27/10/2011 Politics Scotland

Welcome from the, Brian Taylor, to Holyrood. Issues under discussion,

education, spending and the economy. Let us cross to the chamber. We are

already underway, the First Minister giving MSPs news of his

engagement. Since 2009, an increase the uptake

and over 85,000 premises in Scotland are benefiting from that

scheme. A comment on the small business bonus scheme. I am looking

at a picture of the First Minister signing up to an election pledge

for NUS Scotland, to protect college places, will he keep that

promise? The Scottish Government intends to keep all its promises in

its manifesto. The manifesto says, we have agreement with universities

and colleges to maintain student numbers and will maintain this

throughout the next Parliament. The manifesto states this and we will

go forward with this. I welcome him saying he will stick to this pledge,

although all I am a little sceptical. Is the sea kind of

promise he would keep to his manifesto pledge to reduce

classroom sizes to 18 or the pledge to maintain teacher numbers? Those

were pledges signed up to and, yesterday, the Education Secretary

told the education committee that something has to give. This letter

from the principle of Angus College says that Alex Salmond has cut his

teaching budget by 40% and that 2000 places will be cut. This is

what has been given. Will he just be honest? College places are going

to be cut. I would have thought Iain Gray might have realised that

the funding council has not issued the plans for each college. I am

afraid that his suggestions are threadbare. He can debate it at

that time. What is remarkable about the spending plan, and these are

extraordinarily difficult Financial Times, Iain Gray would acknowledge

that, given a large part of that difficulty was the responsibility

of the Labour Government. I do not think there is much. Makin debating

what was said in the last term of the parliament. -- I do not think

Over the Spending Review period from 2012-2013, 2014-2015, looking

at universities, colleges, training and skills, it is rising from 1.9 2

billion to 1.99 bn. An increase of 3.2%. Against the context of cuts

that were promised by Alistair Darling to be tougher and deeper

than those of Margaret Thatcher, which have then been increased by

blue liberal conservative coalition. That is a remarkable investment in

the future of young people in Scotland. Frankly, I think for

those involved in the running of Angus College they will feel the

First Minister is in a parallel universe. This allowed lines cuts

of 40%. 2000 student opportunities will go. Yesterday the Education

Secretary says these were just hypothetical. But there are real

cuts in college places already. I spent Saturday at the hardest big

rally in Edinburgh. Disabled people fear for their future. Their

figures show that almost 1,000 college places for disabled

learners have already gone. That is getting on for 50% across Scotland.

Do the Scots have no place and Alex Salmond's brave new world? Why are

you not protecting these places? What about their future? Can I

remind Iain Gray of the manifesto commitment to maintain student

numbers and that is what we will do? I have set out, given we do not

have figures for individual colleges, I have set out the

overall pictures for post 16 education. As to your specific

question, the phrase, opportunities for all, is exactly what it means.

