is
0:16:47 > 0:16:52important. There is also another point here, Presiding Officer. I
0:16:52 > 0:16:55agree with Jackie Bailly, 100%, actually on the point that bill will
0:16:55 > 0:16:59not be encouraged to come forward if they don't believe they will be
0:16:59 > 0:17:02taken seriously, if the behaviour they are complaining of will simply
0:17:02 > 0:17:06be dismissed or they feel they will be ignored but I think there is
0:17:06 > 0:17:09another issue here, particularly relevant to the politics. And it is
0:17:09 > 0:17:14particularly difficult, I think for politics. Women, possibly will also
0:17:14 > 0:17:17be discouraged from coming forward if they think that the moment they
0:17:17 > 0:17:21do, every aspect of what they are raising as a concern will be all
0:17:21 > 0:17:28over the media and in that situation, I think we would
0:17:28 > 0:17:30unintentionally give politicians perhaps more protection than others
0:17:30 > 0:17:36in society and that's not what any of us want to do. So that's the
0:17:36 > 0:17:40environment we want to create for women coming forward and also on
0:17:40 > 0:17:43occasion it has to involve respecting the confidentiality and
0:17:43 > 0:17:46the privacy of the issues women are raising. And that will mean
0:17:46 > 0:17:50sometimes we have to find balances in these things that are not always
0:17:50 > 0:17:53easy for those standing up in Parliament explaining. None is easy
0:17:53 > 0:17:57but it is all about making sure we provide the right environment for
0:17:57 > 0:18:01women. I want every woman who has had any experience of this nature,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04who wants to come forward now, who feels they can do that and they can
0:18:04 > 0:18:10do that in the right way and get all of the support, including at times,
0:18:10 > 0:18:18confidentiality that they require to enable them to do. .Some conyou
0:18:18 > 0:18:23constituencicy supplementaries, the first one, Alexandra Stewart.There
0:18:23 > 0:18:27has been anger and distress and upset amongst Fife residents in my
0:18:27 > 0:18:32region. The flare that lights up the sky can be seen as far away as
0:18:32 > 0:18:38Angus. The night sky has been turned to daylight in some areas, caution
0:18:38 > 0:18:43anxiety, sleeplessness and distress. Day after day residents have had to
0:18:43 > 0:18:46ensure noise pollution and vibrations, not to talk about the
0:18:46 > 0:18:53impact of quality of air and the environment Will the First Minister
0:18:53 > 0:18:59to take affirmative action to hold Exxon Mobil to account over their
0:18:59 > 0:19:05unannounced flaring and give my constituents some answers?First,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09can I say I understand the issue raised and have a great deal of
0:19:09 > 0:19:12sympathy with the concerns the public are expressing on this
0:19:12 > 0:19:17situation and in all issues like this, in due course, if there are
0:19:17 > 0:19:23issues of accountability, then those must be taken seriously. Here, of
0:19:23 > 0:19:28course, the regulatory body, prot Scottish Environmental Protection
0:19:28 > 0:19:33Agency, is engaged in this issue and looking into it and I understand its
0:19:33 > 0:19:36engagement includes engaging with the local population, I will ask the
0:19:36 > 0:19:40Environment Secretary to write to the member updating on the actions
0:19:40 > 0:19:46and investigations under way by SEPA but it is a serious matter that must
0:19:46 > 0:19:49be properly and transparently resolved.Alison Johnson.Thank you,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53to ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is
0:19:53 > 0:19:59taking to support Adam Maxwell, who has barely slept since the death of
0:19:59 > 0:20:03his wife, Kirsty in Benidorm in April this year as he and Kirsty's
0:20:03 > 0:20:06family press for a full investigation into the circumstances
0:20:06 > 0:20:11of this tragic loss?Well, firstly, let me offer my sincere condolences
0:20:11 > 0:20:17to Mr Mocks well and all of Kirsty's family on their tragic loss. -- Mr
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Maxwell. It is impossible for us to imagine what he and his wider family
0:20:21 > 0:20:25are going through at this time but they should know my uts thouts and
0:20:25 > 0:20:28I'm sure the thoughts of everybody across the Parliament are with them.
0:20:28 > 0:20:33The Justice Secretary met with the family in September to listen to
0:20:33 > 0:20:37their kefrnlts I understand the investigation by the Spanish
0:20:37 > 0:20:40authorities into the circumstances surrounding Kirsty's death is still
0:20:40 > 0:20:44ongoing and police officers still continue to offer support to the
0:20:44 > 0:20:50Spanish authorities. I can give Allister Johnson the ainsurance that
0:20:50 > 0:20:53the police will liaise closely with the family or interview any
0:20:53 > 0:20:57potential witness who is reside in Scotland thflt family deserve
0:20:57 > 0:20:59answers of what happened to their loved one and the police in Scotland
0:20:59 > 0:21:04will do everything they can to make sure they get them.Thank you,
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Presiding Officer, to ask the first minute, following the sudden
0:21:08 > 0:21:11decision in VG energy, engulfed intoling whichdation, what action
0:21:11 > 0:21:16the Scottish Government can take to support the firm's 39 staff?With,
0:21:16 > 0:21:20firstly, this will be an extremely difficult time for the staff of the
0:21:20 > 0:21:25company concerned, as is always the case in these situation. Scottish
0:21:25 > 0:21:29Government will liaise with the company to see if there are any ways
0:21:29 > 0:21:34in which employment can be protected but pace our approach to supporting
0:21:34 > 0:21:39people facing redundancy will be, if it is not, already fully engaged
0:21:39 > 0:21:42offering appropriate support to those affected and I'm sure the
0:21:42 > 0:21:45employment secretary would be happy to discuss the situation further
0:21:45 > 0:21:51with the member if there are any other members he wishes to raise.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Question number 3, Willie RennieI'm sure the First Minister will join me
