Hansard

Campbell Martin: Ind Chamber

22 Mar 2007

First Minister's Question Time · Poverty

I am coming to Frank McAveety. Under the heading, "Wage Levels", the policy says:"Average Gross Hourly pay in North Ayrshire is £8.75 compared to £10.17 in Scotland and £11.19 for Great Britain. It is 12% below the UK level of £9.60 per hour."Does the First Minister support th...

Campbell Martin: Ind Chamber

22 Mar 2007

First Minister's Question Time · Poverty

Does the First Minister accept that the main cause of poverty among the working poor is low wages and that we need to raise them to eradicate such poverty? I should apologise, because I said something earlier that is not true—I said that we all want to tackle poverty and eradi...

Campbell Martin: Ind Chamber

22 Mar 2007

First Minister's Question Time · Poverty

Everyone wants to tackle poverty and eradicate low wages. Is the First Minister aware of the "Voices of people experiencing poverty in Scotland: Everyone matters?" report, which has been published this week, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and supported by 20 Scottish...

3. Campbell Martin (West of Scotland) (Ind): Ind Chamber

22 Mar 2007

First Minister's Question Time · Poverty

To ask the First Minister whether tackling poverty among the working poor is a Scottish Executive priority. (S2F-2797)

Campbell Martin: Ind Chamber

22 Mar 2007

Scotland in the United Kingdom

I fully accept that unionist members hold strong views about the union, but does the member accept that there is a difference between passionately believing in something and telling lies about it to further one's cause?

Campbell Martin: Ind Chamber

22 Mar 2007

Scotland in the United Kingdom

Will the member give way?

Campbell Martin: Ind Chamber

22 Mar 2007

Scotland in the United Kingdom

Denis Healey was the man who said that we were an economic basket-case and could not stand on our own two feet. As I said, unionist political parties do not always tell the truth when they are talking about the constitution. Dr Gavin McCrone supplied a report to the Labour Gov...

Campbell Martin: Ind Chamber

22 Mar 2007

Scotland in the United Kingdom

How do you know who I was pointing to, Presiding Officer? It is not normal for one nation to be governed by another. However, that is the situation today, as this is only a devolved Parliament that is answerable to the Westminster Parliament. This Parliament is totally subserv...

Campbell Martin: Ind Chamber

22 Mar 2007

Scotland in the United Kingdom

No thanks. We have had 300 years of apologists for the British union. We do not need to hear any more.The people of Scotland have always known their place within the union, because we have always been told our place within the union. The Scots' role has been to be a labour for...

Campbell Martin (West of Scotland) (Ind): Ind Chamber

22 Mar 2007

Scotland in the United Kingdom

The Minister for Parliamentary Business said that she—I think she meant the Labour Party—came to the Parliament to manage devolution. I did not come here to manage devolution, which partly explains why I am sitting here as an independent. Personally, I came here to do the best...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

20 Mar 2007

Current Petitions

We have reached the stage where the petition can be closed, because the petitioners have achieved what they set out to do, which was to highlight just how cheaply alcohol can be purchased. There was a debate last week or the week before on tackling alcohol misuse, in which I r...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

20 Mar 2007

Current Petitions

It might not be necessary to keep the petition open to clarify this, but the petitioner has asked specific questions about what would happen in the event of an accident involving the transportation of nuclear material and whether the strategic co-ordinating groups that are ref...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

20 Mar 2007

Current Petitions

I should say first that the petitioner did not receive copies of the responses. There was a valid reason for that, which I will not go into here but will explain to the clerks later.The whole progress of the petition rests on the Scottish Law Commission's paper on succession, ...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

20 Mar 2007

Current Petitions

I just want to add: vote for independence.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

20 Mar 2007

Current Petitions

I remember the petitioner and Professor Salter coming to the committee and making a knowledgeable and totally convincing presentation against nuclear power. Indeed, their presentation was so convincing that we must conclude that the position of the Government and the Executive...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

20 Mar 2007

Current Petitions

I thank the members who signed my motion, which expressed support for the people of Palestine and drew attention to what they face every day with their own land under occupation. Although I am disappointed that the Presiding Officer felt unable to invite a spokesperson from Pa...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

20 Mar 2007

Current Petitions

I agree. Almost all the responses said that there has been no research. We cannot establish the actual position until research has been done, so I agree that we should keep the petition open and seek a commitment from the Executive that such research will be done.The response ...

