Hansard

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

17 Jan 2006

Convener's Report

Can the House of Lords European Union Committee explain how the House of Lords operates on behalf of the public?

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

17 Jan 2006

Convener's Report

You will miss Sunday lunch.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

17 Jan 2006

Convener's Report

Plenty of folk ken about fish—especially in Brussels. You get the best sole in the world there.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

17 Jan 2006

Petition

No, even though it is warmer in March than it is in February.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

17 Jan 2006

Petition

I want to pick up one suggestion that may not have been picked up. During the Brussels visit, could you meet the director general for fisheries and maritime affairs, to fill in some of the blank spaces?

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

17 Jan 2006

Petition

The point is not whether or not we endorse the CFP. When people who are involved in industries lodge a petition—whether they are in manufacturing, which Irene Oldfather mentioned, or in fishing—they feel that their voices are being heard. Whether we agree or disagree is a poli...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

17 Jan 2006

Petition

Yes, for action.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

17 Jan 2006

Petition

This is a complex issue. I know both Carol MacDonald and Morag Ritchie. Many of us have probably met them, as they have been regular visitors to the Parliament. I am concerned that the views of 250,000 people may somehow get lost in the mists of time or the fog of procedures i...

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Committee

17 Jan 2006

European Commission Work Programme 2006

I am aware that I missed the meeting just before Christmas, but I am slightly concerned that the timetable has slipped a bit. I fully appreciate the point that we should not duplicate the Executive's efforts in its building a bridge project. However, one of the committee's pur...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Chamber

15 Dec 2005

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Her Majesty's Prison Inverness (Female Unit)

There is a desperate need for female prisoners to be close to their family and friends. However, I believe that the latest annual figures show that about 290 females were sent to prison for fine default, which means that they are removed from their family—in particular their c...

4. Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Chamber

15 Dec 2005

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Her Majesty's Prison Inverness (Female Unit)

To ask the Scottish Executive what long-term plans it has for the female unit in HM Prison Inverness. (S2O-8446)

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Chamber

15 Dec 2005

Excess Winter Deaths<br />(Greater Glasgow)

I join others in congratulating Paul Martin on securing this timely debate. We have such debates every year, but this year it is, because of the prospect of a severe winter, even more important that we address the issues and consider how we can resolve matters.I have one of th...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Chamber

14 Dec 2005

Steiner Schools

Yes, but the decisions are taken by Moray Council when parents have made applications for particular reasons. The decision is, quite properly, for the education authorities, in discussion with the parents. The children are funded; their transportation costs are included. The e...

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Chamber

14 Dec 2005

Steiner Schools

I will not follow David McLetchie in his interpretation of the Rev I M Jolly on the future prospects of the current Prime Minister, but I join him in congratulating Mike Pringle on bringing the subject before the Parliament. I seem to remember that previous discussions on Stei...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Chamber

08 Dec 2005

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Insulin Pump Therapy

When does the minister expect the health boards to accept those important recommendations? I am sure that the issue is not unique for constituents in my area and that it has been raised with other members. Given the approval that has been mentioned, is it not sad that only 0.1...

3. Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Chamber

08 Dec 2005

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Insulin Pump Therapy

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that insulin pump therapy offers an improved quality of life for type 1 diabetes sufferers. (S2O-8356)

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

06 Dec 2005

Convener's Report

No. We had a debate in the chamber last week, so there is not much point in commenting on it. All the points were made in the chamber.

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Committee

06 Dec 2005

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

Italy has done the same.

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Chamber

01 Dec 2005

Fisheries

Does that mean that the minister wants equality across the member states? Will there be increased and enhanced policing of every vessel that is registered within the EU?

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Chamber

01 Dec 2005

First Minister's Question Time · AIDS

I thank the First Minister for his response; it was very detailed and is in the context of a severe problem, as we all know well.Do members realise that 2,400,000 people will die this year in Africa alone as a result of AIDS? That is 8,500 people every day. The efforts that ar...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Convener's Report

The response is positive and helpful and I am grateful for it, as we have rigorously pursued the issue for many years. However, much of what is said needs to be fleshed out a wee bit. For example, the response refers to"a wide degree of discretion".What does that mean for nati...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Convener's Report

PDQ.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

I am sure that there will be a debate. However, the normal procedure is to go through the debate and then have a lot of wailing, gnashing of teeth and rending of garments. I would really like to know the Scottish Executive's baseline for negotiations. I asked for that at a pre...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

Having said that I would be quiet, I am starting again. I am sure that John Home Robertson will endorse what I am about to say—it relates to fisheries. On page 12 of the paper, it says:"The UK Presidency will aim to assist a practical discussion on front-loading and maximum su...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Work Programme <br />(Potential Inquiries)

Yes, I will stay quiet now.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Work Programme <br />(Potential Inquiries)

We are really quite a nice committee.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Work Programme <br />(Potential Inquiries)

I suggest that we should issue a direct invitation to give evidence to an EU commissioner of our choice—or any commissioner. In many ways, the trade commissioner might be the most important person to ask because trade is fundamental to the Scottish economy, but I do not know w...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Work Programme <br />(Potential Inquiries)

I am sorry, but I did not think that we had finished our consideration of the plan D inquiry. Section 4.3.3 on page 10 of the Commission communication is about targeted focus groups, which I thought were a very good idea. It says:"Particular emphasis should be placed on the vi...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Work Programme <br />(Potential Inquiries)

I want to clarify that I was not suggesting that we should not engage with the exercise. I was concerned that it was so wide ranging that we could end up with a paper—this could bring me on to the issue of representatives—that did not have the tight focus that we want. We shou...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Work Programme <br />(Potential Inquiries)

Yes. I have read through all the papers that were given to us by the clerks, whom I congratulate on their work and research. However, we are not being targeted when it comes to the aims of our inquiry. I do not see where we are going. I thought that we were going to tie in spe...