0:21:55 > 0:21:59in wishing a speedy recovery to the police officer stabbed at Edinburgh
0:21:59 > 0:22:03College on Monday. We all stand together in appreciation of his
0:22:03 > 0:22:09service and his duty. In the case of Elizabeth Boe from my constituency
0:22:09 > 0:22:13is deeply troubling. It is an issue I have raised repeatedly over recent
0:22:13 > 0:22:17years since the centralisation of the call centres. I think it is
0:22:17 > 0:22:26reasonable to ask these questions because the area was at the centre
0:22:26 > 0:22:34of the crash where two people were left at the side of the road dying
0:22:34 > 0:22:36because of the inexperienced call handlers. It was recommended there
0:22:36 > 0:22:40should be additional training. Account First Minister give us a
0:22:40 > 0:22:45guarantee that all the staff there have the appropriate experience and
0:22:45 > 0:22:48the staff in this individual case have the appropriate experience as
0:22:48 > 0:22:53well.Well, firstly I would join the member in wishing well the police
0:22:53 > 0:22:58officer who was stabbed earlier this week, we wish him a speedy recovery.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01That incident, of course is a reminder of the risks our police
0:23:01 > 0:23:04officers take on a dilly basis as they work hard to keep all of us
0:23:04 > 0:23:13safe. Secondly, I would say to Willy are ennee, it is of course entirely
0:23:13 > 0:23:17reasonable and legitimate for these questions to be raised. Willy Rennie
0:23:17 > 0:23:20has raised these issues over peered of time and that is to his credit.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25In terms of the Elizabeth Boe case, of which I have already had
0:23:25 > 0:23:29exchanges around with Ruth Davis son, I can give an assurance that
0:23:29 > 0:23:32all recommendations in the report will be taken forward by Police
0:23:32 > 0:23:38Scotland and implemented in terms of some of the specifics about
0:23:38 > 0:23:43individual officers I'm not going into the detail, I'm happy to ask
0:23:43 > 0:23:47the Justice Secretary to write to Willie Rennie with more detail if he
0:23:47 > 0:24:00wishes but as I said in response to Ruth Davidson, police officers have
0:24:00 > 0:24:03been undertaking training, about helping staff to better identify and
0:24:03 > 0:24:07assess risk and capture all relevant information on calls. We'll continue
0:24:07 > 0:24:10to make sure thaefrg that requires to be done, following these cases is
0:24:10 > 0:24:15done and I will continue to pay close attention to this as First
0:24:15 > 0:24:20Minister but the Justice Secretary continues to be engaged on these
0:24:20 > 0:24:23issues on an ongoing basis.Can I thank the first minute sister for
0:24:23 > 0:24:26that answer. I would appreciate some more detailed response from the
0:24:26 > 0:24:30Justice Secretary in this case because it is particularly important
0:24:30 > 0:24:37to understand the level of experience of the staff. It it is
0:24:37 > 0:24:41disturbing that the A9 crash happened over two years ago but the
0:24:41 > 0:24:44family have still not had that fatal accident inquiry that was promised
0:24:44 > 0:24:50to them at that time. We need to understand what needs to be improved
0:24:50 > 0:24:54in order for improvements to be made. There are still questions
0:24:54 > 0:24:58about the underlying reasons of what went wrong snaint Andrew's. We still
0:24:58 > 0:25:03don't know what exactly went wrong on the A9. So what guarantees
0:25:03 > 0:25:08account First Minister give that we will be told before another tragedy
0:25:08 > 0:25:13happens?Well, firstly, in terms of a fatal accident inquiry, I
0:25:13 > 0:25:17absolutely understand the desire of the family in that case to have all
0:25:17 > 0:25:22of the answers to the questions that they have. As Willie Rennie knows
0:25:22 > 0:25:27and it is important that I make this clear, decisions around fatal
0:25:27 > 0:25:31accident inquiries are not for me as First Minister or indeed for the
0:25:31 > 0:25:36Justice Secretary they are for the Crown Office. I'm sure the Lord
0:25:36 > 0:25:41Advocate would be more than willing to update Willie Renniep around debt
0:25:41 > 0:25:45significance making in that inquiry in that ka.s I want it make it
0:25:45 > 0:25:51clear, as I did to Ruth Davidson, but to make it clear not just for
0:25:51 > 0:25:54those in this chamber but for the benefit of the wider public. There
0:25:54 > 0:25:58no, sir sense in waiting for fatal accident inquiries before action is
0:25:58 > 0:26:01taken to learn actions and address any failings that have been
0:26:01 > 0:26:08identified. The work of Hearn's inspectorate, the work of PERK is
0:26:08 > 0:26:17hugely important in that regard. -- of Her Majesty's expect rate. I
0:26:17 > 0:26:21would not want to minimise the seriousness of the cases but it is a
0:26:21 > 0:26:26case that significant improvement have been made and lessons learned
0:26:26 > 0:26:32and we will continue to make sure that's the case in all cases and
0:26:32 > 0:26:38continue to make sure more action is takenThank you N this important
0:26:38 > 0:26:41week in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday can I ask the First Minister
0:26:41 > 0:26:45to outline what support the Scottish Government provides for veterans to
0:26:45 > 0:26:50make the transition from military to civilian life. My constituency has
0:26:50 > 0:26:53long and proud connections with the military but I'm sure veterans
0:26:53 > 0:26:55across Scotland will be interested to hear the First Minister's
0:26:55 > 0:27:02response.Well, of course as we approach Remembrance Sunday, the
0:27:02 > 0:27:06interest and sacrifices of our armed services and indeed our veterans are
0:27:06 > 0:27:10very much at the forefront of our minds. Last year the Scottish
0:27:10 > 0:27:15Government published a summary of our work to support our Armed Forces
0:27:15 > 0:27:19community in Scotland. Next week the veterans minister will update
