Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 10 September 2013
10 Sep 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Scottish Parliament Salaries Scheme (Amendment)
As my SPCB colleague Linda Fabiani has said, the motion that is being considered represents the unanimous view of all of us on the corporate body.
There is a reputational issue for the Parliament, and we consider that in acting in the way that we have, by inviting the Parliament to consider a reduction in a member’s salary for the reasons that my colleague Linda Fabiani outlined, we have acted in what we consider to be the best interests of the Parliament.
I fully understand that some people may think that we have acted hastily on the matter, but I assure members that we have considered all the relevant issues and taken all the appropriate legal advice, and that we have not decided lightly to bring the motion before the Parliament.
I know from the media coverage over the weekend that there are moves, as Christine Grahame mentioned, towards discussions with the United Kingdom Government around issues to do with disqualification. That is an area where further dialogue might well be very useful, but it is a longer-term issue. The central principle of the motion is that if a member is imprisoned, they should not be entitled to a substantial part of their salary. That does not pre-empt or compromise any future consideration of measures that could disqualify members. I thank members for raising issues on that.
I stress that what we propose is not a punitive measure on members. That aspect is solely a matter for the courts. This amendment operates only during the period that a member is detained in prison for whatever reason and is not available to perform his or her parliamentary role. We are not looking at anyone who cannot attend proceedings because of illness or some other reason over which they have no control, such as long-term travel disruption.
There is a reputational issue for the Parliament, and we consider that in acting in the way that we have, by inviting the Parliament to consider a reduction in a member’s salary for the reasons that my colleague Linda Fabiani outlined, we have acted in what we consider to be the best interests of the Parliament.
I fully understand that some people may think that we have acted hastily on the matter, but I assure members that we have considered all the relevant issues and taken all the appropriate legal advice, and that we have not decided lightly to bring the motion before the Parliament.
I know from the media coverage over the weekend that there are moves, as Christine Grahame mentioned, towards discussions with the United Kingdom Government around issues to do with disqualification. That is an area where further dialogue might well be very useful, but it is a longer-term issue. The central principle of the motion is that if a member is imprisoned, they should not be entitled to a substantial part of their salary. That does not pre-empt or compromise any future consideration of measures that could disqualify members. I thank members for raising issues on that.
I stress that what we propose is not a punitive measure on members. That aspect is solely a matter for the courts. This amendment operates only during the period that a member is detained in prison for whatever reason and is not available to perform his or her parliamentary role. We are not looking at anyone who cannot attend proceedings because of illness or some other reason over which they have no control, such as long-term travel disruption.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of motion S4M-07629, in the name of Linda Fabiani, on an amendment to the Scottish Parliament salaries scheme. I c...
Linda Fabiani (East Kilbride) (SNP)
SNP
I rise to speak to the motion, which sets out an amendment to the Scottish Parliament salaries scheme.Recent events have highlighted concerns about how, in c...
Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Linda Fabiani
SNP
No, I am sorry but I do not have time. I must get on.We also recognise that there is limited confidentiality available for any prisoner dealing with the rang...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Two members have asked to speak—Patrick Harvie and Christine Grahame. I can give you two minutes each.16:54
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
When the other approaches that Linda Fabiani mentioned—namely, disqualification and recall—were considered, it was clear that there were technical barriers t...
Stewart Maxwell
SNP
Will Patrick Harvie give way?
Patrick Harvie
Green
I am afraid that, as I have only two minutes, I do not have time.I am concerned that a member might be given a response that would not give effect to the gen...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
Given the amount of time that is available to me, I will truncate my remarks.This is not the way to do it. I fully appreciate why the corporate body felt it ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Mary Scanlon to wind up the debate.16:58
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
As my SPCB colleague Linda Fabiani has said, the motion that is being considered represents the unanimous view of all of us on the corporate body.There is a ...
Stewart Maxwell
SNP
Both Linda Fabiani and Mary Scanlon have said that a member would not be deducted 90 per cent of their salary for not performing their role if it was through...
Mary Scanlon
Con
That is a very good point. I appreciate that it probably requires further explanation, and I am about to cover it.I understand, as Christine Grahame suggeste...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Mrs Scanlon.