28/06/2012 Politics Scotland

A warm welcome to the Scottish Parliament. It is the last day of

what has been a bruising session indeed. A bit of a holiday

atmosphere but I don't imagine the good spirit will extend to

questions to the First Minister. Let's cross to the chamber. We are

under way. What engagements has the First Minister got? To discuss

arrangements for Mandela Day, the annual celebration on the work and

legacy of Nelson Mandela on 18th July, his birthday. Ebenzar co-

ordinating -- co-ordinated -- events will be co-ordinated and I

am sure the chamber will be delighted to know we have just

received a message from Desmond Tutu which said "I am aware

Scotland has said world-leading targets to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions and is working closely with Mary Robinson to champion

climber justice. These are initiatives very much in the spirit

of Mandela Day and I am delighted strong links between the people of

South Africa and the people of Scotland enjoy. The more people who

mark and enjoy Mandela Day, the Can I wish the First Minister well

with the plans for him and he was an inspiration to all of us who

believe in equality and justice across the world. In the last few

years the First Minister has befriended Fred Goodwin, Rupert

Murdoch and David Murray. Since then a bank has gone down, a paper

has folded and a football club has closed. In that context, was the

First Minister's decision not to meet the Dalai Lama an act of

The presentation of the meeting was as a pastoral religious visit,

which is how it was greeted. The presiding officer can convene a

meeting in the parliament to receive somebody with due respect.

That is the right way for a religious leader to be greeted,

that is perfectly proper. I cannot see why that should be a matter of

political division, it is a matter of acknowledging that respect for a

Last week the Deputy First Minister quoted Robin Cook, this week and I

paraphrase John Smith? Here is the First Minister with a gain on the

Midas touch. He holds his party conference in Glasgow and in the

local elections the city sense him homewards to think again. He went

to the cinema to launch his independence campaign and only

yesterday announced there will be a How does the First Minister explain

his sudden loss of form? I am willing to accept responsibility

for many things but for nominating Yesterday there was an opinion poll

showing the SNP government at 45% I was pleased enough with the

figures but I have to say delighted with the Labour party's reaction. A

Labour spokesman reacted to a poll showing a 13% lead up by saying we

are pleased. The -- lead. Labour are pleased, I am pleased, they

ended the session with total harmony, we are all pleased!

think that is just taking it too I would hazard a guess that if the

pandas had mated the First Minister might have struggled to perhaps

I know the First Minister is pleased with himself, it's a

defining characteristic of his nature but sometimes I think we

should look at his radical plans. We are keeping the Queen, the pound,

keeping London in charge of interest rates and banking

regulation, we are keeping the Union Jack. And in an independent

Scotland we will be British. That is what his party members already

joint SNP 4, to remain British. -- for. Isn't the real reason the

first ministers asking for a second question in his referendum is

because he knows he has lost the first? I now realise the

fascination for pandas in the Labour Party. On 11th May Patricia

Ferguson reported that the Labour Party submitted responses to the

consultation on the referendum in the names of Mickey Mouse, daffy

Duck and Tintin. The panda. Unfortunately there was no official

response from the Labour Party itself. Unless we want to select

from the three names that Patricia Ferguson noted. Given the Labour

Party did not submit any response to the consultation are they really

in a position to say they have a position on how the referendum

should take place? A huge number of people from so that Scotland had

been submitted with the 21,000 people who responded to the

consultation exercise. Pat Rafferty last week "the survey reflects what

the Scottish people are saying, the majority want a second question

could quit. Henry McLeish, CO"There are compelling reasons for his

second question and a bigger choice for all Scots, Barton sign of the

NCVO, there is a strong appetite for a second question. Graham Smith,

the STC general secretary, it would be daft to rule out a multi- option

referendum will stop the Scottish government set out in January...

The air is too much shouting across the chamber. -- There is. She

approved at that stage at the Prince a dit Scotland are entitled

to submit ideas to this consultation and it all by hopes a

party that could not even be bothered to sub-let their response

to the consultation to criticise those who have. -- it ill behoves.