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Parliament on this. We have invested more than £1 million through the
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Scottish veterans' found in 2008 to support over 140 projects across
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Scotland to provide value ub housing, health and employment
0:27:29 > 0:27:33support for veterans and established a veterans' mroiblt group to lead
0:27:33 > 0:27:37work in this area and this year we committed £5 million to ensure that
0:27:37 > 0:27:41veterans in receipt of social care, receive the full value of their war
0:27:41 > 0:27:47pensions. Although transition issues are reserved, we'll continue to give
0:27:47 > 0:27:50veterans across Scotland the support they deserve. I think all year
0:27:50 > 0:27:53round, particularly at this time of year, all of us recognise that
0:27:53 > 0:27:58nothing we can do of this nature will ever repay fullity debt of
0:27:58 > 0:28:01gratitude we owe to our armed services and to our veterans'
0:28:01 > 0:28:06community.Graeme day.Thank you Presiding Officer, whilst the legal
0:28:06 > 0:28:13obstacle to the development of four off shore windfarms have been
0:28:13 > 0:28:19removed. Three of the developments off the Angus coast still require
0:28:19 > 0:28:24contact for difficult support to proceed. Would the First Minister
0:28:24 > 0:28:31join me to encourage the UK Government to take this step
0:28:31 > 0:28:36forward, to meet our climate change obligations.Well I agree with
0:28:36 > 0:28:42Graham Day we have a project ject now well under discussion and many
0:28:42 > 0:28:46wind forms in the come years and together these projects will be
0:28:46 > 0:28:50provide two gig ga Watts of renewable energy and huge economic
0:28:50 > 0:28:56benefits for the entire country. UK Government has committed to a third
0:28:56 > 0:28:59contract for spring 2019, providing an opportunity for the remaining
0:28:59 > 0:29:06projects in the fort and tie to secure a contract to build on this
0:29:06 > 0:29:11momentum to build on this economy for Scotland. Wear committed to
0:29:11 > 0:29:13protecting our marine environment, threatened by climate change, so we
0:29:13 > 0:29:18need to play our part in tackling this Global Challenge. I think it is
0:29:18 > 0:29:21widely recognised that Scotland is woorld leader in this field and we
0:29:21 > 0:29:25want to make sure that the support is there, that ensures we can
0:29:25 > 0:29:30continue to be so.Christine Grahame.Thank you, Presiding
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Officer, to ask the First Minister what measures the Scottish
0:29:33 > 0:29:37Government can put in place to curtail tax avoidance?Well
0:29:37 > 0:29:42unfortunately the Scottish Government only has power to
0:29:42 > 0:29:47directly tackle tax avoidance in relation to two fully devolved tax,
0:29:47 > 0:29:51LBTT and the Scottish landfill tax. We take a simple, clear and very
0:29:51 > 0:29:56probust approach. We have our general anti-avoidance rule that is
0:29:56 > 0:30:01wider than the corresponding UK rule this. Allows revenue Scotland tying
0:30:01 > 0:30:04action against tax avoidance arrangements, considered to be
0:30:04 > 0:30:08artificial, even if they otherwise operate within the law. Following
0:30:08 > 0:30:11recent reports about the use of offshore tax hafbs the finance
0:30:11 > 0:30:14secretary has written to the Chancellor, seeking urgent
0:30:14 > 0:30:18reainsurance that the UK Government will now take the issue of tax
0:30:18 > 0:30:22avoidance serious lane demanding that concrete action is now taken.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Christine Grahame?I think the First Minister for her answer in
0:30:26 > 0:30:30particular the steps the Scottish Government is taking to reduce tax
0:30:30 > 0:30:34avoidance, however, does she share my disgust, particularly towards
0:30:34 > 0:30:38those disclosed in the paradise papers whose salaries are paid by
0:30:38 > 0:30:45the public, like Fiona and Mark Delaney, and other actors in the hit
0:30:45 > 0:30:49show Mrs Brown's boys, whose wages are paid by the BBC, funded by
0:30:49 > 0:30:54licence-payer with them squirrelling away some £2 million offshore to
0:30:54 > 0:30:58avoid income tax and does she agree with me they should consider
0:30:58 > 0:31:01disbarring themselves from using, for example, any health service
0:31:01 > 0:31:05across the UK, which they obviously don't want to pay for, or wouldn't
0:31:05 > 0:31:10they like that script?
0:31:10 > 0:31:15I think Christine Grahame is right, and the anger underlying the
0:31:15 > 0:31:18question I'm sure is shared by the vast majority of people across the
0:31:18 > 0:31:24UK. People should pay the taxes they are due to play. Paying tax is the
0:31:24 > 0:31:27collective duty we have to ensure that we have public services that
0:31:27 > 0:31:33are there for all of us when we need them. The taxes we pay provide the
0:31:33 > 0:31:36national health service, the education system, the infrastructure
0:31:36 > 0:31:40and other support our businesses need to prosper and thrive. So when
0:31:40 > 0:31:47somebody does something by putting something in an offshore haven, for
0:31:47 > 0:31:50example, not paying full tax, they are depriving services of the money
0:31:50 > 0:31:56they rely on, and that is wrong. According to HMRC estimates, the
0:31:56 > 0:32:03Treasury lost out on £6.9 billion from evasion and avoidance in
0:32:03 > 0:32:092015-16. And 1.7 billion of that was down to tax avoidance. For
0:32:09 > 0:32:12individuals and businesses, tax contribution should be a matter of
0:32:12 > 0:32:16not what you can get away with, but in respecting the spirit of the law
0:32:16 > 0:32:20and paying a fair contribution. That would be my message to individuals.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24My message to the UK Government is that it is in their power to crack
0:32:24 > 0:32:28down on some of this stuff. I think it's a matter of regret and shame
0:32:28 > 0:32:32that they haven't done so. Hopefully we'll see some action before the
0:32:32 > 0:32:35next set of papers that are released no doubt sometime in the future.