Every single 16-19-year-old from Scotland who is not in a job,

apprenticeship or full-time education will be offered an

educational or training opportunity. That is what opportunities for all

means. Instead of attacking bat, he should welcome that commitment in

the face of cutbacks which are the responsibility, jointly, all

successful -- of successive Westminster, Liberal and

Conservative governments. -- and Labour governments. That is a

promise from the Labour manifesto. I welcome it. But the Scottish

consortium for learning disability tell him that opportunities are

being removed right now for Scots with learning disabilities. Are

those people not included in that promise? Alex Salmond spent the

weekend rallying fatal troops and Inverness, rewarding them with

wristbands. -- rallying the troops. I knew some people would hold them

up. Perhaps he missed the news that applications for universities have

plummeted and that the education system is consistently failing our

poorest children and young people with disabilities. He must know

that one in four of young men cannot find work. He has led to

youth unemployment double in this country. When is he going to stop

banging on about a mythical independence generation and start

doing something for Scotland's lost generation? And I remark that there

are substantially more SNP troops and vaults than there are Labour

Party troops and bolts. -- votes. Youth employment in Scotland, youth

employment is almost 5% higher than it is across the UK. But youth

unemployment is far too high, it is a serious issue. That is why we

have introduced 25,000 modern apprenticeships. 60% more than were

offered by Iain Gray's party when last in Government. That is why we

have done as I have said in terms of keeping faith with the post 16

education sector. With a remarkable cuts to the Scottish budget, it is

extraordinarily -- it is extraordinary that that commitment

to education and student numbers is kept. That is why we have

opportunities for all. Iain Gray referred to what happened in the

last Parliament, then topped about the manifestos of the Labour Party

and the SNP. Can I suggest to him what actually happened in May? I

know he has difficulty coming to terms with it. People compare the

SNP record in Government with the record of the Labour Party in

Westminster and Scotland, compared the manifestos, and people came to

an overwhelming conclusion. Can I suggest to Iain Gray, just learnt

to live with that? Question number two. When will the First Minister

of next week the Prime Minister? have no plans in the near future.

realised this is my last opportunity of an exchange with the

First Minister at Question Time. Just let me reassure him, I will

not saying goodbye. I have a feeling that will not encapsulate

his sentiments about my going. But can I say I have enjoyed our

exchanges? I was proud to deliver a new drugs strategy focused on

recovery, but it means nothing if not rolled out on the ground. I was

on the forefront of Scotland having an extra 1,000 police officers, but

that is diminished if courts cannot prosecute cases. A Scottish

Conservative votes helped businesses with the business rates.

But by businesses will be hit with higher rates. How has the First

Minister undermined such good policies in such a short space of

time? Annabel Goldie understates the importance and long lasting

nature of these policies. We have made substantial progress and I

welcome her support for it in terms of drug rehabilitation. The 1,000

police are in operation in streets and communities around Scotland at

the moment. Others and this chamber said the commitment would never be

delivered. -- others in this chamber. We were proved right.

Extra police other substantial reason we have a 35 year low, a low

in recorded crime in Scotland. We now know that the Scottish business

bonus scheme is delivering for 85,000 properties in Scotland. That

seems to me a substantial achievement. I am very happy to

Credit Annabel Goldie with her support for these valuable

initiatives. And I hope she will realise that whatever may happen I

will just have to pursue these things alone, but I assure you, I

assure Annabel Goldie I shall protect her legacy. There is an

election fought a new Conservative leader in Scotland. One enjoyable

feature of this job is raining in the First Minister's beaks you

Princes. His priorities of independence and the Middle East

are not the priorities of people, students, victims. -- rain in his

exuberance. Mal the First Minister is but the Lord Advocate for a

crisis meeting for prosecutors to insure criminal cases are not

barred by time? Will you report of this Parliament on the burgeoning

and inescapable problem of caring for elderly in hospital? And what

you explain how a 25% increase over five years in the cost of methadone

is compatible with a drug strategy focusing on recovery? I will take

careful note and take forward all of these important issues as

instructed by Annabel Goldie. Can I say, in terms of our last question,

everything I said before the recess, when I got it was the last question,

it applies and stands. If I could offer this complement, which came

from one of the contenders in the Tory leadership election on

television the other night, the reality is that whoever wins this

leadership election will at least in the short term will be less well

known and less popular with the public as Annabel Goldie. I do not

think any of the four a buzz can turn things around in a short space

of time. It was from Murdo Fraser on television. I think he was

trying to say what I believe and I am sure this chamber believes that

Annabel Goldie, of whatever the electoral results, was an excellent

leader for the Scottish Conservative Party and I believe

she maximise the possible vote for the Conservatives, because she was

well thought of, well liked, respected by the Scottish

population, both for how she put forward ideas and, above all, for

the manner in which she put them forward, because I, too, enjoyed

our exchanges. Thank you, Annabel. APPLAUSE. You have a final

Supplemental question. I am indebted to the presiding officer

and an back the Prime Minister... LAUGHTER. The First Minister. --

and I thank the Prime Minister. LAUGHTER.