Will recognise the First Minister has a mandate to ask the question

whether Scotland wants to leave the UK, the bigos Scotland had the

right to answer that question. A -- people of Scotland have. The First

Minister talks about people who want us the second question, his

own Deputy First Minister said she wanted one question. And I suspect

the people behind him think so, too. When the First Minister was a

nationalist my complaints -- my complaint was that he did not focus

on health and education, just obsessed about independence. He

still does not focus on what really matters to people and it now

appears he does not even believe in independence any more. Yesterday he

abandoned the economic case for independence, are outsourced his

campaign and declared that the real national asked Malcolm MacDonald

was incompatible with it -- nationalist. Is it not the case

that this is not about Scotland's future but the country has been put

on pause while he gropes for his place in history? I n a Scottish

Nationalist and believe an independent Scotland -- in an

independent Scotland -- I am. Then there is Johann Lamont of the

Labour Party, Bay last declared themselves to be socialist. -- is a.

Let's talk about the issues that matter to Scots, that Johann Lamont

says the government does not focus on because we are seeing a vital

statistics and the last few days. Aniston Young reported Scotland is

the top destination for in Lord investment. -- Ernst & Young. On

crime, the lowest level on recorded crime since 1975. -- of recorded

crime. Satisfaction with the health service in Scotland and the social

attitude survey at a record level since the onset of the parliament.

Education, 92% of secondary schools providing the two periods of

physical education up from 46%. Maybe that is why the Social

attitudes Survey told us that 71% of people trust this Scottish

government compared to 18% trusting I would also like to thank the

First Minister for his letter apologising to me that the Scottish

Conservatives did not respond to his consultation and I'm glad he

was not able to put the record straight. A would also like to ask

the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister?

sure the chamber will pardon me, it is becoming very difficult to

remember what the Conservative No plans in the near future.

month ago the First Minister spares no expense chipping in Atlantic

expats to add glamour to his separation campaign. A launch of

the like of which we had never seen before, in fact, it was remarkable

in one completely undisputed way and that was it is the first

campaign launch in political history to produce a bounce for its

opponents. But since last month the Greens have taken the ball away and

we hear that a rapid relaunch was ordered from that high command and

that is what we have seen. We now know Dennis can even is going to be

the new chair of the yes Scotland campaign. -- Yes. He has read that

everyone else's name, can the First Minister tell us what Mr can have

an's views are? He is looking at the consultation. I wish the Tories

had been consistent on that position on the referendum. There

was no bounce for the Tory party. We are at 12% in yesterday's poll,

not much sign of a bounce there. I am puzzled as to why the

Conservatives believe that having a campaign headed up by a Chancellor

who brought this great country to its knees... Am quoting from

Annabel gold in 2010! -- I am. As for looking at the no campaign

launch, they would probably agree with the words of Charlie Gordon,

remember him? Former leader of Glasgow council, only halfway

through the recession jobless youngsters benefits threatened,

devilish and can't protect them. Better together with the Tories? A

thing most Labour supporters in Scotland will agree with Charlie

Gordon that belies between Tory and Labour will be the death-knell for

most parties in Scotland. I know I am kind of new at this and getting

used to all the assertion and bluster but I am pretty sure that

the First Minister has no idea what Dennis can have an's views are on a

referendum question so let me share them... The new chair of the

separatist campaign said in only April this year that he supports a

single question because otherwise "it is completely confusing to the

electorate with all this Bebo Plus and Diego Max". -- Devo. We have

the better together campaign in favour of a single question and

every major party in this Parliament is in favour of a single

question so will the First Minister confirm today ahead of whenever his

next relaunches that his government and party will actually back Dennis

Caernarfon and a report to -- support a single referendum

question? As Ruth Davison might remember the government set out at

the third question in January. Do you agree scholar should be an

independent country? -- Scotland. That was voted on recently by this

Parliament and the majority of the parliament agreed Scotland should

be an independent country. Ruth Davidson responded to that in

January by saying that was a reasonable, direct and proper

question to ask. I suppose we should ask if Ruth Davidson is

still a but opinion or has she been instructed otherwise by her new

partners in the campaign? We will have a consultation exercise,

21,000 submissions to that. Roughly 10 times the number who submitted

to the UK consultation. One of the people who did submit was Ruth

Davidson on behalf of the Conservative Party. I am sure she

would not want a situation where we did not consider very carefully

what the Conservative Party had to Doesn't she think we should look at

the other range of opinions and what they have to say? Maybe the

reason that the SNP are at 45% and the Tories are at 12% is the trust

which is invested in this Government, it's based on the fact

that we listen to the people of Scotland and then take decisions as

opposed to listening to David Cameron and doing what we are told.