0:32:35 > 0:32:43APPLAUSE Murdo Fraser.While I accept there
0:32:43 > 0:32:47is much more to be done on tax avoidance and evasion, I wonder if
0:32:47 > 0:32:52the First Minister would acknowledge that the tax gap in the UK at 6% is
0:32:52 > 0:32:55the lowest it has ever been, and is among the lowest in the world. I
0:32:55 > 0:33:00wonder if she would acknowledge that. On the subject of regret and
0:33:00 > 0:33:03shame, I wonder if the First Minister now regrets being part of
0:33:03 > 0:33:07the government that paid £10 million of taxpayer's money to Amazon, a
0:33:07 > 0:33:11company that hardly has an excellent record when it comes to paying tax
0:33:11 > 0:33:21stop what if I had to guess what --. If I had to guess what MP would leap
0:33:21 > 0:33:26to the front of the queue in defending tax avoidance, I would put
0:33:26 > 0:33:30Murdo Fraser to the top of that list. We could cite figures, as
0:33:30 > 0:33:35Murdo Fraser has just done, about the tax gap being less than it is in
0:33:35 > 0:33:42other countries, but let me repeat what I said earlier on. Close to £7
0:33:42 > 0:33:48billion is lost public services in our country because of tax avoidance
0:33:48 > 0:33:51and tax evasion. That's unacceptable. Even if Murdo Fraser
0:33:51 > 0:33:55can't quite bring himself to see it and say so, I think the vast
0:33:55 > 0:34:00majority of people across the country will do so. We call on all
0:34:00 > 0:34:04companies, Amazon included, to pay their due tax. And we call on the UK
0:34:04 > 0:34:08Government, whether power on this lies, to take the action to ensure
0:34:08 > 0:34:16people pay the tax that is due. James Kelly.Is the First Minister
0:34:16 > 0:34:23correctly points out, companies who participate in tax evasion and tax
0:34:23 > 0:34:27avoidance reduce the amount of money that goes to public services. To
0:34:27 > 0:34:32address the issues we talk about every week in this chamber, building
0:34:32 > 0:34:37a better health service and supporting education. With the First
0:34:37 > 0:34:41Minister therefore agree to call in and cancel any public contracts
0:34:41 > 0:34:47where companies have been shown to have participated in tax avoidance,
0:34:47 > 0:34:52to ensure that all public contracts are awarded to companies who
0:34:52 > 0:34:56organise their tax affairs in a fair and transparent manner and pay
0:34:56 > 0:35:02fairly into the public purse?I generally agree with the sentiment
0:35:02 > 0:35:05of the question. As James Kelly knows we have made significant
0:35:05 > 0:35:10reforms to public argument over a number of years to make sure that
0:35:10 > 0:35:13where companies benefit from public contracts, they are expected to
0:35:13 > 0:35:17behave, not just within the letter of the law, but behave in a way that
0:35:17 > 0:35:23people think is acceptable. I would also hope James Kelly recognises
0:35:23 > 0:35:29that the powers around tax avoidance and cracking down on tax avoidance
0:35:29 > 0:35:32principally lie, unfortunately not with this Parliament, but with the
0:35:32 > 0:35:36UK Government. I would hope James Kelly would join us in calling on
0:35:36 > 0:35:43the UK Government to outlast do something about it.Andy Wightman.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46The First Minister will be aware of reports on the Paradise Papers
0:35:46 > 0:35:52regarding the Saint Enoch Centre in Glasgow. And for example, Edinburgh
0:35:52 > 0:35:57airport is owned by a complex structure with branches in
0:35:57 > 0:36:04Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands. What additional work as the Scottish
0:36:04 > 0:36:09Government undertaken to ensure the risks of tax avoidance by offshore
0:36:09 > 0:36:12companies are identified and ended? We will continue to do everything
0:36:12 > 0:36:16within our power to crack down on this kind of behaviour. I have
0:36:16 > 0:36:20already spoken about the fact that we have more robust rules and the
0:36:20 > 0:36:24two taxes where we have responsibility, than is the case
0:36:24 > 0:36:27across the UK. Andy Wightman is aware and has a keen interest in the
0:36:27 > 0:36:32work that we are progressing in the context of land reform, to increase
0:36:32 > 0:36:36transparency with a registry of controlling interests. I really wish
0:36:36 > 0:36:40this Parliament had more power in this area than we do. Unfortunately,
0:36:40 > 0:36:46we don't. Let those of us that think that is rom-com together, first of
0:36:46 > 0:36:49all to demand the UK Government takes action that it has so far
0:36:49 > 0:36:53dragged its feet about, and ultimately having the powers lying
0:36:53 > 0:36:57within this Parliament so we can crack down on the people that we
0:36:57 > 0:36:59want.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01Liam Kerr.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03To?ask?the?First?Minister,?in?light of?reports?of?crews?being?attacked
0:37:03 > 0:37:07when?dealing with?bonfires?over?the?weekend,?what
0:37:07 > 0:37:08action?the?Scottish?Government?is taking?to?ensure?the?safety
0:37:08 > 0:37:14of emergency responders.
