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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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2,096,228
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Showing 60 of 2,096,228 contributions. Latest 30 days: 3,758. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 11 Jun 2026.
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
22 Mar 2011
First Minister’s Question Time · Secretary of State for Scotland (Meetings)
With your permission, Presiding Officer—and I expect that I am speaking for all retiring members of the Scottish Parliament—in advance of my question I take this opportunity to thank the staff of the Parliament for their support, in my case and in the case of some others, for ...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
No.
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
It is possible that setting up the centre might have cost £2 million before 1999, but I do not know where that number has come from.
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
That is why it was in East Kilbride rather than in Edinburgh.
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
Yes. It established the call centre before the election in May 1999 in order to provide a facility so that, if the new Scottish Government that was elected decided to use the tax-varying power, the call centre would be available to answer inquiries from members of the public a...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
I have seen some of the paperwork on this. I have not seen some of the early paperwork relating to decisions that Mr McLeish made before the election in 1999, and the final decisions that were made do not seem to be on the file, but some of the papers are available, and they r...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
If I had been involved in a discussion on the topic in advance of or following the election in 2007, I think that I would have said to our civil servants, “Your starting point in the negotiations is that it is the UK Government’s responsibility. Let’s see where we end up.” Tha...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
I refer back to my first statement this afternoon and my first statement back in June 1999. I have not been provided with the papers from the period concerned, so I speak from memory, but I am pretty clear about the fact that, in my first discussion as the Minister for Finance...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
I have two concerns about that that I wish to put on record at this meeting. The first is that the Scottish Government circulated to me in advance of circulating it to the committee and in advance—I think—of publishing it on the web site, the documentation that it said related...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
I was responsible for the negotiation of the statement of funding policy in 1999. The statement of funding policy is clear. However, the difficulty with it is that, as with all forms of words, different interpretations can be made of responsibility in specific situations. I ca...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
No.
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
Before those who, as finance ministers, dealt directly with the matter come in, I will give some political background. Much of the comment on the decisions that were taken in 2007 are based on whether a new Administration would have considered using the power. It is clear that...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
This question goes to the heart of the matter. I refer the committee to the statement that I made to the Parliament on 24 June 1999. I opened the statement, which I think was welcomed by all parties at the time, by saying:“As Minister for Finance, I want to develop an open and...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
As I indicated in my statement, two issues were raised with me immediately that I became finance minister. One was the need to prepare legislation and present it to Parliament quickly to establish the financial procedures in advance of the first budget of the new Parliament in...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
I can add to that. I do not recall, in any discussions that I was involved in back in 1999 or subsequently, the decisions on principle being affected by whether collection rates would be 90, 95, 98 or 100 per cent. From the beginning—this is true of the initial decision to mak...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
Yes.
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
That is different from what the convener said. The convener said that HMRC’s evidence was that if a decision had been made in May or June 2007, it would have been possible to implement the variable rate in the following April.
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
Who is Sarah Walker?
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
I will comment on what happened in the year before the Scottish election in May 1999. I do not have access to the papers on that, because the Parliament had not been created at the time—the minister responsible, I think, would be Henry McLeish—but my memory from the discussion...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
The arrangements comprise the following: the creation of the legislation, which happens in the cycle every autumn, as you say; the possibility or—in my view—the duty to make parliamentary statements on the matter and announce the decision properly to the Parliament; and the ab...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
I am sorry to come back in again, convener, but it is important to remember—I have always been keen to ensure that we are clear about this—that it is possible for parties to campaign on a reduction of income tax in Scotland and not just on an increase. Given the opinion polls ...
Jack McConnell Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
I should probably answer that question, given that I presented to Parliament the bill to establish the budget cycle back in 1999, as you will remember. The budget cycles in Scotland are similar to those in the UK, although our procedures differ. Provision is made for an annual...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Committee
25 Jan 2011
Scottish Variable Rate Inquiry
I want to outline briefly, mostly from memory, what took place in summer 1999 when I was appointed as the first finance minister in the new Parliament and the new Scottish Government. I should probably say by way of a preface that I had throughout the 1990s been involved in th...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
24 Nov 2010
Scottish Variable Rate of Income Tax
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. This is a debate rather than a ministerial statement, which must be a matter of regret to some of us. Will you clarify whether the initial speaker in a debate should behave as if it is a debate or as if it is a ministerial statement, as ...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
23 Sep 2010
Emergency Question · Commonwealth Games (Delhi)
The minister will be aware that the difficulties in the Edinburgh games in 1986 had an impact way beyond the games. In particular, the boycott by African nations affected relationships between the rich and poor members of the Commonwealth.An important aspect of the events of t...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
18 Mar 2010
Malawi (International Development)
I draw members’ attention to my entry in the register of members’ interests, which lists my involvement in charitable foundations and other interests in Malawi recently and currently.Shortly before I visited Bottom maternity hospital in Lilongwe in May 2005, it had been descri...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
18 Mar 2010
Scottish Executive Question Time · NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Meetings)
Apologise!
Jack McConnell Lab Chamber
03 Mar 2010
Fairtrade Fortnight
I have been contacted by a number of schools where pupils who were involved in the establishment of school tuck shops that would have sold Fairtrade products as part of a co-ordinated effort in the school to motivate the youngsters and make an impact were banned from selling s...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab Chamber
03 Mar 2010
Fairtrade Fortnight
Will the member take an intervention on that point?
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
04 Feb 2010
Points of Order
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. In an effort to be helpful, can I suggest that if any further information about the allegation should come to light over the weekend, it would be appropriate for the Parliamentary Bureau to discuss the matter on Tuesday? Surely the burea...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
28 Jan 2010
Supported Workplaces
I am sure that Lewis Macdonald agrees that the Remploy workers in Wishaw have, like Remploy workers across the whole country, responded well to the difficult choices that the management has had to make in recent years and that they are still determined to make a success of the...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
