Hansard

Ian McKee SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2011

Scottish Executive Question Time · Hospital Consultants Pay Structure

I know that the cabinet secretary is aware of the general public disquiet at the principle and scale of distinction awards for NHS hospital consultants. Is she prepared to comment on the fact that, over the past five years, a retiring Lothians, Grampian or Glasgow consultant w...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2011

Scottish Executive Question Time · Hospital Consultants Pay Structure

5. To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in reforming the pay structure of national health service hospital consultants. (S3O-13319)

Ian McKee SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2011

Chronic Pain Services

Knowledge of the problem that faces us can never be ignored. Therefore, an audit of chronic pain and other conditions is desirable.Although I do not know offhand the number of Scottish patients involved, the figures in the motion regarding costs and so on imply that they const...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

17 Mar 2011

Chronic Pain Services

I congratulate Mary Scanlon on obtaining this members’ business debate. It is, perhaps, the last time that I will be able to contribute to parliamentary proceedings. It is no secret that I have sometimes disagreed with Mary Scanlon’s views, but no one can doubt her record as a...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill

There is some belief that the bill is a dull affair and that it is just rather technical. However, information from death certification can have a major effect on future health expenditure. If a series of recordings showed that one condition or another was on the increase, but...

Ian McKee SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I just want to confirm Ross Finnie’s admirable point. I had a little help in drafting the amendment, but obviously one needs to look a little bit harder at any help that one receives.Amendment 3 agreed to.After section 23

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

16 Mar 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I realise that section 8(2)(c) is rather a catch-all provision, but it is important that it be a little bit more specific. Accordingly, I have lodged amendment 3, because I think that interrogating relatives, carers or anyone who was involved in looking after the deceased in t...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Committee

15 Mar 2011

Annual Report

I know, from speaking to colleagues in the Parliament and elsewhere, how highly regarded our team of clerks and our legal advisers are. They contribute enormously to the working of democracy because they find problems and manage to nip them in the bud before they cause further...

Ian McKee SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2011

Scotland Bill

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Today we are discussing a motion with two interesting amendments. Can you provide the procedural reasons why the mover of one amendment was given only four minutes in which to sum up, whereas members who lodged no amendment have been giv...

Ian McKee SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2011

Scotland Bill

I am very grateful to the member for giving way so graciously.I have been impressed by the arguments made by the Conservatives in this debate about their conversion to a referendum to ask the people of Scotland whether they approve of certain constitutional changes. Why does t...

Ian McKee SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2011

Scotland Bill

Will the member give way?

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2011

Scotland Bill

Will Margaret Mitchell take an intervention?

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

10 Mar 2011

Scottish Executive Question Time · Universities (Funding)

What impact will the raising of tuition fees to £9,000 have on the accessibility of higher education in Scotland?

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

09 Mar 2011

Employment Services (Edinburgh)

I, too, very much welcome the debate and congratulate Sarah Boyack on securing it. She was my political opponent in the first Scottish parliamentary election I fought in 1999. I was impressed then by her talent and her enthusiasm for advancing the cause of our capital city. Th...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

02 Mar 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I will add to what the minister said. I am not very concerned about the low number of respondents to the RCN’s poll of its members. A vast number of nurses would not be affected at all by the proposal, so it is not surprising that they did not respond. I am talking about a ver...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

02 Mar 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Amendment 22 is a probing amendment. No one can doubt that the tasks undertaken by nurses have increased in complexity and responsibility over the years. When I was a junior doctor working in Edinburgh’s royal infirmary, nearly all the nurses were university graduates, yet I h...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

02 Mar 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Under the proposed section entitled “Forms of documentation for burning”, is it the minister’s intention to define in the regulations what human remains are? After all, if a leg is amputated it is often just chucked into the incinerator. Is that a human remain, or does a human...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

02 Mar 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I have a great deal of sympathy with the sentiments behind the amendments in Mary Scanlon’s name, because I, too, am concerned about the proposed low number of deaths that will be subject to level 1 and level 2 scrutiny. I am a little worried about evidence from test sites, be...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