0:37:14 > 0:37:19None of us should ever tolerate attacks against firefighters, or
0:37:19 > 0:37:24indeed any member of our emergency services, who do a remarkable job in
0:37:24 > 0:37:29very challenging circumstances. The Minister for community safety
0:37:29 > 0:37:32visited Dalkey fire station on Tuesday and spoke to firefighters
0:37:32 > 0:37:38who had been attacked while on duty on bonfire night and thankfully none
0:37:38 > 0:37:42had sustained significant injuries. Unfortunately one police officer
0:37:42 > 0:37:45suffered burns from a firework related attack that I understood to
0:37:45 > 0:37:50be serious but not life-threatening. We join together in this chamber in
0:37:50 > 0:37:54wishing that offers a speedy recovery. We wish to deal robustly
0:37:54 > 0:37:58with those offences and those charged with attacks against
0:37:58 > 0:38:01emergency service workers can face a prison sentence, a £10,000 fine or
0:38:01 > 0:38:10both.I thank the First Minister for that answer. Last weekend our
0:38:10 > 0:38:15emergency services were targets of mindless violence. Specialist
0:38:15 > 0:38:19support was demanded by front line officers but was refused, as a
0:38:19 > 0:38:22result an officer suffered serious burns from a firework thrown at her
0:38:22 > 0:38:25face. But the Scottish Government does not collect data on how many of
0:38:25 > 0:38:28these incidents take place. Therefore if it does not know the
0:38:28 > 0:38:31scale of the problem, it does not have an idea on whether the
0:38:31 > 0:38:36solutions will be the right ones. As a first step to protecting those who
0:38:36 > 0:38:39dedicate their lives to protecting us, will the Scottish Government
0:38:39 > 0:38:42immediately begin gathering and publishing data on the number of
0:38:42 > 0:38:45assaults that have taken place against emergency services and
0:38:45 > 0:38:49commit to an urgent review of resourcing and protecting equipment
0:38:49 > 0:38:56based on data?I do believe there is work already being progressed around
0:38:56 > 0:39:01the very reasonable issue of data that the member has raised. But I
0:39:01 > 0:39:04will have the Justice Secretary or the Minister for community safety,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07who I believe is overseeing this work, write to him with further
0:39:07 > 0:39:13details. The point about data, not just in this issue, but is a
0:39:13 > 0:39:17important and reasonable one. We will reflect whether further action
0:39:17 > 0:39:22is required as we move forward on that front. More generally, and I'm
0:39:22 > 0:39:25sure all of us want to send sympathies and good wishes to the
0:39:25 > 0:39:29officer who was injured. I understand Police Scotland had put
0:39:29 > 0:39:34in place a significant amount of planning for bonfire night. A
0:39:34 > 0:39:37significant number of additional officers had been deployed, double
0:39:37 > 0:39:42the number normally on duty. A formal debrief to review these
0:39:42 > 0:39:45events has been scheduled to ensure any lessons that are required to be
0:39:45 > 0:39:49learned are learned for the future. I think all of us should come
0:39:49 > 0:39:51together, say yes if there are lessons to be learned, they should
0:39:51 > 0:39:54be learned, but we should come together to set the clearest
0:39:54 > 0:39:58message. Our emergency service workers put their lives literally on
0:39:58 > 0:40:03the line each and every day to keep us safe. It's unconscionable and
0:40:03 > 0:40:07awful that anybody could ever contemplate attacking a member of
0:40:07 > 0:40:10our emergency services while they are going about their duty. We must
0:40:10 > 0:40:14condemn that and make clear there will be zero tolerance towards it.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19There is a lot of interest in this particular question. Alex Hamilton.
0:40:19 > 0:40:26Last year the social use of fireworks resulted in several
0:40:26 > 0:40:30convictions for mobbing and rioting in my constituency. As was mentioned
0:40:30 > 0:40:34this year, a police officer was hospitalised for burns following a
0:40:34 > 0:40:38direct hit for fireworks thrown directly at her. Year-on-year we see
0:40:38 > 0:40:41an escalation in this kind of behaviour. As the First Minister
0:40:41 > 0:40:45agree that as well as a mature discussion around the licensing
0:40:45 > 0:40:50private firework use, we also need to dramatically invest funding in
0:40:50 > 0:40:55detached and sessional youth work in like Muirhouse as a means of
0:40:55 > 0:40:58diverting young people from the standard activity in the first
0:40:58 > 0:41:02place.Yes I do. I think that's a reasonable point to make. A number
0:41:02 > 0:41:06of things that we need to do, firstly to make sure that our police
0:41:06 > 0:41:10officers and firefighters are properly resourced on and around
0:41:10 > 0:41:13occasions like bonfire night. I think there were double the number
0:41:13 > 0:41:17of officers normally on duty who were on duty on bonfire night, given
0:41:17 > 0:41:20some of the disorder we have seen recently. I also think it's a
0:41:20 > 0:41:27discussion to be had, and probably a look required at the rules and
0:41:27 > 0:41:31regulations and laws around both the sale of fireworks and the permitted
0:41:31 > 0:41:36use of fireworks. As the member will be aware, there is split
0:41:36 > 0:41:38responsibility between this Parliament and the Westminster
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Parliament. The Scottish Government has responsibility for legislation
0:41:41 > 0:41:46on the use of fireworks, but it is reserved to Westminster in terms of
0:41:46 > 0:41:50sale and possession of fireworks. But I will not be... In fact I'm
0:41:50 > 0:41:54sure there will be nobody in this chamber who hasn't had concerns
0:41:54 > 0:41:58raised by constituents this week about firework use. The Scottish
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Government will certainly take a look at where we have the powers, to
0:42:01 > 0:42:06see if we should have more or take further action. The point raised
0:42:06 > 0:42:09about diversion, not just in this context, but more generally, is an
0:42:09 > 0:42:14important one. I have already praised and paid tribute to
0:42:14 > 0:42:18emergency services, but we also need to pay tribute to youth workers
0:42:18 > 0:42:22working with young people, seeking to engage them with more productive
0:42:22 > 0:42:25conduct than that we are speaking about, and that's a valid point to
0:42:25 > 0:42:31make.Neil Findlay.I support everything the First Minister has
0:42:31 > 0:42:35said about attacks on Fire Service crew, but attacks on the Fire
0:42:35 > 0:42:40Service, in many guises. Can we also condemn any proposals to reduce Fire
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Service numbers, and close fire stations? Because these are a
0:42:44 > 0:42:48further attack on the Fire Service. Will she commit today to halt any
0:42:48 > 0:42:52proposals that may come forward in the future that would reduce Fire
0:42:52 > 0:43:00Service jobs and reduce the number of fire stations?We will continue
0:43:00 > 0:43:04to protect the front of our Fire Service, to do the job that they are
0:43:04 > 0:43:09there to do. There have been no closures of fire stations since the
0:43:09 > 0:43:13reform of the Fire Service took place. It's absolutely right that
0:43:13 > 0:43:17the Fire Service, given the changing demands on them, look at the action
0:43:17 > 0:43:21they have to take to make sure their firefighters are properly equipped
0:43:21 > 0:43:26to do the job we expect them to do. As we see in this year's budget,
0:43:26 > 0:43:30where we have increased the revenue, the operating budget of the Fire
0:43:30 > 0:43:33Service, we will continue to work with the Fire Service to make sure
0:43:33 > 0:43:39they are properly equipped to do the vital job we depend on doing.
