Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 17 March 2015
17 Mar 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
A9 (Average-speed Cameras)
It was not Dave Thompson’s worst speech, but I do not want to listen to it again, Presiding Officer.
I join others in congratulating Mike MacKenzie on bringing the debate to the Parliament. I acknowledge his hitherto unremarked-upon connection with the A9, but I notice that he did not claim credit for the part of the A9 that he was responsible for helping to build.
It is clear that the experience that Mike MacKenzie has, arising out of personal tragedy, underscores his personal commitment to road safety and reducing the alcohol limit for driving. That is to be commended, but the political attack that underlies the motion and, perhaps, the debate was betrayed in the peroration to his speech. I do not necessarily see it as Danny Alexander’s role—or the role of any MP, for that matter—simply to get behind the Scottish National Party.
There are undoubtedly concerns about the implications of average-speed cameras and they cannot simply be dismissed as reckless. More than 3,000 highlanders, including local business groups, have called on the Scottish Government to do away with average-speed cameras, and there is a debate to be had.
Murdo Fraser made a valid point about the data that we have seen. It would be foolish of any of us to leap on it and draw conclusions at this stage.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The final item of business today is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-12163, in the name of Mike MacKenzie, on average-speed cameras on the A9. The de...
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I have had a particular affection for the A9 since I helped to build part of it during the long, hot summer of 1976. It was a massive improvement on the prev...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Mike MacKenzie on bringing to the chamber tonight’s very important debate. He revealed to us that he used to work on the A9. I do not know whe...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
David Stewart
Lab
In one second—I will just finish this point. There were 1,375 child casualties, of whom four died.
Stewart Stevenson
SNP
I wonder if the member might care to look at his number for those who have been killed on our roads. On these benches, we seemed to hear the figure 2008, but...
David Stewart
Lab
The key point is that the figures are declining, which is a good point that we can all unite behind. What concerns me is that fatality numbers are highest a...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I congratulate Mike MacKenzie on securing the debate and thank him for bringing the motion to Parliament. Like David Stewart, I am a regular user of the A9 a...
Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP)
SNP
As has been said, we all know that the A9 average-speed cameras have been a resounding success. I agree to an extent with Murdo Fraser that all the evidence ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Due to the number of members who still wish to speak in the debate, I am minded to accept a motion under rule 8.14.3 of standing orders that the debate be ex...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
I call Dave Thompson, to be followed— Dave Thompson rose—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
No. I beg your pardon. I call Liam McArthur, to be followed by Stewart Stevenson. You have had your turn, Mr Thompson. 17:27
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
It was not Dave Thompson’s worst speech, but I do not want to listen to it again, Presiding Officer. I join others in congratulating Mike MacKenzie on bring...
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
I hope that Mr McArthur agrees that, although the data might not be absolute, definitive proof, it is nevertheless encouraging.
Liam McArthur
LD
The Minister for Transport and Islands said back in January: “After only three months of average speed camera operation, police injury accident figures are ...
The Minister for Transport and Islands (Derek Mackay)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Liam McArthur
LD
The minister will have an opportunity to respond to my comments, and those of others, when he winds up. What the figures do not show is what has happened wi...
Dave Thompson
SNP
Will the member give way?
Liam McArthur
LD
No—we have already heard from Dave Thompson. Business groups have raised concerns about the implications of average-speed cameras for journey times. I do no...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Mike MacKenzie for the opportunity to debate this important subject. I declare an interest, in that I am a member of the Institute of Advanced Motori...
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Ind)
Ind
I, too, commend Mike MacKenzie for bringing this important issue to the chamber. I have enjoyed the speeches thus far. One of the purposes of Government is...
Mary Scanlon
Con
It is of no use to you, then.
John Finnie
Ind
I am told that Klang is of no use to me. Of course, what is for me is another app that the Scottish Government has put in place—the road safety cameras. It ...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I congratulate Mike MacKenzie on securing a debate on one of the most significant roads—and certainly the most dangerous road—to the Highlands and Islands. I...
Dave Thompson
SNP
Can Jamie McGrigor remind us who Lord Burton railed against, regarding dualling the A9, back in those days? It was certainly well before the SNP Government c...
Jamie McGrigor
Con
No—I have to say that I do not remember who it was. Lord Burton was always very pro-dualling, as far as I knew. Our Governments—Conservative Governments—prod...
The Minister for Transport and Islands (Derek Mackay)
SNP
Road safety is of paramount importance to this Government and we are committed to reducing casualties and saving lives on roads across Scotland, including th...
Liam McArthur
LD
Can the minister comment on the way in which the figures are able to disaggregate the implementation of the speed cameras from the introduction of roadworks ...
Derek Mackay
SNP
A level of analysis would be required there, but what is pretty consistent when we look at the stats that were provided in the briefing for today’s debate is...
David Stewart
Lab
I appreciate the work that the Government is doing on the speed limit increase to 50mph for HGVs and that it will need some years to analyse the results of t...