0:00:13 > 0:00:19A very warm welcome from the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood
0:00:19 > 0:00:24where all morning MSPs have been debating the topic of the SNP's
0:00:24 > 0:00:29proposals for a referendum on independence. I would not be
0:00:29 > 0:00:34surprised if that topic came up in the First Minister's Questions.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38Let's cross to the chamber. Thank you, Brian. That debate has
0:00:38 > 0:00:41been followed by general questions on a variety of subjects, the First
0:00:41 > 0:00:46Minister getting his papers together and preparing to answer
0:00:46 > 0:00:55questions. I think he would be surprised if the News of the week
0:00:55 > 0:00:59on the referendum did not play some part in discussions today. It has
0:00:59 > 0:01:05been a tale of two Governance, Westminster and Holyrood are giving
0:01:05 > 0:01:10over who has the authority to set out the ground rules for this
0:01:10 > 0:01:18referendum, the date and nature of its scrutiny by the Electoral
0:01:18 > 0:01:24Commission. Even who may get to vote. The SNP wish to allow 16 and
0:01:24 > 0:01:2817-year-olds the opportunity to vote. We had a number of detailed
0:01:28 > 0:01:32submissions on that from members throughout the morning and now we
0:01:32 > 0:01:39move to First Minister's Questions -- First Minister's Questions.
0:01:39 > 0:01:49Johann Lamont in the Labour corner, and we also expect to hear from the
0:01:49 > 0:01:50
0:01:50 > 0:02:00Conservatives. The ambassador of Denmark.
0:02:00 > 0:02:01
0:02:02 > 0:02:11We now move to First Minister's Questions. Question number one,
0:02:12 > 0:02:13
0:02:13 > 0:02:18Johann Lamont. Can we have the microphone on? Your
0:02:18 > 0:02:24card is not in. My no technical difficulties
0:02:24 > 0:02:28delaying us here. -- minor technical.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the
0:02:31 > 0:02:36rest of the day. Digging a forward the Government's
0:02:36 > 0:02:41programme for Scotland. We now know that it is the First
0:02:41 > 0:02:46Minister's preference that in autumn 2014 the people of Scotland
0:02:46 > 0:02:51will be asked to decide Scotland's constitutional future. No one can
0:02:51 > 0:02:55doubt of what a momentous decision this will be. What will the First
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Minister do to ensure that we can and all of Scotland will have
0:02:58 > 0:03:03confidence in the timing, governance and scrutiny of this
0:03:03 > 0:03:07referendum? I refer to the amendment we placed
0:03:07 > 0:03:12up to her motion this morning which says that in a couple of weeks we
0:03:12 > 0:03:15will be bringing forward a consultation paper for all Scotland.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20That includes political parties, voluntary organisations, the third
0:03:20 > 0:03:25sector, all the people of Scotland to make their views known, it will
0:03:25 > 0:03:29set out the terms, procedures and timetable of the referendum we
0:03:29 > 0:03:33propose. The referendum, of course, for which we received an
0:03:33 > 0:03:37overwhelming mandate in the Scottish elections.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41I did it note the amendment lodged by the First Minister, and I was
0:03:41 > 0:03:47disturbed by the tone and prescriptive nature of that
0:03:47 > 0:03:51amendment, and the rejection of an offer genuinely need to come
0:03:51 > 0:03:56together to build a consensus. Last May, the First Minister told the
0:03:56 > 0:04:00chamber that, despite an SNP majority, he did not have a
0:04:00 > 0:04:05monopoly of wisdom. Let me humbly offer at the First Minister some of
0:04:05 > 0:04:10my own wisdom. The fact of the matter is, just because he can do
0:04:11 > 0:04:16something, he can try something through this process, it does not
0:04:16 > 0:04:25mean it is in his or Scotland's interests for him to do so. It
0:04:25 > 0:04:29would not be wise, in my view, to go ahead with a referendum process.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34He must surely understand that he must dispel the perception that he