Campbell Martin (West of Scotland) (Ind): Ind Committee

20 Mar 2007

Current Petitions

I agree with Jackie Baillie. The summit took place a long time ago, so there is no reason to keep the petitions open. However, the fact that the First Minister did not respond to a committee of Parliament is a matter of concern.

Campbell Martin (West of Scotland) (Ind): Ind Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

I am glad that everyone who has spoken in this debate has acknowledged that alcohol misuse affects every part of and every social class in Scotland. I am sure that we would all acknowledge the great work done by many people in voluntary organisations, the health service and ce...

Campbell Martin (West of Scotland) (Ind): Ind Chamber

15 Feb 2007

Workers' Rights

I congratulate Rosemary Byrne and Solidarity on bringing the issue of workers' rights to the Parliament, and I acknowledge the immense amount of work that Rosemary Byrne and Irene Oldfather have put in to support the Simclar workers. The treatment of those workers has been an ...

Campbell Martin: Ind Chamber

23 Nov 2006

First Minister's Question Time · Public-private Partnerships (Competition)

I should clarify that some complaints are still with the Lord Advocate and the procurator fiscal in Kilmarnock, so the matter is not closed.As the First Minister will accept, the Scottish Executive is responsible for the money for PPP contracts. However, is he aware that when ...

Campbell Martin: Ind Chamber

23 Nov 2006

First Minister's Question Time · Public-private Partnerships (Competition)

The First Minister will be aware that the European public sector procurement law and the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (SSI 2006/1) require genuine competition for PPP contracts. He might not be surprised if I refer to the North Ayrshire Council schools PPP cont...

3. Campbell Martin (West of Scotland) (Ind): Ind Chamber

23 Nov 2006

First Minister's Question Time · Public-private Partnerships (Competition)

To ask the First Minister whether there are sufficient economic operators within the PPP contract market in Scotland to ensure that the requirement for genuine competition is achieved in relation to every contract. (S2F-2565)

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

15 Nov 2006

New Petitions

I refer to the wording of the petition. It calls on the Scottish Parliament"to consider and debate what moves it could make to ensure the early presentation of a referendum".It says "could", not "would". The petition is asking us to ask the Scottish Executive what the legal po...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

15 Nov 2006

New Petitions

This might come as a surprise to you, convener, but I do not agree with you. I agree to a certain extent—I hope that the matter will be settled next May, but I hope that we will have a pro-independence majority in the Parliament at that time. With the greatest respect, you are...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

15 Nov 2006

New Petitions

Yes, convener. The petitioner, Mrs McCabe, is in the public gallery today, supported by Sandra Denholm. The situation in which Mrs McCabe found herself because of the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964 was traumatic for her. She did not take lightly the decision to petition the Pa...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

15 Nov 2006

New Petitions

As I said, I do not support the petition but perhaps the committee should pursue it a wee bit further and not close it at this point. I accept that the matter is reserved to Westminster and that the petition should be forwarded there. However, would it be possible to ask the S...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

15 Nov 2006

New Petitions

As politicians, we must deal with the practicalities of any legislation that is introduced. You ask that legislation be introduced to ensure that the Sabbath is held as a day of rest. If such legislation were introduced, what would be the sanction for not adhering to it?

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

15 Nov 2006

New Petitions

I say from the start that although I do not share your beliefs, I fully respect your right to hold and articulate them and to petition the Parliament in support of them. If your petition reached its logical conclusion, it would deny me as a relatively free individual the right...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

15 Nov 2006

New Petitions

I support the recommendations made by Helen Eadie and other members and Charlie Gordon's comments. However, I hope that when we forward the petition to Westminster we do not get back a letter that says simply, "Thanks very much. The matter has been noted." Instead, I hope that...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

15 Nov 2006

New Petitions

I agree that it is a slight on the Malaysian Government, but I think that it is also a slight on the British service personnel.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

15 Nov 2006

New Petitions

That is what I wanted to get on the record.