THE SPEAKER: Patrick Harvey. Thank you very much, Presiding

Officer. Earlier this month in Glasgow, the

so-called Scottish Defence League sought to disrupt a peaceful

demonstration by the campaign to welcome refugees and following

serious complaints, the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police has

agreed to an external investigation of allegations that officers were

effectively perceived to be facilitating the SDL's activity.

Does the First Minister acknowledge the threat posed to our society by

the organised racist thugs of the SDL and similar organisations. Does

he awegree that in future it's unacceptable if any police officer

is put in the position of being accused of facilitating the SDL in

their obnoxious and disgusting activism?

Let me say that Patrick Harvey and I are at one in his te scription of

the Scottish Defence League, as are people from across the chamber. --

description. The Chief Constable of Strathclyde should have great

confidence in pursuing the investigations and I'm sure that

Patrick Harvey in asking the question was not suggesting in any

way a lack of confidence in the Police Service in Scotland. That

investigation will be pursued. It's one of the reasons why we have so

much confidence in our Police Service as we know that these

things will be properly conducted. So that investigation will take

place, the results will no doubt inform lessons for the future, but

this chamber is united against the activities of the Scottish Defence

League. So we are aware of the recent

announcement that may result in 50 job losses at the Nutritional

Manufacturing products in my constituency where 370 people are

currently employed and which is the only site in the world outside

China that manufacturers vitamin C. Can I ask the First Minister what

discussions the Scottish Government's had and what action

they'll take to ensure the consequences of any job losses will

have? My officials are already working with the people to ensure

to provide grant funding to improve skills. It's take ck action to

minimise redundancies. We'll ensure support and advice is give tonne

all those through partnership and action for continuing employment.

It should be said, as kiny Gibson will know, there have been some

huge successes in the Life Sciences sector, not least in his

constituency. We'll do everything possible to minimise the impact of

potential job losses. Real anger at the news that the

children's ward in St John's is to close for three weeks in July due

to a lack of doctors. Will the Prime Minister intervene so we can

get this resolved and will he meet with me and representatives from

West Lothian on this vitally important matter?

I'm sure the Health Secretary will be happy to conduct such meetings.

This is an unsatisfactory situation that the member raises. It's to do

with the difficulties of recruitment with paediatric staff.

That recruitment process is under way and also a new training

exercise is under way. These actions are designed to ensure that

we can avoid such things in St John's hospital in the future. I'm

sure in the meeting with the Health Secretary we'll be able to reassure

Neil Finlay and those he brings along from West Lothian that the

actions are well and truly under way. Thank you, Presiding Officer.

To ask the First Minister what impact the Scottish Government

considers further reductions in the UK welfare budget will half on

poverty in Scotland? Well, the Department for Work and pensions

estimate that the reforms that have been made by the UK Coal ition

Government will reduce by fit to seats in Scotland by some �2.5

billion by 2015, a projection is made by the Institute of Fiscal

studies and suggested that by 2020 child poverty in Scotland as a

result could rise by more than 50,000. Working age poverty could

rise by over 60,000 if you directly extrapolate the impact of current

UK Government policy. These figures are extremely

worrying indeed. This Parliament can be rightly proud of the

progress we have made on our range of social issues such as the latest

homeless figures showing levels have dropped by around a fifth in

the past year and local authorities set to reach their target, to reach

the 2012 commitment. This progress is threatened by the UK Prime

Minister's attempts to par tray thousands of low-paid workers and

out of work youngsters as scroungers who do not deserve the

staifty net of Housing Benefit. Can I ask what we can do to protect

Scots from the ill thought out and damaging proposals which I'm sure

my colleagues on the Labour benches would agree would never have been

proposed by any past, future or current Government?