0:04:34 > 0:04:39is acting in the interest of the SNP and not of Scotland. I repeat
0:04:39 > 0:04:45my offer from earlier this week and this morning - will the First
0:04:45 > 0:04:49Minister, not just meet with party leaders to talk, but work with them
0:04:49 > 0:04:56to agree a consensus on a way forward on a referendum process
0:04:56 > 0:05:00that is fair and beyond question? I think Johann Lamont might well be
0:05:00 > 0:05:06pleasantly surprised when she sees the consultation document. It is in
0:05:06 > 0:05:11the interests of this chamber and to Scotland. It will be clear from
0:05:11 > 0:05:18this document that the process is clear and transparent and does this
0:05:18 > 0:05:22nation proud. I assured her when she sees the consultation document
0:05:22 > 0:05:27she will be reasonably surprised and perhaps encouraged by the tone
0:05:28 > 0:05:34of it. Where I disagree with Johann Lamont, I think it extraordinary to
0:05:34 > 0:05:39talk about this Government being prescriptive. I did here
0:05:39 > 0:05:42representatives of the third sector in Scotland. John Downey of the
0:05:42 > 0:05:47voluntary organisations and Ian Galloway of the Church of Scotland
0:05:47 > 0:05:51saying explicitly this morning that they did not want politicians to
0:05:51 > 0:05:56foreclose on the options before the people. Johann Lamont's motion did
0:05:56 > 0:05:59exactly that in terms of how the question should be asked. Can I
0:05:59 > 0:06:03give her this assurance? This Government is aware of its
0:06:03 > 0:06:07responsibility, not just to this chamber, but to the people of
0:06:07 > 0:06:11Scotland, and will bring forward a consultation document that will
0:06:11 > 0:06:16genuinely be that too. It will put forward our views, but one prepared
0:06:16 > 0:06:21to listen to the political parties in this chamber and right across
0:06:21 > 0:06:24the spectrum of Scottish society. That is all we can have a
0:06:24 > 0:06:27referendum in which we can be proud and a debate in which we can be
0:06:27 > 0:06:31proud and all the people will know they have had their full
0:06:31 > 0:06:39opportunity to contribute to that process above the most important
0:06:39 > 0:06:43decision facing this nation for 300 years. I think the difficulty is,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47the First Minister does not know how to build a consensus.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50I ought not to be pleasantly surprised enough for date as a
0:06:50 > 0:06:57Leader of the Opposition, I ought to be part of the process of
0:06:57 > 0:07:01shaping the thinking of what that referendum will shape -- will say.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05The reality is, I accept he may not put a high price and the wisdom of
0:07:05 > 0:07:11the leader of the Labour Party, but I do reflect in the wisdom of
0:07:11 > 0:07:14others. A Professor told us, two questions
0:07:14 > 0:07:18in a ballot where people are asked to vote on both options is simply
0:07:18 > 0:07:24not feasible. There is a good chance you would end up not going
0:07:24 > 0:07:29what people really want. They want the union to work. The
0:07:29 > 0:07:33First Minister wants to break it up. Surely the First Minister agrees we
0:07:33 > 0:07:37need clarity on the result, and instead of resisting the offer of
0:07:37 > 0:07:47legal clarity being given by the UK Government, he surely may agree
0:07:47 > 0:07:47
0:07:47 > 0:07:55that his fellow nationalist, a Scotland refuses to be -- if the
0:07:55 > 0:08:04Government refuses to give powers to this constitution, the
0:08:04 > 0:08:09referendum may not be illegal. Nicola Sturgeon said the SNP has
0:08:09 > 0:08:14always said the preferred option is a straight question, yes or no, to
0:08:14 > 0:08:19independence. It seems we have an agreement on that. We do not need
0:08:19 > 0:08:23to muddy the waters. All parties agree this should be again saw no
0:08:23 > 0:08:33question. When the First Minister said he
0:08:33 > 0:08:35will consult, will he listen and act on what he hears?