02 Mar 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I could not resist it. I beg your pardon.Referring all cases is more than is needed to ensure the system’s integrity and would be expensive. As my colleague Michael Matheson said, if the system is meant to be largely self-financing, 100 per cent referral would impose a large f...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

02 Mar 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

I have a great deal of sympathy with the sentiments that Helen Eadie and Ross Finnie expressed, but I cannot support amendment 15 because moving to a system in which all cases were referred would involve a great deal of expense. I hesitate to use the word overkill in this cont...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Committee

02 Mar 2011

Subordinate Legislation

I believe strongly in a health service that is free at the point of need, but I do not expect all the Opposition parties to agree with me on that. I want to discuss the issue from a rational perspective.We have a health service where many things are free and easily accessible....

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

02 Mar 2011

Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill

One of the problems in considering Scotland’s wildlife and natural environment, let alone legislating on it, is that there are so many potentially competing interests. The needs of hunting estates—of grouse shooters, for example—are very different from those of bird watchers a...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Mar 2011

Subordinate Legislation

Section 33 of the 2010 act introduces a new provision that allows the various powers to make subordinate legislation to be combined in the same statutory instrument. Can you confirm whether or not that ability to combine powers within a statutory instrument will apply to instr...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Mar 2011

Subordinate Legislation

As you know, the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (Savings and Transitional Provisions) Order 2011 (SSI 2011/88)—we are on to the meaty topic of transitional provisions—provides a mechanism for dealing with instruments that begin their parliamentary sc...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Committee

01 Mar 2011

Subordinate Legislation

I have a follow-up question for Al Gibson about the cost that the Queen’s printer for Scotland will charge for hard copies. In the printing world, cost normally depends not just on the number of pages but on the number of copies. I presume that, under the new regime, far fewer...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

24 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill

One of the criticisms that is sometimes made of the national health service is that, as a monopoly, it runs the risk of ignoring the genuine needs and concerns of patients. If we are being honest, we know that that has sometimes been the case.Other countries have attempted to ...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Committee

23 Feb 2011

Health and Social Care Bill

Good morning, cabinet secretary. I am relieved, as I am sure most of us here are, that you have stated quite clearly that you intend to preserve the characteristics of the Scottish health service and not to go along the lines of the changes that are taking place in England. I ...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Committee

22 Feb 2011

Instruments subject to Annulment

Yes. There appears to be doubt, so it should be brought to the attention of the lead committee.

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

10 Feb 2011

Public Records (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I very much welcome today’s debate and the fact that we can all agree on the bill’s principles. It is clear that the legislation on public records, as set out in the 70-year-old public records legislation, needs to be updated. Although the subject might seem to be as dry as du...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

03 Feb 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

I welcome this long-overdue reform of the arrangements concerning the certification of death in Scotland. I comment on the bill not only as a member of the committee that has scrutinised it, but as a person who has signed scores, if not hundreds, of death certificates as well ...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

03 Feb 2011

Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

He said it.

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

03 Feb 2011

Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

For me, the double jeopardy debate is one of the most difficult issues that we face in Parliament. Unlike many other issues, there is no party split but the arguments for and against legislation to allow prosecution for an offence of which a person has previously been found no...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

Thank you.

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

Does the Government intend any new patient right that is in the bill, such as the waiting time guarantee, to be in the charter along with all the other existing rights?

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

Do you mean even if there are new rights?

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

The charter confers certain rights. Could they be enforced against third parties? Are they enforceable?

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

So you do not have an official view.

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

Do you have a view on how any rights conferred by the charter would be enforced against third parties in practice?

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

Which would take primacy?

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

I am sure that the Government has no desire to do that, but as a result of the way in which section Z1 is written, new rights and responsibilities could be introduced and, theoretically, they could conflict with rights and responsibilities that are enshrined in existing law.

