Contributions to Parliamentary Debate
Scottish Parliament: Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3: Before section 130 (30th Jun 2010)
I welcome the opportunity to move amendment 163 and to give the Parliament the opportunity to turn the aims of the barred campaign into a realistic and workable law that will enhance the ability of people with disabilities to enjoy an independent lifestyle.
There has been wide consultation on the amendment, with both the licensed trade and the organisations that represent people with disabilities. Together we have had meetings with the equalities minister, Alex Neil, and we have been very encouraged by his helpful and positive response—I hope that my praise does not do him irreparable damage.
The amendment has taken a number of forms over the months. In our papers today, it is in its most refined form, which is supported by activists and publicans alike. I thank the clerks to the Justice Committee and the lawyers for both Capability Scotland and the licensed trade for their help in drafting it.
For the sake of clarity, it is worth reminding the Parliament what I said in the members' business debate—that the proposal is not anti-pub. In fact, the amendment recognises that the licensed trade is currently struggling and that adaptations can be expensive or impossible to make due to planning regulations or listed building restrictions.
The amendment does not, therefore, put onerous burdens on licensed premises to make adjustments to their properties to maintain their licence. All that it asks is that the compliance statement that licensees are already duty-bound to complete includes a new requirement to detail the accessibility of the premises. That simple step will enable local authority licensing boards to summarise the accessibility of pubs and clubs and to get the right information about the accessibility of venues into the hands of the disabled people in their areas.
I pay a particular tribute to Mark Cooper, the pioneer of the campaign, who is with us in the public gallery. [Applause.] The amendment has been 15 months in the making, during which time Mark has spoken to many MSPs. Without his
With the support of the Scottish Parliament, amendment 163, if it is agreed to, will empower disabled people to make informed choices about where they relax and socialise, and it will ensure that they have the best possible independent lifestyle.
I move amendment 163.
Scottish Parliament: Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3: Before section 130 (30th Jun 2010)
There is little more to add, other than to thank the Parliament for the all-party support for my amendment—most people will
I am also particularly grateful to my old friend, Baillie Aitken, and I look forward to celebrating with him the passage of this amendment with a drink in Babbity Bowster's in the very near future.
To those who were generous enough to praise me, I say that that is inappropriate, as all the praise should go to Capability Scotland and Mark Cooper.
Amendment 163 agreed to.
Scottish Parliament: Scottish Executive Question Time — General Questions: Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi (24th Jun 2010)
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with officials in Libya concerning the situation of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi. (S3O-11043)
Scottish Parliament: Scottish Executive Question Time — General Questions: Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi (24th Jun 2010)
Does the cabinet secretary accept that it is now more than 10 months since he agreed to release Mr al-Megrahi on
Scottish Parliament: Education and Lifelong Learning: Higher Education (Financial Accountability) (17th Jun 2010)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will examine ways to make higher education establishments more accountable for their expenditure. (S3O-10955)
Scottish Parliament: Education and Lifelong Learning: Higher Education (Financial Accountability) (17th Jun 2010)
I am grateful to the minister for that helpful answer. Has he seen reports about the £4 million that the University of St Andrews has spent on a new luxury residence for its principal and about the fact that almost all the principals of Scottish universities earn substantially more than the Prime Minister? In view of the fact that most of the funding of higher and further education comes from the Scottish Government and the United Kingdom research councils, does he agree that there is a need for much greater transparency and accountability? Will he consider what action might be appropriate to achieve that?
Scottish Parliament: National Health Service (3rd Jun 2010)
Shona Robison should stop muttering.
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
I welcome the Pauline conversion of the Conservative party to enthusiasm for devolution and particularly that
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
That is absolutely true. I profoundly apologise. It was only the older ones—the dear, but departed-from-the-chamber Annabel Goldie and, of course, David McLetchie—
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
I suppose that the Conservatives now realise that this is the only Parliament in which they can get more than one Scottish representative. They have come round to being enthusiastic about the Scottish Parliament.
I am not surprised by the ready co-operation between the Tories and the Tartan Tories—the SNP. We now see the latter coming out in their true light. I include in that remark the so-called blue-faced lady who I have just followed and who I greatly respect. The co-operation between the Tories and the Tartan Tories in the Scottish Parliament sees the Tories—the real Conservatives—propping up the Scottish Administration.
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
Not just now.
Year zero was not 6 May 2010 or even May 2007—
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
Yes, indeed. Not even 1314. Good co-operation existed between Holyrood and Westminster from 1999 onwards. I will give an important example from my experience as Minister of State for Scotland. Helen Liddell, who was then Secretary of State for Scotland, asked me to take particular responsibility for co-operation between the two Parliaments—
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
Members should wait a minute. I think even old Mike Rumbles will like this.
I had regular meetings with Cathy Jamieson, Margaret Curran and Malcolm Chisholm. They were not always co-operative, but I have an example of our co-operation: the Proceeds of Crime Bill. I was one of the ministers who was responsible for piloting the bill through the House of Commons, particularly during the committee stage. When the bill was first introduced, its provisions did not extend to Scotland. I took the initiative and suggested to the Scottish ministers
That said, since 2007, one factor has changed the relationship between Holyrood and Westminster. I refer not to "The X-Factor" but to what my colleague Frank McAveety calls "The Eck-Factor". For the past three years, Alex Salmond has taken every opportunity to promote and further grievances between Edinburgh and London. Again and again, including at First Minister's question time, we hear him say, "the London Government". Indeed, we heard it from an SNP back bencher today. I say to the SNP that the London Government is run by a man called Boris Johnson and it governs London. The UK Government is based in Westminster and is a coalition, as we know.
It is only now that the SNP tartan Tories are coming out in their real light.
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
No. As I said in an intervention on Annabel Goldie, the coalition will not last. It is doomed to failure. We hear about fiscal powers and fiscal responsibility but, when I put the question to Derek Brownlee, he had no answer. No other member has put forward an alternative to the proposal for fiscal responsibility that is included in Calman; not one member, least of all the minister. The coalition parties will find that there is no easy answer to the question. The Liberal-Conservative alliance will discover the reality of the pressures of Government. When the Tories revert to type, as inevitably they will; when the mask drops and they are found to be looking after their millionaire friends, many of whom are in the Cabinet and most of whom are old Etonians, we will see that the coalition will not last.
As far as Scotland is concerned, and as far as the Labour party is concerned, the Scottish elections cannot come too soon.
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
I wanted to ask this question of Fiona Hyslop, but she would not let me intervene. However, Derek Brownlee is probably more able to answer it. What kind of tax-raising powers does he want to give the Scottish Government? If he could give an indication of the kind of tax-raising powers that he is thinking about—over corporation tax, sales tax or whatever—that would be helpful to the debate.
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
The Presiding Officer said nothing.
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
Oh!
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
Will the minister give way?
Scottish Parliament: Her Majesty's Government (Relations) (27th May 2010)
The honourable lady's hearing is deficient. I said, "It won't last, it won't last." I am willing to take a bet with the honourable lady. Will it be 18 months, two years or three years?
Scottish Parliament: Decision Time (26th May 2010)
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
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