21/06/2012 Politics Scotland

A very warm welcome to the Scottish Parliament. There is some

controversy over the industrial action by doctors. MSPs will

discuss the economy and drug use. We expect a statement on the future

of rail services in Scotland. Let's cross to the chamber for questions

to the First Minister. Nicola Sturgeon is deputising for the

First Minister today. Let's listen I speak as something of a fashion

icon. I know this is a word the Deputy First Minister cannot use,

but how does she explain it the following support for independence?

Can I reassured Johann Lamont that I think Jack McConnell is quite

safe in his hold on the title of champion of silly outfits, so she

needn't worry on that score? Can I also say to Johann Lamont that I am

very confident that the people of Scotland, when the see the

proposition this government will put forward for an independent

Scotland, will vote Yes for an independent Scotland? I am very

happy to talk about independence on any day, to talk about the power

independence will give us to prevent any more illegal wars. The

power it will give us to read Scotland of Trident. And the power

independence will give us to protect the vulnerable from Tory

welfare reforms. Johann Lamont doesn't want to talk about any of

these things because she prefers to leave all of these powers in the

hands of her new friends in the Tory party because she prefers a

Tory government to self government. Order.

The First Minister is not here, but his spirit lives on in that

response. She did not answer the question. Support for independence

is falling. Is it not a fact that independence is becoming more and

more in popular because of meaningless assertions from the

likes of the Deputy First Minister, such as Scotland will have a seat

on the Monetary Policy Committee on a central bank in a foreign country.

Johann Lamont mentions the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of

England. She is becoming a bit like a broken record on this issue. The

position of the Scottish Government is a perfectly reasonable position.

Johann Lamont does not have to take my word for it because that is also

the opinion of the former member of the Monetary Policy Committee, at

David Blanchflower. He said it is not unreasonable for Scotland to

have a seat on the Monetary Policy Committee. I'll go out on a limb

here, but I suspect David Blanchflower knows a bit more about

these things than Johann Lamont. On the issue of unpopularity, there

will be nothing more unpopular in Scotland in these coming months and

years and the new collision between a Labour and the Conservatives, the

coalition to hold Scotland back. The problem for the Deputy First

Minister is that she did not go on television to say David

Blanchflower thinks this might be a good idea. What she said was is

that it would happen. She repeated it ins year without even asking

anybody. That is what I mean by meaningless assertion been a very

serious debate. I felt for the Deputy First Minister when she had

to dig -- had to defend her boss's love-in with Rupert Murdoch. But

her defence of his banking plans are even more risible. You can

imagine Wallace's address to his trips if Nicola Sturgeon had

written it. Don't worry, boys. If we win, we will still keep Edward

as King, we will send him or one- word and keep a seat on the

Monetary Policy Committee. -- we will send him towards home.

Imprisoning the Scottish Government is doing anything to prepare for

independence, there is that naughty word again, can the Deputy First

Minister Tel-Me how the discussions are going with the European Union

about, shall we say, an independently minded Scotland being

a member? And independently minded Scotland will be a member of the EU.

It is interesting that her members laughed because her propositions

are certainly something of a joke. I said this position was reasonable,

David Blanchflower says it is reasonable. The real question for

Johann Lamont is this. When Scotland votes for independence, is

Johann Lamont really saying that she would be arguing against an

independent Scotland having that kind of representation on the

Monetary Policy Committee? If she is, then again she is arguing an

absurd proposition. But then, we shouldn't expect anything more from

a party that is so happy to link arms with their deeply unpopular

Conservative Party. -- with the deeply unpopular party. The reality

is that the Deputy First Minister simply asserts something about the

European Union and does not check her facts. She says it would be

absurd to suggest that an independent Scotland would not be

on the Monetary Policy Committee. I have never heard that argument made

by anyone in the SNP until this year. There is another option which

is an independent currency of your own. This is Monty Python's life of

Nicola Sturgeon. What has been British ever done for us, apart

from the Union Jack, monetary policy, the union, financial

stability. The only dead parrots, as the First Minister would have it,

is the sketch is independence. The SNP is not even prepared to make

the case because she knows the Scottish people will not buy it.

Compromise in the monarchy, compromise in the currency,

compromise in the second question, we will still be British, and the

final humiliation. The SNP are not even allowed to say the word that

they have campaigned for in their whole political lives. Is there

anything Nicola Sturgeon once sell out on? -- will not sell out on?

Can I remind Johann Lamont that Monty Python work quite well for

the SNP election last year and we won an overall majority on the back

of that broadcast. She was all over the place there, but I would try to

deal with her issues. On at the European Union membership, let me

refer her to the words of the late and greatly respected Robin Cook.

