Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 February 2011
23 Feb 2011 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Migration and Trafficking
I congratulate Margaret Mitchell and the Equal Opportunities Committee on securing the debate, which provides an opportunity to tackle important issues. I read the committee’s report with interest and I am sure that the Parliament will join me in complimenting the committee on its extensive work.
Scotland has a long and proud history of welcoming migrants. The positive cultural, economic and social contribution that migrants make in shaping a modern and vibrant Scotland benefits us all.
In “The Government Economic Strategy”, we recognised that migration is a key part of ensuring Scotland’s future prosperity. Integration into our communities in Scotland begins from day one. Work is supported through our fresh talent initiative, which includes our free relocation advisory service, the aim of which is to welcome new Scots and retain Scots who are already here.
No single organisation is responsible for, or able to tackle, all the issues of concern that some migrants in Scotland experience, as the committee correctly acknowledges.
We, too, recognise that partnership working and supporting such relationships are key to achieving a joint vision of Scotland. The support that we provide is varied and includes funding for, for example, the COSLA strategic migration partnership, a Highlands and Islands migrant worker co-ordinator and last year’s Scottish migrants network conference.
I assure the committee that we are not complacent and will continue to provide political leadership in condemning racism and welcoming migrants to Scotland.
We are committed to continuing to work with the UK Government so that it understands the devolved implications of changes to immigration rules.
There are a number of links between immigration and trafficking. We and our agencies work closely with the UKBA on both those issues. The problem and responsibility are shared. Our relationship is generally positive, but we disagree on occasion and it is important that we express our concerns frankly.
In particular, I am concerned about the UKBA’s withdrawal of funding for three officers seconded from Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary to work at Stranraer. The impact is that there will no longer be a direct immigration resource at either of the Stranraer ports.
Scotland has a long and proud history of welcoming migrants. The positive cultural, economic and social contribution that migrants make in shaping a modern and vibrant Scotland benefits us all.
In “The Government Economic Strategy”, we recognised that migration is a key part of ensuring Scotland’s future prosperity. Integration into our communities in Scotland begins from day one. Work is supported through our fresh talent initiative, which includes our free relocation advisory service, the aim of which is to welcome new Scots and retain Scots who are already here.
No single organisation is responsible for, or able to tackle, all the issues of concern that some migrants in Scotland experience, as the committee correctly acknowledges.
We, too, recognise that partnership working and supporting such relationships are key to achieving a joint vision of Scotland. The support that we provide is varied and includes funding for, for example, the COSLA strategic migration partnership, a Highlands and Islands migrant worker co-ordinator and last year’s Scottish migrants network conference.
I assure the committee that we are not complacent and will continue to provide political leadership in condemning racism and welcoming migrants to Scotland.
We are committed to continuing to work with the UK Government so that it understands the devolved implications of changes to immigration rules.
There are a number of links between immigration and trafficking. We and our agencies work closely with the UKBA on both those issues. The problem and responsibility are shared. Our relationship is generally positive, but we disagree on occasion and it is important that we express our concerns frankly.
In particular, I am concerned about the UKBA’s withdrawal of funding for three officers seconded from Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary to work at Stranraer. The impact is that there will no longer be a direct immigration resource at either of the Stranraer ports.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-7950, in the name of Margaret Mitchell, on the Equal Opportunities Committee’s report into migration and ...
Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I welcome today’s debate on the Equal Opportunities Committee’s migration and trafficking report. Our wide-ranging inquiry covered issues of both reserved an...
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Kenny MacAskill)
SNP
I congratulate Margaret Mitchell and the Equal Opportunities Committee on securing the debate, which provides an opportunity to tackle important issues. I re...
Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD)
LD
In the ports of Cairnryan and Stranraer, the authorities have detected human trafficking for inhuman purposes, such as the sex trade. Why, therefore, were th...
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
The Crown and the police take those matters very seriously. As Jim Hume will be aware, the UKBA’s withdrawal has affected the situation. Dumfries and Gallowa...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Is the Cabinet Secretary for Justice satisfied with the response from Damian Green, the Minister of State for Immigration? In particular, is he not satisfied...
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
The arrangements are a matter of continuing concern. I appreciate that they are being reviewed south of the border, but we believe that they are prejudicial....
Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the Equal Opportunities Committee’s inquiry into migration and trafficking, and the opportunity to debate the committee’s report.Issues that relate...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Some weeks ago, I spoke in the debate on the Equal Opportunities Committee’s excellent report on issues relating to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (S...
Hugh O’Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD)
LD
I associate myself with Mary Scanlon’s remarks about the length of the debate. Given that the report is one of the most substantial reports that the Equal Op...
Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I know that the Scottish Refugee Council is an organisation that is close to both our hearts. Does the member share my concern that the SRC’s information and...
Hugh O’Donnell
LD
That point is well made and I share the member’s concern. In due course, individual members might consider communicating with George Osborne about that and a...
Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
The inquiry by the Equal Opportunities Committee was very important and it will make an important contribution to public discourse about migration in Scotlan...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
Given the short time that we have for speeches, I will limit my remarks to the scourge of human trafficking, which is, according the UN Office on Drugs and C...
Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, express my thanks to the clerking team for their hard work and dedication throughout the inquiry. The committee ensured that a wide range of voices a...
Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab)
Lab
Early in 1948, a plane deporting migrant workers from the United States to Mexico crashed. In his song “Plane Wreck at Los Gatos”, Woody Guthrie displayed hi...
Christopher Harvie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, thank the Equal Opportunities Committee for its report and Margaret Mitchell for her lucid and liberal introduction.Having lived and worked as an eco...
Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to take part in this debate on the Equal Opportunities Committee’s report on migration and trafficking because I was a member of the committee w...
Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD)
LD
I join others in thanking the Equal Opportunities Committee for its work on this matter. The report is substantial, has on-going aspirations and will be supp...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to close this important debate for the Scottish Conservatives. Like other members, I pay tribute to the excellent work of my friend Margaret Mit...
James Kelly (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab)
Lab
Like other members, I congratulate the Equal Opportunities Committee, under the competent leadership of Margaret Mitchell, on looking into the issue. The rep...
The Minister for Housing and Communities (Alex Neil)
SNP
The debate has been interesting and helpful. The view in the chamber on migration and trafficking has been universal. Like everyone else, I commend the commi...
Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It was over a year ago that the Equal Opportunities Committee decided to hold an inquiry into migration and trafficking. During the inquiry we heard from mor...