I think you put that very well. There is a general agreement to the

proposition that work should pay. I think that's shared across the

parties. But there's also a genre vulion in Scotland to attacks on

people with disabilities and young people just because they're young -

In the long-term, perhaps the best answers to vote yes in the

referendum. Can I ask the First Minister what

issues were discussed at the British Irish council? I chaired

the 18th summit of the British Irish Council last Friday. We

discussed youth unemployment and support for the marine energy

sector. All member nations of the council agreed that we should

continue to work closely together on these importantish yous and that

the work of the British Irish council after the establishment of

the Permanent Secretary yacht here in Edinburgh is moving up a gear

and is extremely useful -- Subpoena ecretariat. The First Minister's

referred to the social attitude survey that showed 71% of people

trust the Scottish government compared to 18% who trust the UK

Government. The same survey showed that 73% say the Scottish

Government ought to have the most influence over how Scotland is run.

In the light of this survey, what advice will the First Minister be

giving to the Prime Minister at the next meeting to have British Irish

council? Let my people go. Question number

five. Sarah Boyack. To ask the First

Minister whether the Scottish government will instigate a public

inquiry into the outbreak of legionella in Edinburgh? Can I

I'm sure the whole chamber will wish to join me in thanking the

staff of NHS Lothian for their effective response to the

Legionnaire outbreak. Course condolences are with the families

of those who've sadly lost their lives to this disease. The Health

and Safety Executive, the City of Edinburgh council continue the

regulatory investigations into the source of the outbreak. Lothian and

Borders Police and the Health and Safety Executive are jointly

investigating the circumstances of the two deaths under the direction

of a crown office and fiscal service. I'm sure Sarah Boyack

knows as a former minister herself that the time to consider which

steps to take in terms of enquiries investigations are come plaited.

Indeed First Minister, and evidence to the Health Committee this week

left many questions unanswered. But it was suggested there might be

technical changes in relation to cooling Towers which could release

the possibility of future outbreaks. What will the First Minister do to

ensure we get a proper inquiry so that lessons will be learned

swiftly and action taken to protect public health? Firefighters Ewan

Williamson died on 12th July nearly three years ago and his family and

fellow firefighters are still waiting for answers. Can the First

Minister promise that local communities will not have to wait

that long this time and that we will get a proper inquiry and

answers to the questions that are concerning the whole community?

Well, Sarah Boyack will also know that the Health and Safety

Executive reserve function. We are working closely, as is the lothian

health board, with the Health and Safety Executive. But they have to

be allowed to apply their investigation in the time scale

that they're moving forward with. She must appreciate that when

potentially criminal matters are involved, the timing of criminal

inquiries takes precedence over more general inquiries. But she can

will absolutely certain that whatever needs to be done in terms

of enquiring into this most serious outbreak and thankfully I can

report that there's been no new cases in the last couple of days,

but this is an immensely serious outbreak which resulted in human

tragedy and no stone will be left unturned into inquiring into any

lessons once that time scale of investigation has been met.

Jimmy McGrigor. To ask the Scottish minister what the Scottish

Government's position is in charging shoppers 5p per plastic

bag? We are consulting on a proposal to require retailers to

charge for all single use carrier bags to encourage reuse, cutting a

visible form of litter and its impact on wildlife and local

economies. Any proceeds are being directed to go to charity. This is

part of the safeguarding Scotland's resources programme launched

yesterday consulting on a programme for effective use of materials.

There's a big focus on helping businesses to innovate and cut

costs that could help them save up to �1.4 billion a year by using raw

materials more efficiently and cutting waste effectively. Thank

you. While we ail agree with the aim of reducing the use of plastic,

does the First Minister agree with me that efforts should be focused

on the carrot rather than stick on incentives rather than just

imposing yet another tax on hard- pressed Scottish consumers? What is

his response to the Retail Consortium whose director stated an

obsession with carrier bags which account for a fraction of 1% of

household waste mustn't get in the way of the significant goal of

reducing the carbon footprint of thousands of every day products.

But if the Government goes ahead with this punitive tax on Scottish

people, will the funds raised be used to fund tackling... Order

spread of litter which he mentioned which is the real cause of the

problem and also to encourage the use of reusable bags such as this

lovely ladybird bag which I bought into the chamber to show you!

There we are. A bag being distribute and displayed by Jamie

McGrigor at the close there. A remarkable session of questions to