It is good to give him a taste of what will never be. I remember the

First Minister dolefully of surfing of a previous Prime Minister that

he never writes or calls. And the leave this seat and I may not be

invited for drinks, but he has not heard the last of me. I shall write

and I shall call. And I shall answer the telephone, reply to the

letters and invitations will be in the post. A constituency question

There was a brutal murder in my constituency last weekend and there

has been shock and horror in the community. Could he give the

parliament an update on the investigation. The constituency

member describes the murder as brittle, as indeed it was. It was a

shocking incident. The police are obviously responsible for the

inquiry but they have said publicly that they anticipate a positive

conclusion of their inquiries and I think it remains for the parliament

to offer condolences for the friends and family. The first

minister will be aware of recent press reports concerning radiation

levels at a particular beach and that radiation is 100 times greater

than another one. This is of concern to residents. Will he agree

with me it is imperative to stay all agencies including SEPA and the

MoD working together effectively to tackle this issue once and for all,

and there is no room for any further delay in getting to the

scale of the problem and solving it. As everyone knows, SEPA are

actively involved in this question at the present moment and are

pursuing the matter with great alacrity. I do hope they will get

full co-operation from the responsible Westminster department.

It is in all of our interests that the MoD approach this matter openly

and you can be certain that SEPA will pursue its responsibilities

with great diligence. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish

Government position is on the decision by the Westminster

Government to not proceed with the proposed carbon capture storage

project at Longannet power station? Carbon capture and storage, the

project at Longannet was a huge opportunity not just for Scotland

but for the rest of these islands and for Europe. It is now

unfortunately a lost opportunity. I recognise the strong case made by

the MSP on behalf of his constituents in this Parliament and

elsewhere and I know the chamber will be united in condemnation of

the Treasury decision that ends the prospects of this world leading

project and threatens the future of clean coal in Scotland. This is

more than about a single project. It tells us loud and clear that

this Parliament should be responsible for Scotland's energy

future and energy resources. APPLAUSE I thank the first minister

for his response. This is truly a missed opportunity for Fife and the

form of Scotland. The Treasury and the Westminster department dithered

and disagreed over the necessary funding despite the fact that the

whole project could have been covered in this costing by one

tenths of the yearly estimated North Sea oil and gas revenues.

you get to the question, please? Will the First Minister continue to

make the case to the Westminster Government that it is simply not

acceptable to mouth the words of support about carbon capture, but

what is needed is real action. This is needed so that Scotland can

capitalise on this massive economic opportunity. A Scottish experts

said, it has gone through three prime ministers, or half -- all of

Hume claimed to be enthusiastic about carbon capture and storage,

none of whom have been able to deliver it. It has been subject to

quite unfair Treasury rules and the Government has consistently refused

to take on board much of the risk. I think is. At a time when the

North Sea oil and gas revenues are up over �13 billion for this year

alone, it would not have been unreasonable to expect expenditure

of one-tenth of that to secure the long-term future of clean coal in

Scotland. It is perhaps unhelpful to suggest that... Does the first

minister agreed that there is every confidence that the project in

Peterhead is the one that others will have to beat, and can he

confirm that when a project Beacons in 50% over budget, it is his view

that ministers should proceed regardless? I really do think that

the members should have a look at the expert's full interview on

Newsnight, where he exposed the reality behind the Treasury

calculations, the application of risk and project factors work quite

-- in a quite unreasonable fashion. I sat behind the Liberal members in

the House of Commons when they condemned in the most strong

fashion the Labour Government turning its back on the Peterhead

project in 2007. Is it too much to expect that liberal people will see

the Longannet betrayal as a last opportunity for coal and he can be

sure that we will be pressing to the utmost to try and secure and

salvage a carbon Catcher project for Scotland. But he must, surely

must, recognise the huge disappointment, the use of lost

opportunity and the unfairness, of Cobham capture in Scotland have not

being funded while Scotland's Resources fund his Government in

Westminster. The first minister has a close

relationship with the parent company. Has he or anyone him his

Government taken the opportunity to speak to the trade unions represent

you of Scottish Power for two as if they have we any long-term concerns

about lung damage and energy policy more widely? Congress are on the

Energy Advisory Board for Scotland, which I chair, and we have

discussed this project Minis wrens. I would be pleased to meet the

trade unions at Longannet to discuss the future of clean coal in

Scotland that this subject was centred on this Coburn Catcher

project and I take it from the comments made by Labour members at

Westminster, which struck me as not as thorough going as I would have

expected given the significance of this announcement, I do not think I

am right. I am right in saying it was not actually mentioned in the

statement by Chris Huhne from the Labour front bench. This is an

extraordinarily important decision and one which casts a cloud over

the future of clean coal in Scotland. So I would be delighted

to meet the trade unions but I expect that at Longannet Bay will

recognise the element of betrayal in this UK Government decision.