It is in the nature of the European Union, it welcomes all-comers and

Scotland would be a member. Was Robin Cook wrong as well? It might

have escaped Johann Lamont's notice, but the SNP has been in favour of

retaining the Queen since 1934. She says she did not here are our

position on at the pound Stirling and will this year. We have held

that opinion since 2005. Let me tell Johann Lamont what the

benefits of independence are. The mean it no more illegal wards under

Labour and. No more weapons of mass destruction. An ability to tackle

the poverty that Labour so abysmally failed to tackle and the

mean and ability to protect people in Scotland from the policies of a

right-wing Tory government. Johann Lamont refers -- prefers to leave

all of those powers in the hands of a Tory government and that is what

she is going to find difficult to explain to the Scottish people.

Ruth Davidson. If the Deputy First Minister has been in favour of

keeping the Queen since 1934, she was not actually on the throne then.

Perhaps they mean that time the last evening? I have no plans to

meet with the deputy first -- with the Secretary of State for Scotland

any time soon. The Deputy First Minister says he has sympathy over

doctors striking today and understands their frustration and

anger at changes to their pensions. Can she explained what precisely

she finds so unfair about an annual pension of �68,000? This is a

serious issue so I will treat it extremely seriously. I deeply

regret the action that has been taken today. Of Lloyd's is not a

strike by doctors because they are continuing to cover all emergency

and urgent care as normal, it is the case that those participating

in the action are not participating in a non-emergency care. It is

unfortunate that many patients will be affected by this. I note that

the BMA say the action is being taken to force the UK Government

back to the negotiating table. The Scottish Government has never left

the negotiating table and therefore I consider the action not just

unfortunate but unnecessary as well. I do also regret that this action

today is taking place over an issue on which this Parliament has

limited room for manoeuvre. However, be remain willing to work in

partnership with trade unions to find a way forward on this issue

within the severe constraint imposed upon us. -- constraineds.

I did not hear anything about why it �68,000 is an unfair pension. I

did not hear if she would increase that at the expense of lower pay

public sector workers. Just more SNP grandstanding that they would

do something different, just don't ask us what. In terms of sitting

round the negotiating table, if the Deputy First Minister knows I'm

well that there were 23 meetings with the BMA, including five

between the Secretary of State and Head of the BMA. Can I ask the

Deputy First Minister, given that her responsibility and that of a

government is to stand up for patients affected today and for the

Times that -- the tax payers who finance three-quarters of this

multi-billion pound pension bill, can I ask her how many appointments

have been cancelled in Scotland because of this industrial action?

How many patients have been denied treatment by their NHS because

taxpayer contributions are not deemed to be enough? I appreciate

Ruth Davidson might not be aware of this, but the NHS pension scheme

was reformed in 2008. Everybody in Scotland understands and

appreciates the importance of the long-term sustainability of pension

schemes, but there are many in Scotland, low-paid workers included,

who think that the current UK forms are more about a cash grab for

deficit reduction than they are about the long-term sustainability

of pensions. I have already outlined our position and we will

continue in negotiations, albeit within the limitations of severe

constraints to see if we can find a better way forwards. I think that

is in the interests of patients as well as close to work within our

national health services -- National Health Service. Members

will appreciate that have been monitoring this close them

carefully and will continue to do so through the course of today. I

am advised that approximately 3,200 out-patient appointments and around

450 been patient appointments have been cancelled. Patients have been

advised and all missed appointments will be re-scheduled as soon as

possible. Six the% of GP practices are affected to some extent. I will

continue to monitor the situation as the day progresses. I think the

interest of patients and the interests of patient safety and

continuity of care are paramount and that is why the Scottish

Government continued to work with doctors and health boards to the

course of today to ensure that any Can I ask the Deputy First Minister

why the Dalai Lama has not been afforded a proper welcomed by the

Scottish Government or the SNP-led Dundee City Council, who wanted the

city removed from the programme and will not even put up the Lord

Provost of the city to welcome the leader. What message does this send

about the SNP's willingness to address human rights abuses in

China? Firstly, the Scottish Government has, on many occasions,

and will continue to raise important issues with the Chinese

government. In terms of the question about Dundee City Council,

I am sure she appreciates that arrangements made by the council

have been made and there has been no contact between us and the City

Council about the visit of the Dalai Lama. In all sincerity, to

members across this chamber, I think it is unfortunate that

anybody in any party seeks to politicise the visit of the Dalai

Lama to Scotland, and the reason for that is because it is not a

political or state visit. The Dalai Lama is making a pastoral visit to

Scotland. He has been properly recognised and respected by this

Parliament in the non-political meeting by the Presiding Officer

tomorrow. So I had all members will recognise that and reflect that

accordingly. -- I hope. Potential job losses have been announced in

my constituency this week and it comes as a blow to the local

economy for the workers concerned. Can I ask the Deputy First Minister

what support the government can offer for workers directly affected

by the redundancy and what will be done to ensure the workforce in

Hamilton will be protected? absolutely share the concern

expressed by her about developments in respect to these employees and

what effect will have on their families and the general area.