28 Jan 2010
First Minister's Question Time · Children (Self-harm)
Is the First Minister aware of yesterday's announcement that Lanarkshire NHS Board will not be going ahead with the 130-bed mental health facility in our area, following the budget restrictions that have been imposed on the health board by the Scottish Government? Is he aware ...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
07 Jan 2010
Severe Weather
The cabinet secretary rightly made the point at the end of his statement that individuals and communities could take on more individual responsibility. However, they have difficulty doing that because of the absence of grit in grit bins in streets and communities. I ask him fo...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
25 Nov 2009
World AIDS Day 2009
I thank the Presiding Officer for selecting the motion for debate before world AIDS day next Tuesday. I also thank him for—I hope—understanding that although I normally adhere to the dress code in the chamber, I have chosen tonight to wear a T-shirt that signifies the sing cam...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
18 Nov 2009
Sectarianism
Frankly, this is just not good enough. Will the minister acknowledge that the national strategy against sectarianism did not, in fact, start in 2004 but started in the Parliament in late 2002 with a cross-party document that was produced by, among others, his ministerial colle...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
18 Nov 2009
Sectarianism
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Mr Kelly asked three specific questions, but the minister did not even mention them, never mind answer them. Will the minister answer those questions?
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
12 Nov 2009
First Minister's Question Time · Rail Services (Scotland to London)
Is the First Minister aware that the east coast mainline service from Glasgow regularly stops at Motherwell station, which provides a vital service for those who wish to travel to London from outwith Scotland's two main cities? Will he support me in making representations to e...
Jack McConnell: Lab Chamber
04 Nov 2009
Glasgow Airport Rail Link
Does the member accept that the impact of the Glasgow airport rail link would be felt outside Glasgow, not just in it? Does he agree that people in constituencies such as mine, which has the lowest level of car ownership in Scotland outside Glasgow, would benefit from the exis...
Jack McConnell: Lab Chamber
04 Nov 2009
Glasgow Airport Rail Link
Will the member take an intervention?
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
04 Nov 2009
Glasgow Airport Rail Link
Will the member take an intervention?
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Committee
03 Nov 2009
New Petitions
I hope that my comments will help the committee in its deliberations. I deliberately stayed out of the earlier discussion as my views on the importance of ProjectScotland and the national youth volunteering scheme are well known, but in the light of the discussion, I would be ...
Jack McConnell: Lab Chamber
24 Sep 2009
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Marches and Parades (Glasgow)
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My question referred to the written concordat with the marching organisations and the police authorities in Scotland that followed from the 2006 act, rather than the act itself. I would be grateful if you would indicate whether it is app...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
24 Sep 2009
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Marches and Parades (Glasgow)
The cabinet secretary indicated in his response to Bill Butler that he would be happy to discuss these matters with Strathclyde Police if it wished to do so. I respectfully remind him that his predecessor signed a written agreement with many of the marching organisations and w...
Jack McConnell: Lab Chamber
24 Sep 2009
Teachers
Yes. Perhaps the Presiding Officers collectively could reflect on the absolute need for the chair to recognise when a member wishes to make a point of order, regardless of what they personally think of that point of order. I wish you to reflect on that in the course of the day.
Jack McConnell: Lab Chamber
24 Sep 2009
Teachers
Will Mr Foulkes give way to me first?
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
24 Sep 2009
Teachers
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
02 Sep 2009
Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed <br />al-Megrahi (Decision)
In June 2007, I backed my successor against the Labour Government when the new First Minister rightly objected to the negotiations over prisoner transfer taking place without Scottish Government engagement. I said then that I would back SNP ministers when they got it right and...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
25 Jun 2009
Mary's Meals
I join Margaret Curran in congratulating the schools and churches in her constituency and in the east end of Glasgow that have made such a significant contribution, not just to the work of Mary's Meals and Scottish International Relief but, most important, to the children and ...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
24 Jun 2009
Climate Change (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
Like Malcolm Chisholm, I believe that the issue that we are discussing is the key one that we will consider today. I want to make a brief case for having the most ambitious targets possible. We should be guided by science and listen to expert advice, but expert advice can be c...
Jack McConnell: Lab Chamber
21 May 2009
First Minister's Question Time · Young People not in Education, Employment or Training
I am pleased that the First Minister has mentioned volunteering as an option. However, two years ago, Scotland led the rest of the United Kingdom in providing full-time volunteering placements for young people. A month ago, Barack Obama quadrupled the number of places that are...
5. Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
21 May 2009
First Minister's Question Time · Young People not in Education, Employment or Training
To ask the First Minister what options will be available for young people not in education, employment or training in the next 12 months. (S3F-1711)
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
07 May 2009
First Ministers Question Time · Departmental Expenditure Limit
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I realise that it was hard to hear over the noise, but those of us who listened carefully to the exchange on question 5 distinctly heard Christine Grahame ask the First Minister whether he felt that due process through the courts should ...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
06 May 2009
Midwives
It has been said that, under their care, midwives do not just help with births, but change lives. More so than on any other occasion, that was brought home to me four years ago this month when I visited Bottom hospital in Lilongwe to meet a group of Scottish midwives. They had...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
26 Feb 2009
Financial Services Advisory Board
I welcome the cabinet secretary's statement and his willingness to consider any measures that might help the financial services industry at this difficult time. First, will he reconsider the support that might be made available for direct flights into and out of Scotland, whic...
Jack McConnell: Lab Chamber
08 Jan 2009
Homecoming Scotland 2009
I am delighted that the Government has added further advertising to the campaign, following my intervention last month. However, I want to ask about another issue that I raised with the First Minister last summer. The promotion of homecoming appears to be concentrated on the C...
Jack McConnell: Lab Chamber
08 Jan 2009
Homecoming Scotland 2009
Will the minister take an intervention on that point?
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
08 Jan 2009
Homecoming Scotland 2009
Will the member take an intervention?
Jack McConnell: Lab Chamber
07 Jan 2009
National Qualifications
Will she ensure that the changes are more sustainable because there is, throughout Scotland, real consensus that they can last more than just a year or two?
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
07 Jan 2009
National Qualifications
On that second objective, the major reforms of the Scottish education system and examinations in the 1980s and the late 1990s were both affected by political decisions that were made early on, which politicians then found difficult to change because they did not have the stren...
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): Lab Chamber
04 Dec 2008
Points of Order
Further to the point of order, Presiding Officer. I note that, last week, the Parliamentary Bureau agreed that you will present an adjudication on this matter to the bureau and others in due course. However, given this week's events at Westminster and the seriousness of the ma...
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Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 22 March 2011