ask the first minister what steps the Scottish Government is taking

to support Scotland's to be defence industry. A range of steps to

support the company's. In 2009 we invested �3 million in making to

Aberdeen University the UK's first ever centre of excellence for

computer games. There were major investments in Glasgow and in

Dundee. That commitment has borne a strong result. For example, in

February I was delighted to announce a plan to establish one

company's headquarters in Dundee, creating 150 jobs, relocating from

California. Earlier this week, the videos industry body Tiger and a

trade group recognise the positive difference that independence could

make to the industry and criticise the UK Government for failing to

invest in the Scottish games sector. Will be theirs Minister join with

me in urging the UK Government to offer specifically targeted tax

relief to support these vital industry? And can ask him if he

will continue the support the Scottish Government is giving to

the industry by considering the case for it content fund and meet

with myself and games industry representatives to explore this

proposal? These are very important proposals indeed. I recognise what

Tiger have been saying in terms of the computer games industry. Their

case for tax relief was based on the argument that revenues would

increase if the tax relief would be granted and cited international

examples because of the attraction of key investments into Dundee and

Scotland. Example of why you need control over a tax-based if you are

going to offer such incentives in a successful way. His last point, Joe

Fitzpatrick is aware that across the Scottish Government to examine

the establishment of creative content. I have asked officials to

meet with Tiger to discuss how this might go ahead. Given that not only

has the UK Government failed to introduce gains tax relief despite

reassurances by the last Government that they would and that the

present Government had shown a desire to do so, given that Ireland

are considering -- seems to be considering taxpayers in this area,

with the First Minister agreed that it is vital that the Government

acts now to ensure that the games industry continues in Scotland? Do

we need the powers ourselves? it is vital and yes, we need the

powers. The proposals put forward by Tiger, based on international

examples, illustrated how at this particular sector could operate in

an environment where relief from tax breaks would result in an

increase in the Revenue because of increased investment. To his

chamber, it is often need -- obvious that previous governments

have refused to do this. Would it not be better if we controlled the

tax incentives so that we could respond in the way these vital

industry wants from Dundee and for Scotland as a whole question of

Are a wonder if the first minister has considered a targeted tax

relief with the power that he actually has in the business rates?

Can I just point out we have considered a very well-targeted

business rate policy which has resulted in 85,000 businesses

across Scotland are enjoying the Small Business Bonus Scheme. And I

have to say, with some of the things I have been hearing in this

Tory leadership contest, I am not certain if future Conservative

leader will be as dedicated and support that SNP a mission live as

Annabel Goldie has been. To ask the First Minister what steps the

Scottish Government... Sorry, whether the Scottish Government

will investigate claims that patients are being offered

unrealistic surgery appointment in England in order to circumvent

waiting times targets. Government is committed to lower

waiting times and to complete transparency around the reporting

of waiting times. It was his Government who abolished hidden

waiting lists. Initial findings from the NHS Lothian is that they

did not make their patients a reasonable offer and offered only

one appointment date to patients. This does not comply with the new

waiting times guidance. The chief executive has initiated a full

investigation which will report in early November. A copy of the

report will be submitted to Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon. All

patients concerned are now being treated locally and are no longer

having to be offered treatment in England. I thank the first minister

for that helpful reply in resolving the situation but the new waiting

times initiative, which is actually an initiative from Rover, then

implemented fully by the SNP, a scheme to which both party are

joined up. It has resulted in 100,000 patients being removed from

the waiting lists every year. Many of these are for valid reasons but

my question is this, given the large numbers that are being

removed and the evidence that this case shows of new gaming, which led

to the problem with hidden waiting lists, will he asked the Cabinet

Secretary for Health to now undertake a review of the waiting

times to make sure there is no gaming taking place in other areas

in Scotland? PRESENTER: We will have to leave it there. We heard

the Prime Minister's substantive answer to that point. But there had

been a sick and be thick -- a situation in Lothian and that there

was reform there. A very intriguing set of discussions. Very warm with

Annabel Goldie, praising her on her last session of questions. But very

bitter and shop indeed with regard to Iain Gray. He said, live with

the result, with regard to the outcome of the Scottish elections.