0:08:35 > 0:08:39The Deputy First Minister said exactly what the SNP have said for
0:08:39 > 0:08:43a number of years. Of course our preference is the independence
0:08:44 > 0:08:48question, and that will be in the ballot paper, but we do not have a
0:08:48 > 0:08:54monopoly of wisdom. That is precisely why be listened to civic
0:08:54 > 0:08:58Scotland and their point of view. That contrasts markedly with a
0:08:58 > 0:09:03Labour motion before this Parliament which says it wants to
0:09:03 > 0:09:08drop to civic Scotland but rejects one of the arguments coming forward
0:09:08 > 0:09:18from civic Scotland. We will listen and not prejudge what people have
0:09:18 > 0:09:19
0:09:19 > 0:09:22to save. One of the problems I have with Johann Lamont is the extent of
0:09:22 > 0:09:27being in cahoots with the Conservative Government in
0:09:27 > 0:09:35Westminster, which is no clear. I am a great but student of body-
0:09:35 > 0:09:37language, and I was watching the Labour benches every time the
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Conservatives said they were standing shoulder to shoulder
0:09:42 > 0:09:46earlier on in this debate. There was a lot of discomfiture on the
0:09:46 > 0:09:50Labour benches. I think there will be a lot more as we see the extent
0:09:50 > 0:09:54of the claims of their colleagues in Westminster about how they have
0:09:54 > 0:09:59been working hand-in-hand with the Tory Government in Westminster in
0:09:59 > 0:10:09order to put forward d'etat to this Parliament and the people of the
0:10:09 > 0:10:09
0:10:10 > 0:10:15Scotland. -- diktats. There is no difficulty whatsoever. What is
0:10:15 > 0:10:20difficult is the strings the Prime Minister wants to attach to section
0:10:20 > 0:10:2530. Surely this Parliament must agree that the place this must be
0:10:25 > 0:10:31built must be in Scotland. It must be led by this Parliament, produced
0:10:31 > 0:10:38in dialogue with civic Scotland, and it must produce a debate which
0:10:38 > 0:10:43I hope this nation can be proud of. The First Minister offers a false
0:10:43 > 0:10:46prospectus. He says the choice is independence or the Tories. Neither
0:10:46 > 0:10:52of these things are what Scotland really wants, and this debate must
0:10:52 > 0:10:55be conducted in terms that recognises -- that recognise
0:10:56 > 0:11:02Scottish Labour has a positive influence on Scotland and the
0:11:02 > 0:11:08United Kingdom. Can I give him some advice? A symbol of your
0:11:08 > 0:11:12recognition that you did not have a monopoly of wisdom, is not simply
0:11:12 > 0:11:18to find people who agree with you, you need to work with those who do
0:11:18 > 0:11:22not agree with you. The fact of the matter is, when this decision is
0:11:22 > 0:11:26made, depending on the will of the Scottish people, Scotland will
0:11:26 > 0:11:32separate from or remain in the UK. The day after that referendum, all
0:11:32 > 0:11:36of us in this chamber, every Scot, will unite, work together and make
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Scotland the best it can be, whatever the constitutional
0:11:39 > 0:11:46arrangement. Will the First Minister accept the responsibility
0:11:46 > 0:11:51here to be a national leader and call for us to come together on the
0:11:51 > 0:11:55process around the referendum. To make sure that he is not just
0:11:55 > 0:12:02acting as a party leader board that he will deliver a free and fair
0:12:02 > 0:12:06referendum that everyone in this country can trust and upset.
0:12:06 > 0:12:12I welcome part of that question, because within it are sentiments of
0:12:12 > 0:12:16which I very much a proof. Can I assure the Labour Party that when
0:12:16 > 0:12:20the amendment to Johann Lamont's motion tops about consultation with
0:12:20 > 0:12:25all the people of Scotland, but does include the Labour Party? It
0:12:25 > 0:12:28absolutely includes the Labour Party. When we produced that
0:12:28 > 0:12:35consultation document, I think perhaps some of the fears Johann
0:12:35 > 0:12:41Lamont has expressed will be seen not to be strongly held. I am
0:12:41 > 0:12:44looking forward, as we agree this process, to us getting onto the
0:12:44 > 0:12:53arguments that are really going to matter. I do not agree with the
0:12:53 > 0:12:58Labour Party's expression today that evolution and independents are
0:12:58 > 0:13:04opposites. The whole basis on which I campaigned with the late Donald
0:13:04 > 0:13:09Dewar in 1987 was on the prospectus of increasing power to Scotland.