There are around 320 staff on the Hamilton site and approximately 140

employees are likely to be affected. It is hoped this number will be

achieved by voluntary redundancies. Pay Presentations two staff have

been offered with workshops and one-to-one interviews. I have this

reassure them that we will do everything possible to support

those employees who might be affected by redundancy and have a

time out of work. What issues will be discussed at the next meeting of

the Cabinet? The next meeting will discuss the issues of importance to

the people of Scotland. The Deputy First Minister talked about human

rights in China. Let's remind ourselves about the decision of

Human Rights in China. A Country where 500,000 people are detained

without trial, where women are forced to have abortions on the

orders of the government. Where political oppression is at its most

severe in Tibet. The Deputy First Minister has a chance to be very

clear about what she thinks today. Will she, on behalf of the Scottish

Government, condemn the human rights record of the Chinese

government? I condemn human rights abuses everywhere that they happen

and I am absolutely unequivocal about that. Can I say it again in

all sincerity, I think every single member of this chamber has a deep

commitment to human rights across the globe. And I think it is a

mistake on the part of any member in this chamber to seek to divided

on the important issue of human rights. So I hope that is a

statement that is unequivocal enough for Willie Rennie. Employees

to hear that she is condemning the human rights record of the Chinese

government. -- I am pleased. I have to say, it is a welcome change from

the ambiguous attitude of the First Minister. Can the Deputy First

Minister take practical steps now, practical steps, as we know the

consul-general has put pressure on Scottish councils and the First

Minister. Dundee has pulled back from the Dalai Lama's critics and

the First Minister is refusing to meet him. To put this right, she

can do two things - encourage her colleagues in the city council to

provide a high level Speaker to deputise for the Lord Provost. She

can also get the First Minister or any other minister at any point

over the next few days to meet the Dalai Lama. If the Deputy First

Minister takes these steps today, she will send an absolutely loud

and clear message to the Chinese government, that she does condemn

their human rights record. Will she make those changes happen? Look, I

think Willie Rennie is making a serious mistake in trying to divide

this chamber on these issues. Firstly, in relation to Dundee City

Council, I do not speak for Dundee City Council but I think he is

wrong and how he describes the position of the council. The Lord

Provost is attending a reception for the Dalai Lama after years at -

- he has attended a funeral. I do not think he is seeking to make an

issue of that. In terms of the position of the visit of all, as I

said in response, the Dalai Lama is making a pastoral visit to Scotland.

He is being properly recognised by this Parliament in a reception

hosted by the Presiding Officer, which, as far as I understand it,

no party-political representative will attend. It is also my

understanding, although Willie Rennie may no different me, no UK

government minister will meet the Dalai Lama while he is in Scotland.

That would, of course, include Michael Moore and Danny Alexander,

so I hoped Willie Rennie would do two things. I high he will accept

that the commitment of everybody in this chamber to human rights across

the world, and secondly I hope he will accept this as a pastoral

visit by the Dalai Lama and it would be wrong of any body to seek

to politicise it. What support the Scottish Government gives to

carers? During carers Week and everybody around, I acknowledge and

applaud the tremendous work of Scotland's unpaid carers and young

carers who care for the families, friends and neighbours they have it.