Campbell Martin (West of Scotland) (Ind): Ind Committee

15 Nov 2006

New Petitions

First of all, I think that you are right. Like so many things that come from the Westminster Government, its position on the matter is nonsense. I doubt whether the monarch even knows about it. It is some civil servant in London who is preventing you from wearing the medal.Why...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

04 Oct 2006

Current Petitions

Local authorities will not make such provision off their own bats, but if the Executive provides guidance that recognises that damage can be done to young people's spines as a result of carrying around heavy bags, they will take cognisance of the issue and respond to it in the...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

04 Oct 2006

New Petitions

You are right: we should take this seriously. There is a reference to a nightclub in Barcelona where people are agreeing to have a chip inserted that will allow them into the VIP section of the nightclub. It is absolutely incredible that people are agreeing to be chipped for s...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

04 Oct 2006

New Petitions

I notice that One Parent Families Scotland carried out a survey that found that, since 2000, two local authorities have reduced the grant. Do we know where they are?

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

04 Oct 2006

New Petitions

You are talking about the very bare minimum.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

04 Oct 2006

New Petitions

It is an indictment of politicians and society that we are talking about this in 2006. As you know, we are talking not just about clothes, but about brands and the stigma that children feel for being poor. Unfortunately, children are not slow to identify somebody who is a bit ...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

04 Oct 2006

New Petitions

I agree with your suggestions, convener.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

04 Oct 2006

New Petitions

I would hope, too, that the Scottish Parliament could invite someone from the Palestinian Parliament to come and address us.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

04 Oct 2006

New Petitions

A friend of mine, the former MSP Lloyd Quinan, visited Palestine while he was an MSP. When he came back, he showed me photographs that he had taken. It shocked me to see bombed-out houses and children without food and medicines. I would certainly be happy to lodge a motion alo...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

04 Oct 2006

New Petitions

The convener is right that it may be extremely difficult for us as a committee to force Parliament to make any commitment or statement but what would your message be to individual MSPs? What could they do?

Campbell Martin (West of Scotland) (Ind): Ind Committee

04 Oct 2006

New Petitions

This is an important and difficult issue. You speak from personal experience. There is nothing controversial in your petition and what you ask for is reasonable. I should be honest and say that I come from a position of support for the Palestinian people. It is quite incredibl...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

27 Sep 2006

New Petitions

Christine Grahame made a good point when she said that although a replacement facility was being provided, it would not be as good as the existing facilities. Some time ago, I worked for a local authority that analysed the jobs in the area. It seemed that an awful lot of jobs ...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

27 Sep 2006

New Petitions

They could drop bottles, which are then broken.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

27 Sep 2006

New Petitions

Is the glass on pathways, wooded land or streets?

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

27 Sep 2006

New Petitions

Is it broken by groups of youths or adults hanging about?

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

27 Sep 2006

New Petitions

My question for Amy and Chantelle is about the problem in Cumbernauld that prompted Woodlands primary to lodge the petition. What areas around the school or elsewhere in Cumbernauld have a problem? You do not need to name streets, but is the problem of broken glass quite bad i...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

27 Sep 2006

New Petitions

Thank you, convener—you just stole my question.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

27 Sep 2006

New Petitions

I can see where the petitioner is coming from. We are finding that there is a problem with people going outside pubs to smoke cigarettes. To some extent, the pub is in effect moving outside—there can be quite a few guys standing outside. Because of the language that they use a...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

27 Sep 2006

New Petitions

I endorse what Helen Eadie has said. We could also ask the Executive specifically whether it considers that burying and monitoring nuclear waste solves the problem.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

27 Sep 2006

New Petitions

The Scottish Executive's policy is that no new nuclear power stations will be developed while the problem of waste is unresolved. Is burying nuclear waste and monitoring it a solution to the problem?

Campbell Martin (West of Scotland) (Ind): Ind Committee

27 Sep 2006

New Petitions

I agree that we do not need any new nuclear power stations. I say that as someone who might well be the MSP who lives closest to a nuclear power station—I stay within 10 miles of Hunterston B. We conducted a survey recently in the constituency that contains Hunterston B, in wh...

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

06 Sep 2006

New Petitions

I treat everyone who comes to the committee with respect.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

06 Sep 2006

New Petitions

If we are reaching the point at which the convener is telling me how I can ask my questions—

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

06 Sep 2006

New Petitions

Surely I am entitled to ask appropriate questions.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

06 Sep 2006

New Petitions

Like me, you are entitled to your opinion, convener, but I did not think that I harangued them. I thought that my questioning was legitimate.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

06 Sep 2006

New Petitions

So a person would go to central Government. Okay. Thanks.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

06 Sep 2006

New Petitions

So a person must go to central Government with a complaint rather than to a local authority.

Campbell Martin: Ind Committee

06 Sep 2006

New Petitions

Who would monitor the approved inspectors? Are we talking about the private sector?