0:13:09 > 0:13:18They were not officers, they were part of a continuum -- they were
0:13:18 > 0:13:22not opposites. It does affect what we can and cannot do in Scotland.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Have no doubt Johann Lamont is as fiercely concerned as I am with
0:13:26 > 0:13:31levels of child poverty. Some statistics we saw this week, for
0:13:31 > 0:13:37example. She must acknowledge that what is happening in terms of
0:13:37 > 0:13:47welfare reform and Westminster now threatens to undo all the progress
0:13:47 > 0:13:48
0:13:48 > 0:13:52that has been made in recent years. How can we reconcile that with not
0:13:52 > 0:13:58acquiring the powers? I heard in the debate about what was the SNP
0:13:58 > 0:14:02going to do about nuclear weapons in Scotland? The only basis that
0:14:02 > 0:14:05the people of Scotland will be able to move weapons of mass destruction
0:14:05 > 0:14:14from our soil is if we have the powers that an independent
0:14:14 > 0:14:18Parliament will bring. I have every interest in making sure we have a
0:14:18 > 0:14:22consensus on the process. I have every interest and will make every
0:14:22 > 0:14:26effort for us to do it, because I am anxious, as I hope every other
0:14:26 > 0:14:32member in this chamber is, to get to the nub of the argument, to let
0:14:32 > 0:14:35the Scottish people decide their own future. Because that future is
0:14:35 > 0:14:41one with powers for this Parliament that can create a prosperous
0:14:41 > 0:14:45economy but also adjust society. He question number two, Ruth
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Davidson. The to ask the First Minister when he will next big with
0:14:49 > 0:14:54the Secretary of State for Scotland. I have no immediate plans, but I
0:14:54 > 0:14:58did speak to him on Tuesday. The First Minister spoke this
0:14:58 > 0:15:02morning about his desire for consensus on the referendum process,
0:15:02 > 0:15:07but then in the next breath said that consensus had to bow to his
0:15:07 > 0:15:12majority. In an answer to Johann Lamont, he said he had no problem
0:15:12 > 0:15:17with that the section 30 motion but with any strings attached. Let's
0:15:17 > 0:15:21look at one of the strings he objected to. He casts doubt on the
0:15:21 > 0:15:25integrity and impartiality of those serving on the electoral commission
0:15:25 > 0:15:28and wants to hand-pick his own team to oversee the referendum. He may
0:15:29 > 0:15:32like to think he is a team captain, but that does not mean he gets to
0:15:33 > 0:15:37pick the referee. Does he want to repeat the comments made in his
0:15:37 > 0:15:44name by his official spokesman this week? Does he want to stand up now
0:15:44 > 0:15:45and impugn the reputation, impartiality and neutrality of the
0:15:45 > 0:15:50commissioners on the electoral commission.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54I am not impugning the repeated -- reputation of anyone in this
0:15:54 > 0:15:59chamber or outside. I read this morning the feelings of the
0:15:59 > 0:16:04Scottish Trade Union Congress on this very matter, and I approved of
0:16:04 > 0:16:09what they had to say. I know that Ruth Davidson does not take to
0:16:09 > 0:16:13heart what the TUC has to say, but perhaps she should read these words.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18Secondly, this Government have involved the electoral commission
0:16:18 > 0:16:23in the elections and Scotland. I would ask Ruth Davidson to wait for
0:16:24 > 0:16:28the consultation paper and if she is dissatisfied with what that
0:16:28 > 0:16:32consultation paper says, are then the representations she, like the
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Labour Party, are able to make to the Government will have a full and
0:16:36 > 0:16:42frank hearing. I do think many of the difficulties she thinks are
0:16:43 > 0:16:49apparent will not be as difficult as she feels. Can I say about the
0:16:49 > 0:16:54strings attached that., is it not, is a question of principle. There
0:16:54 > 0:17:02is no question of objecting to a legal referendum. In one of our
0:17:02 > 0:17:10documents we pointed out that could be a pursuit -- that we will pursue
0:17:10 > 0:17:17a legally binding referendum. Do the that -- the difficulty is we
0:17:17 > 0:17:21can have this section to take only if it fulfils certain criteria. We
0:17:21 > 0:17:26can see the principle of obtaining a referendum, who vote in that
0:17:26 > 0:17:29referendum, surely we nullify the whole point of the democracy of the
0:17:29 > 0:17:34Scottish people and their ability to select in this Parliament as
0:17:34 > 0:17:39they have done, parties which have a mandate. It is not just the SNP