0:43:39 > 0:43:47Rhoda Grant.
0:43:47 > 0:43:48To?ask?the?First?Minister?what?disc ussions?the?Scottish?Government?has
0:43:48 > 0:43:50?had?with the UK Government regarding reports that the UK
0:43:50 > 0:43:52could leave the common agricultural policy and
0:43:52 > 0:43:54common fisheries policy in March 2019 with no transition period.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57On Monday the role economy and environment secretaries met the
0:43:57 > 0:44:12death -- Defra Secretary of State as well as the Welsh equivalent. The UK
0:44:12 > 0:44:17Government at that meeting was not able to give any clear position.
0:44:17 > 0:44:20Farmers and fishermen need to know what regime they will operate under
0:44:20 > 0:44:24in less than 18 months' time. It is simply unacceptable that the UK
0:44:24 > 0:44:28Government has so far been unable to provide the clarity that has been
0:44:28 > 0:44:33requested and that is required. We will continue to press Defra and UK
0:44:33 > 0:44:39ministers on this critical issue in the coming weeks.The First Minister
0:44:39 > 0:44:43knows that many of our fishers and farmers depend on access to UK
0:44:43 > 0:44:50markets to sell their produce. And also on EU subsidies to make our
0:44:50 > 0:44:53food more affordable and to protect the environment. What steps can she
0:44:53 > 0:45:00take to provide them with some comfort that that will continue
0:45:00 > 0:45:04post-March 2019?We will do everything we can to make sure that
0:45:04 > 0:45:09support that our farmers and fishermen depend on continues after
0:45:09 > 0:45:12the UK leaves the European Union. But right now it is the UK
0:45:12 > 0:45:16Government that requires to provide that clarity. We don't even know
0:45:16 > 0:45:22right now whether the cap and the Common Fisheries Policy will
0:45:22 > 0:45:25continue for that period, or whether the UK will exit at the point of
0:45:25 > 0:45:31Brexit in March 2019. Just to underline the confusion reigning in
0:45:31 > 0:45:34the UK Government, two quotes a matter of days apart. Lord Duncan
0:45:34 > 0:45:39from the Scotland Office speaking to the NFU said the Secretary of State,
0:45:39 > 0:45:42Michael Gove, has been very clear that he believes farming and fishing
0:45:42 > 0:45:47should not be part of any transitional deal. Five days later,
0:45:47 > 0:45:49Michael Gove, certainly a transitional period of around two
0:45:49 > 0:45:53years will follow. I have some thoughts about what will happen to
0:45:53 > 0:45:59see a peak during that period. It's unconscionable that farmers and
0:45:59 > 0:46:03fishermen who rely so much on EU subsidies still have no clarity
0:46:03 > 0:46:07whatsoever. I hope everybody across this chamber will join us in putting
0:46:07 > 0:46:10pressure on the UK Government to resolve the situation and give the
0:46:10 > 0:46:11clarity so urgently needed.
0:46:23 > 0:46:28That concludes First Minister's Questions.Well, First Minister's
0:46:28 > 0:46:32Questions terminating with Brexit there. And previously a range the
0:46:32 > 0:46:37other topics. The subject of Bonfire Night there. The First Minister
0:46:37 > 0:46:41conceding there will be an inquiry into what Scottish Government,
0:46:41 > 0:46:50Scottish Parliament can do on that topic. Iechl I'm joined by two
0:46:50 > 0:46:56journalistic colleagues. Hamish McDonnell. She got a tough time for
0:46:56 > 0:47:03Ruth Davidson and Willy Rennie. It is difficult. She is in charge of
0:47:03 > 0:47:06everything like that that happens in Scotland but when you have problems
0:47:06 > 0:47:10that appear to have happened, as Conservatives say, 2700 problems at
0:47:10 > 0:47:13call handling at the police, she has to take responsible for it and it is
0:47:13 > 0:47:17very, very hard to do so, kickly when you have
0:47:17 > 0:47:22the Leader of the Opposition who reads out occasion after occasion
0:47:22 > 0:47:24after occasion where things have gone wrong. It is difficult knob
0:47:24 > 0:47:29that position and she has to take it on the chin.And Ruth Davidson did
0:47:29 > 0:47:39it really and effectively. -- a difficult job in that position. She
0:47:39 > 0:47:44didn't set them out all but then gave another set of problems and
0:47:44 > 0:47:54another set of problems.Yes, she sort of laid a trap, she allowed the
0:47:54 > 0:47:59First Minister to answer, saying there had been this report by the
0:47:59 > 0:48:02Chief Inspector of the constabulary that said that things were
0:48:02 > 0:48:07improving, that work had been done to deal with some of the issues of
0:48:07 > 0:48:11call handling and Ruth Davidson came back and said - ah, since the report
0:48:11 > 0:48:16all the other cases and serious and worrying ones, where policep were
0:48:16 > 0:48:19September to the wrong address and wrong town and things like that.It
0:48:19 > 0:48:30was effective but of course which -- Willie Rennie has been pursuing this
0:48:30 > 0:48:34for sometime.That's where the politics came N underlining this you
0:48:34 > 0:48:39have to look at the changes the Scottish Government has made to the
0:48:39 > 0:48:42police force, the amalgamation into one force and the is entramising of
0:48:42 > 0:48:46call centres. And that is he at politics and that's what has tied
0:48:46 > 0:48:50the Scottish Government in and Sturgeon turning and she has made
0:48:50 > 0:48:54these changes and as a result she has to answer for the repercussions.