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

You talk about the current intention, but we are talking about the law. If, under the provisions, patients were given new rights and responsibilities that were contradictory to the existing law, which would have primacy? Would it be the new rights and responsibilities that wer...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

How do you think the provisions would be used in the context of the existing national health service regime?

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

Is that section appropriate within the context of the rest of section Z1, which introduces new rights and responsibilities?

Ian McKee SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

I draw your attention to section Z1(2), which says that as well as restating existing rights, the charter may confer new rights and responsibilities on patients. That is a very broad power. What are the limits on the new legal rights that can be created using that power?14:30

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Committee

01 Feb 2011

Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

In the bill as amended at stage 2, under the heading “Patient rights”, section 1(2)(e), on page 2, states that health care is to“have regard to and respect for the rights and responsibilities conferred on patients”.What do you think about having that under the heading “Patient...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

27 Jan 2011

Dementia Strategy

I welcome this debate on the dementia strategy for Scotland. The loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person has many ramifications in the field of not only health but social services, as well as in all those areas, social and professional, in which we interact...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

26 Jan 2011

European Union Legislative Proposals (Reporter)

I am happy to second that nomination. Helen Eadie has shown tremendous interest in European matters, and she would be diligent in pursuing matters further.

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Committee

26 Jan 2011

European Union Legislative Proposals (Reporter)

I will not be.

Ian McKee SNP Committee

25 Jan 2011

Instruments not laid before the Parliament

I have not been lobbied on the instruments.

Ian McKee SNP Committee

25 Jan 2011

Instruments subject to Annulment

In the interest of working together.

Ian McKee SNP Committee

25 Jan 2011

Instruments subject to Annulment

I accept that.

Ian McKee SNP Committee

25 Jan 2011

Instruments subject to Annulment

I have not the slightest objection to us or our clerks, when they receive a submission or when we mention one to them, saying that there is a lead committee that will deal with the issue. However, I would be concerned if, as part of our official proceedings, we passed on lobby...

Ian McKee SNP Committee

25 Jan 2011

Instruments subject to Annulment

My concern is that, if we create a precedent, future subordinate legislation committees might well have lobbying on a much greater scale, which would be totally inappropriate for a committee that deals with technicalities rather than policy.

Ian McKee SNP Committee

25 Jan 2011

Instruments subject to Annulment

I do not want to go to the wall on this convener, but the committee’s job is to check that the instruments are technically in order. We could comment on every instrument that came in front of us and say how we have been lobbied about this, that and the other. Where do we stop?...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Committee

25 Jan 2011

Instruments subject to Annulment

I hear what Helen Eadie said, but this is a technical committee and the clerks’ recommendation covers what she said. It is for the subject committee to discuss the issue further. We have drawn that committee’s attention to the regulations, which is all that we need to do.

Ian McKee SNP Chamber

20 Jan 2011

Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I share the member’s concern about Castle Tioram and acknowledge that the bill does not address such matters. However, I support what is in the bill. The issue that Mr McGrigor raises could be the subject of the bill that Ted Brocklebank’s successor might bring to the next ses...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

20 Jan 2011

Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I declare an interest, as I am the occupier and joint owner of a property that is listed as being worthy of statutory protection under the provisions of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.When I spoke at the stage 1 debate last November,...

Ian McKee SNP Chamber

20 Jan 2011

Scottish Executive Question Time · Short Prison Sentences

As well as noting the opposition of that wise elder statesman, Kenneth Clarke, to the routine imposition of short prison sentences, does the cabinet secretary not also agree with another elder statesman of Mr Clarke’s party, namely Edward Leigh, MP for Gainsborough, who when c...

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP) SNP Chamber

20 Jan 2011

Scottish Executive Question Time · Short Prison Sentences

6. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Justice has had with the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Justice regarding the value of short prison sentences. (S3O-12685)

Ian McKee SNP Chamber

20 Jan 2011

First Minister’s Question Time · Paternity Leave

I thank the First Minister for his answer and share his welcome for the proposed arrangements, which will allow fathers to bond more closely with their children in the important early years of life. Does he agree that any possible short-term increased cost or loss of productiv...