Chamber
Plenary, 21 Mar 2002
21 Mar 2002 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Scottish Parliament Salaries and Allowances
If Dorothy-Grace Elder's premise were correct, I would probably agree with her, but it is not correct. The motion will mean that in future the SPCB will have an independent review of our salaries, the result of which will guide our salary levels. If the review recommends a decrease in our salaries, we will have to accept that. That is why I support that element of the motion.
If either of the amendments are agreed to, the effect will be different. Shona Robison's amendment would give the corporate body the opportunity to decide which index our salaries should be pegged at. I do not think that that is what members want.
The motion takes annual increases out of our hands altogether and links us—rightly, I think—with the closest group of politicians that it could: our colleagues at Westminster. If, in future, the corporate body thinks that we have got the level wrong, it is open to it to commission an independent review and to determine how the annual increase should be made, based on the outcome of that review.
We need a period in which the Parliament and its members can concentrate on the work in hand without the diversion of what we should be paid. The motion facilitates that and it is for individual members to decide how they want to proceed. For the record, I confirm that all members of the Executive parties are free to vote as they see fit.
If either of the amendments are agreed to, the effect will be different. Shona Robison's amendment would give the corporate body the opportunity to decide which index our salaries should be pegged at. I do not think that that is what members want.
The motion takes annual increases out of our hands altogether and links us—rightly, I think—with the closest group of politicians that it could: our colleagues at Westminster. If, in future, the corporate body thinks that we have got the level wrong, it is open to it to commission an independent review and to determine how the annual increase should be made, based on the outcome of that review.
We need a period in which the Parliament and its members can concentrate on the work in hand without the diversion of what we should be paid. The motion facilitates that and it is for individual members to decide how they want to proceed. For the record, I confirm that all members of the Executive parties are free to vote as they see fit.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr Murray Tosh):
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S1M-2919, in the name of John Young, on the Scottish Parliament salaries scheme and the Scottish parliamentar...
John Young (West of Scotland) (Con):
Con
At the outset, I make it clear that I speak on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, not on behalf of the Conservative group or any other poli...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
You should simply move the motion, Mr Young.
John Young:
Con
I will now move the motion. I move that the Parliament, in exercise—
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
It is not necessary to read the motion out, as it appears in the business bulletin. You should simply move the motion.
John Young:
Con
I was advised that it might have to be read out, but I shall simply move the motion and trust that everyone knows what it says. I move,That the Parliament—(a...
Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I should make it clear that I am speaking in a personal capacity this afternoon. I begin by paying tribute to the business managers of the Parliament, who ha...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab):
Lab
Will Shona Robison accept an intervention?
Shona Robison:
SNP
No, I will not. My reasons for lodging the amendment are simple. First, I do not believe that we should be voting at all on our own salaries. That is a hideo...
Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP):
SSP
I am sure that I was not the only member who received a Christmas card from the Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust branch of Unison. That Christmas card h...
Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I am surprised to find myself speaking at this stage of the debate, but I will briefly take the opportunity to say something, as I was one of the business ma...
Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
Will the member give way?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
Not at this stage.
Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
No. Not at this stage.I am suggesting that it is appropriate to move on those lines because I believe that it is the responsibility of Parliament to deal wit...
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
We all find the subject very difficult and in no way do I criticise any member who comes to a different conclusion from mine. After a lot of swithering, I ha...
Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I speak in support of Shona Robison's amendment. I am aware of the hard work and long hours that every member contributes and I am aware that elsewhere, whet...
Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I will vote for the SSRB's recommendation, but not because I particularly think that I am worth that amount of money. That is not what I am being asked to vo...
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Patricia Ferguson):
Lab
I am sure that, for Ms MacDonald, the public of Scotland would make an exception on the beheading. I do not intend to make a long speech, but a couple of poi...
Dorothy-Grace Elder:
SNP
I am rather puzzled about why we are repeatedly hearing the mantra that things will be much better next time because the issue will not be publicly debated i...
Patricia Ferguson:
Lab
If Dorothy-Grace Elder's premise were correct, I would probably agree with her, but it is not correct. The motion will mean that in future the SPCB will have...
George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD):
LD
I will not support the motion for two reasons. First, there is a desperate need for the Parliament to rebuild confidence among the general public. Any member...
John Young:
Con
I shall be brief. As I said in my opening remarks, the role of the corporate body has been to facilitate the debate. A number of interesting comments have be...