Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 06 November 2013
06 Nov 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Glasgow Airport Rail Link
I have no particular desire to become involved in this unsightly spat between the Labour Party and the SNP. However, as the opportunity to speak in the debate has come to me, I will use it.
Once upon a time, we could say that, although every major airport had a railway running past its perimeter fence, none of them had a rail link that passengers could use. In fact, the only one with an effective rail link is Prestwick and that probably came about only because the Secretary of State for Scotland at the time, George Younger, happened to have the airport slap bang in his constituency. It occasionally pays to elect the right member.
Once upon a time, we could say that, although every major airport had a railway running past its perimeter fence, none of them had a rail link that passengers could use. In fact, the only one with an effective rail link is Prestwick and that probably came about only because the Secretary of State for Scotland at the time, George Younger, happened to have the airport slap bang in his constituency. It occasionally pays to elect the right member.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-08173, in the name of James Kelly, on transport. We are extremely tight for time in today’s debates, so I...
James Kelly (Rutherglen) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to open the debate on behalf of the Scottish Labour Party and to move the motion in my name.This is an important debate because it ...
Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)
SNP
Money has been saved.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Mr Stevenson.
James Kelly
Lab
In answer to parliamentary questions last week, Keith Brown revealed that the land sales, which account for more than £8 million in lost funds, were processe...
Annabelle Ewing (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
James Kelly
Lab
Just let me make my point.When we look at the SNP benches, we do not see Sandra White, Nicola Sturgeon or any of those MSPs who, in 2006, were making enthusi...
Annabelle Ewing
SNP
If the member is suggesting that the amendment is incompetent, presumably that is a direct challenge to the Presiding Officer, and he may wish to comment on ...
James Kelly
Lab
All land deals were subject to due diligence when they were added to the Scottish Government’s balance sheet. That is why we need a full audit—to scrutinise ...
Stewart Stevenson
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
James Kelly
Lab
I am sorry, but I am running out of time.Next year, the people who arrive for the Commonwealth games will do so at an airport with no rail link. However, sim...
The Minister for Transport and Veterans (Keith Brown)
SNP
It is more than four years since John Swinney came to Parliament to explain the reasons why we cancelled the GARL project. That was the right decision then a...
James Kelly
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
Keith Brown
SNP
In a second.In January 2007, SPT estimated that work in the airport campus would cost £7.8 million. In May 2008, when the project was handed over from SPT to...
James Kelly
Lab
The minister mentioned Transport Scotland. Was he aware that, earlier this year, Transport Scotland participated in an airport study group that was looking a...
Keith Brown
SNP
Yes, of course I was aware of that. Transport Scotland has said the same thing throughout the process, which is that we do not support a replacement GARL pro...
Drew Smith (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister give way?
Keith Brown
SNP
No, I will not.The Government was not convinced that that level of public expenditure to compensate what was a private company could be justified at a time o...
James Kelly
Lab
Will the minister give way?
Keith Brown
SNP
No, I have already taken an intervention. I have less time than the member had.
Jackson Carlaw (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take an intervention?
Keith Brown
SNP
No, I do not have enough time.We made it clear time after time that the land would be disposed of in accordance with the “Scottish Public Finance Manual”. It...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Will the minister give way?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
The minister is in his last minute.
Keith Brown
SNP
I should also mention the £80 million electrification of the Cumbernauld line, which will introduce electrified services in advance of the Commonwealth games...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
You must close now, minister.
Keith Brown
SNP
The Government is not afraid to make difficult decisions when it has to and, once we have made a decision, we move on from it. Our focus is to prioritise inv...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I have no particular desire to become involved in this unsightly spat between the Labour Party and the SNP. However, as the opportunity to speak in the debat...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member give way?
Alex Johnstone
Con
If the member will excuse me, I will carry on and try not to get too involved.This afternoon, the Labour Party has made a number of suggestions about some fo...