We have a Scotland Careys information pack and local funding

has exceeded the target to achieve an extra 10,600 weeks. The Scottish

Government is providing unprecedented levels of support to

carers and young carers, and this supports at least 20% of the change

fund for older people, which is nearly �50 million over three ears,

which will support carers of older people to continue to care. --

three ideas. I thank her for her answer. It was whilst working with

carers and carer groups that I became aware that many of the

voluntary organisation which to support carers face extra

difficulty due to the unique tendering process put in place by

Glasgow City Council. With the Deputy First Minister consider

using a change fund to support the work of these voluntary

organisations? I am very familiar with the good work of the Glasgow

south-east carers Centre. They operate in his constituency and

indeed they have a very heavy presence in my own constituency, so

I know about the concerns expressed about the tendering processes. We

have made abundantly clear, as I indicated in my original answer,

that at least 20% of the fund should be used to support carers of

Olga people, and that applies as much in Glasgow as it does in any

other area. -- of cold a people. 2,600,000 will be spent supporting

carers either directly or indirectly and that is over 20% of

the change on application. However, we want evidence of support and we

will be asking all partnerships for a progress report, in particular

progress in working with supported carers. This week, we all recognise

the contribution that Scotland's 650,000 carers play. And I am

confident that the Cabinet Secretary will be as concerned as I

am and others are that over 3,000 of those carers, 80% of them

believe their caring role have an impact on their health. We know the

work takes place and support is in place but obviously, there are many

carers missing out. What can we do to reassure action to ensure all

carers receive the help they need? I appreciate the question and I

think he is absolutely right up. If I can be frank about this, firstly,

we owe carers and unbelievable bet of gratitude. But we do not just a

them thanks, we owe them action to support them. I do not suppose that

however much we do, we will repay them for the extraordinary

contribution they make, but we have an obligation to do everything we

can. I was very struck by the information I have had and that is

that they often care at the expense of their own health, and this is a

work-in-progress, but it does focus on providing respite care, short-

break provision and encouraging GPs and other health professionals to

be conscious of the health needs of people who have caring

responsibilities. So where are not standing here saying, the

Government has got this all right, but we will argue in the right

direction and continued to work with carers and organisations to

make sure we are fulfilling our obligations to them. But I'd give a

very heartfelt thank you to the contribution that carers make.

impact the industrial action by doctors could have on operations on

tests and a patient appointments? As we are aware, we have the first

industrial action by doctors and staff. They will continue to cover

all emergency care and where non- emergency care is being affected,

hospital boards have assessed the impact of clinics and taken steps

to inform patients of cancellations. Approximately 3,200 out-patient

appointments and other bait cases have been cancelled and all

appointment will be re- scheduled as soon as possible. -- day-cases.

Can I thank her for her answer. Can I also advise the chamber, I think

everybody regrets this action for the effect it will have on patients,

or to writes and wrongs. -- whatever the rights and wrongs. The

BMA did give three a week's notice rather than the statutory one week,

in order to allow a patients are to be informed in good time of the

fact that their appointment would be cancelled and operations would

be cancelled. So what action did the Government take? Was a chief

executive letter issued? And what actual monitoring has the

Government undertaken to ensure patients have been timely informed

of this disruption to their lives. What further action will the

Government take to ensure this patients who are being disrupted

today get their appointment back as quickly as possible? Can I firstly

reiterate what we said earlier on. I deeply regret this action is

taking place today. I do not think it is in the interest of patients

or the NHS, or doctors and those who work with an our National

Health Service. The Scotland health boards have been planning to deal

with the impact of today's industrial action as soon as it

became clear it was going to happen. I have been receiving regular

update its -- updates on at the preparedness and the principles for

dealing with the industrial action on 21st June. Health boards have

taken all steps as quickly as they have been able to and to advance

patients where their patients have been affected. The industrial

action has been known about for a number of weeks but he will

appreciate that for some individual doctors on whether they were going

to participate, that came later and they had to inform patients

accordingly. I am confident we have taken all appropriate steps to

minimise the impact on patients, but unfortunately, a number of

patients will be affected and that is why I can, again, given the

reassurance that all appointments will be rearranged as quickly as

possible to minimise the disruption for patients. That should be the

first priority for all of us. progress has been made to reduce

journey times on the main line from Inverness to Adam Brown and

Glasgow? Over the last five years, the Government has invested �1.5

billion in railways, including opening of the Bath game route and

improvements to services between Dundee and Elgin. -- BathGate at

route. The journey time between Edinburgh and Glasgow has been

reduced by 35 minutes. Trains have been added to the service making 11

in total. I thank her for her answer. I declare an interest in

using the service regularly. It would appear to be more punctual

and the services have increased in number, but can she confirm that

passengers to and from the north of Scotland will see further

reductions in journey times by the The Transport Minister will have

further information to give about real is used this afternoon. I am

happy to confirm that a new timetable was introduced -- a

consultation was introduced in May and journey times will be reduced

again this November. Network Rail are working to further reduce

journey times on this route. That N's first minister's questions.

That ends questions to the Deputy First Minister standing in for Alex

Salmond. There was some banter at the start about fashion and

clothing, where I think neither came out badly. Two the exchanges