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Committee

08 Nov 2005

Work Programme <br />(Potential Inquiries)

I share John Home Robertson's sense of foreboding.

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Chamber

03 Nov 2005

Children with Special Needs

I welcome the debate. It is important that the issue of special needs is always before the Parliament. We must not lose track of it and think that because we have passed legislation everything will be fine. We all know from constituency casework and from the information that w...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Chamber

03 Nov 2005

Children with Special Needs

Will the review to which the member has referred place an emphasis on the diagnosis of special needs? One of the difficulties that many teachers face is the lack of accurate diagnosis. We cannot simply tie labels saying "autism" or "epilepsy" round young people's necks; we nee...

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Chamber

03 Nov 2005

Children with Special Needs

Will the member give way?

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Committee

26 Oct 2005

School Closures

I thank the convener for allowing me to be present as a visitor to the committee. I found the discussion on school closures fascinating and helpful. I agree with the minister when he says that the procedures that were observed at Moray Council were incredible and unfortunate i...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

25 Oct 2005

Convener's Report

It is a good idea, and I am not saying that in a party-political way. We should think carefully about the fact that Scotland does not host a major institution of the European Union and should do so because it might enhance the image of Europe.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

25 Oct 2005

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

I am glad that the agriculture and fisheries council has eventually submitted its report. I wanted to raise a point to do with pre-council scrutiny that will probably come up in other documents. I do not know what John Home Robertson's feelings are, but we know that we are com...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

25 Oct 2005

Work Programme

The body is meeting soon.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

25 Oct 2005

Work Programme

The British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

25 Oct 2005

Work Programme

Could you remember to ensure that Dennis is invited to the BIIPB?

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

25 Oct 2005

Work Programme

I am slightly concerned about some of Irene Oldfather's comments. I accept that views on the constitution will reflect party-political boundaries, but there will also be disputes within parties. We must be very careful when putting together a report that reflects a consensus o...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

25 Oct 2005

Work Programme

I think that he would be going for Jim Wallace's proposal.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

25 Oct 2005

Work Programme

The convener has said many of the things that I was going to say about structural funds. For a variety of reasons, all committee members have an interest in structural funds. People best understand about Europe what it delivers into Scotland and they look for what it is delive...

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Committee

25 Oct 2005

Work Programme

Dennis Canavan has suggested an excellent idea, which we should pursue. Given that the next meeting of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body will be held in Scotland—it takes place at the end of November, but I do not have the exact dates in my brain—it might be useful fo...

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): SNP Chamber

05 Oct 2005

Met Office (Aberdeen)

I join other members in congratulating Brian Adam on bringing the debate to the chamber and commend him for his excellent exposition of the case in his opening speech. A time limit is always placed on speeches, but many of us were riveted by what Brian Adam was saying and I kn...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

Go for it girl.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

In some ways the issue ties in with what Karen Gillon spoke about. As a result of my work in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, I know that when we raise issues that involve international relations and the work of the Department for International Development, I am bom...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

The clerk may want to contact Alison Dickie, because I am sure that some work has been done on the issue via the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body. If a paper is available, it could be a helpful starting point. As a former member of the BIIPB, Dennis Canavan knows that th...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

What Dennis Canavan has been saying is similar to what has been said at meetings of the BIIPB. He took the words out of my mouth when he spoke about Wales. Wales is part of a member state of the EU but it has benefited massively through making contacts with Ireland. I would su...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

I seem to have been travelling so much in the last wee while that it has been difficult to keep up with everything. Was not a statement made today to the effect that the European Commission is seriously considering reducing red tape? Everything was covered, including things su...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

Is the Finance Committee looking into that matter?

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

We all speak to one another.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

I am totally happy with the idea of asking the minister to come at the end of the year, but I would like his view to be supplemented by the view from Westminster. Westminster deals with the ultimate decisions and financing. If we could get written evidence from Westminster, we...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

When we invite Tom McCabe to come and speak to us, could we also write to the appropriate Westminster department to ask for an update?

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

Which minister would we invite? Some of the decisions are taken at Westminster.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

You are right, John. It is the Commission.I agree with Phil Gallie on the issue that he raised about research. I am very keen that we do not just let the issue of structural funds disappear. If anyone wants to argue the case, the Scottish Parliament should do so because of all...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Work Programme

That is the problem. Nothing is changing.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Convener's Report

I would be happy with that. I thought that I should raise the issue because it is being trailed so much in the newspapers.

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Convener's Report

I am having visions of Irene boogieing the night away.The report is excellent. It is a factual account of what happened. As members know, a number of issues surround legal challenges that may be made in the context of demonstrations. Should the committee, having taken evidence...

Mrs Ewing: SNP Committee

27 Sep 2005

Pre and Post-council Scrutiny

Section 3 of annex B—on page 4 of our paper—suggests that agreement on structural and cohesion funds will need to be reached on 3 October to ensure that SCF payments are not delayed beyond January 2007. Do we have a clear direction from the Scottish Executive as to what it wil...