0:17:39 > 0:17:46who supported the SNP process in this election, the Greens did as
0:17:46 > 0:17:51well, parties to are mandated to pursue that. We will have a process
0:17:51 > 0:18:00which is open and transparent and consultative, but it means the
0:18:00 > 0:18:06decision has to lie in Scotland, I would have suggest that much of
0:18:06 > 0:18:12that ground is given when the SNP voted for the Scotland Act. I would
0:18:12 > 0:18:17like to get back to the question I asked the First Minister. It was
0:18:17 > 0:18:21reported on Wednesday and I quote from the press and Journal, the
0:18:21 > 0:18:28First Minister's spokesman said organisation should be barred
0:18:28 > 0:18:34because it has political appointees on its board. I am glad he
0:18:34 > 0:18:40recognises in his answer that he voted to extend the role of the
0:18:40 > 0:18:50Electoral Commission, and that the SNP has bemoaned the fact that they
0:18:50 > 0:18:51
0:18:51 > 0:18:56were not around to be involved in the referendum in 89. Why eat
0:18:56 > 0:19:01doesn't he trust the Electoral Commission now? His Akua it --
0:19:01 > 0:19:05accusations raised doubts about whether he was illegal, a fair and
0:19:05 > 0:19:13decisive referendum. If he has evidence against the impartiality
0:19:13 > 0:19:17of the Electoral Commission, will he produce it? It is best to listen
0:19:17 > 0:19:21to the first answer before the second question. I repeat that I am
0:19:21 > 0:19:31not impugning the integrity of the Electoral Commission or anybody
0:19:31 > 0:19:32
0:19:32 > 0:19:37else in my contributions. Tasked with responsibility of making
0:19:37 > 0:19:42recommendations, this independent body, on the referendum. The
0:19:42 > 0:19:47crucial point Ruth Davidson misses is that when we evolved the
0:19:47 > 0:19:53Electoral Commission and it became accountable in that sense to the
0:19:53 > 0:19:56parliament, that was the crucial point. If she pursues that line of
0:19:56 > 0:20:01accountability and holds that thought and waits for the
0:20:01 > 0:20:07consultation document, which she will get a chance to participate in,
0:20:07 > 0:20:16perhaps she will find her fears can be somewhat dissuaded. If I could
0:20:16 > 0:20:21say this gently. There were some remarks made earlier in the debate
0:20:21 > 0:20:28and not everybody has a clear recollection of the 1979 referendum
0:20:28 > 0:20:33as I do, but I do not think that inciting the 1979 referendum,
0:20:34 > 0:20:43rigged by Westminster, that any of the anti- independent parties are
0:20:43 > 0:20:49on the strongest ground on which they could stand!
0:20:49 > 0:20:53Can the First Minister confirmed that on Monday of this week more
0:20:53 > 0:20:57than 700 employees of a construction company in my
0:20:57 > 0:21:02constituency discovered they had gone into administration, putting
0:21:03 > 0:21:07vital jobs at risk. Is he aware that his company, which has a long
0:21:07 > 0:21:12successful history, was taken on by a venture capitalist, and since
0:21:12 > 0:21:16that time it has gone from healthy profit of over �100 million
0:21:16 > 0:21:21turnover into receivership without warning with the Bank refusing to
0:21:21 > 0:21:27extend credit and directors leaving at the end of last year with pay-
0:21:27 > 0:21:31offs. Does he recognise the impact this will have on my constituency?
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Will he agree to a meeting with the appropriate minister of his
0:21:35 > 0:21:43government with myself and Westminster colleague to discuss
0:21:43 > 0:21:53what avenues are available to protect the workforce? You yes. I
0:21:53 > 0:21:53
0:21:53 > 0:21:57am aware of the situation -- yes. I agree to the meeting. I can also
0:21:57 > 0:22:05tell that the relevant minister is speaking with the administrators
0:22:05 > 0:22:09today to discuss the situation. I see from the comments that he might
0:22:09 > 0:22:14have more information to bring to the discussions and we welcome that.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19I make sure -- will make sure a ministerial meeting is held as
0:22:19 > 0:22:22early as possible. To ask whether it remains the Scottish
0:22:22 > 0:22:29government's position to hold the referendum in the second half of
0:22:29 > 0:22:33the current parliamentary session? When he tabled a question, little
0:22:33 > 0:22:42did he think that events would have moved on in terms of the debate
0:22:42 > 0:22:46over the past few days. The answer can only be, yes! I thank him for
0:22:46 > 0:22:52his answer. I am glad he is following the wishes of the
0:22:53 > 0:23:01Scottish people rather than a group of Old Etonians from London. It is
0:23:02 > 0:23:11reported David Cameron and Ed Miliband are agreed in this issue.