0:48:54 > 0:48:59The subject of tax came up, but tax avoidance rather than tax raiding,
0:48:59 > 0:49:03we are expecting tax raising the budget but tax avoidance was the big
0:49:03 > 0:49:08topic.And perhaps one for the First Minister to get out because it is
0:49:08 > 0:49:12mainly the UK Government for this year and something for them to deal
0:49:12 > 0:49:19with, she would like to bring in more powers but there were questions
0:49:19 > 0:49:23from Christine Grahame for people funded from the public purse. BBC
0:49:23 > 0:49:28cast members.On Mrs Brown's Boys. And whether it is acceptable for
0:49:28 > 0:49:31them to use pick will services whether they are engaged in tax
0:49:31 > 0:49:37avoidedance.Hang on a second chums, stay with us for a moment, another
0:49:37 > 0:49:39topic raised with the myrrhs minister was the question of
0:49:39 > 0:49:42behaviour of MSPs. The Standards Committee has announced an
0:49:42 > 0:49:45investigation into whether the code of conduct is fit for purpose and
0:49:45 > 0:49:49there will be questions this afternoon in Parliament to the
0:49:49 > 0:49:51Scottish Parliament's corporate body, the organisation that does the
0:49:51 > 0:49:54rules and regulations for Parliament. Nine questions all about
0:49:54 > 0:49:59sexual harassment. I gathered together two who are agency those
0:49:59 > 0:50:04questions and began by asking Clare Baker what she made of the way
0:50:04 > 0:50:08Parliament has handled the zmrants. Thank you very much for joining us,
0:50:08 > 0:50:13the two MSPs, each of whom has a question this afternoon to the
0:50:13 > 0:50:15parliamentary corporate body. Clare Baker you have a question asking
0:50:15 > 0:50:17about the general awith a the corporate body is handling matters.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21Do you think it has been well-handled?I think it is
0:50:21 > 0:50:24important that we hear from them this afternoon exactly what measures
0:50:24 > 0:50:31they have taken. I think there is a level of confusion about where the
0:50:31 > 0:50:35Scottish parliamentary body reaches. And it doesn't refer to MSPs or MSP
0:50:35 > 0:50:39staff and I think it is a gap and it is confusing for staff when you look
0:50:39 > 0:50:42at how the Parliament deals with the issue.You have a concern about the
0:50:42 > 0:50:45code of condug. There is a code of conduct for MSPs. What is your
0:50:45 > 0:50:50concern?I feel the code we have doesn't cover this type of area.Not
0:50:50 > 0:50:55behaviour.Not between an MSP and their staff. If there is an area
0:50:55 > 0:50:58where there's going to be problems and if we want to find a good
0:50:58 > 0:51:01solution and allow people to come forward and talk about t it is a
0:51:01 > 0:51:05good idea to have a code of conduct. Where we are orchestratering,
0:51:05 > 0:51:08everybody know what is they should and shouldn't be doing, it is
0:51:08 > 0:51:11something that Parliament could look at going forward.Loads of other
0:51:11 > 0:51:16questions, of course but let's talk generally, Clare, is this problem of
0:51:16 > 0:51:20sexual harassment, is it at all possible to categorise the scope? Is
0:51:20 > 0:51:23it widespread, endemic, what? What would you say?I think it is
0:51:23 > 0:51:28difficult to put a I if, a percentage on that, but I think the
0:51:28 > 0:51:32experience is on Parliament, you can cover with other work places across
0:51:32 > 0:51:36Scotland where they need to see a cultural change where sexism and
0:51:36 > 0:51:39harassment doesn't exist. Anybody, whether work in Parliament or any
0:51:39 > 0:51:42work place should feel confident. Shouldn't feel vulnerable that it
0:51:42 > 0:51:50works. I think it is an issue not limited to Parliament but I think it
0:51:50 > 0:51:54is something you can find out.Some people have made the point that
0:51:54 > 0:51:59staff members, maybe don't know what to do, to report concerns other feel
0:51:59 > 0:52:02perhaps intimidated about reporting concerns.Yes, obviously if you
0:52:02 > 0:52:06have' had a problem potentially with the MSP you work for, obviously they
0:52:06 > 0:52:10are also your manager, in a lot of instances, it would be that person
0:52:10 > 0:52:14themselves you would go to in the first instance to raise a complaint.
0:52:14 > 0:52:16Clearly in these allegations it is not possible, not something somebody
0:52:16 > 0:52:20would want to do. I think you are right, we need an agreed process in
0:52:20 > 0:52:23place. It needs to be widely known, so all the staff know exactly what
0:52:23 > 0:52:29to do if something like this occurs. It needs to be people need to feel
0:52:29 > 0:52:33safe. They need to know what is going to happen to their complaint
0:52:33 > 0:52:36to. Feel secure, if they are going to go forward with this, how it'll
0:52:36 > 0:52:40be handled and what process it'll be. We want to encourage people to
0:52:40 > 0:52:45come forward so we can find out, as you said, if there is a large-scale
0:52:45 > 0:52:52problem. And as Clare said, it is common for all work places. But I
0:52:52 > 0:52:55think I feel fairly sure that we don't have the kind of endemic
0:52:55 > 0:52:59cultural situation that they maybe have at Westminster. I don't think
0:52:59 > 0:53:02Holyrood is quite in that category but I still think it is important
0:53:02 > 0:53:06for us to see what we can do to improve the processes.What do you
0:53:06 > 0:53:10make of that?I would largely agree with her. I think we have to make
0:53:10 > 0:53:13sure we are not complacent in the Scottish Parliament and there are
0:53:13 > 0:53:16conversations around Parliament about instances that have taken
0:53:16 > 0:53:21place that are unacceptable and they have had people resigning from their
0:53:21 > 0:53:24positions, so it does indicate that there is a culture in here that
0:53:24 > 0:53:29needs to be challenged.Well, there we have T I have talking earlier
0:53:29 > 0:53:33with Ash Denham and Clare Baker. Joined now by two journalistic
0:53:33 > 0:53:40colleagues. On the topic, let's talk about the questions, Hamish to the
0:53:40 > 0:53:42corporate body, questions this frn gentleman, one thing I'm sure will
0:53:42 > 0:53:48be raised is the fact that all six members of that corporate body,
0:53:48 > 0:53:52Nicola Sturgeon raised the are male, but they were not nated by the party
0:53:52 > 0:53:55not Parliament but they are menThe corporate body is an organisation
0:53:55 > 0:53:58which sits below the radar. We don't pay much attention but it is
0:53:58 > 0:54:07important because it runs this place in terms of setting the rules and
0:54:07 > 0:54:10the issues between residing officer and parliamentarians. It is all
0:54:10 > 0:54:17male. One problem s not the people themselves.Kesa Dugdale called for
0:54:17 > 0:54:23change.In the jargon of the day, it looks bad that you have an all-male
0:54:23 > 0:54:26organisation in charge of these things, when really there should be
0:54:26 > 0:54:29nor gender balance there. The First Minister pretty well
0:54:29 > 0:54:32independenticated she supported that while stressing it is a matter for
0:54:32 > 0:54:35Parliament as a whole, she said don't continue like that.They have
0:54:35 > 0:54:43changed the rules to say that can't happen. ...In future.But there are
0:54:43 > 0:54:48been calls for the members of the corporate body to step down and a
0:54:48 > 0:54:53system has been set out for a billion ot, where parties pull out
0:54:53 > 0:54:58hat whether they have to elect a female person, for gender balance.