22 Mar 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
Secretary of State for Scotland (Meetings)
McConnell, Jack Lab Motherwell and Wishaw Watch on SPTV
With your permission, Presiding Officer—and I expect that I am speaking for all retiring members of the Scottish Parliament—in advance of my question I take this opportunity to thank the staff of the Parliament for their support, in my case and in the case of some others, for these past 12 years. I thank the civil servants, ministers and special advisers who supported us, particularly Elish Angiolini, who is in the chamber, who will retire in the spring after breaking new ground as Solicitor General for Scotland and Lord Advocate. I thank my constituency and research staff and MSPs of all parties, who at many times have been kind and have given me great support over these 12 years in the Parliament.

I particularly want to thank the people of Scotland for the opportunity that they gave me to lead their Government and this country, for the honour of being First Minister and for the privilege of being MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw. I hope that at the end of these 12 years more Scots walk a little taller, cringe a little less and occasionally have ideas above their station.

Last week, my 17-year-old constituent Jayne Copeland won two awards: youth volunteer of the year and youth worker of the year. She assists the local Girls Brigade and Boys Brigade and the local dancing class; she volunteers in a nursing home for the elderly and in the paediatric unit of Wishaw general hospital; she learned British Sign Language so that she could talk to her deaf granny; and she raised more than £600 for the Teenage Cancer Trust last year, after she had personal use of the trust’s services. She represents what is and can be good about young Scots and the future of our country, and I ask the First Minister to congratulate her. [Applause.]

In the same item of business

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD) LD
3. To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland. (S3F-2980)
The First Minister (Alex Salmond) SNP
I have no plans to meet the Secretary of State for Scotland in the course of today.
Tavish Scott LD
As happened eight years ago, the parliamentary session ends with men and women from our armed forces in conflict. This time, however, the war is not illegal ...
The First Minister SNP
I strongly support our air bases, which are under threat.I will respond to Tavish Scott’s broader point. I think that every member in the Parliament supports...
Tavish Scott LD
I support those words on the legality of the current position and I will continue to make that case.There is broad cross-party agreement about the importance...
The First Minister SNP
As Tavish Scott should well know, we have never argued against conventional weaponry in the Faslane base. Indeed, he and I, along with the other party leader...
The Presiding Officer NPA
There is a supplementary question from Jack McConnell.
Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab) Lab
With your permission, Presiding Officer—and I expect that I am speaking for all retiring members of the Scottish Parliament—in advance of my question I take ...
The First Minister SNP
I willingly congratulate Jack McConnell’s constituent. That is a tremendous and inspiring story for us all and an example that we should all follow.In a few ...