0:23:12 > 0:23:24
0:23:24 > 0:23:29Does the First Minister agreed that the attitude in London is a perfect
0:23:29 > 0:23:31example of why Scotland needs this so that decisions about the future
0:23:31 > 0:23:41of our country can be taken by those who care most about the
0:23:41 > 0:23:42
0:23:42 > 0:23:47country, the people of Scotland. does well to mention one of the
0:23:47 > 0:23:52finest men I have ever known and the phrase, his phrase, deployed
0:23:52 > 0:23:58many times, deeply-felt, it was one of the finest phrases, it does not
0:23:58 > 0:24:07matter where you come from, it is going -- his way you are going to
0:24:07 > 0:24:14as a nation. I will not the labour the point, but I will say that I
0:24:14 > 0:24:20think that a Labour leader at Westminster who get the response
0:24:20 > 0:24:27from a prime minister as saying he is 100% in agreement probably has a
0:24:27 > 0:24:32reasonably short time frame are left on his term of office. To ask
0:24:32 > 0:24:38what action the Crown Office has taken in response to legislative
0:24:38 > 0:24:44changes about double jeopardy. Scottish government brought into
0:24:44 > 0:24:48force exemptions to the rule against double jeopardy. The lord
0:24:48 > 0:24:54advocate asked the solicitor general to review cases that may be
0:24:54 > 0:24:59prosecuted under the new exceptions to the rule. That review is ongoing.
0:24:59 > 0:25:07Once it is completed, contact will be made with victims or families of
0:25:07 > 0:25:13victims of the cases. Following the conviction and jailing of two men
0:25:13 > 0:25:16for the murder of Stephen Lawrence, may I raised the case of a man
0:25:16 > 0:25:22brutally stabbed to death while visiting his girlfriend. Nobody has
0:25:22 > 0:25:26been jailed for his murder. His family awaits justice. The Stephen
0:25:26 > 0:25:31Lawrence case shows the impact new evidence and technology can have
0:25:31 > 0:25:37been delivering justice. Will the Crown Office re-examined cases like
0:25:37 > 0:25:42that. Will the First Minister do what he can to ensure that no stone
0:25:42 > 0:25:51is left unturned in the search for justice for the family mentioned.
0:25:51 > 0:25:59This is a serious issue for Scotland and for -- the chamber has
0:25:59 > 0:26:03huge sympathy for the family. The Act provides that it is possible to
0:26:03 > 0:26:10look at persons in serious cases if there is new and compelling
0:26:10 > 0:26:15evidence. The consideration of cases under the Act is a matter for
0:26:15 > 0:26:19the Crown and has to be a matter for the Crown. Thus assist -- the
0:26:19 > 0:26:29solicitor general who has been asked to prioritise cases stated
0:26:29 > 0:26:35that the announcement -- at the time of the announcement, that it
0:26:35 > 0:26:40is committed. As the member will understand, I have to be careful as
0:26:40 > 0:26:49a politician in what I say. We should have faith in the ability of
0:26:49 > 0:26:54Scotland's pot -- prosecutors to ensure that investigations and
0:26:54 > 0:26:58prosecutions have taken appropriate cases. Reopening such cases in the
0:26:59 > 0:27:04interest of justice is the right thing but requires time and effort.
0:27:04 > 0:27:10Can he tell us what resources have been made available to examine any
0:27:10 > 0:27:15evidence brought forward, and can he reassure any potential new
0:27:16 > 0:27:24witnesses that such evidence will be considered properly? I can
0:27:24 > 0:27:28certainly assure him that the lord advocate will have all resources
0:27:28 > 0:27:33required. It is not my function as a politician to interfere in the
0:27:33 > 0:27:39process, but in terms of resources, we have assurance they have the
0:27:39 > 0:27:42resources to pursue cases. Everybody in the chamber should
0:27:42 > 0:27:47trust the independent prosecutor's. If they have the resources to do
0:27:47 > 0:27:54the job, they will do what is in the interests of justice, given the
0:27:54 > 0:27:59new powers. We are closing on a sombre note. Earlier, serious
0:28:00 > 0:28:04discussions about the independence referendum. The motion from the
0:28:04 > 0:28:09Labour Party says there should be cross-party talks on timing for the
0:28:09 > 0:28:13referendum. The amendment Alex Salmond referred to, which will be
0:28:13 > 0:28:19carried given the majority, says it will be the responsibility of the
0:28:19 > 0:28:24Scottish Parliament to decide timing and arrangements. You have a
0:28:24 > 0:28:27fundamental division. Alex Salmond said he was open to the idea of