0:54:58 > 0:55:02It is a very important procedure, but it is procedure, I put the same
0:55:02 > 0:55:11question to you, the question I asked the two MSPs, the problem
0:55:11 > 0:55:18here. There isn't a culture of sleaze and harassment, but, I mean,
0:55:18 > 0:55:27it's a large organisation, and any large organisation will have of
0:55:27 > 0:55:30individuals and particularly, it may happen outside Parliament, it may
0:55:30 > 0:55:33happen in bars,tyly where there is drinking involved, there is always
0:55:33 > 0:55:36kind of lines getting blurred and boundaries crossed, though, I don't
0:55:36 > 0:55:40think it is a huge problem but it needs to be rooted outNicola
0:55:40 > 0:55:43Sturgeon is making clear, many others are making clear this, needs
0:55:43 > 0:55:46to be a turning point. The problem needs to be addressed at
0:55:46 > 0:55:48Westminster, but needs to be addressed here as well at Holyrood.
0:55:48 > 0:55:53The terms a lot of people are using is this watershed moment.Watershed.
0:55:53 > 0:55:58I think they are right. I think because there is almost a feeding
0:55:58 > 0:56:01frenzy on behalf of the media, particularly in Westminster but up
0:56:01 > 0:56:05here too to chase this issue, and women are being encouraged to come
0:56:05 > 0:56:08forward which is great, that things have to change. There is an
0:56:08 > 0:56:13acceptance things have to change. We have seen that today with moves
0:56:13 > 0:56:17towards a remove and we'll see it this afternoon. We haven't send the
0:56:17 > 0:56:22end of it in temples what Parliament is going to do.I said Nicola
0:56:22 > 0:56:26Sturgeon was outspoken on this, she is. One thing sheep wasn't frank on
0:56:26 > 0:56:31was the question from Jackie Baillie. She addressed several of
0:56:31 > 0:56:34them but Jackie Baillie said if Mark MacDonald's behaviour snted good
0:56:34 > 0:56:41enough to stay as a minister, how can he stay as an MSP? She frankly
0:56:41 > 0:56:46didn't answer that.No, she avoided T she said it hasn't been criminal,
0:56:46 > 0:56:49nothing reported to police.Text messages.Language rather than
0:56:49 > 0:56:54touching. I think she was perhaps saying it wasn't too serious in the
0:56:54 > 0:56:58scale of seriousness, but it is a good question. I mean, I suppose for
0:56:58 > 0:57:03the Scottish Government their issue is...It is puzzling some folk in
0:57:03 > 0:57:07Aberdeen who've spoken to the BBC. In terms of standing down as an MSP,
0:57:07 > 0:57:13that wouldn't be for her to decide. You cannot sack an MSP, for good
0:57:13 > 0:57:17reason, protection for elected members for good reason, it is up to
0:57:17 > 0:57:23them to decide or if they have to be recalled for a serious offence.It
0:57:23 > 0:57:26is up to the electors to decide whether or not Mark MacDonald should
0:57:26 > 0:57:31continue. I think Nicola Sturgeon was trying to make what was quite a
0:57:31 > 0:57:34difficult case because she couldn't set out in detail what had gone on
0:57:34 > 0:57:39but she was trying to say it was serious enough for him not to be a
0:57:39 > 0:57:46minister but not serious enough for him to leave the Parliament. Was
0:57:46 > 0:57:51answering it whilst trying not to explain what went on and she made
0:57:51 > 0:57:56the point, price having a go at the he media, saying what was wrong with
0:57:56 > 0:57:58the media highlighting everything and making it difficult for victims
0:57:58 > 0:58:03to come forward. Another point point.Where do you see this going,
0:58:03 > 0:58:06here at Holyrood and perhaps Westminster?I think there will be
0:58:06 > 0:58:10fundamental changes, I think both in the Scottish Parliament's corporate
0:58:10 > 0:58:19body. There's likely to be a gender balance...Is it more difficult, the
0:58:19 > 0:58:22cultural changes?I think there'll be perhaps more opportunity for
0:58:22 > 0:58:27reporting.An independent element to the assessment as well, perhaps?I
0:58:27 > 0:58:30think that would be a good idea for outside bodies to perhaps take a
0:58:30 > 0:58:35look at the way things work, but in terms of a cultural change, I'm not
0:58:35 > 0:58:38sure there is a culture of harassment that needs to change but
0:58:38 > 0:58:44there might be individuals that need to change their behaviour.Jenny
0:58:44 > 0:58:47Hamish, thank you very much. Those questions to the corporate body will
0:58:47 > 0:58:52come this afternoon. You can catch up with them on BBC Holyrood live
0:58:52 > 0:58:56coverage. But that's all from me. Goodbye.